@oregonwildconservation

Cover photo by Brett Cole

The future of nearly 5 million acres of public land in the Blue Mountains is being decided right now, and the Trump administration is once again trying to maximize logging at the expense of clean water, wildlife, and outdoor recreation. Submit your comment before the deadline on September 30th. Follow the link in our bio to watch the whole video, and comment "save the blues!" for a link on how you can help.

Join us for a special Wild Wednesday as we celebrate the pivotal 1.25% for Wildlife Bill and hear updates from Wildlife Program Manager, Danielle Moser, Executive Director, Quinn Read, and Development Director, Jonathan Jelen. 1.25% for Wildlife creates a long-term, dedicated funding source to protect Oregon’s most vulnerable fish, wildlife, and their habitats. This critical law will protect over 300 species from extinction, safeguard human health, reduce wildlife risk, and strengthen local economies.   Your support as Oregon Wild members and advocates for our precious wildlife allowed us to move this groundbreaking bill through the legislature. This is an incredible win for Oregon’s Wildlife. We look forward to celebrating with you, talking with you about how we passed 1.25% for Wildlife, and sharing what comes next as the state begins to implement this important law.   We are incredibly excited to be hosting this event at Brewshed Alliance® partner, pFriem Family Brewers, Milwaukie Tasting Room. pFriem Family Brewers was one of the incredible businesses that signed onto a vital business support letter for 1.25% for Wildlife. Come toast with us at pFriem! This is a free event, however RSVPs are appreciated! More details through the link in bio.   wildlife videos: Camcam725, pchoui, and blackbox

It’s confusing, it’s overwhelming, and it’s intentional. We untangle the threats to Oregon’s public lands in our report “Looting Oregon’s Treasures.” This report covers how Congress and the Trump administration’s rollbacks to environmental protections threaten some of our favorite places. Follow the link in bio to read the report.

The landscapes of the Blue Mountains Ecoregion are of global importance in our fight against climate change and the biodiversity crisis. They provide irreplaceable wildlife habitat, sources of clean, cold, and abundant water, and store massive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Make sure you're following us (extra points if you sign up for the newsletter or add our accounts to your favorites) to be ready to help stand up for the Blue Mountains.

What gets us through times like these? You. Every day in Oregon wild we are astounded by the way this community shows up. Artists who help create projects to inspire others, volunteers showing up to county commission meetings and town halls, donors helping fund our legal team, and every person who's ever signed a petition or submitted a comment to protect Oregon's wonderful Wild places. Thank you all for the work you do.

You asked, we listened! Virtual roadless Town Hall next week. (Also big shout out to @highcountrynews for covering this!) Hundreds of people showed up to in-person events in Bend, Portland, and Eugene over the past weeks to speak up for Oregon’s beloved Roadless Areas and the protections the Roadless Rule provides. If you weren’t able to attend those events, now is your chance! Join us for this special Wild Wednesday webcast on May 6th to learn about and celebrate our wild, roadless public lands. During the program, we’ll hear from several voices about how roadless protections support diverse shared values and essential conservation outcomes, and we’ll let you know how you can take action to stop this latest attack on our public lands. Public lands belong to the public, and we all have the right to weigh in on decisions that impact our public lands. The Trump Administration wants to silence us and is hoping its plan to repeal the Roadless Rule will go through quietly. We won’t let that happen. check out the link in our bio to register.

Did you know we lead free guided hikes to some of Oregon's threatened landscapes? All summer we'll be taking group trips to Roadless areas, proposed Wild & Scenic Rivers, waterfalls, and Old-growth stands so you can learn about these threatened landscapes, and what you can do to protect them. This summer's itinerary includes... Tumalo Falls Salmon River Giants Gordon Lakes Latch Mountain Old Growth And more! Follow the link in our bio to find out more!

