World Forestry Center Doubles Attendance in 2025

In 2025, World Forestry Center experienced a milestone year, doubling attendance at the Discovery Museum and signaling a new chapter for one of the region’s long-beloved yet often undiscovered destinations. “Last year showed us what’s possible when we invite people in with curiosity, relevance, and community,” said Joseph Furia, executive director of World Forestry Center. “For a long time, World Forestry Center has been one of Portland’s best-kept secrets. In 2025, more people discovered that this is a place to learn, gather, and connect—and that momentum is incredibly exciting as we look ahead.”

This growth was fueled by a dynamic year of exhibitions and programming inside World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum, inviting audiences to explore the relationship between forests and society through new lenses. Highlights included the Following Fire photography exhibit, Log Lady pop-up exhibit, and the acclaimed Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians exhibit, on display through January 31, 2026. In September, the Center opened its first new permanent exhibit in more than 20 years: Wildfire | Climate | Forests. Designed as an immersive theater experience, it explores the complex connections between wildfire, climate change, and forest management, highlighting forests as a critical climate solution.

World Forestry Center also expanded access and impact through professional and community programming. Highlights included CANOPY: Forests | Markets | Society, an international conference bringing together leaders to discuss the future of forest investments and global markets; a national gathering of public health and forestry professionals examining wildfires as a public health crisis; and the conclusion of the Center’s two-year fellowship program. Community engagement remained strong with free days hosted by the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, partnerships with Hampton Lumber for the Portland Timbers’ Victory Log Blessing and Doug Fir Day, as well as events like Be Wildfire Aware, ForestFest, and monthly Forest Crafts with RAD Creative Space.

Beyond campus, World Forestry Center further expanded its reach through new and deepened partnerships. This included the launch of the Forest Pub monthly series in partnership with McMenamins at Mission Theater, an often-sold-out evening featuring collaborations with organizations such as the Oregon Wine Board, OPB, the Port of Portland, and Oregon State University.

World Forestry Center’s campus remained a vibrant gathering place throughout the year. Venue spaces including Miller Hall, Cheatham Hall, and the Plaza welcomed tens of thousands of guests for festivals, weddings, proms, business meetings, and personal celebrations—further cementing the Center’s role as a cornerstone for community gathering in Portland.

With renewed energy, expanded programming, and a growing audience, World Forestry Center is looking ahead to 2026 as both a celebration and an invitation. As the Center marks its 60th anniversary, it will host several special anniversary-themed programs and events honoring six decades of forest-centered experiences, culture, and community.

“Celebrating 60 years is about honoring the legacy that brought us here while building something meaningful for the next generation,” said Furia. “As we look to the future, World Forestry Center is committed to being a place where people come together—on our campus and beyond—to better understand forests and our shared responsibility to them.”

Visitors are invited to explore immersive exhibits and upcoming art installations at the Discovery Museum or attend an upcoming program on and off campus. Those looking to host an event can do so in World Forestry Center’s iconic wood-filled venues—ideal for meetings, celebrations, weddings, and conferences—while supporting a local nonprofit.

For more information about World Forestry Center, upcoming programs, exhibitions, and venue rentals, visit worldforestry.org or follow @worldforestrycenter on social media.

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