SALEM:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and The Oregon Heritage Tree Program will dedicate the Valley of the Giants Outstanding Natural Area as a Heritage Tree Grove on June 6, 2008 at 9:00 AM. The ceremony will be held at BLM's Salem District Office at 1717 Fabry Rd. SE, Salem, OR 97306.

The Valley of the Giants is a 51 acre parcel of land containing a stand of old-growth Douglas-fir and hemlock trees, many of which are more than 20 feet in circumference and nearly 200 feet tall. Some of the largest trees are between 400 and 450 years old. The largest tree, which blew down in a windstorm in 1981, was 35 feet in circumference and more than 600 years old.

In 1976, the Bureau of Land Management designated the site as an Outstanding Natural Area. The Valley of the Giants is located 30 miles west of Falls City via logging roads not suitable for passenger cars.

Visitors are encouraged to call BLM's Salem District Office at 503-375-5646 for directions and road information.

After the Heritage Tree Dedication Ceremony, the BLM will lead a field trip to the Valley of the Giants. Vans will leave the Salem District Office at 10 AM. Limited passenger space for rides is available to the public on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like a ride from the Salem BLM Office to Valley of the Giants and back, please RSVP no later than May 30 to Trish Hogervorst at 503-375-5657 with your name, phone number and the number of people in your party.