News from our groups

Jackson County Voters Reject Anti-Planning Initiatives on May Ballot

By craig from The Latest. Published on May 16, 2012.

Jackson County voters resoundingly rejected two anti-planning initiatives on the May 15 ballot. 1000 Friends worked with local residents and partner organizations to defeat the measures, and celebrates the victory.

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LaPine's Rosland Elementary Wins Oregon Sustainable School Award

By nikki from News. Published on May 16, 2012.

State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo, in partnership with the Sustainable Oregon Schools Initiative, announced the winners of the Oregon Sustainable School Awards.

Applicants Needed for the City's Sewer Stakeholder Group. Deadline May 25.

By nikki from News. Published on May 16, 2012.

The City will embark on an update of the Collection System Master Plan- a master plan of the City’s sewer system.

Just Food: Reflections on Food Systems and Creating Change

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on May 16, 2012.

This week brings a fourth post from Eleanor Baron’s Nourishing Words Blog out of Concord, New Hampshire, where a group is participating in NWEI’s Hungry for Change: Food, Ethics and Sustainability discussion course. This post addresses Session Four of the course: Just Food, where articles deal with food’s complicated world of ethics and justice. It’s [...]

Cool Green Morning: Wednesday, May 16

By Megan Sheehan from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 16, 2012.

It's breakfast (and cool green news) time.

1. Do you buy cage-free eggs? Free-range? Pastured? This video will help you determine the difference. (Grist)
2. Now that you've eaten, time to get dressed. Why not choose a pair of sustainable jeans? (Treehugger)
3. Is genetically-engineered corn what's killing honey bees in the corn belt? (Huff Post Green)
4. 14 miles of Hawaiian beaches have disappeared over the last century. What gives? (Green)
5. Now that's sustainable: Shredded U.S. currency is being used in cars and trucks. (Environmental News Science)

The Livability List: Social Media Highlights, May 1-14

By craig from The Latest. Published on May 15, 2012.

It's sometimes hard to keep up with all the news in land use and livability. On Twitter and Facebook, 1000 Friends strives to keep you informed about what matters. But don't worry if you miss something along the way--our Livability List recaps some of our recent social media highlights.

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Wooden Boats, Ravens, and Brown Bears

By greenbelt from . Published on May 15, 2012.

  Nearly 30 years ago, I was sitting on scaffolding that lay between two A-framed platforms and adjacent to the water line of a 30 foot long 1940s era wooden Alaskan fishing boat on the “ways” at Port Bailey Cannery on Kodiak Island.  The “ways” or slipways is a launching ramp on railway wheels that [...]

Clean Energy Works Incentive Offer Ends May 15th

By nicole from News. Published on May 15, 2012.

Clean Energy Works Oregon is an easy and affordable way for homeowners to increase the comfort and value of their home and protect them against the rising costs of energy. Sign up today to take full advantage of their $3,700, early-bird incentive, which expires in May 15.

What did the tree planter say to the White House?

By terir from Growth Rings. Published on May 15, 2012.

Dr. Jackie Cole watched half her city’s trees—some 100 years old—die as Galveston became a “city of dead trees” after a drought weakened 40,000 of them, and a hurricane flooded them afterward with saltwater. Dr. Cole’s leadership in helping remove the dead trees and plant new ones gave her insight into the value that government agencies assign to city [...]

A Lock Holds the Key to Restoring Migratory Fish

By Matt Miller from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 15, 2012.

Learn how a low cost, low risk and low tech solution is helping move millions of Alabama shad over dams for spawning.

Cool Green Morning: Tuesday, May 15th

By Megan Sheehan from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 15, 2012.

From endangered rivers to clean energy, we've got your green news.

1. Bummer: The list of the top 10 endangered rivers in America is out, and #1 isn't far from our headquarters. (Discovery News)
2. It turns out that the unpopular and controversial catch limits on fish are working -- 6 populations have rebounded. (Green)
3. Yet another reason to love wildlife, especially elephants: They may hold vigil at your funeral. (Grist)
4. A Greenpeace study has found that some American car manufacturers are linked to Amazon deforestation. (Mongabay)
5. 76 percent of Americans want clean energy instead of coal, nuclear and natural gas. (Clean Technica)

Beneath the Mists: Loggers and Conservationists Can Be Allies

By Brad Parker from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 14, 2012.

Can tropical forests be logged sustainably and still maintain their incredibly rich biodiversity and benefits to people? A new study published in the journal Conservation Letters provides evidence that with smart forest management, the answer can be “yes.”

Nature Brains: Doing Conservation in the Face of Climate Change

By Darci Palmquist from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 14, 2012.

Conservation has been working for decades to protect specific species, habitats and places. But will climate change ruin all that work? How do you account for global warming in conservation planning?

Dreaming of 1985

By TeresaH from News. Published on May 14, 2012.

1985 was once the due date for clean water nationwide; now, we know it's trickier than once believed.

Cool Green Morning: Monday, May 14

By Nicole Levins from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 14, 2012.

We've got a case of the cool green Mondays.

1. Our president/CEO Mark Tercek identifies corporate sustainability officers as "unsung heroes." (Huffington Post)
2. Watch out for superweeds! (Grist)
3. How much more are you willing to pay for clean energy? (Green)
4. Business is booming for the makers of hybrid vehicles. (CleanTechnica)
5. Last month's rainy weather brought respite from the "prolonged airborne particle pollution" that affected the UK earlier this year. (Guardian)

75 feet high for 75 years!

By krisd from Growth Rings. Published on May 14, 2012.

By Kris Day Big thanks to Collier Arbor Care for servicing tree care needs across the greater Portland area for 75 years! To celebrate crossing this significant milestone and to express gratitude to the company’s customers and partner organizations, Collier recently hosted an anniversary celebration at the Clackamas County headquarters complete with live music, a [...]

National News: May 14, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on May 13, 2012.

Wild Places, Roads and Freedom

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on May 13, 2012.

It's Your Oregon: Brooke Weeber

By JenC from News. Published on May 11, 2012.

Brooke Weeber, an Oregon artist, created a volunteer appreciation piece for OEC. Though she wouldn’t call herself an environmentalist, she places great value on local parks, mountain snow, safe biking paths and clean rivers—and she acts on her values.

Unsung Heroes: Corporate Sustainability Officers

By Mark Tercek from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 11, 2012.

For a growing number of companies, "going green" is now a core business strategy. What do these companies leading the way in environmental sustainability have in common?

Why We Lead: A Crew Leader’s Vested Interest — Part II

By jennyb from Growth Rings. Published on May 11, 2012.

By Jeff Kisseloff, FOT Crew Leader Continued from Part I yesterday The training session was a snap. Afterward, they asked us to sign up for at least four sessions, so I put my name down for four, then four more and four more, and four more. My wife hasn’t seen me on a Saturday morning [...]

Cool Green Morning: Friday, May 11

By Brad Parker from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 11, 2012.

We hope all the moms will have a Happy Mother's Day this weekend. Our early gift, cool green news!

1. A face not just a mom could love: Meet the 1-in-30 million calico lobster! (Huffington Post Green)
2. You won't believe how much plastic waste has risen in the Pacific Ocean. (BBC)
3. Did this video catch a mysterious marine monster or is it all a hoax? (Discovery)
4. Household chemicals' "cocktail effect" raises cancer concerns, other illnesses says watchdog. (Guardian)
5. Check out the cool tool their using to help save Yellowstone's wolves. (Wired)

Nature Photo of the Week: Juvenile Green Sea Turtle

By Madeline Breen from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 11, 2012.

Flickr user chefrx snapped this photograph of a juvenile green sea turtle in the clear waters of Grand Cayman Island. Fantastic shot! Thanks for sharing this image through The Nature Conservancy’s Flickr group. See all of The Nature Conservancy’s featured daily nature images—submitted to the Conservancy’s Flickr group by people like you—at my.nature.org. And get [...]

For the People: Land Use Leadership Initiative Explores Citizen Engagement in Planning

By craig from The Latest. Published on May 10, 2012.

On April 22, 1000 Friends staff, Land Use Leadership Initiative participants and Rebooting Democracy conference attendees had a conversation about changing practices and trends in public engagement, considering strategies for enhancing the value of public involvement in land use planning and decision-making.

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Why We Lead: A Crew Leader’s Vested Interest — Part I

By jennyb from Growth Rings. Published on May 10, 2012.

By Jeff Kisseloff, FOT Crew Leader People can say being a crew leader is all about planting trees and doing something good for the city and the environment, but the truth is it’s really about one thing: the orange vest. The day you get to put on the orange vest your life changes. Suddenly people [...]

A Healthy Appetite: Musings On Paying Attention and Personal Choice

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on May 10, 2012.

This week brings another update from Eleanor Baron’s Nourishing Words Blog out of Concord, New Hampshire, where a group is participating in NWEI’s  Hungry for Change: Food, Ethics and Sustainability discussion course. This post offers up reflections from Session Three: A Healthy Appetite. To follow Eleanor’s blog, click here. Each week, we begin with an [...]

Cool Green Morning: Wednesday, May 10

By Megan Sheehan from Cool Green Science: The Conservation Blog of The Nature Conservancy. Published on May 10, 2012.

Today's green news is especially amazing/funny/weird. Enjoy!

1. Have an island snake infestation? Parachuting mice are here to save the day! (Treehugger)
2. Gills Onions is using -- you guessed it -- onion juice (and a huge battery) to help power its plant in California. (Green)
3. Climate skeptics take note: a new study says rising CO2 levels were in play at the end of the Ice Age. (Christian Science Monitor)
4. Need a refresher on the causes of the crazy weather lately? Enroll in El Nino and La Nina 101. (Scientific American)
5. Is that battery in your iPhone letting you down? These new solar cells could soon do the trick. (Business Green)

Salem Should Keep Sustainable Fairview Vision Intact

By craig from The Latest. Published on May 09, 2012.

A flawed proposal can sink a whole vision. That's the case in Salem, where a proposed multifamily housing development seeks to sidestep an innovative, sustainable plan that local residents developed several years ago. The proposal will soon go before City Council, and local advocates are urging the Council to stick to the vision already adopted.

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First Graders Help Restore Habitat

By thunsdorfer from News. Published on May 09, 2012.

Portland Audubon recently gave a Backyard Habitat Silver Certification to the French American International School, where first graders helped restore 5,000 square feet of native habitat.

Audio Released from PIELC Panel!

By jpovolny from The Latest News. Published on May 08, 2012.

Audio of an experts panel, The Endangered Species Act as a Pesticide Reform Tool, presented by NCAP at the 2012 University of Oregon School of Law Public Interest Environmental Law Conference.

Katsura Heritage Trees in Portland

By Teri from Growth Rings. Published on May 08, 2012.

By Phyllis Reynolds Portland has two katsura Heritage Trees: one at 1132 SW Vista Ave. and the other in Laurelhurst Park. The West Side tree has a known planting date—1955 (so let’s say it’s about 60 years old). The East Side tree (near the horseshoe area in the southeast corner of the park) has an [...]

National News: May 8, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on May 08, 2012.

Mother Trees for Mother’s Day

By katien from Growth Rings. Published on May 07, 2012.

By Katie Neis In a forest you can find trees so massive that, no matter how many steps you take backwards, you might never see the tops. Sunlight filters down through their canopy giving just enough light, and darkness, to inspire new flora and fauna to push up through the mossy ground and stretch their [...]

Walkable Workplace Profile: A Classic Home for Classic Foods

By craig from The Latest. Published on May 07, 2012.

Jake Greenberg could have moved his Portland specialty food distribution company anywhere after it outgrew its longtime facilities. But where other companies might have chosen a tilt-up warehouse in a freeway office park, Greenberg recognized the hidden costs that held for his employees and the environment. Instead, he chose to renovate and relocate to a long-neglected icehouse in a walkable Portland neighborhood.

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Analysis confirms Wallowa-Whitman Travel Plan Decision leaves plenty of access

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on May 07, 2012.

It is very important that we use this pause in the Travel Plan Process to better understand what the now withdrawn Decision would have actually done. One of the most common claims put forth against the Travel Plan Decision was that the Forest Service was taking away access to the Forest. Some even claimed that the Forest Service was using the Travel Plan to “lock them out” of the National Forest.


If there were any truth to these claims, HCPC would be very concerned. How are people supposed to cultivate the life-long connections to the National Forestlands that are ultimately necessary to encourage and advocate for better stewardship of these ecosystems, if people can’t connect with them in the first place? So let’s take a close look and see for ourselves what this Decision would do.

With our partners, we performed a GIS analysis based on the Selected Alternative Layer (i.e. the now withdrawn Decision). All open motor vehicle roads and trails are mapped in red. We put a one-mile buffer around all open motor vehicle roads and trails so we could visually see how many places on the National Forest could be accessed in less than one-miles distance from the nearest road, a modest distance. These areas are mapped in grey. If an area is further than one mile from a road, it is mapped in light green. Wilderness is in dark green.

