News

(Portland, Ore.) December 10, 2008 – Portland State University’s (PSU) Jennifer Allen has been appointed the public representative to the board of the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI). Allen becomes just the third public representative to OFRI’s board since its formation by the state legislature 17 years ago. The complete OFRI board consists of 13 members who represent small, medium, and large forest products producers, small woodland owners, and forest products employees.

Allen was appointed by Senate President Peter Courtney and House Speaker Jeff Merkley under provisions of the Oregon statute establishing OFRI. The public representative is a non-voting ex-officio position. The OFRI conducts forest landowner training programs, develops programs and curricula for K-12 audiences and other forestry related programs for the public at large. Allen is currently the acting director and associate professor of the Center for Sustainable Processes and Practices at PSU. Her personal research interests include sustainable agriculture, green building and sustainable economic development.

Allen’s academic training is in environmental science and public policy. She holds degrees from Yale University, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and George Mason University. In addition to her work at PSU, Allen serves on the boards of Shorebank Pacific, Portland Energy Conservation Inc., and Illahee.

The Oregon State Legislature created OFRI in 1991 to improve understanding of Oregon’s forests and to encourage sound forest management. For more information about the Oregon Forest Resources Institute visit www.oregonforests.org.

Media inquiries should be directed to Kerri Griesbeck at 503-725-8794 or kgries@pdx.edu.

Portland State University
Portland State University (PSU) serves as a center of opportunity for over 27,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Located in Portland, Oregon, one of the nation’s most livable cities, the University’s innovative approach to education combines academic rigor in the classroom with field-based experiences through internships and classroom projects with community partners. The University’s 49-acre downtown campus exhibits Portland State’s commitment to sustainability with green buildings, while many of the 125 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees incorporate sustainability into the curriculum. PSU’s motto, “Let Knowledge Serve the City,” inspires the teaching and research of an accomplished faculty whose work and students span the globe.