It's another way we're keeping the public in public lands. Field checking, or groundtruthing, is an important part of how we make sure environmental regulations are being followed. We can then take the photos and notes that we collect in these timber sale areas, and use them to file objections or complaints on the projects. Best case scenario we find exactly what is said that we're supposed to find, but that's not always how it plays out. As these agencies are underfunded, understaffed, and reorganized, they have fewer people who work to follow these environmental regulations, allowing for more things to slip through the cracks, and making this practice more important than ever. Our attorneys also could always use a good day in the field after all the hard work they do!

What news is bringing you hope this Earth Day? We've fought uphill battles for our environment before, and we can do it again. No one said it'll be easy, but difficult doesn't mean impossible. An important part of this fight is remembering to celebrate the victories, and use that joy to propel us forward. #conservation #oregonwild #earthday day

We can’t let this administration loot and pillage our natural heritage for private profit. Our public lands are too important. As co-owners of these forests, rivers, deserts, mountains, and plains, we have a responsibility to defend the lands themselves and the democratic tools that are central to the idea of public lands. Block by block, Oregon Wild is working to thwart Trump’s dismantling of what we hold dear. In this report, we highlight some examples of Oregon’s treasured places at risk, as well as how we are fighting for these places day in and day out, for the public’s voice, and for a future where nature doesn’t just survive, but thrives.

The truth is, Oregon’s lush forests, pristine waters, and charismatic wildlife support our outdoor recreation and tourism economy. Without our wildlife and their habitats, Oregon wouldn’t be able to support $16 billion in total consumer spending, 192,000 jobs, and $8.2 billion in wages for full and part-time roles From Wildlife viewing, photography, nature center visits, rafting tours, fishing guides, whale watching excursions, to the sales of gear, equipment, and apparel, our wild neighbors support our economy. According to a 2024 report commissioned by Travel Oregon, the spending associated with outdoor recreation "rippled through Oregon's economy as income and wages are re-spent, driving economic effects in sectors not directly tied to outdoor recreation." The environment supports tourism. It’s time for tourism to support the environment. That’s why we are working towards a historic bill, a tourism tax of 1.25 percentage points on overnight stays. The millions of dollars this would generate would go towards wildlife and habitat restoration for the species that need it most, ensuring a better future for our wildlife and our economy.  Learn more through the link in our bio. Photo credit: Getty Images, Sami Godlove, Phenix Johnson, NOAA, Wayne Lindberg, Aflo Images, Cody Clark, NPS, ODFW, Scott Smorra, Brett Cole, Pexels, USFWS

Accepting recommendations for OTC foot fungus meds. Need more about Folgers public lands comments through the linkin bio. Transcript: Arran: Our top story this week, like the foot fungus I keep telling my spouse will go away on its own, attacks on our public lands are back, and stinkier than ever. Phenix: Last month, Idaho Congressman Russ “The Fulch” Fulcher wrote to the Idaho state legislature and county commissioners that the era of federal public lands was coming to an end. “The Fulch” who is probably the guy pictured here, these anti-public lands congressmen all look the same to me. A: Fulcher opined that America’s public lands were too expensive for the cash-strapped federal government to maintain. The federal government, seen here handing out giant novelty checks to billionaires, manages some of the country’s most stunning vistas. From the Grand Canyon to the Everglades, these are places enjoyed by people who touch grass. A saying my nephew informed me does not refer to the gummies I take to help me manage living through late-stage capitalism and the slow descent of our society into the dystopian world sci-fi writers have been warning us about for decades. P: Instead, Fulcher insists that lands would be transferred to states like Idaho to manage, and then, inevitably, sell, because the second the state needs money to build the craft singles pasturized prepared cheese product sports stadium, you can kiss those public lands goodbye. A: The rest of Idaho's delegation were instrumental in stopping Mike Lee’s public land sell-off scheme last year, which begs the question: is Fulcher just upset that the only time anyone is excited to see him is when they mistake him for Ryan Zinke in the hallway?

