World Forestry Center, Environmental education center in Washington Park, Portland, United States.
The World Forestry Center consists of three octagonal timber-frame buildings designed by architect John Storrs with contemporary exhibition spaces inside. The facility displays exhibits on forestry practices, woodland ecosystems, and international forest management in well-organized, accessible rooms.
The center grew out of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition, where a large wooden building functioned as the original Forestry Building. That structure was destroyed by fire in 1964, leading to the creation of the present-day facility with its distinctive octagonal buildings.
The center serves as a gathering place for forestry professionals and experts from around the world who share knowledge about sustainable forest management. Visitors can observe how international specialists collaborate and what insights emerge from their work together.
The center is located in Washington Park and can be reached by TriMet MAX light rail, public buses, or parking near the Oregon Zoo. Well-marked pathways and entrances make it straightforward to navigate the grounds, even if you are unfamiliar with the area.
The collection features a restored Shay locomotive named Peggy, a timber-harvesting engine from 1909 that worked in regional logging operations. This rare piece of industrial history is often overlooked by visitors, yet it offers a revealing glimpse into how forests were worked in the Pacific Northwest.
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