 
The results graphically illustrate that outside Wilderness areas, nearly the entire National Forest is within one mile of a road. The few small islands that are further than one-mile from a road are usually inside Inventoried Roadless Areas (mapped in black crosshatch). These are very small islands, and based on a visual assessment, it appears that the Decision would not leave anywhere outside designated Wilderness further than two miles from an open road. It’s important to note that the map does not show the areas within Wilderness areas that are less than one-mile from a road. If it did, you could see that much of the North Fork John Day Wilderness would be grey color, and a surprisingly large part of the Eagle Cap Wilderness as well.


These results clearly show that the Forest Service strived to provide very widespread access to the entire Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in their Travel Plan Decision. In our opinion, the Decision did not go far enough to protect roadless areas, old growth forests, critical elk habitat areas, and fragile aquatic environments from the damages of motorized vehicles. We encourage the Forest Service to use this opportunity to strengthen the Travel Plan in these key natural resource areas.

As HCPC stated in our press release on the withdrawal of the Wallowa-Whitman Travel Management Plan, and as is clearly illustrated in the analysis above, there is no validity in the claims that people will no longer have access to the Forest. Moreover, the Travel Plan is not just about access, but also about protection of natural resources and the costs of maintaining the designated road system. As I stated in my editorial
(http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2012/04/wallowa-whitman_national_fores.html), what’s really at stake is the quality of the National Forest's we will be accessing.

David Mildrexler, Ecosystem Conservation Coordinator, Hells Canyon Preservation Council

Controversial Goose Logging Project Near McKenzie Bridge Challenged

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on May 07, 2012.

By pairing restoration logging with aggressive cutting in roadless areas and endangered species habitat, the Forest Service draws a legal challenge where there didn't have to be one.

Ten years after: the Biscuit fire revisited

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on May 07, 2012.

It's been nearly 10 years since the July 2002 lightning storm that sparked the 500,000 acre Biscuit fire.

This Month is the Transition Challenge: Grow Food, Save Water, Conserve Energy and Build Community!

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on May 07, 2012.

It is that time of year again! Last year we encouraged the NWEI community to participate in the 350 Home & Garden Challenge, which saw over 1500 amazing actions registered in 226 cities and 37 states on a single weekend! This year it is called the ‘Transition Challenge’ and it encompasses the entire month of [...]

Final Comments on NMFS' 5th Biological Opinion

By jvincent from The Latest News. Published on May 04, 2012.

NCAP's full and final comments on the 5th Biological Opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) examining EPA's registration of pesticides containing Oryzalin, Pendimethalin, and Trifluralin.

Politics of the Plate: A Group in New Hampshire is Hungry for Change

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on May 04, 2012.

We’ve been following author Eleanor Baron and her blog Nourishing Words out of Concord, New Hampshire, where a group is currently participating in NWEI’s Hungry for Change: Food, Ethics and Sustainability, which explores food policy issues and the effect of global politics on food systems. Read below for musings on Session Two: Politics of the [...]

Footage Released from Toxics On Trial!

By jpovolny from The Latest News. Published on May 03, 2012.

Full video of an experts' panel on legal legacies in pesticide reform, presented by NCAP at the 2012 University of Oregon Public Interest Environmental Law Conference.

New Healthy Purchasing Initiative Announced Last Night by the City of Portland and Multnomah County

By JaredI from News. Published on May 03, 2012.

The county and city are some of the first governments in the nation to adopt the next generation of product disclosure and purchasing policies aimed at strengthening demand for safer products through increased transparency from manufacturers.

Is ODFW Supporting Wolf Poaching?

By Rob from Press Releases. Published on May 02, 2012.

Conservation groups question state support of anti-wolf event featuring some of the most radical anti-wildlife voices in the country.

Strong Opposition to Anti-Planning Initiatives on Jackson County Ballot: Even Planning Critics Don't See the Point

By craig from The Latest. Published on May 02, 2012.

Local residents, elected officials, and the Mail-Tribune are joining a growing and vocal opposition to two anti-land use planning initiatives on the ballot this month in Jackson County. Some of the opposition even comes from supporters of Measure 37.

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Oregon Wild Press Statement on Likely Wolf Poaching

By Rob from Press Releases. Published on May 02, 2012.

Two months after announcing the discovery of a possible wolf carcass, state announces the animal was illegally killed.

Oregon Wild Announces New Executive Director

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on May 01, 2012.

New Executive Director will take on mantle of conservation leadership at 38-year-old organization known for effective and forward-thinking advocacy.

The Livability List: Social Media Highlights, April 19-30

By craig from The Latest. Published on May 01, 2012.

It's sometimes hard to keep up with all the news in land use and livability. On Twitter and Facebook, 1000 Friends strives to keep you informed about what matters. But don't worry if you miss something along the way--our Livability List recaps some of our recent social media highlights.

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Let’s Talk Food! Results from the Gorge’s Menu for the Future Initiative

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on May 01, 2012.

For those of you following NWEI’s blog, you may recall that local food is a buzzing topic in Oregon and Washington’s Columbia River Gorge region, where nine groups recently met to participate in NWEI’s Menu for the Future discussion course. This week we have an update from Gorge News: Starting the week of Feb. 20, [...]

Preserving Oregon's Roads

By Jeffrey Bernards from News. Published on Apr 30, 2012.

What impact do studded tires have on Oregon's environment?

A Gotham Perspective …

By greenbelt from . Published on Apr 30, 2012.

We recently spent a few gorgeous days in New York City, replete with its inimical street scenes, restaurants, and museums. Among other invaluable lessons, I learned that if you know ahead of time the price of a NYC latté, you will not enjoy sipping one. When we left, our camas were just beginning to send [...]

National News: April 30, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on Apr 29, 2012.

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Oregon Land Use Key Factor in Success, Says Central Oregon Cycle Tourism Company

By craig from The Latest. Published on Apr 27, 2012.

As bicycle tourism grows in popularity, Oregon has an advantage: it's much easier to get out of town and traffic, and into gorgeous scenery. In a recent blog post, Bike Around Bend features the story of a new local cycling company, Ride Cycling Tours. The company's founder, Whit Bazemore, cites land use planning as a key factor that will help his business succeed.

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Carbon Reduction Challenge Helps Northwest Wineries Become More Environmentally Friendly

By JaredI from News. Published on Apr 26, 2012.

A new program called the Carbon Reduction Challenge is helping wineries from Oregon and Washington become more environmentally friendly by reducing their energy use.

Gov. Kitzhaber to Sign Green Chemistry Executive Order April 27

By JaredI from News. Published on Apr 26, 2012.

The Executive Order will emphasize Oregon’s support for green chemistry innovation in the public and private sectors to foster safer products, innovation and job growth throughout the state.

An Opportunity for Oregon Leadership in Green Chemistry Innovation

By ColinP from News. Published on Apr 26, 2012.

Leaders in Oregon’s state government have a golden opportunity to take actions that will foster innovation...

It's Your Oregon: Linda Reedjik

By JenC from News. Published on Apr 26, 2012.

“Quality of life is in many ways based on the availability of the best our human civilization has to offer—socially, culturally and economically—and the best Mother Nature has to offer in the beauty of our natural surroundings.”

It's Your Oregon: Ashley Henry

By JenC from News. Published on Apr 26, 2012.

“I feel remarkably fortunate to live in a state where so many people are pursuing creative solutions to protecting the environment and reviving the economy.”

It's Your Oregon: Suresh Srinivas

By JenC from News. Published on Apr 26, 2012.

“I enjoy the great outdoors and the excellent produce in Oregon. I would love to protect it for our children.”

Small Group Conversations Create Root System of Commitment, Action: Update from Cleveland!

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on Apr 26, 2012.

This article just in from Axiom News per the effects of Northwest Earth Institute’s programs and the work of Clevelanders in creating more sustainable local food systems. Thanks to all the people taking part in this inspiring effort! Read on to see what Clevelanders are doing as a result of participation in Menu for the [...]

Time to Accelerate the Bend 2030 Vision

By nicole from News. Published on Apr 25, 2012.

The citizens of Bend are invited to join Accelerate Bend kick-off event, presented by OSU-Cascades and Bend Broadband, on Thursday, May 24th at 7 pm at the Tower Theatre, doors opening at 6:15 pm.

New Web address for the CEC

By corvallisenvironmentalcenter from . Published on Apr 23, 2012.

www.corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org please update your bookmarks and links! Filed under: Avery House Nature Center, Classes, Community Gardens, Edible Corvallis, SAGE garden, Uncategorized

Study: Young people not so 'green' after all

By nicole from News. Published on Apr 23, 2012.

An academic analysis of surveys spanning more than 40 years has found that today's young Americans are less interested in the environment and in conserving resources - and often less civic-minded overall - than their elders were when they were young.

Jackson County Residents and Leaders Speak Out Against Anti-Planning Initiatives on May Ballot

By craig from The Latest. Published on Apr 23, 2012.

Two Jackson County ballot intiatives that aim to revive the ghost of Measure 37 are provoking significant opposition from concerned farmers, residents, and leaders in the county. Even some who supported Measure 37 in 2004 have come out against the initiatives, the Mail Tribune reports.

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City Walls at City Hall through September 7th

By nicole from News. Published on Apr 23, 2012.

Announcing First Friday Art Shows that pair local artists with 12 of The Environmental Center's member groups to interpret the theme “Bend’s external environment inspires our internal environment (mental, physical, emotional & spiritual).”

Clean Energy Works Incentive Deadline is May 15th

By nicole from News. Published on Apr 23, 2012.

Nonprofit launches Central Oregon home efficiency remodel program matching homeowners with cash incentives, financing, and expert help.

Sustainable Landscaping Educational Series for McKenzie Residents

By jvincent from The Latest News. Published on Apr 23, 2012.

Schedule and details for an upcoming series of sustainable landscaping workshops offered for resident's along the McKenzie river.

Social Justice and Food Choices: A Letter from Rev. Bill Sinkford

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on Apr 23, 2012.

This week we are sharing a letter written to fellow Unitarian Universalists from Bill Sinkford, Senior Pastor at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Portland. As many of you may know, Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth is one of NWEI’s 30 organizational partners. Thanks to Bill and the hundreds of congregations who are putting NWEI programs [...]

DLCD Recommends Partial Remand of Portland Metro UGB

By craig from The Latest. Published on Apr 20, 2012.

The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development has recommended that the Land Conservation and Development Commission remand portions of an 2,000-acre regional urban growth boundary expansion adopted by Metro in 2011.

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And the 2012 Alice Award Winners Are…

By Margaux Mennesson from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Apr 20, 2012.

The Bicycle Transportation Alliance is honored to announce the 2012 Alice Award winners. From a group of talented and deserving nominees, the four award winners chosen … Read Full Post

The Next Bike Obsession

By Rob Sadowsky from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Apr 19, 2012.

Almost all bicyclists get that feeling sometime. It starts with a sighting or a dream. Then you want it with your entire core. You dream about … Read Full Post

Carl and Jordan Add To Their Collection of Bike-Themed Thank You Notes

By Margaux Mennesson from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Apr 19, 2012.

Check out some of the fun bike collages and thank you notes that arrived from Carl and Jordan’s bike safety education students this week.     … Read Full Post

Catamount Earth Institute in Vermont Wraps Up Healthy People, Healthy Planet Initiative

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on Apr 19, 2012.

One of NWEI’s 30 partner organizations, Catamount Earth Institute, is wrapping up their Healthy People, Healthy Planet initiative, celebrating 17 discussion courses completed this Winter and Spring! They ran 12 World of Health groups, 4 Choices for Sustainable Living groups and one Menu for the Future group. CEI is now gearing up to host two [...]

Using the Small Group Facilitation Method to Train New Bike Safety Education Instructors

By LeeAnne Fergason from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Apr 18, 2012.

We picked the three rainiest days in March to train nine new bicycle educators using the BTA’s Safe Routes For Kids Curriculum. Congratulations to our new trainees: … Read Full Post

The Livability List: Social Media Highlights, April 4-18

By craig from The Latest. Published on Apr 18, 2012.

It's sometimes hard to keep up with all the news in land use and livability. On Twitter and Facebook, 1000 Friends strives to keep you informed about what matters. But don't worry if you miss something along the way--our Livability List recaps some of our recent social media highlights.

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Of Truth and Boots

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Apr 16, 2012.

Wow. Been a very long week. Hard not to talk about the Wallowa-Whitman Travel Plan, with all the terrible misinformation going around. Reminds me of the saying that a lie can run around the world before the truth can get its boots on.
Truth and facts seem to be badly outnumbered by imagined outrages and fictional claims.
For the record:
No, logging will not be shut down by the Travel Plan - it will not be hampered by this Decision.
No, the forest will not be locked away - over 4,000 miles of roads will remain open.
No, the process of reaching this Decision did not shut out the public - it involved years of public participation and comments.
No, the process does not ignore different viewpoints - the Travel Plan includes new trails for off road vehicles (as much as I don't want that).
No, not all "locals" are against it. I'm local and I'm for an even stronger Travel Management Plan.
No, the Wallowa-Whitman is not a county or even a state forest - it is a National forest, held in trust not just for us locals, but for the nation; not just for this generation, but for the future as well.

The Travel Plan Decision is a compromise that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders with a moderate response to the need for travel management. It will close down some roads - mostly old, overgrown, eroded, or duplicate roads that would be too expensive to repair. It does include some protection for much-needed wildlife "security habitat" and some protection for streams with runs of native fish.