As we head into the final day of the year, we’re drawn to pause and reflect on the past year and to recommit to the work ahead at Oregon Wild. Quinn Read, our Executive Director, reflects on the past year, and the work ahead in our End of Year video, and we couldn't be prouder to be under her leadership. We are truly lucky to live in Oregon, where our 30 million acres of public lands give us so much: clean water, clean air, wildlife refuges, places to rest, recreate, and restore on our own terms. These public lands belong to all of us. And right now, they need us more than ever. This year has brought escalating attacks on the wild places and wildlife that call Oregon home. But it has also brought something else - our community showing up and standing up. Time and time again, we have proven that we will stand up, fight back, and win. Watch the whole video through the link in our bio to learn how Oregon Wild will be digging in for the fight. Thank you for standing with Oregon Wild, especially when the stakes are so high. Together, we’ll keep fighting like hell for our wildlands, waters, wildlife, and communities. For the Wild, The Oregon Wild Team P.S. Your contribution is what will make this work possible. Your support strengthens our movement and provides the steady income stream we need to keep fighting for Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters. Donate $10 or more to Oregon Wild through the Give!Guide today and you'll be entered to win an Oregon getaway package from the Oregon Cultural Trust!

Need some help dealing with eco-grief and climate anxiety? The work of protecting Oregon’s wild places and wildlife can be joyful, but it can also mean very real emotional impacts of witnessing environmental loss. In a time of climate crisis, political turmoil, and relentless attacks on our democracy and the natural world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or burned out. To build a movement that lasts, we must care for the people who make that movement possible: Ourselves and each other!⁠ ⁠ In this session, guest speaker Zoë Hanley PhD (@zlhanley) a wildlife ecologist who also facilitates workshops and retreats on emotional resilience, we’ll honor our pain for the world, acknowledge our shared grief, and rediscover the strength that comes from community care.⁠ ⁠ Whether you’re new to activism or a seasoned advocate, this workshop offers a chance to pause, breathe, and refill your cup. You’ll leave with renewed energy, a deeper sense of connection, and practical tools for sustaining your work for the long haul.⁠ ⁠ A resilient movement starts with resilient people. Join us on November 21st to nurture ourselves as we nurture the planet! Register through the link in our bio. (photo taken on Bureau of Land Management Lands (aka, your public lands)) #Meme #MemeCut #CapCut

Oregon Wild staffer Chandra LeGue recently visited the sites of the former Klamath River dams and restoration areas upstream. After more than a century of being blocked by these dams, salmon were found upstream just days after removal was complete in 2024. Now, fall Chinook salmon are spawning in Jenny Creek and other tributaries, and swimming even further upstream into Oregon. This remarkable restoration process will benefit area Tribes, local economies, and this whole watershed's ecosystem. Check out our blog, linked in bio, for more.

When the oldest trees in this area were first sprouting through the soil, the indigenous people who lived on the northwest shores of turtle island had yet to meet a European colonizer, the Golden Horde of the Mongols was at the height of its power, and Joan of Arc was leading armies. 600 years of history are held in that forest. In short, the Blue and Gold Project targets thousands of acres of some of the oldest, most fire-resistant, and untouched by modern development forests remaining on public lands, including several hundred acres of old forests along rivers and creeks. These are multi-century-old, high-quality habitat for federally protected wildlife species, including northern spotted owls, marbled murrelets, and Oregon Coast coho salmon. The proposed logging would permanently degrade these rare older forests and convert them into timber plantations, destroying what little old-growth habitat remains for endangered species, increasing fire risk, and undermining climate resilience. This project and others like it hold some of our best remaining older forests in Oregon. We won’t stand by and let centuries of an ecosystem be lost in the span of a few weeks. Logging some of the surrounding projects is happening right now, despite the government shutdown. We’er actively fighting to protect these forests in court. While we handle the court, we could use your help to get our politicians to stand up for these places. Blue and Gold is located in Representative Val Hoyle’s district. Give her office a call at (541) 465-6732 or head to her website to reach out and let her know you want her to do more to publicly stand up and oppose continued logging of Old Growth on BLM lands.

