Oregon is blessed with a spectacular coastline, fertile farmland, dense forests, sparkling rivers, majestic mountains, and vibrant cities. For most of us, the thought of making our homes elsewhere is unimaginable. The landscapes of Oregon are a fundamental part of our quality of life—and even a part of our souls.

The "Oregon Story"

In the 1970s, the Willamette River was our state’s sewer, ill-planned housing tracts were sprouting up in the middle of strawberry farms, and condominiums began marring our scenic coastline.

Into this mess stepped the widely revered Governor Tom McCall. Alarmed by what he called the “grasping wastrels of the land,” McCall rallied thousands of Oregonians across the state to forge a common vision for protecting our precious and finite natural resources. And with that widespread public support, Governor McCall and a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers went on to enact a comprehensive land use planning system that became the envy of the world.

To protect his legacy—and future generations of Oregonians—McCall joined forces with a young and visionary attorney, Henry Richmond, to found 1000 Friends of Oregon in 1975.

A non-profit organization with offices across the state, 1000 Friends of Oregon works to defend, promote, and strengthen Tom McCall’s legacy of thoughtful land use planning. For 30 years, this system has sustained our communities and encouraged economic development while preserving our scenic treasures, family farms, and forest and ranch lands from leap-frog development and out-of-control sprawl.

Honoring Tom McCall’s vision for Oregon is a bold and ambitious mission. Over time, it has meant working on projects as diverse as keeping commercial development from swallowing up Smith Rock in Central Oregon to advocating for diverse and affordable housing and transportation options in our central cities to fighting ballot box challenges to the state's pioneering land use planning system.

Read how 1000 Friends' Envision Oregon program helped Oregonians discuss how they would like our land use planning system to work in the future.