The Travel Plan doesn't go nearly as far as it needs to for wildlife, fisheries, and native plants. Still, I accept that both science and politics are at play, and the Forest Service has done the best it can to respond to all interests.

What I do not accept is the false portrayals of the issues that I see and hear in almost all venues, from town halls to local papers to neighborhood gossip.

Lies, even unintentional ones, do not make a good basis for decisions.

Now, on to the news that the seasonal progression of wildflowers is starting to unroll, bluebirds are back on Cricket Flats, and a sandhill crane was spotted out in the fields by Indian Creek (south of Elgin). Ospreys are back on the nest by Willow Creek and on Woodell Road, and curlews are in the fields north of La Grande.

Back to enjoying this wonderful place where we live -

Danae Yurgel

Pink Hair & Sage Grouse

By greenbelt from . Published on Apr 16, 2012.

In 2005, Becca and I were invited to participate in a celebration of Holi, a Hindu festival celebrated in a number of southeast Asian countries.  Becca worked with a number of Indian software analysts and one of them held a little Holi celebration in his backyard on Vineyard Mountain.  We arrived to a table laden [...]

“Reduce Your Waste, Reduce Your Impact” Class Begins April 17th – Hosted at NWEI!

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on Apr 16, 2012.

“Since 1900, US population has tripled but use of materials has increased 17-fold.” -David Wann Would you like to reduce your waste and your impact on the planet? Long time NWEI volunteer Betty Shelley will be offering her three-session “Reduce Your Waste, Reduce Your Impact” class at the Northwest Earth Institute office for three consecutive [...]

BTA + Groupon Grassroots = Earth Day Awesome!

By Tom Rousculp from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Apr 16, 2012.

In celebration of Earth Day the Bicycle Transportation Alliance is proud to join 49 other non-profits across the nation in partnership with Groupon Grassroots and CrowdRise … Read Full Post

National News: April 16, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on Apr 15, 2012.

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Oregon Farms See Record Sales in 2011

By craig from The Latest. Published on Apr 12, 2012.

An unprecendented year in Oregon farming, ranching and fisheries gives the entire state reason to celebrate. 34 of 36 counties saw growth in farm sales, as the state's producers hit a record $5.2 billion in sales. More remarkably, 31 Oregon counties saw double-digit growth in agricultural sales. Once again, the Oregon agricultural industry proves its contributions to the Oregon economy can't be doubted, and shouldn't be compromised.

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Win a Ticket to Filmed By Bike (and Naming Rights to a Bike)!

By Carl Larson from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Apr 11, 2012.

Does your bike have a name? Tweet that name to with the hashtags “#bikename” and “#fbb10.” Whoever has the best bike name, by my impeccable judgement, … Read Full Post

Rare daisy-like flower fanning controversy over road-closure plan for Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on Apr 11, 2012.

We have the chance to protect the Chetco River by ending in-stream mining

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on Apr 11, 2012.

A brief summary of the risks found in the Biological Opinion

By jvincent from The Latest News. Published on Apr 11, 2012.

On March 30, 2012 the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) released a draft Biological Opinion evaluating the risk of three herbicides - oryzalin, pendimethalin and trifluralin - on threatened and endangered Pacific salmon and steelhead. Below is a short summary of NMFS’s findings.

Governor Barbara Roberts Shares Her Oregon Story

By craig from The Latest. Published on Apr 11, 2012.

Before a rapt audience at Portland's Laura Russo Gallery on Tuesday, April 10, Governor Barbara Roberts told of her Oregon roots, her perspective and experiences in Oregon politics, and her idea's for Oregon's future.

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Powering A Bright Future: NWEI Releases Newest Mini-Course on Energy

By Deborah McNamara from . Published on Apr 11, 2012.

NWEI’s New Mini-Course, Powering a Bright Future, is now available! The Northwest Earth Institute is proud to announce the release of its newest mini-course, Powering A Bright Future.  This two-session course explores issues related to the current energy crises, and what we can do to take action as individuals and communities interested in promoting energy [...]

Water Cutoff Contributes to Klamath Basin Bird Deaths

By tmiller from News. Published on Apr 06, 2012.

A cut-off of water supplies to a key Klamath Basin national wildlife refuge contributed to the deaths of 10,000 or more birds this year, the most in a decade, the refuge's manager says.

Oregon Cities Grow More, Expand Less than National Average

By daveg from The Latest. Published on Apr 05, 2012.

American cities are growing rapidly, and across much of the country this has meant further sprawl. But a look at the most recent U.S.

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Steens Mountain Threatened by Massive Wind Development

By katya from Press Releases. Published on Apr 05, 2012.

The Fate of the Land

By greenbelt from . Published on Apr 04, 2012.

A few weeks ago we flew back to the Midwest for a short family get-together. Late winter is always the best time for the drive along the river. Landing in St. Louis, we drove north up the Missouri side of the Mississippi, through little one stop-sign towns like Old Monroe, Elsberry, Annada. . . . [...]

Going Places: From Medford to Portland, Employers Are Stepping Up for Walkable Workplaces

By craig from The Latest. Published on Apr 04, 2012.

Walkability shouldn’t be a value limited to where we live. More and more Oregonians want to work in places within easy walking distance of amenities and services they need to access throughout the day. Smart employers are recognizing this trend, and meeting it.

It’s not something limited to the commercial districts of large cities, either. Almost every Oregon community has great potential to attract and sustain the growing number of employees interested in walkable workplaces.

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Is There a Silver Lining to Baggage Fees?

By Guest blog by OEC volunteer Anne Gire from News. Published on Apr 04, 2012.

You might guess that because airlines are now charging for baggage, people are probably carrying less weight with them, resulting in fuel and carbon savings…right?

Designing our future

By ColinP from News. Published on Apr 04, 2012.

We need to develop new approaches to curb the effects of population growth and increased resource consumption. Thankfully, one classroom at the University of Oregon is up to the task.

April 11: Portland City Council Candidates Discuss Active Transportation

By Margaux Mennesson from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Apr 02, 2012.

Join the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, 1000 Friends of Oregon, Coalition for Livable Future, OPAL, Upstream Public Health, Ride Connection and Willamette Pedestrian Coalition for a Conversation … Read Full Post

National News: April 2, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on Apr 01, 2012.

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Bicyclist Runs Stop Sign, Survives

By Carl Larson from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Apr 01, 2012.

A 67-year-old bicyclist remains alive today after a flagrant traffic violation on N Bryant Street. There was no other traffic present on Tuesday evening when Julia … Read Full Post

Service, Snacks and Simple Acts. Pop Into a BTA Service Station Along Your Commute

By Tom Rousculp from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Mar 30, 2012.

BTA Service Stations offer commuters and other bike riders a convenient way to take advantage of complimentary bicycle service provided by our bike shop partners at … Read Full Post

Advocates Focus On Growing The Movement At The National Bike Summit

By Rob Sadowsky from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Mar 30, 2012.

Oregon always brings one of the strongest delegations to the National Bike Summit and this year was no exception. We have a rich tradition of bicycling in the … Read Full Post

The Perverse Logic of Wolf Hunts

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Mar 30, 2012.

The Predator Persecution Complex

http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/03/30/the-perverse-logic-of-wolf-hunts/

by GEORGE WUERTHNER

The hysteria that surrounds wolf management in the Rockies has clouded rational discussion. Wolves are hardly a threat to either hunting opportunity or the livestock industry.

ELK NUMBERS ABOVE OBJECTIVES

For instance, the Wyoming Fish and Game reports: “The Department continues to manage to reduce Wyoming’s elk numbers. The total population of the herds with estimates increased by 16 percent in 2009 and is now 29 percent above the statewide objective of 83,640 animals.”

Things are similar in Montana. Populations have grown from an estimated 89,000 animals in 1992 prior to wolf recovery to 140,000-150,000 animals in recent years.

In Idaho we find a similar trend. According to the IDFG 23 out of 29 elk units are at and/or above objective. Hunter success in 2011 was 20%: one in five hunters killed an elk.

Wolves are clearly not a threat to the future of hunting in any of these states.

LIVESTOCK LOSSES EXAGGERATED

Ranchers are equally irrational. In 2010 Wyoming livestock producers lost 41,000 cattle and calves due to weather, predators, digestive problems, respiratory issues, calving and other problems. But total livestock losses attributed to wolves was 26 cattle and 33 sheep!

Last year Montana livestock producers lost more than 140,000 cattle and sheep to all causes. But total livestock losses attributed to wolves was less than a hundred animals.

In 2010 Idaho cattle producers lost 93,000 animals to all causes. Respiratory problems were the largest cause accounting for 25.6 percent of the cattle lost. Next came digestive problems, accounting for 13.4 percent of the cattle deaths. Total cattle losses attributed to wolves was 75 animals.

To suggest that wolves are a threat to the livestock industry borders on absurdity.

WOLF CONTROL INCREASES CONFLICTS

Worse yet, the persecution of predators does not work to reduce even these minimum conflicts as most proponents of wolf control suggest.

The reason indiscriminate killing does not work is because it ignores the social ecology of predators. Wolves, cougars, and other predators are social animals. As such, any attempt to control them that does not consider their “social ecology” is likely to fail. Look at the century old war on coyotes—we kill them by the hundreds of thousands, yet ranchers continue to complain about how these predators are destroying their industry. And the usual response assumes that if we only kill a few more we’ll finally get the coyote population “under control.”

The problem with indiscriminate killing of predators whether coyotes, wolves, cougars or bears is that it creates social chaos. Wolves, in particular, learn how and where to hunt, and what to hunt from their elders. The older pack members help to raise the young. In heavily hunted (or trapped) wolf populations (or other predators), the average age is skewed towards younger age animals . Young wolves are like teenagers—bold, brash, and inexperienced. Wolf populations with a high percentage of young animals are much more likely to attack easy prey—like livestock and/or venture into places that an older, more experience animal might avoid—like the fringes of a town or someone’s backyard.

Furthermore, wolf packs that are continuously fragmented byhuman-caused mortality are less stable. They are less able to hold on to established territories which means they are often hunting in unfamiliar haunts and thus less able to find natural prey. Result : they are more likely to kill livestock.

Wolf packs that are hunted also tend to have fewer members. With fewer adults to hunt, and fewer adults to guard a recent kill against other scavengers, a small pack must actually kill more prey than a larger pack. Thus hunting wolves actually contributes to a higher net loss of elk and deer than if packs were left alone and more stable.

Finally hunting is just a lousy way to actually deal with individual problematic animals. Most hunting takes place on the large blocks of public land, not on the fringes of towns and/or on private ranches where the majority of conflicts occur. In fact, hunting often removes the very animals that have learned to avoid human conflicts and pose no threat to livestock producers or human safety. By indiscriminately removing such animals which would otherwise maintain the territory, hunting creates a void that, often as not, may be filled by a pack of younger, inexperienced animals that could and do cause conflicts.

INSANITY IS DOING SAME WRONG THING OVER AND OVER

We need a different paradigm for predator management than brute force. As Albert Einstein noted, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Unfortunately insanity has replaced rational thought when it comes to wolf management.

George Wuerthner is an ecologist with among others, a degree in wildlife biology, and is a former Montana hunting guide. He has published 35 books.

Counterpunch

Racers and Advocates: Like Any Team, We’re Stronger Together

By Lisa Anguilla from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Mar 29, 2012.

I wanted to take moment to thank those of you who reached out to renew your membership or join the BTA for the first time after … Read Full Post

Oregon Wild Madness Narrowed to “Wild Four”

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on Mar 29, 2012.

Fans now get to vote to determine Oregon's Favorite Wild Place and get a chance to win free prizes.

26 Organizations Sound Alarm on Klamath Water

By tmiller from News. Published on Mar 27, 2012.

26 Organizations Sound Alarm on Klamath Water

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on Mar 27, 2012.

Lower than average snowpack and continued implementation of outdated water policy that starves wildlife refuges of needed water threatens native birds, other species.

March 28: Service Station Outreach Volunteer Training

By Tom Rousculp from Bicycle Transportation Alliance Oregon. Published on Mar 26, 2012.

Anyone is welcome to attend this volunteer training, whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or looking to get involved with the BTA for the first time. You’ll … Read Full Post

"Let us hold fast our hands..." - E. Dickenson

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Mar 26, 2012.

Our good friends at Oregon Wild are sponsoring an open vote on Oregon's favorite wild places. Here at HCPC we are delighted that both the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area and Hells Canyon are in the running! We know they are very special places, and we work every day to protect and restore these areas. It is nice to hear someone else wax eloquent about their beauty and their incredible value for wildlife.

Oregon Wild points out, "The Wilderness also provides refuge for some of the state’s most endangered wildlife. Megafauna include bighorn sheep, elk, bear, cougars, eagles, and mountain goats." They go on to talk about how the Eagle Cap Wilderness, "Oregon’s largest Wilderness area," provides a special haven for wolves and wolverines. They also acknowledge that "Some of Oregon’s oldest trees – thousands, not hundreds of years old – survive in the Wallowa Mountains that make up the heart of the Wilderness."


