FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oregon Wild Launches Oregon Wild Madness

Effort aims to generate awareness and appreciation for Oregon’s special wild places

Vote for your favorite wild place today.

The Oregon Wild Madness bracket featuring all 32 wild places.

With the NCAA basketball tournament now officially under way and coming to Oregon this week, the conservation group Oregon Wild today unveiled its own form of March Madness with Oregon Wild Madness. Inspired by college basketball's annual tournament, the goal of Oregon Wild Madness is to create awareness of and excitement for many of the wonderful wild places throughout Oregon. Through March and early April, fans will have the chance to vote for their favorite places in Oregon in hopes that they make the “Wild Four” and ultimately are named Oregon’s favorite wild place.

“There are so many amazing wild places all across the state of Oregon. This is an opportunity to showcase some of these special places and generate awareness for why we need to protect them,” said Sean Stevens, Oregon Wild’s Interim Executive Director.

Oregon Wild Madness starts with a field of 32 wild places in Oregon. Just about all of the places featured are ones that Oregon Wild is working to protect or has worked to protect in the past. They'll face off head-to-head in a single-elimination tournament bracket. Votes from Oregon Wild supporters and the general public will determine which wild places advance to the next round. Vote here: www.oregonwild.org/madness.

By voting for their favorite wild places in Oregon, people can win great prizes including a two-night stay at Timberline Lodge, a two-night stay at Thimbleberry Cabin, or great outdoor gear from REI. The more times people vote, the better their chances of winning one of these great prizes!

Oregon Wild Madness runs from March 7th to April 11th. Voting for each round will be open for one week and on April 11th, we’ll find out which place gets the title of “Oregon’s Favorite Wild Place.”  Regardless of when people start voting, they have a chance to win.

“March isn’t only a time for basketball,” added Stevens. “It’s a time when Oregonians look outside and start to think about the hiking and camping season ahead. We hope this competition inspires folks to add a few new places to their list of outdoor destinations.”

We’ll announce the winners of the raffle prizes at our Wild Wednesday event on April 11th. You need not be present at the event to still be a winner, but we’d love to have you join us. More details on that event coming soon!

To vote for your favorite wild places, go to: www.oregonwild.org/madness

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