OREGON WILD - OREGON'S FORESTS FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE Also: Priorities for the new administration
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
OREGON WILD Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1 OREGON'S FORESTS FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE Also: Priorities for the new administration
Working to protect and restore Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife,
and waters as an enduring legacy for future generations.
Main Office
5825 N Greeley Avenue Portland, OR 97217
Western Field Office
P.O. Box 11648 Eugene, OR 97440
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Phone: 503.283.6343 Phone 541.344.0675 Fax: 541.343.0996
www.oregonwild.org Oregon’s forests fight climate change {4-7}
The e-mail address for each Oregon Wild Conservation & Restoration Coord. Doug Heiken
staff member: initials@oregonwild.org Western Oregon Field Coord. Chandra LeGue Priorities for the new administration {8-9}
(for example: ef@oregonwild.org)
Northeastern Field Office Say goodbye to 2020 {15}
P.O. Box 48, Enterprise, OR 97828
Forest Climate Policy Coordinator Lauren Anderson x210 Phone: 541.886.0212
Membership & Event Manager Gaby Diaz x 205
Development Director Jonathan Jelen x 224 NE Oregon Field Coordinator Rob Klavins
Wildlife Policy Coordinator Danielle Moser x 226
Central Oregon Field Office
Conservation Director Steve Pedery x 212
2445 NE Division St, Bend, OR 97701
Communications Manager Arran Robertson x 223 Phone: 541.382.2616 Fax: 541.385.3370
Executive Director Sean Stevens x 211
Finance Manager Ellen Yarnell x 219 Ochoco Mountains Coordinator Jamie Dawson
Wilderness Program Manager Erik Fernandez
Oregon Wild Board of Directors
Kate Ritley, President Faith Briggs
Lisa Billings, Vice President Judy Clinton
Clara Soh, Treasurer Vail Fletcher
Stacey Rice, Secretary Jared Kennedy
Vik Anantha Darcie Meihoff
Naila Bhatri Seth Prickett
www.facebook.com/OregonWild
Oregon Wild is a tax-exempt, non-profit charitable organization. NICK HEILBRUNN As the sun sets on 2020, we’re looking ahead to
@oregonwild @oregonwild Newsletter printed on recycled paper sourced 100% from post consumer waste new opportunities.
content and FSC certified.
Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1 2
From the Director’s Desk
Exhale...and then back to work
Sean Stevens, Executive Director
our living room, and we tuned in efforts to protect forests to save we stood in 2016. And we’re So, in the days to come, find
for some comic relief on Saturday the climate (see feature article). eager to pursue the goals your peace and resolve in
Night Live. We’re poised to reverse Trump embodied in our new strategic nature and then join
policies across the board and plan (see page 14), including us in the
With a flourish less poetic than ensure conservation efforts fighting for a healthier work ahead.
A s we all waited for election Wendell Berry (but just as slingshot ahead of where representative democracy.
results in early November, evocative), SNL cast member
my wife and I took a quiet walk Michael Che delivered the most
in the woods looking to escape apt analogy for this moment that
the stress of inconclusive I’ve yet heard. He compared our The Peace of Wild Things
headlines. The fall leaves were in current national mood to the
full technicolor, some already scene in Shawshank Redemption
When despair for the world grows in me
giving in to the lure of the when the inmates all share cold
beers on the roof of the prison and I wake in the night at the least sound
ground below. A parade of in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
mushrooms sprouted from any – stealing a moment of normalcy
and a temporary escape from the I go and lie down where the wood drake
perch they could find. It really
realities of incarceration. rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
was wonderful to be calmed and
I come into the peace of wild things
comforted amid the “peace of
wild things.” I think the point is that – with who do not tax their lives with forethought
coronavirus raging and our of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
On the Saturday following systemic economic, racial, and And I feel above me the day-blind stars
election day, news outlets called environmental inequalities no less waiting with their light. For a time
the presidential election for Joe present than before – now is a I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
Biden and Kamala Harris. That time to both appreciate the
evening, we listened to the moment and prepare for the work
- Wendell Berry
president-elect share the mission ahead.
