Oregon WildBlog

It’s February in 2022 - the one year anniversary of the introduction of the River Democracy Act! This bill is special, to be sure, and is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect some of Oregon’s most special rivers and streams.

On February 2nd, Bob Bailey from the Elakha Alliance taught us about the sea otter feasibility study, the most important guiding document for reintroducing sea otters to the Oregon coast. We learned about topics varying from habitat suitability and ecosystem effects of sea otters, to political, legal, economic, and social considerations for successful reintroduction.

The Oregon legislative session is just around the corner. Check out this month’s wolf pack newsletter to learn about legislation elected officials will be considering that protect (or not) Oregon’s wildlife – and how you can help!

Dr. Katie Moriarty, a research scientist with the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), dug into what, exactly, are fisher and marten, how to tell them apart, what their current habitats are, and why they're so important in the ecosystem.

Oregon Wild's Wilderness Campaign Coordinator Erik Fernandez shares tips and suggestions regarding everything from safety to gear to picking the most scenic trails. We include some "Snowshoeing 101" for those new to the activity as well as some tips on locations around Central Oregon that would be applicable to all ability levels.

Mount Hood has long had the good fortune of having many advocates, including Native Americans, working to ensure its forests, rivers, and wildlife were protected from logging and aggressive development. Those advocates certainly didn’t win every battle, but they saved much of the natural wonder we know and love today. 

Over the last few years, we’ve lost a number of those champions. Kate McCarthy (from the upper Hood River valley) was perhaps one of the most well-known advocates of the mountain and inspired generations of advocates (including her now-grown children). 

Oregon Wild's Wilderness Campaign Coordinator Erik Fernandez shares tips and suggestions regarding everything from safety to gear to picking the most scenic trails. We'll include some "Snowshoeing 101" for those new to the activity as well as some tips on locations around Mount Hood that would be applicable to all ability levels.

Overview of the Western Forest Management Planning Process and Why It’s Important

After ten years of advocacy alongside partner organizations, dedicated activists, communities in the crosshairs, and dedicated legislative champions, Oregon's forest laws are getting a 21st century makeover!

"Who's on Top?" (narrated by George Takei) is a feature-length documentary which shines a spotlight on members of the LGBTQ+ community—including those with a range of mountaineering experience—who challenge stereotypes about gender and sexuality in the outdoor arena. They unite to climb Mount Hood, and in doing so confront assumptions about who they are and how they belong in the world of outdoor adventure. This webinar is a Q&A where the director and cast members shared personal insights and advice on things related to the outdoors and the LGBTQ+ community.