For Hells Canyon, Oregon Wild writes, "Hells Canyon Recreation Area has been the stage for some of Oregon’s most exciting wildlife stories. Most notably, of course, is the return of gray wolves to our state." They go on to talk about Journey, the area's famous wolf, "Starting from the Imnaha pack adjacent to Hells Canyon, Journey’s search for a mate has taken him over 1,000 miles." They agree with us that " there’s no debate over its worth as one of Oregon’s most special places. Each and every gray wolf polled agrees." THANK YOU OREGON WILD!

Another group of friends, Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) just announced their 2012 Desert Conference. The conference will take place in Bend, Oregon from the evening of Thursday, September 20^th through Saturday, September 22^nd. Keynote speakers include Ursula Leguin and Kathleen Dean Moore. Workshops cover topics from Sage Grouse conservation to Beaver recovery, from NEPA to Energy Development.

HCPC is active in a number of forest collaborative groups that bring together diverse points of view from the Forest Service, the timber industry, local county government and conservation voices such as ours. While we value the opportunity to share and communicate with other stakeholders in the area, we sometimes need reminding to also value our opportunities to share and communicate with those who understand not only what we are doing, but why we are doing it - groups like ONDA and Oregon Wild, BARK and Friends of the Clearwater, the oh-so-wonderful Friends of the Badlands (FOBBITS) and so many more!

Thank you all for the work you do, the love you have for wild places, and the wonderful conversations we have had and look forward to having in the future!

DeFazio timber bill slights water quality, recreation, salmon

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on Mar 26, 2012.

National News: March 26, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on Mar 25, 2012.

Oregon Wild Statement on New Rules for National Forests

By Rob from Press Releases. Published on Mar 23, 2012.

Obama Administration finalizes new rules for National Forests characterized by conservationists as a positive, if incomplete, vision for America's treasured National Forests.

OEC in the news!

By JaredI from News. Published on Mar 20, 2012.

March Madness takes on new meaning at OEC, with lots of familiar faces in the news of late. Read on for all the details...

Who opposes the Toxic-Free Kids Act?

By Ivy Sager-Rosenthal from News. Published on Mar 20, 2012.

Who's opposed to legislation that will protect kids from cancer-causing chemicals?

Biscuit Fire 10 Years Later

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on Mar 20, 2012.

10 great places to see spring wildflowers

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on Mar 20, 2012.

Mount Ashland listed in USA Today as a top 10 location to see wildflowers!

National News: March 19, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on Mar 18, 2012.

HCPC Press release on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Travel Management Plan Decision

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Mar 19, 2012.

We would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Forest Service for taking on this difficult issue. We are pleased to see that the Travel Management Plan Decision will provide some benefits to wildlife and fisheries and end cross country travel and the associated destructive impacts. However, the Decision does not adequately protect Inventoried Roadless Areas, designating 70 miles of motorized routes through these wild lands.

The Decision does not go far enough to protect elk from motorized vehicle disturbance. Of the 17 critical elk habitat areas identified in the project area, six will see no measurable increase in elk habitat security. Measureable reductions in road densities in these areas would prevent elk from leaving the National Forest for nearby private lands.

The Decision designates 75 miles of motorized trails within riparian areas, a threefold increase over the original proposed action (Alt. 2 in the DEIS). Within old growth forests the Decision designates 69 miles of motorized routes, 16 miles more than the Natural Heritage Alternative, the alternative based on HCPC’s comments (Alt. 6 in the DEIS). These sensitive areas warrant a greater emphasis on protection from the negative impacts of motorized vehicles.

Moreover, although the Forest Service Decision acknowledges that the Natural Heritage Alternative is the best choice for the natural resources of the Wallowa Whitman National Forest (e.g. wildlife, fish, forests, air and water quality), the Decision still designates 492 more miles of motorized routes on the Forest than the Natural Heritage Alternative.

While there are certainly some positive parts to this Decision, we would have preferred a greater level of protection for the incredible natural resources of the Wallowa Whitman National Forest and opportunities for non-motorized recreation and solitude as outlined by the Natural Heritage Alternative. The Decision designates 3,065 miles of open motor vehicle roads, enough miles to drive from La Grande to Miami, Florida to enjoy some Cuban cuisine and catch a Dolphins football game. And this does not include the roads in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and other areas that add another 1,235 miles for a grand total of 4,300 miles of roads open to motor vehicles within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. This is more than enough roads to provide sufficient access to our Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

David Mildrexler, Ecosystem Conservation Coordinator, david@hellscanyon.org

Tortoises & Human History

By greenbelt from . Published on Mar 15, 2012.

In 2006, Harriet, one of the few remaining members of the Galapagos tortoise subspecies Geochelone nigra porten, died in Australia.  The history of Harriet is a little vague but some suggest she was collected by Charles Darwin in 1835 during his great voyage on the HMS Beagle and taken back to Great Britain and eventually [...]

Morning Thoughts

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Mar 14, 2012.

I woke up this morning to a fierce windstorm, with blowing rain that turned to snow. It's March, that most variable of months. The view out my window at work has changed every day - heavy gray clouds to blue skies, bare hills to snowy white. Every week I think it's time to take off the winter studded tires, every week there's some day that I'm grateful I didn't get around to that chore.
As always with the heavy snow, I worry about the wildlife. This back and forth weather is so difficult for everyone from robins to bluebirds, elk to cottontails.

Elk here in the Grande Ronde valley have lost most of their low elevation winter and spring grazing and loafing grounds to development. On the Zumwalt Prairie, rifle shots keep the elk herds moving off pastures claimed for cattle and fields claimed for wheat, and the wolves, that would keep the elk moving along, are likewise chased away or shot. This morning under gray-white skies, it seems like wildlife is everywhere on the run.

I worry about the lack of red-wing blackbirds ... I've only heard one by the ponds on Cricket Flats, and only seen two in the Grande Ronde Valley one day - and none since then. The morning should be a cacophony of birdsong, and usually the red-wings would be mobbing the sunflower seed bird feeder. I know that populations of migratory birds can be wiped out by pesticide and herbicide poisoning on their long journeys and in their southern wintering grounds. I wonder if that is what has happened to our local red-wings. I have close friends who think that the cost of organically grown food is too high and not worth paying. What is the price of a red-wing blackbird's song in the spring?

I also miss the evening songs of the little spring peeper frogs. I've witnessed the decline of these little frogs over the past twelve years, and think we have made some pretty poor trades lately as a society.

Rachel Carson wrote "Silent Spring" back in the 1960's. We organized, marched, passed laws and regulations, banned some of the worst offenders like DDT. The bald eagles and ospreys began to return. It seemed like we had responded in time.

Now it seems spring has lost not only the frogs, but the red-wings. It's not quite silent yet, but much of the music is diminished. There is clearly more work to be done.

I remember reading that when we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. It was one of those sayings quoted in the 60's. It is still true.

A resilient system, able to recover from damage and abuse, and the terrible challenges of climate change, needs all its pieces ... frogs and wolves, red-wings and elk, bluebirds and beaver ...
Here, this morning, with clouds so low I can't even see the hills, I re-commit myself to the work that needs to be done to protect and restore resilience: native species, linked travel corridors, protected habitat. Call it sustainability, call it ecology, call it good science - we know what needs to be done. This place, this ecosystem, is our "household" (the meaning of 'oikos') and it is falling apart. It needs our love, our care, and our commitment, more now than ever.

- Danae Yurgel

Oregon Wild Launches Oregon Wild Madness

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on Mar 12, 2012.

Vote for your favorite wild place today.

National News: March 12, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on Mar 11, 2012.

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Famous Wolf Taking a Wilderness Tour Through Oregon and California

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on Mar 07, 2012.

Journey keeps on trekking...and takes in some of the best scenery there is to see in Oregon and California.

ADVISORY: Wolf Kill Bill Dies as Legislature Winds Down

By Rob from Press Releases. Published on Mar 06, 2012.

Conservationists respond to the third consecutive failed effort by anti-wildlife interests - spearheaded by the Oregon Cattlemen's Association - to pass wolf kill bills in the Oregon legisalture.

California wolf trek shows importance of wilderness

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on Mar 05, 2012.

Southern Oregon jewels bring millions to region

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on Mar 05, 2012.

Visitors to Crater Lake and Oregon Caves spent more than $40 million in 2010

Toward a Sustainable Future for the U.S. Power Sector: Beyond Business as Usual

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Mar 04, 2012.

By Brian Kelly, HCPC Restoration Coordinator

Sustainability makes sense. We can provide enough electricity to meet our needs through a shift to more sustainable practices according to a recent report by Synapse Energy Economics. This report describes a scenario where fossil-fueled and nuclear-powered electric production would be reduced and renewable energy sources would be increased. Aggressive energy efficiency and conservation practices would slow the future demand for electricity. The result would be an economically viable and environmentally responsible system that would effectively power our country.

Toward a Sustainable Future for the U.S. Power Sector: Beyond Business as Usual 2011 is the name of the report that was the topic of a recent presentation sponsored by Oregon Rural Action in La Grande. At this gathering, I learned that changing to a more sustainable model would actually be less expensive over time than continuing onward with a “business as usual” model. Other benefits of this sustainable model include new jobs, healthier people, reduced water use for power plant cooling, less pollution and nuclear waste, lowered carbon emissions, and less use of natural gas.

Working for HCPC on energy issues, I’ve learned plenty about the problems of “business as usual”. Our local Wilderness areas have seen air pollution from the Boardman coal-burning electric plant. A proposed electric transmission line would affect thousands of acres of eastern Oregon including sage-grouse habitat. A local wind energy project proposal would impact important wildlife habitat affecting golden eagles, elk, deer, bats, hawks and wildlife habitat connectivity. Looking farther back in time, it’s worth noting that HCPC was born in 1965 to prevent dam building in Hells Canyon in pursuit of hydro-electric power. Our legacy runs deep for the protection of wild lands and wildlife in the face of energy development. So while we continue to protect and restore the Hells Canyon region in the face of destructive energy proposals, we can look to the Synapse report for direction toward a future where electric energy production is compatible with healthy ecosystems both locally and world wide.

According to the authors of the Synapse report, “The study does not lay out an optimized or detailed roadmap for this industry. Rather, it explores a fundamental change in direction. The intent is to challenge assumptions and inform our energy policy debate.”

It is time to challenge the assumptions upon which our current system is based.

· Nationally, about half of our electric energy production currently comes from coal. The environmental damage from the mining of coal is staggering and the pollution from burning coal is huge. Retrofitting smokestacks with pollution controls is very expensive. Coal is a major source of carbon dioxide emissions.

· The recent disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan should give us plenty of concern about the future of nuclear power.

· Natural gas is currently relatively inexpensive. However, it is a fossil fuel that emits carbon, and there is evidence that the fracking process used to obtain natural gas causes groundwater contamination.

It is time to increase energy efficiency and the role of renewable energy.

· The price of solar power has decreased and it’s projected to decline further, according to the report. Additionally, solar power that is generated locally does not need to be transported long distances. “Distributed generation” renewables do not require the huge transmission lines that are needed for centralized power plants.

· Wind energy would increase according to the model described in the report. While wind development will play an important role in the future, my experience informs me that it will be important for new wind developments to be carefully reviewed and appropriately located in order to prevent harm to wildlife, habitat and people. It’s also worth noting that the majority of the onshore wind potential in the U.S. will be found in the central states. As wind energy continues to develop, it will be important to develop adequate review processes to ensure necessary protections. Current review processes have not always been up to the task. It will also be important to research the effects of wind energy developments on birds, bats and wildlife habitat as well as the social, economic and health effects on people. Science-based research must be applied to wind proposals before they are allowed to be built in order to prevent problems. Otherwise, they will merely serve as a cautionary tale of regret.

· Conservation and energy efficiency programs would result in a net decrease in demand for electricity by the year 2050 averaging about 0.1% per year according to the report. Conservation must be an important part of the solution.

The Synapse report provides a vision where renewable energy and conservation allow us to move toward a more sustainable future. There will be a devilish amount of details to be sorted out and a tremendous amount of effort involved in bringing this vision toward reality. However, moving toward a goal of sustainability is a necessary part of the future vision for our planet.

You can read the report Toward a Sustainable Future for the U.S. Power Sector: Beyond Business as Usual 2011 by Synapse Energy Economics at the following website:

http://www.synapse-energy.com/Downloads/SynapseReport.2011-11.CSI.BBAU-2011.11-037.pdf

An Unseen World

By greenbelt from . Published on Mar 01, 2012.

Back before the dot com age, the fastest way to vast riches (besides marrying an heirless aristocrat with a bad cough) was to land a piece of the spice trade. Pepper, in particular, was worth several times its weight in gold. Until relatively recently, most of it came from India’s Malabar region—and even in the [...]

Famous Wolf Taking a Wilderness Tour Through Oregon and California

By katya from Press Releases. Published on Feb 28, 2012.

National News: February 27, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on Feb 26, 2012.

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"Greener, Cheaper, Smarter" Stormwater Solutions Workshop in Bend on March 6

By JaredI from News. Published on Feb 24, 2012.

OEC hosts the last in a four-part series of Stormwater Solutions Central Oregon workshops on March 6 in Bend. “Greener, Cheaper, Smarter: The cost and market benefits of site development that captures water” explores how green stormwater infrastructure practices can help builders and developers meet new DEQ groundwater protection requirements.