It’s the (species of) Great(est conservation need) Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! The spookiest part of the season? There’s over 300 species on Oregon’s “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” List. But, there’s something YOU can do about it! Celebrate the season, and our wild neighbors, with these pumpkin carving templates. While you do, learn a bit more about them, and the 1% for Wildlife movement, a historic bill staged to pass this spring in Oregon to create long-term, dedicated funding for our most at-risk furry (and scaly and feathered and slimy) neighbors. Then, make sure to share your creation using #1percent4wildlife. Follow the link in bio to download the templates, head to 1percent4wildlife.org to learn more, and get carving!

Your weekly conservation news roundup, from the comms team at Oregon Wild. The government shutdown affecting public lands, Bureau of Land Management locking the public out of timber sales, partisan messaging on public services, and the public making their voices heard are all part of the headlines today. Check out the link in our bio to read the stories mentioned, and don’t forget to follow and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date. #conservation #publiclandsnews #shutdown

YOU DID THIS. We cannot understate how grateful we are to everyone who shared, commented, and spoke up for our roadless wildlands. These last undeveloped forests truly are America’s Wild Heart, and we will fight until the end to save them. Our public lands are central to our way of life, and something that unites people across the country, as this comment period shows. We’d also like to thank @repsalinas for taking steps to more permanently protect these wild places, and to @ronwyden , @senjeffmerkley , @repbonamici , @repdexteror , and @repbynum for co-sponsoring this important legislation. @rephoyle and @repbentz , we hope to see you join in this movement. Please follow the link in our bio to show your support for RACA, give your representative a call to say thank you (or ask them to support this act), and keep up the good fight. Thank you to @western.priorities for the initial analysis on the comments, and the wonderful graph. #roadlessrule #conservation #publiclands #oregonwild #oregon

We're in the final hours of this comment period, and late is better than never. The Roadless Rule preserves the last of our intact public lands as a home for wildlife, a haven for recreation, and a heritage for future generations. Oregon Wild and our allies are calling on Oregonians to speak up in defense of these critical protections.⁠ ⁠ The Trump administration’s proposal would also undermine public accountability. Unlike the original Roadless Rule, this attempt to repeal protections is being rushed through with minimal opportunity for input, scientific review, or oversight. The deadline is September 19th (tonight) at midnight. Follow the link in our bio to comment, and find talking points and resources on our website.

In the latest attack in the Trump Administration's war on nature and public lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has just started a process to eliminate the Roadless Rule and the important protections this policy provides to America's wildest and most intact landscapes. This rule preserves the last of our intact public lands as a home for wildlife, a haven for recreation, and a heritage for future generations. It protects nearly 2 million acres of national forest across Oregon. The Trump Administration wants to open up these precious places to road construction, development, and commercial logging. A 21-day public comment period has just opened, and now is the time for all of us to use our voices to stand up for our public lands. Submit your public comment today to help defend Oregon's roadless wildlands. Photo Credit: Austin Jackson, J. Davis, David Mildrexler, Sami Godlove, Scott S Morra, Chandra LeGue

Our last best wild places are at risk. Finding out where they are, what they're called, and the beautiful landscapes they include will help us stand up for them. The comment period opens tomorrow, and having personal stories of your connection to these places will make your submissions go much further. Follow the link in our bio to check out the map. Oregon Wild and our allies across the state and nation are rallying to defend these places. Make sure you're following all the accounts tagged in this video, and for even more up to date info, subscribe to one of our newsletters. Photo Credit: Austin Jackson, J. Davis, David Mildrexler, Sami Godlove, Scott S Morra, Chandra LeGue

