Forestry Sciences Laboratory (Olympia)

Legacy

Forestry science in Olympia has been a tradition since the 1940s, when a lab was first housed at Olympia’s old postal office. The lab celebrated a 50-year milestone of forestry research at its new location in 2008. Knowledge produced at the lab has informed Pacific Northwest forest management strategies for over half a century.

OFSL packs a wealth of research equipment and facilities on a compact site. The main building houses office and lab equipment including drying racks, seed germinators, and walk-in growth chambers. Outbuildings include a greenhouse and a “lathe house,” an open-air structure that shelters seedlings. Raised beds and a forested trail supply additional outdoor research space. Nearby Washington Department of Natural Resources, a State Forest Nursery, and Joint Base Lewis-McCord offer ample collaborative research opportunities.

Address

3625 93rd Ave. SW   
Olympia, WA 98512 

Voice: 360-753-7747

Science 

OFSL is known for a strong tradition in wildlife ecology, expanding knowledge of hallmark Pacific Northwest species like the marbled murrelet, spotted owl, wolverine, and their habitats. Other traditions include silviculture and the science of managing different types of vegetation like douglas fir or oak stands. Traditional forestry research is joined by newer fields like genetics, seedling survival, and seed germination under changing weather and climate conditions. Social science and fire science are also actively researched at the lab. Collaborative research partnerships with private, state, and federal forest managers build our capacity to do science and create new knowledge.

Menschen 

OFSL is home to about 21 employees, plus three emeritus scientists. Olympia Forestry Science Lab scientists include wildlife and fisheries biologists, ecologists, foresters, and computer and information specialists. Collaborative science capitalizes on the land resources and expertise of nearby federal, state, and private foresters along with non-governmental organizations. 

Teams 

Along with offices for administrative, support, and information technology staff, OFSL serves as a “home room” for diverse research teams. Team members often work at sites throughout the Pacific Northwest, team members housed at the OFSL work on Genetics and Silvicultural Foundations for Management team, Aquatic Ecology and Management team, Wildlife Ecology team, Insects, Pathogens, and Stressors team, and Data Collection team. 

Contribution 

Our lab supports Pacific Northwest Research Station programs including: Ecological Process and Function Program Goods, Services and Values Program Land and Watershed Management Program Resource Monitoring and Assessment Program Threat Characterization and Management Program