The Deschutes and Ochoco national forests, a Presidential Management Fellow and a broad group of partners initiated an outreach program to gather diverse perspectives for their Human Ecology Mapping project.

The HEM survey is a computer-based mapping and values exercise to gather more information about what national forest locations in central Oregon are important to people and how they connect with them. The forests partnered with Portland State University, Pacific Northwest Research Station, and nonprofit Discover Your Forest to get the survey to as many people as possible, specifically targeting underserved demographics.

Researchers and employees tested a new iPad version of the survey Feb. 25 at Eagle Watch, an annual weekend conservation education event at Lake Billy Chinook.