BLM Revises Resource Plan: A look at Areas of Critical Environmental Concern

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Feb 22, 2012.

One of the important areas that will be impacted by this plan revision is the “Areas of Critical Environmental Concern” (ACEC). ACECs are “areas within the BLM public lands where special management attention is required to protect and prevent irreparable damage to important historic, cultural, or scenic values, fish and wildlife resources, or other natural systems or processes, or to protect life and safety from natural hazards.” This plan revision will determine how existing ACECs are managed and if new ones are established. HCPC will be working to protect these vital conservation lands and to protect new areas worthy of designation.

BLM Should Manage Forests for the Benefit of Everyone

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on Feb 20, 2012.

Medford, OR – As Secretary Salazar visits southern Oregon public forests, local conservation group KS Wild urges the Bureau of Land Management to balance the needs of the land and the surrounding communities.

National News: February 20, 2012

By mgarland@cnsp.com (Mark Garland) from Home. Published on Feb 19, 2012.

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Hastings and DeFazio Call For Drastic Increase in Logging to Fund Counties

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on Feb 16, 2012.

Questions rise over why DeFazio bill was left out of Hastings's county payments scheme and the viability of both proposals to raise the needed funds.

We all have a stake in BLM forests

By monica from KS In The Press. Published on Feb 16, 2012.

Editorial by Joseph Vaile: BLM lands play a critical role in the livelihood and quality of life of just about everyone in Southern Oregon.

Alaska Airines Magazine Features Great Basin Treasures

By katya from Press Releases. Published on Feb 15, 2012.

American Beaver ~ A long history

By greenbelt from . Published on Feb 14, 2012.

Oregon has a very long and notable history with American beaver.   Two years ago John Zancancella, the BLM’s coordinator for paleontology in Prineville, stumbled upon some unusual rodent-like teeth while perusing an eroded patch of frozen ground near the John Day Fossil Beds.  The teeth were a molar and premolar (back teeth) from an ancient [...]

Group Challenges Federal Inaction in Protecting Threatened Rogue River Coho Salmon

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on Feb 07, 2012.

More than a decade after Rogue River coho salmon were listed under the Endangered Species Act, Oregon Wild asks federal government to finally determine if harm is caused to fish by Rogue irrigation.

Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Flunks on Fish

By john from Press Releases. Published on Feb 07, 2012.

Federal Court Finds Forest Service Failed to Evaluate Impacts on Fish

Listening for the first red-wings, Looking for the first buttercups

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Feb 03, 2012.

It's early February already, although you wouldn't know it from the lack of snow.

Up on Cricket Flats, it's time to start listening for the return of the first red-wing blackbirds on the ponds. This week-end I'll start checking the rocky southwest-facing corner where the first buttercups appear. Soon the spring calendar of flowers and migratory birds will unroll. It's my favorite time of year, welcoming back these old friends who come to visit the breaks.

In town, I'll be more prosaically watching for the first dandelion to bloom in the orchard. In the years to come I will be doing my best to encourage wilder flowers to bloom.

In both places I watch finches return to the bird feeders and listen to the bright songs of chickadees. In both places, I worry about the lack of snow and wonder how best to foster and encourage native plants and wildlife. In both places, I look to science to help me understand more about how everything is connected, how changes ripple through the ecosystem.

I've been reading about some of the research that's being done on the impacts of climate disruption - several studies now show that elk and deer are browsing at higher elevations with the reduction in snow pack, especially browsing down vegetation long streams and creeks. In the spring, this means there is less cover along the streams for migrating songbirds, to hide, feed and nest, so songbird numbers are plummeting in these areas. Oh for a wolf pack to keep the elk and deer moving! More and more studies by a range of researchers show the long term beneficial effects of the presence of top carnivores, especially wolves and cougar, on keeping the herbivores from grazing down the streamside plants. Songbirds need wolves...

Writers such as Henry David Thoreau and John Muir have spoken eloquently of how everything in nature is truly connected to everything else - a web of relationships. Break a strand, and the web is more vulnerable, shredding and unraveling along that break. Poets tell us of the heart of that, but scientific research can tell us how the strands are connected, and which strands we are missing. We are just beginning to understand how complex and interconnected nature is, and how inextricably our welfare is wrapped up in the integrity of this web. Whether it is understanding more about how mycorrhizal soil life affects fruit tree production or how climate disruption and lack of top predators affects songbird populations, the information we gather can help direct our choices for the integrity of the web, and, consequently, our own well-being.

Part of what I respect so much about the work HCPC does is that it is directed by what science can now tell us. Whether it is protecting key fishbearing streams from damage or protecting key elk calving grounds from disruption; speaking out for the return of native species including wolves and wolverines, bighorn and bull trout; challenging the lack of analysis in categorical exclusions and travel planning; HCPC works with the best scientific research available.

HCPC's mission is simple at it's heart - protect, preserve, and restore - but the issues we tackle are complex. HCPC brings scientific knowledge and understanding to these issues, promoting more informed choices.

So here's to the turning of the year, the very beginning of spring, and another year protecting, preserving and restoring this place I call home.

- Danae Yurgel

Government Delay, Drought Prompts Renewed Push for Protection of Klamath River Chinook Salmon

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on Feb 01, 2012.

New Plan Would Solve County Payments Impasse

By Sean from Press Releases. Published on Feb 01, 2012.

The new proposal comes amidst swirling rumors that Rep. DeFazio and the House Republican leadership will soon unveil a clear-cut logging plan without public input.

The Power of Water

By greenbelt from . Published on Feb 01, 2012.

A month ago we walked out in our wetland and saw a few inches of water collected in the deeper end where the cattails grow. The red-winged blackbirds with their liquid call were already in residence, and the marsh wrens (the reed canary grass chokes the stream beneath the berm offers them an easy nest) [...]

ADVISORY: Oregon Cattlemen’s Association Pushing Wolf-killing Legislation

By Rob from Press Releases. Published on Jan 31, 2012.

In what is becoming an annual Salem tradition, the Oregon Cattlemen's Association push controversial legislation aimed at killing wolves.

Injured Bobcat from Cedar Mill Released Back to the Wilds of Forest Park

By tmiller from News. Published on Jan 31, 2012.

ONDA Partners with City Walls at City Hall’s INSIDE::OUT Art Show

By katya from Press Releases. Published on Jan 24, 2012.

Golden Eagle and West Butte Wind Project

By katya from Press Releases. Published on Jan 24, 2012.

Joseph Canyon Potential Wilderness Area

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Jan 24, 2012.

Photo looking north into Swamp Creek toward its confluence with Joseph Creek. Note the fire scar from a 2010 grass fire. Large core habitat areas such as Joseph Canyon are the best remaining natural laboratories to observe the role of natural disturbance processes on unmanaged landscapes. Recent research indicates that large disturbances are a critical factor for ecosystems to adjust to changing climatic conditions.


The Joseph Canyon Potential Wilderness Area is comprised of three main drainages: Swamp, Davis and Joseph Creeks. Joseph and Swamp Creeks are designated Wild and Scenic Rivers within the roadless area and the Joseph Canyon Creek system is home to a large population of native Snake River steelhead, listed as threatened under ESA in August 1998. Not shown on the map above is a large piece of BLM land that contains an additional 2 miles of Joseph Creek. This stretch of Joseph Creek on BLM land has been proposed for addition to the existing Wild and Scenic River Designation.

Solitude and recreation: Backcountry hunting, horse-back riding, hiking, scenic viewing and camping have long been popular in Joseph Canyon. The rugged country provides challenging opportunities in deep, remote canyons, separated by secluded ridge tops.

After climbing Starvation Ridge, hikers relax and enjoy the view into Swamp Creek.

Threats: Motorized recreation is the greatest threat to Joseph Canyon. It is imperative that the entire Potential Wilderness Area be safeguarded from motorized recreation. However, some alternatives have proposed designating the historic Chico Trail as a motorized route under the Wallowa-Whitman Travel Management Plan.

Solutions: Joseph Canyon is one of the most special landscapes on the entire Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and should be given Wilderness protection. The ongoing Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revisions requires evaluation of the Wilderness quality of all Potential Wilderness Areas and the opportunity for the Forest Service to recommend that Joseph Canyon be protected through Wilderness designation.

For more information about this awesome landscape please contact David Mildrexler at david@hellscanyon.org. Hells Canyon Preservation Council.

Lawsuit Launched to Protect Threatened Marbled Murrelets From Clearcutting in Oregon State Forests

By tmiller from News. Published on Jan 20, 2012.

Mountain Quail ….

By greenbelt from . Published on Jan 17, 2012.

In March 1806, on the return journey up the Columbia River, a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition shot a previously un-described species of quail near Beacon Rock, 10 miles east of today’s Portland.  Lewis wrote “last evening Reuben Fields killed a bird of the quail kind.. it is rather larger than the quail [...]

Boardman Coal Plant is Oregon's Largest Greenhouse Gas Emitter

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Jan 13, 2012.

By Brian Kelly, Restoration Coordinator
Photo courtesy of Columbia Riverkeeper

I’ve been following the news about the Boardman coal plant ever since I found out that it pollutes the air over Hells Canyon. And the Eagle Cap Wilderness and the Strawberry Mountains as well, not to mention Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. The coal plant is Oregon’s largest stationary source of sulfur dioxide (acid rain) and nitrogen oxides (haze). It is the state’s second largest source of mercury pollution.

So it was not too surprising when the US Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that the Boardman coal-fired electric plant is also Oregon’s largest stationary source of greenhouse gasses.

In 2010, the plant released nearly 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, according to the EPA. That’s about equal to the carbon emissions from 800,000 passenger vehicles during a year.

The good news is that the plant will stop burning coal by the end of the decade. Hells Canyon Preservation Council was a member of the coalition that brought about this important victory. Last summer, HCPC and our allies settled a lawsuit whereby the plant will stop burning coal by 2020, reduce pollution in the interim period, and fund environmental projects including restoration work in the Eagle Caps and Hells Canyon.

There are many other sources of carbon emissions. There is much work yet to be done to protect our planet from ourselves. But for today, I am grateful to read a new report about pollution and to know that we have begun to take care of a local part of the problem.

Central Oregon Calendar 2012

By nicole from News. Published on Jan 12, 2012.

Now available at Newport Avenue Market - half the proceeds to benefit The Environmental Center!

Reflections on No Snow

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Jan 05, 2012.

It doesn't quite seem like January, with the lower hills all free of snow. Temperatures have been warm for this time of year, and I worry about summer drought. Promised snow showers have turned into brief rains. I'm not complaining about the sunshine - I love every minute of it in the dark of winter. The deer and elk have an easier time grazing, but I worry about ticks and other parasites being more of a problem for them this summer if we don't have our usual weeks of freezing cold.
Climate change may seem theoretical, but climate disruption is already taking a toll on wildlife here and around the world. In such a time of change, the concept of wildlife corridors and links becomes very vivid and real. Over and over scientists are warning of the importance of connected habitat for wildlife to be able to survive and thrive.

Looking at the Big Picture in 2012, HCPC will be bringing up the topic of connectivity in the national Forest Travel Management Plans and the Blue Mountain Forest Plan Revision. Paying attention to the smaller details in 2012, HCPC will be bringing wildlife habitat and connectivity issues to bear on timber sales, energy development, and other projects.

It's gonna be a busy year. Or rather, another busy year (for a quick list of some of HCPC's accomplishments in 2011, click here).

With a new Executive Director (read about Darilyn here), the generous response from our members to our fall/winter drive, and the continued support of funders, HCPC is poised now to make a real impact in 2012 on the protection and restoration of these wild lands in this unique and special place that I am so lucky to call home.

- Danae Yurgel

Oregon’s IBA Program Picks up 3 Global Designations

By maryc from News. Published on Jan 03, 2012.

Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Marbled Murrelet Central Coast IBA and Oregon Canyon and Trout Creek Mountains IBA

Lean times …

By greenbelt from . Published on Dec 30, 2011.

Outside, beyond the Christmas lights, the cookies and fireside snacks, the long season of short days sets in.  Leaves mat and blacken the ground, stars appear before bedtime, and frost etches bent grass in the fields. It’s a hungry time too—the easy seeds are gone, the berries a summer memory. Even the rosehips are blown, [...]

From Bags to Beauty: Sara Bella Upcycled in Bend

By nicole from News. Published on Dec 29, 2011.

The 2011 Sustainability Award winner for Innovation is featured in OPB's Arts & Life section.

2012 Wild Desert Calendar Exhibit

By katya from Press Releases. Published on Dec 26, 2011.

2012 Charity Ski Week Beneficiares Announced

By nicole from News. Published on Dec 23, 2011.

The Environmental Center has been selected as a beneficiary for the weeks of January 2-6 and 9-13!

Thoughts on Winter Solstice

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Dec 18, 2011.

American Bison in Yellowstone National Park
Story and photo by Brian Kelly, Restoration Coordinator

Thousands of years ago, Celtic people built Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland. Incredibly, they were able to orient these structures of massive stones to capture the rays of the rising sun on the Winter Solstice morning. Observance of the Winter Solstice must have captured the imagination of these people and held great importance to them.