at hand, including “marshal[ing]
the forces of science, achieving Nature can surely act as escape
racial justice, and saving the and inspiration, but our fleeting
climate.” We breathed a deep sigh experiences there should also
of renewed hope, we danced in spur us to action. Oregon Wild is
MEHR DAD SHOJAEI
ready. We’re ramping up our
3 Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1
W hen most Americans
think of forests and
climate change, their minds
Oregon’s oldest climate
solution is its best
climate solution
amounts of carbon, with fires
typically burning in a mosaic
pattern that leaves a mix of live
Oregon's key
go to tropical rainforests in and dead trees. Dead trees can
the Amazon, Africa, or Not all forests are created equal store carbon in their trunks and
Southeast Asia. Those when it comes to their ability roots for many decades, returning
forests sustain indigenous to store carbon. Old-growth nutrients to the soil and
to fighting
communities, fish and and mature forests, with their providing important habitat for
wildlife, and store vast mixture of ancient giants, snags, wildlife.
amounts of carbon (carbon and young trees, as well as vast
that is ultimately released as root networks, rich soils, and Some people, particularly in the
climate change
carbon dioxide when they diversity of species, store far logging industry, have argued
are logged). But closer to more carbon than young that cutting down old-growth
home, the lush forests of forests. Older forests stack up and mature forests, turning them
Oregon and the Pacific particularly well against young to wood products, and replacing
Northwest also play a vital “plantation” forests, the them with young trees is an
role in capturing and storing unnaturally dense single- effective climate and carbon
the atmospheric carbon that species stands of spindly strategy. This is the wrong
is fueling global climate Douglas fir favored by the approach. Carbon is stored more
change. Protecting and logging industry in Western securely in growing forests, not in
restoring old-growth giants Oregon. In their 2018 report logged forests where only a small
on public lands, and shifting on carbon and forests, the fraction ends up in wood
to more sustainable logging Oregon Global Warming products. Researchers from
practices on private lands, Commission concluded that Oregon State University
are among the most our forests actually rival tropical concluded that protecting
Lauren Anderson, Forest Climate Policy Coordinator rain forests for carbon density western forests with high and
important steps Oregon can
Steve Pedery,Conservation Director take to help protect the and quantity of carbon stored. medium carbon-storing abilities
climate. would be the equivalent of
Though they may not match halting eight years of burning
For decades the climate the carbon stored per acre of fossil fuels across the same
impacts of clearcutting and old-growth giants, younger region, and a 2018 study found
old-growth logging have forests are also valuable - that the largest 1 percent of trees
been ignored by federal particularly the wildlife-rich in mature and older forests
agencies and Oregon’s state “early seral” forest that comprise 50 percent of the
government. Oregon Wild is regenerates naturally after fires biomass, storing half the forest’s
launching a new campaign and windstorms. And even carbon.
that aims to change that. burned forests still store vast
Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1 4
D A V I D P AT T E
In Oregon, scientists estimate forests in western Oregon’s coast conversion of forests to non-
that only ten to twenty percent of range are only a third of their forest uses (such as crop land),
the state’s ancient trees remain. ecological potential. While the and tax reform that could help
These trees are not all logging industry is not going revitalize rural communities.
