The Elliott State Forest took a big step recently on its way to becoming the country’s largest research forest, by finding a site for its headquarters. Oregon lawmakers established the 82,000-acre Elliott State Research Forest outside of Reedsport in 2022. Last week, the Department of State Lands finalized the transfer of the former Shutter Creek Correctional Facility northwest of the forest, so it can become the research headquarters. State Lands spokesperson Ali Ryan Hansen said U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden secured $4 million for site renovations and rehabilitation in Congress’s fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations package. Work still needs to be done to convert the facility. …Ryan Hansen said the Elliott Forest is on traditional land of both the Coos and Lower Umpqua peoples. She said there’s potential to co-steward the forest and bring tribal knowledge to the research.