School lands have supported public education in Oregon since statehood, when Congress provided sections 16 and 36 of every township “for use of schools.” Today, DSL manages
Oregon's 772,600 acres of school lands to generate revenue for the Common School Fund. DSL is updating the asset management plan that guides state stewardship of school lands to create a new framework for strategic initiatives and day-to-day management in the coming decade.
Why does the plan need to be updated?
This 10-year plan is the key policy document for managing and evaluating Oregon’s school lands – and much has changed
since the last update in 2012. DSL is seeking to achieve the best and most effective mix of revenue-generating opportunities using sound natural resource management and conservation principles while considering:
- Current land management science and best practices from across the country.
- Lessons learned from the past decade of managing Oregon's school lands.
- Economic and environmental factors.
- DSL’s overall strategic direction.
- Community needs, as well as new and innovative ideas from stakeholders and the public that offer additional benefits for Oregonians.
The metrics that demonstrate how successful DSL is in meeting plan goals will also be re-examined.
DSL hopes to incorporate new ideas for how school lands can continue to generate revenue for education while also contributing additional public benefit. This could be:
- Solar, wind, and other renewable energy projects or carbon sequestration projects.
- Collaboration to meet community needs and support local economies through land use planning of school lands within urban growth boundaries, leasing and use of school lands, and enhanced recreational opportunities
- Demonstration projects for wildfire risk reduction, invasive species management, or other climate resilience efforts.
- Partnering with local organizations to support projects in conservation.
DSL staff, particularly a Real Property Program working group, are leading the plan update. In addition to talking with a wide variety of stakeholders, DSL will be seeking public comments on a draft plan in 2023.
This preliminary timeline may change.
- Summer 2022: Project team evaluated a decade of best practices and lessons learned. Presented the Real Estate Asset Management Plan: Achievements Report (2012 - 21) to the Land Board.
- November 2022 - April 2023: Early input from stakeholders and project team research.
- April 2023: Plan framework and summary of input and research shared.
- April - June 2023: Draft plan development.
- July - August 2023: Draft plan available for public review and comment
- September - October 2023: Revisions of the draft plan.
- December 2023: Plan presented to the State Land Board for review and potential approval.
Ways to Engage
Join us online on Wednesday, April 5th from 1 - 2:30 p.m. (stay tuned for meeting links and call-in information) to learn about the school lands management plan and this project to create a new guiding framework for the coming decade.
The team will share:
- DSL's role in managing school lands
- Lessons learned from the previous plan
- Looking ahead to new priorities and current best practices
- The project timeline and how you can be involved.
We'll have time for questions, as well as a listening session to discuss your ideas on how school lands can contribute additional public benefits.
This info session will be recorded and posted online.
The new school lands management plan is currently being drafted, and will be sent out through public notice for a public comment period later this summer (anticipated in July / August 2023).
Stay tuned for more information, and subscribe to our mailing list to receive email notifications on the project here.
Please reach out to the Cait McCusker, the DSL Public Engagement Officer, at cait.mccusker@dsl.oregon.gov if you have any questions.