permanently protected, despite away, smarter policy can help Further, reforming Oregon’s
their incredible climate and meet demand for wood products logging rules and tax structures
ecological value. Ensuring that while promoting better outcomes could motivate more climate
remaining old-growth forests are for the climate and wildlife friendly forest practices and
safeguarded from logging, and through longer logging rotations reward private landowners for
that we restore more old-growth (the intervals of time forests are preserving older forests, and
across federal public lands, is a allowed to grow between better government incentives
critical first step in maximizing logging), less clearcutting, and could help open up new markets
our forests’ ability to act as a financial incentives that provide for Forest Stewardship Council
natural climate solution. As a landowners with economic (FSC) certified wood products,
starting point, federal policy is alternatives to logging. including products made from
needed to ensure America’s small diameter trees. Such
mature western forests are Today, logging is not the practices could potentially have
protected as a cornerstone of economic engine it once was, overlap with other state
America's climate strategy. though policy makers often seem objectives, such as reducing
stuck in the past. In contrast, wildfire risk and protecting F R A N C I S E AT H E R I N G T O N
Logging is Oregon’s largest Oregonians benefit from a Oregon’s clean drinking water, Weyer h a eu ser M il l ico ma
Tr e e F a r m , w e s t e r n O r e g o n c o a s t
source of carbon emissions diversified economy that is less while allowing forest landowners
reliant on resource extraction, and to reap economic benefits. to drinking water), and those that bring more frequent and severe
Another key policy opportunity increasingly connected to have suffered from a loss of wildfire. A century of misguided
for reducing carbon emissions is technology, health care, tourism, Climate-smart forest county revenue and jobs as logging and fire suppression
to reform the rules, taxes, and and outdoor recreation. The management must support logging taxes have been reduced practices, together with poor
incentives that govern Oregon’s forests, rivers, deserts, and environmental justice and mills have mechanized. And emergency planning and support
logging industry on state and mountains of our state fuel these we must also recognize that the for communities in areas where
private lands. The industry is industries, both directly and Policies that support climate- forests of the Pacific Northwest frequent forest fires are the norm,
Oregon’s largest source of carbon through the quality of life that smart forestry must also account continue to sustain indigenous is making a bad situation worse.
emissions, and better practices make Oregon such a special place for environmental justice and a communities and traditions, and This is especially true in low-
can help reduce those emissions to live. just transition for impacted that these communities need to income communities, where a
significantly while boosting communities — both those that have a seat at the decision lack of resources to thin
carbon storage (and restoring There are numerous other policy suffer from the consequences of making table. vegetation in the immediate area
salmon, wildlife, and water mechanisms that could support poor logging practices (such as and make homes more fire safe is
quality). Data has shown that the better practices, including herbicide spraying, mud and silt For western states like Oregon, a major obstacle. Elected officials
carbon stocks on privately owned strategies that can slow and stop running off clearcuts, and impacts climate change is expected to and the logging industry often
5 Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1
plants from recovering. intervals between logging and past logging, is one of the
Replanting of a single species, less clearcutting — can capture cheapest and most effective steps
Douglas-fir, is common and these and store huge amounts of for America to begin drawing
monoculture plantations mean carbon. down its carbon emissions.
less ability for forests to adapt to Oregon Wild is already working
drought and climate change. As the incoming Biden to build a diverse coalition of
Making matters worse, these administration begins to design national, state, and local
dense stands of young trees and implement federal policies to conservation groups, indigenous
transpire large amounts of water, address climate change, forests, communities, environmental
which leads to less water in and particularly the old-growth justice advocates, and science
streams when Oregon needs it and mature forests on public experts to press the incoming
most. While these dense, heavily lands in Pacific Northwest, are administration and the Forest
manipulated plantations may among the first places he should Service to implement these
allow for 40-year clearcutting look. Permanently protecting our policies.
