Oregon WildBlog

Earlier this week, Oregon Wild activists urged Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley, as well as others, to work to protect public oversight on public lands during the coronavirus pandemic.

A federal court today ruled against the Trump administration and in favor of Oregon Wild and our allies in a long-running legal battle over the Crystal Clear logging project on the eastern slopes of Mount Hood. The logging project encompassed nearly 12,000 acres of public land in the Mount Hood National Forest, and included almost 3000 acres of logging of mature and old-growth forests along with plans to build or re-open 36 miles of roads.

I know many of you out there wish you had the NCAA basketball tournament to keep you company while you are stuck at home right now. As an Oregon Duck, if not quite a basketball fan, I’m a bit sad to not be able to celebrate what surely would have been amazing runs (and possible championships!) by both the Oregon men’s and women’s teams this year. 

I need nature to keep me feeling happy and healthy - both physically and emotionally. Even a short walk in my neighborhood or a nearby trail in a park will do the trick to put a smile on my face and help me feel grounded. And that’s when the world hasn’t turned upside down and inside out! I’m betting that many (all!?) Oregon Wild supporters feel similarly. 

Earlier this week, Oregon Wild staff gathered with community leaders from all across Portland to celebrate International Women’s Day! Attendees heard from a variety of inspiring women (and girl) leaders who are fighting every day for environmental protection, economic and social justice, and equality for all. Speakers ranged from local Northeast Portland community leaders, to national and global justice advocates.

Yesterday, Oregon’s legislative session ended abruptly, cut short because the state Republican super-minority walked out 11 days ago and never returned to vote on legislation or budgets. It appears that legislative walkouts are quickly becoming normalized in Oregon politics. This is particularly troubling for future conservation legislation, which the GOP super-minority and their donors have expressed increased hostility to in recent years. The future of the historic agreement between conservation groups and the logging industry is now an open question.

by Ann Vileisis

This piece originally appeared in the Eugene Weekly on February 27, 2020.

Where in Oregon can you find peaks over 9,000 feet and a canyon more than a mile deep… within a few miles of each other? Where can you chase wildflowers in bloom 7 months of the year, see golden eagles soaring, hear the howl of wild wolves, and fish for salmon that traveled hundreds of miles? For lovers of all things wild and beautiful, Wallowa Country is calling your name!