Here in the Blue Mountains of Oregon, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21, 2011 at about 9:30 PM. During the Solstice, the northern part of the earth tilts farther away from the sun than at any other time of the year. So the days grow longer and the nights grow shorter as we head into spring and summer.

Thinking about the earth as a planet that tilts, rotates and revolves around the sun is a reminder that we are all travelling on one planet together. From that perspective, it's apparent we should all be working together to take care of our planet. Protecting and restoring this earth is like taking care of your home and your family and friends. It makes good sense and you feel good by doing it.

During the Winter Solstice, I like to reflect on the seasons that have past and look forward to the seasons yet to come. The natural cycles in the Blue Mountain region are spectacular in their diversity as the seasons unfold. Skiing the powder snow of the Elkhorn Range in winter, gazing at the velvet-green slopes of Hells Canyon in the spring, sitting in the cool shade of a ponderosa pine in the summer heat, and hiking in the red and gold leaves of autumn are all vivid in my memory. We take these seasonal changes for granted. But when you stop to think about it, the intricate web of life that is expressed in each of these seasons is truly incredible.

The Winter Solstice marks an important point during the cycle of seasons. As we travel through the seasons and as we travel through space on our planet, it’s wise for us to keep in touch with the natural rhythms of life on earth. And it’s a graceful life that moves to the rhythm of nature.

I wish you the best of all of the seasons to come.

Watch Our Garden Grow

By denise from News. Published on Dec 14, 2011.

Check out our digital photo book and short video to see the garden being built from the ground up for our first growing season.

HCPC attends AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Dec 12, 2011.

Over 21,000 scientists from all over the world gathered at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting in San Francisco Dec. 4 – 9th. I was fortunate to be able to attend and present my work on satellite based detection of large-scale ecological disturbances and studies of global skin temperature, or land surface temperature. Attendees of the 2011 Fall AGU meeting traverse between three buildings making up the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco. Coming from La Grande Oregon, where the sidewalks are generally close to empty, it was exhilarating moving with a massive wave of people into the city for dinner at the end of the day.

I listened to presentations on global bioenergy capacity, treeline migration, global die-offs of trees, improving communication on climate change, the impact of drought and floods on the Amazon, challenges for feeding the world, and much more. I also got away from all the technical talk and listed to Simon Winchester tell stories about his own life, and heard presentations about the life’s work of prominent historic scientists, such as John Tyndall. John Tyndall was the first person to demonstrate that greenhouse gases absorb radiant heat in the laboratory in 1850, and then even recognized the implications of this discovery for effecting global climate. It makes one reflect on why we have come so far down this global warming path when we have had this fundamental information for so long.

While on the topic of troubling Earth system indicators, I listened to a prominent scientist describe his work with many others quantifying our exceeding of three of nine planetary systems considered in the study; Biodiversity, the Nitrogen Cycle, and Climate Change. We are now well outside the range of anything humans have ever experienced for these factors and rapidly changing most of the other factors, such as ocean chemistry.


On the lighter side, I dug an unwanted plant from an area of Golden Gate Park that is being managed to feel like an ancient forest. It was fun to get outside and do some physical work. It's worth noting that almost the entire park is exotic species because it was originally established on the beach sand dune environment. There were some native oak trees however, which can still be found growing there today.
Helping restore an ancient forest feel in the tree fern forest of Golden Gate Park during one of the AGU Fall Meeting events. I couldn't beleive how easy it was too dig in the soil compared to the rocky soil at my Eagle Cap cabin!

As I sat listening to the big changes that are already underway on Earth due to climate change and the unbelievably large-scale shifts in biomes that are expected because of impending climate change, I couldn’t help think of our conservation work. I for one, am very attached to the old growth forests of the Pacific Northwest, and even to little things such as the smell of a Douglas-fir plant community type in mid-summer, or the way light penetrates through the canopy at different times of the day. It is not easy to picture such big changes in our local Wilderness area. But I think it’s important that we get ahead of the curve and highlight the value of our current reserve system such as Wilderness areas, Roadless Areas, National Parks, National Recreation Areas, etc., as the best places we have to accommodate large shifts in the biotic community, mainly facilitated through natural disturbance processes. These are the only landscapes where these big changes can occur in a relatively natural way and I think there is real value in that from a conservation perspective. And through it all, large protected areas will still be areas where future generations can get into big open country, where solitude can be found, and a natural world can be observed, be it including novel ecosystems for which we have no historical counterpart. The entire National Forest System and Public Lands base is pretty well connected in many parts of the western U.S. and will serve as a corridor to the extent that our management allows for. I think this should be a key objective of the entire Public Lands base, as protecting connectivity of the landscape is the single most important thing we can do to aid plants and animals in adapting to climate change.

Other interesting factoids on our food production system:
1. Our food production system is responsible for 35% of total carbon dioxide pollution! In fact the rapid increases in global land use change (agricultural expansion), population growth and the increase in fossil fuel consumption are all very tightly coupled.
2. 40% of the Earth’s population is switching to a meat centered diet, creating a huge shift toward greater demand on global resources as the caloric benefit received from the meat is far less than the calories used to grow the meat. Particularly problematic is beef due to its water consumption and the massive amount of land allocated to grow corn for cows that isn't even edible.
3. Soybeans and cattle production continue to result in a one-two punch of destruction to the Amazon rainforest.

post by David Mildrexler, Ecosystem Conservation Coordinator

Board Member Emeritus Dave Marshall Dies

By tmiller from News. Published on Dec 09, 2011.

Wind developer drops the East and West Ridge proposals on Steens Mountain

By katya from Press Releases. Published on Dec 07, 2011.

South Waterfront Osprey Statement

By tmiller from News. Published on Dec 05, 2011.

Settlement Agreement is a Victory for Threatened Fish and the Walla Walla Roadless Area

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Dec 05, 2011.

Press Release, December 5, 2011

Contact: Jennifer Schwartz, Staff Attorney, 541-963-3950x23 or jennifer@hellscanyon.org

Hells Canyon Preservation Council and the U.S. Forest Service reached an agreement, approved in federal court today, that commits the government to determining whether motorized vehicle use along the upper reaches of the Walla Walla River is impairing the recovery of steelhead and bull trout populations, both of which are listed as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act.

For decades the Forest Service has allowed off-highway vehicles "OHVs" (motorcycles and in some areas all-terrain vehicles like quads) to use trails adjacent to the North and South Forks of the Walla Walla River. "The Forest Service has expanded the motorized trail network, which now spans over 100 miles, in some of the best, un-roaded fish and wildlife habitat in the region without carefully examining the environmental consequences, including the unauthorized use happening off of established trails" said Jennifer Schwartz, Staff Attorney for the Council. "The Walla Walla River watershed is an ecological stronghold, encompassing crucial winter range for big game, old-growth forest stands, and deeply incised canyons that provide critical aquatic habitat for bull trout and Mid-Columbia River steelhead." Under the agreement, the Forest Service will thoroughly assess the impacts of motorized use in the area and refrain from constructing any additional motorized trails until it complies with the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act.

The Walla Walla River Roadless Area is surrounded by other large tracts of roadless habitat and the congressionally designated Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness—offering rare opportunities for wide-ranging animals like elk, black bear, cougar, lynx, wolves, and wolverine to travel within a well-connected natural landscape.

The government has recognized since 1972 that OHV use on public lands is “in frequent conflict with wise land and resource management practices, environmental values, and other types of recreational activity.” Executive Order 11644. Today's high-powered motorized vehicles can penetrate deeper into backcountry areas that were previously inaccessible due to technological limitations. OHVs can negatively affect natural resources, from disturbing and displacing wildlife, to trampling native plants, to destroying wet meadows and spreading noxious weeds. This lawsuit focused on OHV impacts to water quality and aquatic habitat through soil rutting, erosion and compaction, the removal of streamside vegetation, and the loss of streambank stability, all of which can lead to increased surface runoff, sedimentation, elevated water temperatures, and the introduction of oil, grease, and other pollutants into public waterbodies.

"Today's agreement marks a critical step toward ensuring the health of our waters, native fish populations, and the biological integrity and quiet enjoyment of our remaining roadless, wild lands," said Schwartz.

###

Hells Canyon Preservation Council is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Hells Canyon-Wallowa and Blue Mountain ecosystems.

Top photo courtesy of David Mildrexler: depicting damage to wet meadow from unauthorized OHV use emanating from the Walla Walla River motorized trail network.

Bottom photo courtesy of Jennifer Schwartz: depicting unauthorized use by full-size ATVs (quads) alongside South Fork Walla Walla River and within river's floodplain.

Buying Bewilderment

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Dec 02, 2011.

Outside the wind is sharp, snowcold. The last of the deciduous leaves are blowing, swirling, dancing in the wind. Fall is turning now to winter. Watching the wind sculpt leaves into whirlwind shapes, I am thinking of Mystery.

Mystery was the first of the Big Three Essentials Gary Ferguson talked about in his keynote speech at the Fall Gala, and in many ways the hardest, at least for me, to talk about. Somehow it is easier for me to talk about words like Community and Beauty. With all the emphasis HCPC has on bringing the latest and best science to public lands management, Mystery may seem foreign, out of place, belonging to a different world. From my perspective, though, Mystery is at the heart of science.

Mystery is about what we don’t know, what we yet don’t understand. It’s the questions we don’t have the answers to. And it is in questions where science begins. Science doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, and certainly not immutable ones. Science tests hypothesis after hypothesis; gathers information, shakes it all up, and then looks for patterns.

At its best, science does not confuse the descriptions of the patterns we see with the actual reality. Science is content to say “this is our best understanding at this time”. Science lives side by side with the unknown and the unknowable, comfortable within its own limits. Humble even.

Humility seems to be required by both Mystery and Science, along with wonder, amazement, and delight.

I am still amazed that trees breathe in the carbon dioxide that would poison us, and breathe out the oxygen we need. I am still delighted that the chlorophyll in leaves is so similar to the hemoglobin in my blood, one centered around copper, the other centered around iron. I am still struck with wonder that a gigantic tree can grow from such a tiny seed.

“Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.” – Rumi

This quote is what Gary Ferguson chose to wrap up his keynote speech. I think of cleverness not only as the antithesis of bewilderment but also of humility, of that open place where journeys begin.

There’s no need to pretend we have all the answers. We start with where we are, do the best we can with what we know, seek to learn more as science makes available more knowledge, and move forward with this vital work to protect, defend, restore, and love these wild places we call home.

Begin with Mystery, and bewilderment. Be wilder.

- Danae Yurgel

Voluntary Grazing Permit Retirement Legislation Introduced in Congress

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Nov 28, 2011.

Hells Canyon Preservation Council is pleased to endorse the Rural Economic Vitalization Act of 2011 (HR 3432), a bill that promotes recovery of native ecosystems, saves taxpayer funds, and provides financial assistance to federal grazing permittees and lessees for voluntarily retiring public lands livestock grazing permits.

Help reclaim our public wild lands from livestock grazing by telling your representatives to support the Rural Economic Vitalization Act (H.R. 3432)!

Press release follows:

November 16, 2011

Bill would Provide Cash Option for Grazing Permittees

Conservationists hailed the introduction of the Rural Economic Vitalization Act (H.R. 3432) in Congress today, a bill that would allow federal grazing permittees to voluntarily relinquish their grazing permits back to the managing federal agency in exchange for compensation paid by a third party. The bill was introduced by Representative Adam Smith (D-WA-9th) and six original cosponsors.

“When enacted, this legislation will help resolve endless conflict on public lands, while providing ranchers with opportunities to restructure their operations, start new businesses, or retire with security,” said Mike Hudak, author of Western Turf Wars: The Politics of Public Lands Ranching and leader of the Sierra Club Grazing Team.

Domestic livestock grazing is the most pervasive and damaging use of federal public lands. On public land across the West, millions of non-native livestock remove and trample vegetation, damage soil, spread invasive weeds, despoil water, deprive native wildlife of forage and shelter, accelerate desertification and even contribute to global warming.

Unfortunately, antiquated federal law generally prohibits closing grazing allotments to benefit fish, wildlife and watersheds. The Rural Economic Vitalization Act would authorize federal agencies to permanently retire grazing permits if requested by ranchers.

“Grazing permit retirement has been implemented in a few places around the West with marked success, but there is much greater need—and demand from ranchers—to retire grazing permits,” said Mark Salvo of WildEarth Guardians.

One landscape that has benefited from grazing permit retirement is the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem where grazing allotments have been closed to reduce conflicts with wolves, grizzly bears and bighorn sheep, and to expand winter range for bison outside Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone bison, the last remaining genetically pure wild herd in the U.S., are subject to intensive management and control based on the irrational fear that they will transmit disease to domestic livestock.

“Bison are hazed, captured, shot and slaughtered to protect grazing interests on public land in Yellowstone country,” said Josh Osher of the Buffalo Field Campaign. “REVA is the tool we need to finally, permanently address these conflicts.”

In addition to being the source of immeasurable environmental harm, the federal grazing program is a fiscal boondoggle for federal taxpayers. The Government Accountability Office reported that the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service annually spend $132.5 million on grazing management, but collect only $17.5 million in grazing fees for a net loss to taxpayers of $115 million.