F R A N C I S E AT H E R I N G T O N O l d g r o w t h d o u g l a s f i r m a r k e d f o r rotations, they put community remaining old-growth, and
logging in the Umpqua National Forest
safety, water supplies, wildlife, shifting management practices to Oregon Wild is also urging state
and salmon at risk. encourage the growth and action by Governor Kate Brown,
point to these problems as a behind stumps and logging slash protection of more mature forests the Board of Forestry, and the
justification for more status-quo that do little to stabilize steep Oregon will lead the way to replace what has been lost to legislature to implement climate
logging, which can result in dense slopes. When the Pacific
“plantation” forests that burn Northwest rains come (with more Over the last decade, a growing
more severely and uniformly, as frequent extreme rain events as a mountain of science has
well as divert money and result of climate change), documented that the forests of
attention away from more mudslide risks are increased. Oregon and the Pacific
effective methods of home and Sediment can flow off these lands Northwest are among the most
community protection. and into the rivers and streams effective natural systems for
that provide habitat for salmon capturing and storing carbon
Short-rotation clearcutting and wildlife, and communities found anywhere on Earth. At the
typically practiced in Western with drinking water. Worse, in same time, research has also
Oregon is not climate-smart the years after logging, these shown that changes in forest
forestry. This kind of forestry clearcuts are typically sprayed policy - specifically protecting
typically involves clearcutting in multiple times with herbicides and restoring more old-growth
40-year cycles. Forest cover is and pesticides that can end up in forests on public lands and
stripped from the landscape waterways, polluting drinking shifting logging practices on
across hundreds of acres, leaving water as well as blocking native private lands towards longer
MICHAEL MOORE
Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1 6
smart forestry reforms. The
antiquated Oregon Forest
Practices Act should be updated
to require longer intervals
between logging, discourage
clearcutting, and support larger
conservation buffers for rivers
and imperiled wildlife habitat.
In addition, Oregon’s current tax
policy heavily favors large
corporations and aggressive
clearcutting over smaller
Fire and forest carbon
Doug Heiken, Conservation and Restoration Coordinator
landowners and sustainable
forestry. We believe that system is
backwards, and must be reformed. When a wildfire burns a forest it of carbon in the forest. When from forest growth can keep up Forest Service and Bureau of
Finally, in the wake emits CO2. The chemical formula wildfire burns one patch of forest with carbon emissions from Land Management, county
for combustion of cellulose proves (and emits some carbon), many wildfire, but forest growth cannot government, and some in
of the 2020 wildfire season and it. However, the carbon emissions other patches of forest are left to keep up with the combined carbon Congress, constantly pushing for
the reality that climate change from fire are less worrisome than grow and thrive (and remove removal by wildfire plus high rates more logging.
increases the risk of similar fires you might think. carbon from the atmosphere). In a of logging. Keep in mind that
natural forest ecosystem, the wildfire is a natural process, and Second, while our public forests
in the future, we believe it is vital Wildfire has some effects that carbon captured in the patches of largely unavoidable, while logging currently do provide net carbon
that the state shift its fire policies parallel the effects of logging but growing forest more than makes public lands is a policy choice. benefits, those benefits are less
from a focus on backcountry there are many differences. up for the carbon emitted in the than they could be because of
Logging and wildfire both kill trees, burned patches. This is precisely Thankfully, the spotted owl unnecessary and destructive
logging and towards effective which stops photosynthesis and why the moist old-growth forests injunctions of the 1990s and the logging. We can do better. And
measures in and around homes initiates decay. However, logging of the Pacific Northwest are one of eventual adoption of the since Oregon’s forests have such
and communities. removes the tree trunks which are the most significant global Northwest Forest Plan slowed potential for greater carbon
the largest storehouses of carbon storehouses of carbon. There is logging to a point that forest storage, we have a moral duty to
in the forest, accelerating the simply more forest growth than growth and carbon uptake now keep advocating to “let our forests
Oregon’s forests encompass transfer of carbon from the forest forest death. And this remained does keep up with forest death grow.”
