Hopkins Demonstration Forest is a 140-acre privately-owned forest open to the public for self-guided exploration, tours, workshops, and education programs.
Hopkins Demonstration Forest is a 140-acre privately-owned forest open to the public for self-guided exploration, tours, workshops, and education programs.
We welcome guests during daylight hours, seven days a week throughout the year. Property maps are available at the information kiosk near our main parking area. Three miles of trails crisscross our woodland, connecting you with a variety of habitats and forestry demonstrations. Enjoy a peaceful walk on our Watershed Interpretive Trail to see how we manage the riparian area to protect water quality in Little Buckner Creek.
Families and groups enjoy the Cedar Grove Picnic Shelter, while Scouts and schools like to meet in our amphitheater. There’s something for everyone and something different in every season at Hopkins Demonstration Forest—where learning and growing go hand in hand.
Forests Forever offers a variety of activities and educational experiences at Hopkins Demonstration Forest. Guests are welcome to walk on their own, or enjoy a guided tour. We also share our knowledge of forest management and ecology through workshops, and provide opportunities to learn by doing during community workdays. Schools and youth groups, civic clubs and families enjoy our educational programs and service project options.
Volunteers Make It Happen!:
Hopkins Demonstration Forest is a place where people come to learn--it is also a place where people come to work--to learn by doing. Forests Forever, Inc. relies on volunteers to get things done in our forest.
We are proud that many individuals, private businesses and public agencies have come forward to help us carry out our mission of forestry education. In 2009, over 956 volunteers gave more than 3,800 hours of their time to help manage our forest and provide educational programs to our community. We encourage and look forward to this level of support in the coming years.
Community Forestry Days include a variety of volunteer projects and learning opportunities – something different in each season. Our community enjoys lunch together, with the chance to meet new people and catch up with old friends. You may also learn something new from a brief topical presentation, or a tour of recent activity in our woodland. Community Forestry Days are planned for the 2nd Saturday of each month—please RSVP by the Thursday prior to each Community Forestry Days, whether you plan to join us for all or part of the day. The schedule for Community Forestry Days will look something like this:
8:30 am: Crew leaders assemble, volunteers arrive
9:00 am: Volunteer projects begin
12:00 noon: Lunch & Topical presentation
1:00 pm: Volunteers return to projects
2;00 pm: Tour, 90-minutes
4:30 pm: Thank you. Have a safe drive home.
Join our community in the forest on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Call ahead to let us know you are coming. Tours are scheduled for 2:00 pm, on the 2nd Saturday of each month, as part of Community Forestry Days, and at other times by request.
Vision:
Forests Forever, Inc. operates Hopkins Demonstration Forest as an accessible example of sustainable forestry, which provides woodland products, fish and wildlife habitat, and experiential learning opportunities. Youth, woodland owners, and the broader community are invited to learn through visits, educational events, and participation in the operation of Hopkins Demonstration Forest
Mission:
Forest Forever, Inc. promotes science-based education to enhance understanding of, and appreciation for the complexities and benefits of woodland management.
Forestry Education
