Oregon’s forest sector is a vital part of the state’s economy and communities. It ranks third in Oregon’s gross domestic product, producing 28% of the nation’s plywood and 16.5% of U.S. lumber. But the industry faces major challenges: an aging workforce, fewer new recruits and the need for safer, more engaging training methods.
Participants who found the activity engaging were more likely to report learning something new — and showed increased interest in forestry careers. This highlights the power of gamified learning to reach younger audiences.
Logging is one of the most dangerous jobs in Oregon — with higher fatality rates than any other occupation. This makes safety education and workforce development more important than ever.
Participants who found the training engaging were more likely to report learning about forestry — and expressed greater interest in forestry careers.
The Oregon State University Extension Service Virtual Canopy program uses virtual reality to tackle these challenges. The immersive experience is designed for high school students, career seekers and new logging employees. It promotes careers in the forest sector and helps reduce workplace injuries by combining safety education with career exploration. A recent grant will support the addition of safety-focused lessons to the current VR experience.
The Virtual Canopy experience includes three components:
- Career scenarios: Gamified simulations of forestry jobs like harvester operator, choker setter and truck loader. Participants complete hands-on tasks in a safe, controlled environment.
- Explore mode: A self-paced exploration of forest ecosystems and job sites — ideal for learners who prefer open-ended activities.
- Glossary resource: A visual glossary of logging terms to help users understand industry-specific language.
The training is portable, accessible and scalable. It is available in classrooms, at career fairs and in workplaces. OSU Extension has 20 VR headsets for educators. Additional units are provided by industry partners such as the Associated Oregon Loggers Inc. and the OSU College of Forestry for use at recruitment and training events.
Evaluation data from 232 participants — primarily high school students — shows promising results. On a scale of 1 to 10, participants rated the experience:
- 8/10: Learned something new about forestry or forestry careers
- 8/10: Equipment was easy to use
- 7/10: Found the activity engaging, would participate again, and would recommend it
- 6/10: Expressed interest in learning more about forestry jobs
There were no significant differences in engagement or learning outcomes based on gender or previous forestry experience — suggesting broad appeal and accessibility.
Participants who found the activity engaging were more likely to report learning something new — and showed increased interest in forestry careers. This highlights the power of gamified learning to reach younger audiences.
Virtual Canopy addresses critical workforce challenges while supporting Oregon’s forest sector. The program sparks interest in forestry careers — and will soon enhance safety training. It offers a sustainable, scalable way to prepare the next generation of forestry professionals — helping keep the industry safe, vibrant and resilient.