nearly half the total land area in to the atmosphere. Wildfire, on the true until the timber industry and carbon emissions from fire
the state, representing a other hand, burns the small showed up, began liquidating our and logging. Consequently, our And finally, don’t let anyone tell you
needles and branches, but leaves old-growth, and our forests forests switched again, from we should be logging to reduce fire
tremendous opportunity. It is the big tree trunks behind where switched from being a net carbon carbon source to carbon sink. This and carbon emissions from fire,
time for Oregon, and America, to they continue to store carbon for sink to a net carbon source. is great news, but it raises a couple because the carbon emissions
look closer to home when it many decades as the surrounding of important issues. from logging are far worse. No one
forest grows and recovers. As In fact, in the century preceding can predict where or when fire will
comes to forests and global Oregon State University’s Dr. Olga 1990, old-growth forest First, we must constantly battle to occur, so there is little chance that
climate change. Krankina likes to say, “dead trees clearcutting in the Northwest limit logging so it does not sacrifice fuel reduction actually interacts
do not go to heaven.” resulted in carbon emissions from the gains from forest growth. with wildfire, so most of that
land-use that were 100 times There is tremendous political logging (and carbon emissions
It is also important to understand greater than the global average! pressure and institutional inertia, from logging) is for naught.
that fire is part of the natural cycle The lesson is that carbon uptake from the timber industry, the
Inset:BONNIE MOREL AND
Background: THOMAS SHAHAN
7 Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1
Build back wilder
As we head into a new political ahead for the new President and
landscape in 2021, the Biden Congress must be to restore the
campaign slogan, “Build Back Better” voice of science and reverse the
is ringing in our ears. Oregon Wild cavalcade of anti-environment
strongly believes that it is not nearly executive orders while also charting
enough to simply undo the damage a visionary course for the future.
from the Trump years. The work
EXECUTIVE ACTION
Wildlands Wildlife Climate
Reinstitute core provisions of the Endangered Rejoin the Paris climate accords
Reverse the push to log more on National
Species Act that preserve critical habitat for at
1. Forests by halting expansion of “logging without
laws” categorical exclusions and keeping the
eastside screens in place
risk species
Halt the effort to strip gray wolves of protections
Reinstate the offshore drilling ban
Re-set bold fuel economy standards
under the Endangered Species Act Reverse the boom of oil and gas leases on public
Undo Restore protections for Bears Ears and
other National Monuments stripped of Block the move to strip 200,000 acres of critical lands
Trump's
protections habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl
mess Purge federal agencies of science-denying,
Halt Trump’s order to remove the Tongass Stop oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife in-the-pocket-of extractive-industry, Trump
National Forest from the protections of the Refuge appointees
Roadless Rule.
Follow through on a campaign promise by Launch new rulemaking for the Forest Service and
2.
Ensure a focus on wildlife connectivity – including
signing an executive order to protect 30% of highway overpasses for animals – in any Bureau of Land Management to protect older
America by 2030 infrastructure or coronavirus relief package forests to store carbon in climate reserves
Set new priorities for the Forest Service based Direct the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to Reprioritize science and instruct all federal
Build on safeguarding clean water, restoring agencies to limit greenhouse gas emissions as a top
add protection for species denied by the Trump
back previously mismanaged lands, and ensuring priority
administration such as wolverine
wilder equitable recreation access for people of color
Phase out lease land agriculture on Lower Make climate investments a key part of
and low income communities
Klamath and Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuges coronavirus relief and recovery, with a focus on
environmental justice.
Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1 8
Pivoting from defense to offense
Jonathan Jelen, Development Director
Pivoting from defense to the window of opportunity groundswell of public support
offense is something Oregon opened. to oppose bad ideas and we'll
Wild has done, and done pivot that support to enact
effectively for 46 years. And The past four years have been new protections for our public
let's be honest, for the last four frustrating and difficult to say lands, old-growth forests,
years we've played a lot of the least. But last month's pristine waters, and native
CONGRESSIONAL ACTION defense. election results - while wildlife.
providing some hope - don't
We've held the line against the call for a return to the way Now, in this moment, we find
Trump Administration - things were in 2016. Instead, ourselves on the verge of
challenging their efforts to strip we want to propel forward advancing several ambitious
the Cascade-Siskiyou National towards a brighter future and conservation efforts, including
Push forward with Senator Wyden’s Monument of protections, seize some massive the biggest expansion of river
once-in-a-generation Wild & Scenic Rivers defeating their reckless plan to conservation opportunities. protections in Oregon's history!
legislation that would protect countless allow OHVs to trample critical But we need your help to do it.
unique waterways across the state. Look wildlife habitat in the Ochocos, In playing so much defense of
for Senate hearings early in 2021 and a bill halting their proposal to log old late, we've helped to build and Please consider a special,
signed by President Biden soon after. growth on the Mount Hood strengthen a more diverse, tax-deductible donation to
National Forest, and taking inclusive conservation help us play a whole lot of
them to court to protect gray movement. We've built the offense in 2021!
