Dr Keith Swenson, Adjunct Professor of Natural Sciences at Multnomah University will lead this trip. The upper Clackamas River drainage in the Mt. Hood National Forest is an ideal place to study and enjoy Oregon's west side forest. This field trip will be in the form of a mini-course on forest ecology, based on the material taught in the biology program at Multnomah University. Participants will observe old-growth forest as well as sites that have been clear-cut logged. We will see the large 36 Pit Fire burn of 2014, learn how to core trees and measure their height, net aquatic organisms in the Clackamas River and identify the major forest plants. Discussion topics will include evidences for design in the forest ecosystem and biblical stewardship of forest resources. Hiking distance will be about 4 miles, some being off-trail.

We will meet at 7:30 am in the Science House at Multnomah University and carpool to the forest. Return time will be about 5:00 pm. Suggested donation will be $25 for families or $15 for an individual.