What do Martens and reality tv stars have in common? They both love when things are a little messy ;) Martens love a messy forest. Dead trees, both down and standing, not only provide shelter for these charismatic carnivores, but also give them access to their food, smaller mammals who thrive in a messy mid and understory. Seeing them, like we did on one of our remote cameras in Northeastern Oregon, is an encouraging sign of an intact and healthy ecosystem. The Forest Service lists them as a "Management Indicator Species". How'd they get this title? Martens rely on complex AND connected forests with a high density of trees, snags (dead standing trees), logs, and old growth that many sensitive species depend on. Seeing a marten means you have a healthy, functioning forest that is much more likely to have an intact community of predator and prey. Martens remind us we shouldn't manage forests for aesthetic purposes or fear of fire. What humans consider "beautiful" or scary is subjective, and not necessarily an indicator of forest health. We trust the marten's taste on this one! Want to see more of our wildlife photos from the past year? Comment below!

Are you a wildlife or nature photographer based in Oregon? Then we've got a contest for you! Our 18th annual photo contest is open for submissions right now. Categories include Wildlands & Forests, Waters, Wildlife, People, and Zoomed In (macro photography). Entry is free, and a winner will be picked in each category. Prizes include a package from ProPhoto Supply worth $250, a 2 night stay at an Oregon getaway, a professional print of the winning work, and an Oregon Wild gear pack. Let's see what Oregon's wild places look like through your lens! #oregon #oregonphotography #pnwphotographers #wildlifephotography #conservation #landscapephotography

Senator Ron Wyden's River Democracy Act would protect over 3200 miles of streams all across Oregon, providing additional safeguards to streams that supply clean drinking water to more than 1.3 million Oregonians. That includes 317,000 people in Clackamas County who receive drinking water from the Clackamas River watershed, 211,000 people in the Eugene-Springfield area who depend on the McKenzie River, 140,000 Oregonians in the upper Rogue River watershed, and over 100,000 people living in Bend who rely on Bridge Creek in the Tumalo Creek watershed. It’s time to permanently protect these streams and the communities that depend on them. And with all the ongoing threats to our cherished public lands and waters from Congress and the Trump administration, it is now more important than ever to defend our rivers, forests, and special places. Click the link in our bio to take action for Oregon's rivers and help safeguard drinking water sources for yourself, your neighbors, and 1.3 million other Oregonians across the state! #wildandscenicrivers #conservation #oregonwild

Comment and let us know who's on your conservation biting list... Tbh, ours is getting longer by the day. If you're overwhelmed by all the threats to our public lands (because, you're not going crazy, they are coming in landslides) we've got something to help you out. Sign up for Oregon wilds newsletter, and we'll let you know upcoming threats to our public lands, what you can do about it, and key opportunities to get more engaged. Follow the link in our bio to learn more! #publiclandsinpublichands #oregonwild #oregon

What should we do y'all? Oregon Wild isn't just a slogan to us, it's firmly rooted in our belief system, goals, and how we operate. We're not using a catchy phrase, and then turning around and selling those wild places for profit. Let's keep Oregon Wild. Actually. Not just to sell tee shirts. #oregonwild

To quote @pattiegonia "We gotta throw the better party" We hope we did that for some of y'all Rabble Rousers this week. Trainings mixed with joy, resistance and connection, empowering information and social connection. THANK YOU to the literal HUNDREDS of people who showed up to learn with us. Let's get joyful, organized, and ready to throw the better party. @pattiegonia⁠ @basicrightsoregon @wstatescenter @latinonetwork @seiu503 @nationallawyersguild @aclu_or @350pdx @tribal_democracy_project @50501portlandor @generalstrikeusor @crystalballroom

Calling all Rabble Rousers: Is the news cycle making you want to scream? Join us and Pattie Gonia for a day of skill-building and joyful resistance. July 16 @ The Crystal Ballroom, let’s look to each other and build power from the ground up. Info & tickets here: bit.ly/rabble-rouser @pattiegonia