Move Representative Blumenauer’s vision wolves, to name a few.
for protecting Mount Hood National Forest
and balancing increased recreation with But like in football, great
conservation forward in the new Congress. defensive stands often lead to
opportunities to score. In our
case, we're looking to score
Finally deal rationally with wildfire by taking
some huge conservation
the best elements from Kamala Harris’
victories! Throughout our
Wildfire Defense Act and Senator Wyden’s
history, we've pivoted from
National Prescribed Fire Act to focus on
defending our old-growth
protecting communities from fire by
forests from one reckless
focusing on the home out rather than timber sale after another to
logging backcountry forests. then advancing new
Wilderness protections when J O N AT H A N J E L E N E l k h o r n C r e s t
Turning the corner on fire
Chandra LeGue, Western Oregon Field Coordinator
C H A N D R A L E G U E Tu m b l e b u g F i r e n e a r C h u c k l e S p r i n g s
T he fires that ravaged
Western Oregon in
September took an enormous
differently than we have in the
past.
Yet, wildfire scientists have
been saying something very
different for years, and analyses
that the logging industry has
touted as at lower risk of fire
for years. In the Holiday Farm
Numerous studies (as well as
evidence we can see when we
visit any burned forest) have
toll on our human If you’ve been listening to the of 2020’s fires back them up. Fire area, for example, over shown that forest renewal and
communities, as well as on timber industry’s myths about Driven by high winds during 75% of the fire area burned regrowth happens naturally and
some of our favorite ancient fire, you might think that the driest time of the year, through previously logged successfully after a fire – while
forest trails, vistas, wildfires only burn on these fires swept through urban forest lands (see the map to the logging in burned areas spreads
campgrounds, and fishing “mismanaged” federal forest and forested landscapes alike. right). The presence of roads invasive species while damaging
holes. It’s unclear what these land, that we need more roads Research has shown that had no impact on stopping the soil, wildlife habitat, and the
landscapes may look like in the on the landscape to help fight thinning forests far from homes spread of these fires - most of ability for natural recovery to
future, but it is clear that we fires, that thinning the forest is does nothing to protect people the biggest fires this year had occur as it has for millennia.
need to think about fire – its an effective way to reduce fire from wildfire, especially with road densities of more than 3
causes, how we prepare and risk, and that forests need the fire conditions we saw in miles per square mile. During past fires, the
adapt, and how we respond – human intervention to regrow September. These fires ran immediate reaction from the
after a fire. through clearcut timber lands What comes after the fires media and politicians was to
should also be scrutinized. echo logging lobbyists and call
Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1 10for the failed policies of more solution, while taking no
logging, more roads, and more action to protect homes and
fire suppression. communities and ignoring the
fact that removing our most
But surprisingly, this year was fire resilient trees and creating
different. Media coverage of vast landscapes of dense timber
the 2020 fires took a deeper plantations has helped set up
dive into the science of wildfire the fires we're seeing today.
and need for community These proposals are bad news,
preparedness. This, in turn, but it seems like real progress
highlighted better policy being that they are not the only
proposed by politicians: proposals!
targeted investments on
protecting homes and Thanks to scientists, advocates,
communities from future fires, journalists, and courageous
making homes more fire policy from our lawmakers, we
resistant, creating fire-wise may be able to escape the
buffers around communities, vicious cycle of failed wildlife
and utilizing managed fire to policy and turn the corner.
