What We Value
Creating a positive impact in our communities
Doing right by our people and our forests.
We aim to have a positive impact on our communities through our work and our willingness to engage and support those around us. After more than 80 years in business, we continue to honor the foundational values that got us here; commitments to people, stewardship, and community. While we have grown along with demand for renewable building materials, we remain a community-minded business that recognizes our future is tied not only to our own bottom line, but to the health and prosperity of our employees and the communities in which we operate.
Affordable Housing
Housing should be within reach.
We’re in the wood business so of course, we’re interested in housing. But our interest runs deeper than lumber sales. Many of our urban and rural communities are suffering from a lack of affordable housing—a situation that hinders economic growth and makes it difficult for businesses to attract and retain employees. It’s also hard on workers who too often have to commute long distances. We support a variety of housing efforts through volunteer time and lumber donations but more is needed to address this complex challenge. Hampton is committed to working with community leaders to find public-private solutions that make an impact.
Youth and Education
Investing in the next generation.
In order to thrive in school, kids need to be safe and healthy. We support organizations like Portland Backpack to help reduce hunger in our communities. We also support local sports clubs to provide kids with opportunities to get outside and build skills in teamwork and cooperation. We also believe we can have a positive impact on skills development, helping our young people gain the experiences and training they need to succeed in life. We work closely with local schools and community colleges throughout the Pacific Northwest to enhance workforce training opportunities. Our employees often volunteer their time and expertise at local schools, serving as mentors and trainers.
Climate Solutions
The impact of active forest management and renewable wood products
All forests are critical in our fight against global climate change, but not all forests contribute in the same way. While mature forests can store carbon for long periods of time, working timberlands can sequester CO2 out of the atmosphere and into much needed building products. With population growth, demand for building materials is increasing and wood products offer significant carbon benefits when compared to other materials. Reforestation is key to this sustainable process. Newly planted trees sequester carbon at a faster rate than mature trees, ensuring a continual cycle of carbon storage and uptake after harvest.
Active forest management, including thinning, regeneration harvests and other fuels management practices, also reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfire events that can emit large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
The Arts
A passion for the arts is part of our company culture
John and Carol Hampton were patrons of the arts, and their passion was passed down to their children. Music and dance are particularly close to our hearts. Hampton brothers, Jamey and David, regularly perform together in their band, the Brother’s Jam. You can find the band playing “rootsy, jamming rock” throughout the Portland metro area. Jamey is also co-Artistic Director at the Portland-based dance company BodyVox, which he founded with his wife in 1997.
Today, the company supports the arts in our rural and urban communities, supporting artistic events and providing funding to enhance art, design, and dance programs in local schools.
Collaborative Forestry
Creating healthier, more resilient National Forests and communities.
Forest Collaboratives bring together diverse, sometimes conflicting, stakeholders to build a common vision and accelerate restoration of National Forests in the U.S. These groups work to advance landscape-scale forest treatment projects, including some strategic harvest and habitat enhancement work, to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire, improve forest health, and support local economies. Hampton is a member of several collaboratives, which also include environmental groups, tribal representatives, recreation advocates, business owners, and local, state, and federal agency representatives. Through this work, we aim to have a positive impact on both forests and communities.
Habitat Enhancement
Partnering with nature.
As timberland managers, we’re always looking for ways to enhance habitat through the course of our operations. This might include placing large woody debris in streams to enhance fish habitat or constructing and maintaining biodens during harvest operations. Our Pollinator Enhancement Project is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing habitat and forage for native bees on our forested lands. We do this by strategically sowing native wildflower seeds in recently harvested areas.
The impact of this work goes far beyond our forests. Pollinators play a crucial role in local ecosystems, facilitating the pollination of plants and ensuring food production for various species, including humans.
Diversity & Inclusion
Finding a better way every day.
Hampton’s Portland-based Diversity and Inclusion Team is dedicated to making an impact by advancing equality, inclusion, and antidiscrimination in our company, industry and community.
As change begins from within, we aim to ensure we practice what we preach at Hampton so that everyone feels safe, respected and at home in the workplace. We embrace diversity, equity and candid dialogue and support local organizations working to do the same in our community.
Oregon Wines
Growing sustainable sips.
In 2016, we planted our first vineyard, Tall Tree, just outside of Monmouth, Oregon. We acquired nearby Fennwood Vineyard two years later. These vineyards produce quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes for winemakers throughout the region. In 2021, the family embarked on its first venture into winemaking with the purchase of the Carlton Winemakers Studio in Carlton, OR.
