Small Woodlands Services

Lumber and wood products were at the forefront of post-World War II economic expansion in the Pacific Northwest. A new appetite for consumer products and homes fueled demand for wood products, while applied war technology made timber harvest and processing easier and more efficient. A new generation of caterpillars, trucks, chainsaws and mills reshaped the face of the industry.

1952 still stands as the peak year for timber volume harvested in Oregon. In 1954, Jackson County alone had 91 mills in operation. By 1978, however, only 8 mills remained in Jackson County. The "big boom" had passed. Most of the easily accessible large trees were gone, demand was moderated by recession, and a wave of corporate consolidation and technological innovation gave control of the industry to fewer players. Lumber and wood products never regained its economic prominence.

Small Woodlands Services dates to October of 1980. The goal was to diversify involvement in the forest, to shift the focus of management to forests owned by small landowners.

Since that time, in his work with small landowners, Marty Main has found they've often been less constrained or motivated by what tends to drive industrial and public forest management: profit and regulation. For the most part, small landowners manage forests according to personal conviction. According to Marty, "I've always enjoyed working with small landowners because that's where you can put your personal perspective onto the landscape."

Marty has gained a solid reputation working with landowners to help them "connect with the land." He helps landowners gain a better understanding of their forests and accomplish their goals. He stresses a "Love- Know-Touch" formula for decision-making, whether the landowner is managing for economic return, fire hazard reduction, forest diversification, or the development of an aesthetically pleasing home-site.

"Our culture has conspired to alienate us from the earth. This can be seen in the way we view and value those who work the land. Where is the dignity in choosing a profession that interacts with the earth?" Marty continues, "In contrast, this business has been about people interacting in a positive way with the forest. It's been about finding good people and finding them meaningful work."

Over the years Marty and Peggy have worked with a core group of some twelve to fifteen employees. It is this core group, and sacrifices made and good work accomplished, that the Main's credit for the success of Small Woodlands Services. Most SWS work been local and year-round, providing short commutes and economic stability. This is in marked contrast with trends in forest employment that find seasonal and migratory work a norm.

According to Pat Uhtoff, a Small Woodlands Services employee for the past 10 years, "Working for Small Woodlands Services has been great for somebody like me. I wanted to do something in natural resources and it's been good to be able to do that in such a positive way. It's a great way to make a living."

Marty has worked with over 300 landowners, numerous municipalities and various agencies, affecting the management of some 50,000 acres of forest across southwest Oregon. The scale of Marty's involvement and the diversity of his connections to people involved with management issues are impressive. Today Marty is as likely to be found talking with students, or working with the city of Ashland in the urban watershed as he is working small woodlots with crews.

But whoever the audience and wherever the forest Marty's approach has been the same, "I've always wanted to let the land do the talking. That's what's been missing."

The land talks best perhaps on the 120-acre forest Marty and Peggy own and manage. Much of the direction and support for SWS has derived from the work and inspiration they have shared as they get to know their own forest.

"I think it's safe to say we're trying to grow a mature forest." The forest that once held an average of some 2,000 stems per acre has been greatly thinned to allow better spacing for mature ponderosa and sugar pines. While some hardwoods and brush have been removed to reduce fuels and favor conifers, larger oak and madrone have flourished where their competition has been reduced. A 10-acre portion of the forest was burned and now bears closer resemblance to the open pine forest that once dominated the site.

Marty and Peggy utilize as much of the material as possible. Annually they sell poles and firewood, and one or two loads of commercial-sized logs. They have also milled dimensional material on-site for sale and personal use. "It is really important to connect the perspective of professional management to hard physical labor."

This forest has been important in other areas of their lives as well. For years Marty and Peggy have been foster parents to children in need. As foster parents, they have worked, played and camped in the forest with many children. At these times, the forest is simply a place to retreat and find nourishment. The forest becomes a location where establishing connection takes on a more personal and intimate flavor.