“We want to save public lands and do our part to solve the deficit,” said Brian Ertz of Western Watersheds Project. “We just need Congressional approval to buy out willing ranchers and retire their grazing permits.”

Grazing permit retirement is a voluntary, non-regulatory, market-based solution to public lands grazing conflicts. Permittees determine if and when they want to retire their grazing permits. Permittees and third parties separately agree how much a permittee will be paid for relinquishing their permit. And federal agencies facilitate the transaction by immediately retiring grazing permits received from a permittee. The Rural Economic Vitalization Act caps the total number of grazing permits that may be retired each year at 100.

“This is a win-win-win for ranchers, the environment, and taxpayers,” said Rose Chilcoat of Great Old Broads for Wilderness. “Let’s pass this bill so that we can finally take some common sense steps to ensure healthy public lands.

# # #

See also the press release from the office of Rep. Adam Smith:
http://adamsmith.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=269150

ODFW Art Contest to Benefit Habitat Conservation

By tmiller from News. Published on Nov 21, 2011.

ONDA's Wilderness Stewardship Program wins Governor's Award for volunteerism

By jjacobs from Press Releases. Published on Nov 21, 2011.

The Oregon Natural Desert Association's Stewardship Program has been selected as a regional winner of the Outstanding Volunteer Program category for the 2011 Governor's Volunteer Awards. The Governor's Volunteer Awards recognizes individuals and organizations for their dedication, commitment and determination in promoting and supporting volunteerism throughout Oregon with the purpose of inspiring individuals to make a positive difference by strengthening Oregon communities.

Antelope Ridge Wind Power Project Update

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Nov 19, 2011.

Wind turbines near the proposed Antelope Ridge Wind Power Project

Story & photo by Brian Kelly, Restoration Coordinator for HCPC

It’s been a very interesting week in the world of Pacific Northwest wind power proposals. Here in northeast Oregon, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) and the developer EDP Renewables jointly announced that they had resolved most of the wildlife objections previously raised by ODFW over the Antelope Ridge Wind Power Project. This agreement likely moves the application one step further down review process. However, Hells Canyon Preservation Council will continue to advocate for the strongest possible wildlife protections during the review of the project application.

The agreement between ODFW and EDP Renewables is the product of months of mediated negotiations set up by Governor Kitzhaber. It’s now up to the Oregon Department of Energy to create a “Draft Proposed Order” for the Antelope Ridge Project. At that point, members of the public may raise issues or objections during the “Public Hearings” phase of the process. So while the accord between ODFW and EDP is a significant development in the application process to permit the construction of Antelope Ridge, it is still a long ways from being completed.

I have begun to read through the eight new documents about Antelope Ridge that were released this week. It’s complicated. It will take some time to adequately research this new information. However, here are some of my initial impressions of these agreements.

· Overall, wildlife protections are significantly weaker than those in ODFW’s earlier comments on Antelope Ridge.

· The project would be built in two phases. Up to 100 turbines would be built in phase 1. Unfortunately, phase 1 turbines include those closest to the crest of Craig Mountain and flyways for eagles, hawks and other birds.

· Phase 2 would only be constructed after completion of a multiple year big game monitoring study.

· ODFW and EDP Renewables were unable to come to consensus regarding property to be acquired for mitigation of wildlife impacts from the wind project.

· An “Incidental Take Permit” for the killing of bald eagles by turbines would recommended rather than required.

· Golden eagle issues will be addressed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and not by ODFW.

· An Avian and Bat Protection Plan will be developed between USFWS and EDP Renewables and not by ODFW.

USFWS will play an important role as protections for golden eagles and the Avian and Bat Protection Plan are developed.

Hells Canyon Preservation Council will continue to play an important role in advocating for wildlife protections as public review of the Antelope Ridge project develops. HCPC led a coalition of conservation groups in submitting comments to Oregon Department of Energy advocating for strong wildlife protections in December 2010. I also spoke about these concerns when I addressed the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council at a public meeting in early 2011. We will keep you informed about the Antelope Ridge project and future opportunities for you to comment during the “Public Hearings” phase of the process.

Renewable energy is a very good thing. The earth’s future hangs in the balance over how well we are able to conserve energy and develop clean energy production. However, renewable energy projects must be located on appropriate sites, and wildlife and their habitat must be protected in the process. We will continue to advocate for appropriate renewable energy but we will continue to insist that wildlife are not sacrificed in the process.

There is ample cause for concern about impacts to wildlife from the Antelope Ridge Wind Energy Project. EDP Renewables has applied to install 164 turbines over 47,000 acres of private land in the hills just south of the Grande Ronde Valley. (Horizon Wind Energy was the subsidiary of EDP Renewables that filed the application).

According to ODFW’s earlier comments, “The Project is one of the first wind power projects in Oregon proposed to be sited in critical big game winter range and very productive wildlife habitat, resulting in the construction of a large industrial structure that negatively affects Oregon’s wildlife.”

Antelope Ridge would be built immediately north of EDP’s existing Elkhorn Valley wind facility where four golden eagles have been found dead since May 2009, presumably killed by wind turbines. Since Antelope Ridge would be larger and located closer to eagle nesting areas, the likelihood of more golden eagle deaths is high, according to US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Burrowing owls, Swainson’s hawk, and red-tailed hawks nest within the project area. Four species of bats have been identified as well. The sensitive plant species Doulas clover and Oregon semaphore grass grow in the project area.

Antelope Ridge would be constructed just south of Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, northeast Oregon’s largest remaining wetland. It would be about a dozen miles west of the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Forests, sagebrush /grasslands and wetlands provide key wildlife habitat in the project area. Wildlife travel through the project area, and it’s an important wildlife connectivity corridor. In fact, the Washington Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Working Group has identified the area as an important habitat link between the essential habitats of the Wallowa Mountains and the Blue Mountains.

There was also news about other Pacific Northwest wind power projects this week. In western Washington, the Radar Ridge project was cancelled over concerns about the marbled murrelet, a threatened seabird. Also this week, in southeast Oregon two wind projects were withdrawn from the unique and important Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area. A third project and a transmission line proposal for the Steens Mountain area still pose threats to eagles and sage-grouse of that region, however. Nevertheless, it is promising to say goodbye to these projects that harm wildlife. When faced with harmful energy development projects, HCPC will continue to provide a voice for wildlife. It's a privilege to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

KTVZ Features 2011 Sustainability Award Winners

By nicole from News. Published on Nov 18, 2011.

View KTVZ news feature and video highlighting 2011 Sustainability Awards winners in their Green Life series.

HCPC Brings Balance to Cove Fuels Reduction: Protects Old Growth, and Roadless Forests

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Nov 10, 2011.

HCPC has been engaged in efforts to bring balance to a fuels reduction proposal on National Forest Lands near Cove, Oregon for two years. These remarkable public lands consist of towering multi-canopied old growth forests, extensive roadless forests that harbor salmon bearing streams, mountain hemlock stands rare to Eastern Oregon, and two Research Natural Areas where the natural processes of forest ecosystems are studied for the benefit of current and future generations (see photos below). However, other parts of the project area have been heavily logged and roaded- there was even a historic logging project up Indian Creek called "Nightmare!" That's why we think it is so important that the next management step we take in this area is positive for the forests, streams, wildlife, wildlands, and people that love these wonderful treasures.

When it comes to fuels reduction, HCPC supports work that protects communities and firefighters and also protects the areas outstanding natural values. To this end we are thrilled that HCPC reached an agreement with the Forest Service resulting in the following modifications to the proposal.
1. Eliminates 413 acres of commercial logging in old growth forests.
2. Drops or changes to non-commercial all commercial harvest (618 acres) from designated “Backcountry” areas.
3. Reduces temporary road building from 2 miles to less than .5 miles.
4. Buffers the Eagle Cap Wilderness from commercial logging and road building.
5. Protects the integrity of Castle Ridge Potential Wilderness Area.
6. With the exception of work needed for resource protection, drops the proposed road reconstruction on the 6220 road north of Moss Springs and the associated rock quarry expansion.
7. Drops proposed boundary change to the Point Prominence Research Natural Area.
8. A monitoring plan will be developed to better understand effects of the remaining treatments in old growth forests.
With these changes, the proposal now protects the incredible natural resources on National Forest lands near Cove, Oregon, while moving forward with important fuels reduction work that will improve community and firefighter safety. Here are a some pictures of this incredible area.
This view is from the Dunns Bluff Inventoried Roadless area looking into the heart of the Castle Ridge Inventoried Roadless Area. HCPC has asked that the special rock outcroppings known as monadnocks be considered for designation as a Geological Area in the Blue Mountains Forest Plan Revision Process. While much more subtle from the Grande Ronde Valley, these formations can be seen from several vantage points.

This photo of Indian Creek within the Castle Ridge Roadless Area shows the features that allow this beautiful stream to support salmon; large downed wood, gravelly stream bottom, and shading from the riparian vegetation that cools water temperatures.

A mystical waterfall on Indian Creek within the Castle Ridge Roadless area and near the Indian Creek Research Natural Area. Finding treasures like this when your exploring the backcountry is absolutely priceless and helps us to connect to the beauty of world that we are part of.

It's not all a pretty picture in the Castle Ridge Roadless area though, as the Breshears OHV trail cuts through the heart of the roadless area (next photo), diminishing habitat security for wildlife, and degrading the aquatic integrity of the area (second photo below).





















The Indian Creek Research Natural Area includes climax lodgepole pine forests, unique rock outrcoppings, the headwaters of Indian Creek and much more. The role these Research Natural Areas play in wildlife connectivity needs to be better considered in future planning of this area. While political boundaries might distinguish the Research Natural Area from the directly adjacent Eagle Cap Wilderness, try telling that to a marten, lynx, or wolverine, that need all of this habitat, together, to survive.
The Point Prominence Research Natural Area protects these high elevation mountain hemlock forests that only exist in eastern Oregon in scattered pockets. Some high elevation plant communties are predicted to be casualties of global warming because they cannot shift their range to higher elevations in order to adjust to the rising temperature. Will these Mountain Hemlock forests be lost from the Wallowas? These are the types of questions that should be studied in Research Natural Areas.

Thank you for everything you did to help us protect this part of our National Forest right here in our backyard!!

Post by David Mildrexler, Ecosystem Conservation Coordinator Hells Canyon Preservation Council

Celebrating

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Nov 04, 2011.

It's November now, and the snow is falling outside my window. Two weeks ago, the hawthorne and serviceberry were blazing red, the aspens and maple were glittering gold, and the members, friends and supporters of Hells Canyon Preservation Council gathered together to celebrate another year.

For the 2011 Gala, the celebration included presenting a Lifetime Achievement Award to long time local activist Loren Hughes, and adding Greg Dyson, HCPC Executive Director 2006-2011, to the HCPC Hall of Fame.

This year, with the transitions of HCPC staff (Greg Dyson and Renee Tkach) leaving, increased challenges on forestry and wildlife issues, unsettled political climate, and an unsettled climate, I found the Gala Keynote speech by Gary Ferguson a much need reminder of why I work at HCPC.

He spoke of wilderness as expressing the basic concept of democracy.

He encouraged us to develop "the ability to live with questions".

He talked about the importance of stories of relationship - not stories of conquering - not stories of fear.

He said that throughout the world, over and over again, what shows up in every culture and tradition as what we need to live, is Mystery, Community, and Beauty.

He asked us to give a chance for beauty, community with all life, and mystery, to the young who are growing up now and in the future, in a world with increasingly less of all three.
"Celebrate the mysterious"
"Let the beauty find us and pull us where we need to go"
"Maintain your love of life in difficult times"

The practice of hope, I think, is not an indulgence, nor a luxury, but a discipline. It is work, and hard work at that. I read once that hope is not the wish that things will get better, but the certainty that working to make it so is the only path that makes sense.

So forward into the fray, dear friends, together, in Community, with Beauty, and celebrating Mystery.

- Danae Yurgel

2011 Sustainability Awards Winners Announced

By nicole from News. Published on Oct 31, 2011.

The 2011 Sustainability Awards were announced on October 13th by The Environmental Center at a celebration at The Oxford Hotel in downtown Bend.

HCPC Files Opening Argument in Livestock Grazing "Categorical Exclusion" Case

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Oct 28, 2011.

As previously reported, HCPC filed suit last winter to protect close to a half-million acres spanning three of eastern Oregon's National Forests--the Wallowa-Whitman, Umatilla, and Malheur--from the negative effects of livestock grazing. This past week, we filed our opening argument in the federal District Court of Oregon challenging the Forest Service's abuse of its authority under a 2005 Appropriations Rider by exempting the renewal of 10-year grazing permits for large, contiguous blocks of land from full environmental review and the public participation process.

These public lands contain a variety of special resource conditions that demand a thorough effects analysis. Some are located within areas Congress set aside for heightened protection such as the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, and the corridors of the Imnaha and North Fork John Day Wild & Scenic Rivers, and all contain a multitude of federally threatened or sensitive fish, wildlife, and native plant species, unique habitats and already water-quality impaired streams.

