Olympic Natural Resources Center

The University of Washington Olympic Natural Resources Center located on the Olympic Peninsula in Forks, Washington, provides scientific information to address critical issues and solve problems concerning forestry and marine sciences in the region.


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ONRC Today

Marine Based Economic Resources on the Washington Coast

The Washington Working Coast project is an economic assessment of marine based resources on the Washington Coast, including Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties. A group of University of Washington Graduate Students pursuing the Environmental Management Certificate from the Program on the Environment are taking the lead on this project. Read more.

ONRC Welcomes New Director Professor David Ford

Letter to Editor - Forks Forum (January 10, 2013)
ONRC welcomed School of Environmental and Forest Sciences Professor David Ford as its new director in June 2012. The January 10, 2013, issue of the Forks Forum featured a letter from Professor Ford, providing some introductory information about himself and an invitation to join the new Friends of ONRC. Professor Ford welcomes any and all comments and questions about ONRC and its activities. You can contact him at edford@uw.edu or call him at (360) 374-3220.

Marine Debris Information

Marine Debris Information
For up-to-date information on the latest news on marine debris washing up on the coastline of the Olympic Peninsula and elsewhere, check out this informational website. You can reported marine debris that you observe by calling 1-855-WACOAST (1-855-922-6278) or by emailing DisasterDebris@noaa.gov

Habitat Intrinsic Potential Modeling of Selected Streams on the Outer Washington Coast for Anadromous Salmonid Fish

Phase I Report to the Wild Salmon Center - June 5, 2012
This report highlights general background information on instrinsic potential (IP) modeling, the methodology ONRC used in this project, and the results of ONRC's modeling activies. The report concludes with a list of outstanding issues in defining future IP modeling in the coastal region.

PDF DocumentPhase II Final Report to WSC Feb 15, 2013

Denman Forestry Issues Spring Lecture

The Spring 2012 Denman Forestry Issues Series presentations "Role of Forests and Forest Products in Carbon Mitigation and Energy Independence" are now available to view online along with downloadable copies of the presentation slides. The lecture series is administered by the ONRC and the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. Ellen Matheny, ONRC Education Director, introduced the speakers in this installment of the series.

UW Names DeLuca Director of School of Environmental and Forest Sciences

The University of Washington recently named Tom DeLuca as the new Director of the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. He will begin his duties as director on September 1, 2012. More information.

Washington's Working Coast

During the October 2011 Summit of Marine Resource Committees (MRCs) serving the outer coastal region, an economic assessment of the marine-resource dependent business was selected as one of the two top priorities for collaborative work. ONRC was invited to assist in the development of this assessment based on its experience with previous regional economic analyses.  Three MRCs provided funding for a preliminary compilation of information setting the stage for the more intensive research and analyses that will begin in the Fall.

Diversifying Forest Structure to Promote Wildlife Biodiversity

WSU Extention Forester Kevin Zobrist and UW SEFS Professor Emeritus Thomas Hinckley published a manual describing management strategies for promoting high quality forest habitat that will support and promote many different species of wildlife. Publication Available for Purchase at WSU Publications.

ONRC Geocache

Read the latest posts from Geocachers at the Forks Geocache web page. The cache contains items from Geocachers from around the world, ONRC, the City of Forks, and other Forks community members. It is located along a small 2-mile long trail system, in a western hemlock forested area, less than 1/2 mile south of downtown Forks.