In fact the agency's abuse was so widespread in regards to the Umatilla National Forest that it categorically excluded from environmental review livestock grazing on close to one-quarter of this 1.4 million-acre National Forest (comprising nearly all of the Heppner Ranger District on the Forest's west end, See Heppner District map below). The lands and sensitive waterbodies at issue in this case have been grazed by livestock for over a century, but in most cases the Forest Service has never conducted a thorough review of the negative, and potentially significant, environmental effects to the many special resources that inhabit these areas.

The Forest Service's response to our arguments is due mid-December. Several of the livestock producers that hold grazing permits for these public lands have also hired attorneys to intervene in the case and argue against the government's need to conduct a full and public environmental analysis.

We hope to resolve this case by early next year to ensure these special areas and resources get the overdue protection they deserve. Stay tuned for future updates!

Staff Attorney, Jennifer Schwartz

Wild in the City: Exploring the Intertwine Now Available

By tmiller from News. Published on Oct 27, 2011.

Audubon is happy to announce that Wild in the City: Exploring the Intertwine is now available at the Audubon Society Bookstore and will soon be available everywhere. This guide to the natural areas and natural history of the Portland-Vancouver Metro Region is a complete rewrite of the original Wild in the City published over a decade ago.

"The Last Mountain" in La Grande

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Oct 19, 2011.

By Brian Kelly, HCPC Restoration Coordinator

Photo of Oregon's only coal-fired electric plant at Boardman (photo courtesy of Columbia Riverkeeper).

Coming soon to a theatre near HCPC is fascinating film about coal in America. The Last Mountain tells the story of people in rural Appalachia fighting back against a large energy corporation bent on destroying a mountain to feed the hunger for coal.

“Mountain Top Removal” is a process where mountains are literally blown apart with dynamite to expose seams of coal. Forests are destroyed forever. Creeks are obliterated and the valleys downstream flooded. Wildlife habitat is gone. Local people suffer from high rates of cancer and autism. The explosives used each week equal the force of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. And all of this goes on today right here in the United States of America.

People outraged over environmental and social destruction in Appalachia organized at the grassroots level and began non-violent resistance against the Massey Energy Corporation. The corporation seems to buy politicians and ignore the law with impunity. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. got involved and has helped the local activists in their fight against the corporate giant. The Last Mountain http://thelastmountainmovie.com/film/ tells this story cinematically and in a compelling way.

I am pleased to be a member of a panel discussion that will follow the screening of The Last Mountain on Friday, October 21 at 5:30 PM at the Granada Theatre, 1311 Adams Avenue in La Grande.

I will be proud to speak about HCPC’s success in stopping the burning of coal at Oregon’s only coal-fired electric plant near Boardman. The Boardman coal plant has been shown to pollute the air over the Eagle Cap and Hells Canyon Wilderness Areas. The plant is Oregon’s largest stationary source of acid rain causing sulfur dioxide and haze producing nitrogen oxides. It is the state’s second largest source of mercury pollution. HCPC and our allies recently settled a lawsuit whereby the plant will stop burning coal by 2020, reduce pollution in the interim period, and fund environmental projects including restoration work in the Eagle Caps and Hells Canyon.

The panel discussion will focus on energy production and use as well as what people can do at the local level to conserve energy and promote renewable energy.

The Last Mountain will be shown as part of The Eastern Oregon Film Festival http://eofilmfest.com

The film is sponsored by Oregon Rural Action http://oregonrural.org/ .

Paul Engelmeyer Receives Two Chiefs Award

By tmiller from News. Published on Oct 06, 2011.

Objection period open on Cove II WUI Project

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Oct 06, 2011.

The Cove II Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Project Environmental Assessment has been released for public comment beginning the “Objection Period.” This project is a little different than others because it’s a Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) project, which is executed under a streamlined process. These projects are supposed to follow the Forest Plan while reducing fuels in ecologically appropriate areas in order to protect at-risk communities. Unfortunately, the Forest Service has taken a rogue approach with the Cove II WUI project, which proposes no less than four amendments to the Forest Plan for 1) logging in Late Old Structure (old growth) that is below historic range of variability, 2) logging in allocated old growth, 3) Relocation of Research Natural Area Boundary, 4) Logging in Management Area 6, Backcountry. In addition to these well-known extremely controversial aspects of the Cove II WUI proposal, the proposal would log in more roadless forests than any proposal I have seen over the past 3 years of monitoring timber sales across Northeast Oregon.

HCPC has gone above and beyond our duty to communicate with the Forest Service about these concerns, sending numerous correspondences to the Agency based on sophisticated GIS analysis, field work, and extensive review of the proposal in light of the peer-reviewed literature, in addition to our official comments. So far these comments have resulted in very little changes to the proposed action. In addition HCPC has hosted two public presentations on this project, one in La Grande and one in Cove. Local concerns are very high regarding logging in old growth and roadless forests for the purpose of extending backcountry fire suppression tactics further across the landscape than they have ever been, in contradiction to the best available science in numerous ways.

Federal Judge Recommends Striking Down Illegal Oregon Logging Plan

By Newby from Press Releases. Published on Sep 30, 2011.

Where The Wild Things Are, and Are Not

By noreply@blogger.com (Hells Canyon Preservation Council) from From the Canyons. Published on Sep 29, 2011.

"There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot." - Aldo Leopold

Two mornings ago I saw a live porcupine ambling along the side of a backroad. It was the first live porcupine I had seen in years. I worry that we will turn around one day and the porcupines will be gone. I used to see them several times in the fall and spring, twenty years ago. You'd see at least 4 or 5 porcupine carcasses in the road back then pretty much every year. Then there were 1 or 2 carcasses a year, and then maybe 1 every couple years, and no sign of live porcupines. I am inordinately glad to see a live porcupine again, and wished it well.

That same morning I saw a mature bald eagle on the Grande Ronde River just south of Elgin. Seemed early in the year to see one there - usually they show up mid to late winter on that stretch of the river, at least for the last few years. Before that, it was more unusual to see one, and in my lifetime, bald eagles were on the verge of extinction. I love seeing them return again to these rivers.

The ospreys are off the nest now on the boxes I check on my way towards La Grande. Every summer now I watch the young, so grateful for the nest boxes put up for the ospreys to use. Watching the return of ospreys to the Grande Ronde and Indian Valleys celebrates a genuine success story for the return of another native species back from the edge of oblivion.

Wildlife asks so little to survive and thrive - putting up a nest box, stopping use of DDT, slowing down when we drive through a wildlife corridor, leaving some snags when we log, planting some native shrubs and wildflowers - often no more than a small margin of tolerance and forbearance.

Since I was little, I have been one of those Aldo Leopold talked about, when he wrote there are some who cannot live without wild things. In the 7th grade I read Sand County Almanac for the first time, and fell in love with his words. It seemed he spoke for me.

Today, I mourn for wild things.

I was glad when wolves first returned to Oregon, and delighted when the first pups were born to the Imnaha pack. I listened at night, hopeful of hearing the howl I have never heard in this county.

Today, I mourn three times over.

I mourn the loss of two individual wolves of the Imnaha pack. Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, late last Friday, announced they were going to kill two of the remaining four wolves of the Imnaha pack.

I mourn the loss of the pack - one of the wolves they will kill is the collared alpha male, and the other is the sole remaining sub-adult. Killing the alpha male and the other hunting adult of what is now such a small pack is killing the pack as an entity. The Imnaha pack, the first wolf pack in Oregon since wolves were hunted out in the 1900's, will be no more.

I mourn the loss of the pup, who in all probability will not survive the winter without a pack to hunt for it. And especially I mourn for B-300, the collared alpha female who swam the Snake River from Idaho to reach Oregon, and started the successful return of wolves to Oregon. Wolves mate for life - and seldom if ever accept lone wolves into their pack. It will be just her and the pup, and then just her - and it breaks my heart.

Wolves, like all wildlife, require that margin of human tolerance and forbearance to survive. There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot. For those of us who cannot, that margin is one we embrace. Unfortunately, those who can live without wild things are determining that all of us will live without them as well.

"Wilderness is not the wide open spaces, but the wild things that fill it." - Chris Morgan

I mourn the loss of wilderness in this corner of the wild that I love so very much.

- Emily Denio

Record Year for Recovery of Snowy Plover

By tmiller from News. Published on Sep 19, 2011.

In Kenton: The Vaux's Swift Show

By tmiller from News. Published on Sep 16, 2011.

Bivouacking in Oregon’s Back of Beyond

By blittlefield from Press Releases. Published on Aug 23, 2011.

Reprint of a NYT article in Sunday's Travel Section: a great story about a fabulous 50-mile hike this local writer took with ONDA staff through the Owyhee Canyonlands.

Rehabbed Owls Released into Wild in Hillsboro

By tmiller from News. Published on Aug 19, 2011.

Portland Audubon to Receive New Toyota Vehicle

By tmiller from News. Published on Aug 18, 2011.

Rethink Waste Guide and Website

By katy from News. Published on Aug 01, 2011.

Hot off the press! The Environmental Center, in partnership with Deschutes County Department of Solid Waste, launched the Rethink Waste print guide and website, providing Deschutes County residents and businesses information and resources on how to reduce waste.

Brasada Ranch Announces Ranch Rewards Program

By nicole from News. Published on Jun 15, 2011.

Book a stay-cation through August at Brasada Ranch to benefit The Environmental Center.

Join our Board!

By corvallisenvironmentalcenter from . Published on Apr 21, 2011.

Interested in serving on the Board of the Corvallis Environmental Center? We are seeking several enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers to appoint to the Corvallis Environmental Center’s Board of Director’s! The programs of the Corvallis Environmental Center are growing by leaps and bounds – don’t miss out on this exciting time! Board members are expected to attend [...]

Sandy River Hatchery Program is Illegal, Conservation Groups Say

By lauren from Press Releases. Published on Apr 16, 2011.

Wyden, Merkley, DeFazio Introduce Trio of Bills to Protect Natural Resources in Oregon

By lauren from Press Releases. Published on Apr 07, 2011.

Bills Preserve 4,000 Acres of Oregon Caves National Monument; Designates Devil's Staircase as Wilderness; and Protects Chetco River from Suction Dredge Mining

Cathedral Rock & Horse Heaven Wilderness bill reintroduced

By blittlefield from Press Releases. Published on Mar 17, 2011.

Obama Plan Leaves National Forest Streams, Watersheds, and Wildlife Without Adequate Protection

By Kelly from Press Releases. Published on Mar 10, 2011.

Call for 2012 Wild Desert Calendar photos!

By katya from Press Releases. Published on Mar 08, 2011.

Wilderness, Wild and Scenic designations are important

By katya from Press Releases. Published on Feb 09, 2011.

Job Opening: Communications & Membership Coordinator

By dbatley from Press Releases. Published on Jan 10, 2011.

Grazing Halted to Protect Steelhead on Quarter-Million Acres of Malheur National Forest

By mac from Press Releases. Published on Dec 31, 2010.

Salazar, Abbey Restore Protections for America's Wild Lands

By dbatley from Press Releases. Published on Dec 23, 2010.

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By David Wolf from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Jul 31, 2010.

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By David Wolf from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Jul 30, 2010.

Green Economy header

By David Wolf from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Jul 29, 2010.

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By David Wolf from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Jul 29, 2010.

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By David Wolf from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Jul 28, 2010.

Court Blocks Rock Creek Mine in Northwest Montana

By lauren from Press Releases. Published on Apr 01, 2010.

PRC and allies claim victory in a suit brought to invalidate federal agency approval for the Rock Creek Mine project, which would have had devastating effects on over 10,000 acres of habitat for fragile species of bull trout and grizzly bear in Northwest Montana

Unlikely Allies Share Table at Senate Hearing on Wyden Forest Bill

By lauren from Press Releases. Published on Mar 29, 2010.

Salmon Advocates Go To Court To Keep WOPR Dead

By lauren from Press Releases. Published on Mar 16, 2010.

Future gets brighter for state's aging national forest roads

By lauren from Press Releases. Published on Mar 08, 2010.

Conservation and Timber Interests Unite Around Wyden Forest Legislation

By lauren from Press Releases. Published on Mar 08, 2010.

Temporary Rules Filed On Business Energy Tax Credit Program

By David Wolf from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Nov 02, 2009.

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Nine Federal Agencies Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Transmission Siting on Federal Lands

By David Wolf from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Oct 29, 2009.

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Energy issues are important to daily life

By renewables from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Oct 16, 2009.

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Harvesting Clean Energy 10

By renewables from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Oct 15, 2009.

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Residential Basics of Going Solar

By renewables from Renewable Northwest Project. Published on Oct 15, 2009.

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Roadless Area Protections

By bwright from Press Releases. Published on Aug 05, 2009.

River Advocates File Legal Challenge to Bush Plan for Western Oregon Forests

By bwright from Press Releases. Published on Jan 15, 2009.

Conservation Groups, State Reach Agreement On Measures to Protect Native Fish, Amphibians from Fish-Stocking

By bwright from Press Releases. Published on Nov 21, 2008.

Court Considers Interim Measures to Protect California's Sensitive Native Fish and Amphibians from Fish Stocking

By joshb from Press Releases. Published on Nov 14, 2008.

Bush Administration, Timber Industry Deal Challenged in Oregon

By bwright from Press Releases. Published on Nov 03, 2008.