create more resilient
landscapes. Bills in Congress As we look forward to the
like the Wildfire Defense Act renewal of our human and
and National Prescribed Fire natural communities in the
Act (both supported by coming years, we should
Oregon’s Senators) include support efforts by Oregon’s
common sense provisions to decision-makers to shift and
increase preparation for future adapt to the science and
fires. experience that is teaching us
how to better adapt to future
We are still seeing some policy fires – whether in our
proposals rooted in the failed backyards or in the
strategies of the past. They backcountry.
push more logging as a
11 Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1For the love of Oregon’s wildlife
Danielle Moser, Wildlife Policy Coordinator
loss of biodiversity and habitat, Next on the list is the proposal mitigating the effects of
poaching, and climate change, to end coyote killing contests. climate change, recharging
wildlife is facing a global This will be the third time this groundwater, and restoring
crisis, and Oregon is no legislation has been brought wetlands. That’s why the
exception. By working forth, and hopefully the last. coalition is working to pass a
together, we believe we can be We believe that with Cliff bill during the next legislative
more effective and successful Bentz out of the state Senate session that would give the
in tackling these problems and where he was the most vocal Commission the authority to
finding solutions for Oregon’s opponent of the bill, and new end the disregard and
wildlife. leadership for the Democrats, slaughter of beavers on private
we might actually see this land. Additionally, they're also
Heading into 2021, several
bill pass! part of a Beaver Management
priorities for the coalition rise
Working Group to develop
to the top. First and foremost Finally, as the beaver state, we
principles and policy
is the next round of know the importance of this
priorities for ODFW and
appointments to the Fish and keystone species’ role in
its Commission.
Wildlife Commission
(Commission) -- the premier
decision-making body for
Oregon’s wildlife. Without
BRETT COLE commissioners in place that
respect peer-reviewed science
S ometimes it’s better to fly
as a flock than fly alone.
This philosophy has spurred
group has its own focuses and
strengths, we saw an
opportunity to harness our
and the law, as well as the
values of Oregonians, every
issue we bring forward will be
the formation of the Oregon collective efforts to better a battle. Keep an eye out for
Wildlife Coalition -- an advance wildlife policies in future correspondence from
alliance of wildlife advocacy Oregon that are science-based Oregon Wild about how you
groups that includes Oregon and reflect the state’s can help us secure a slate of
Wild and eight other conservation and humane candidates we can be proud of.
organizations. While each values. With the continued
Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1 12Conservation roundup
Steve Pedery, Conservation Director
already secured a longer window ignored the Judge’s ruling and is
for public comment, hopefully continuing (for now) to serve.
giving the Biden administration a
As with other Trump political
chance to intervene. This Trump
appointees, Pendley represents a
environmental attack comes as
level of open corruption never
several new scientific studies show
before seen in America’s public
big, old trees in Eastern Oregon
lands management. The sooner
are vital for combating climate
an incoming Biden
change.
administration cleans house, the
better.
Eliminating Corruption in the
Bureau of Land
Management, Other
O D F W Wa l l a Wa l l a p a c k i n U m a t i l l a C o u nt y Agencies
Going to Court for Wildlife coalition of national Protecting Big Trees in William Perry Pendley, a former
organizations, represented by Eastern Oregon oil lobbyist with a history of racist
Wolves and wolverine can’t Earthjustice, to give notice of our comments, religious bigotry, and
represent themselves in court intent to sue the Trump For two decades, the Eastside anti-public lands rhetoric, was
(though we’d certainly love to see administration over their actions. Screens and 21” Rule have named “acting” head of the
a dozen angry wolverines face off We gave similar notice over the protected old, large trees in the Bureau of Land Management by
with Trump administration Trump administration’s denial of eastern half of the state. Trump in July of 2019. He was
political appointees in a room). ESA protection to wolverine Unfortunately, in August the never confirmed by the US
That’s why groups like Oregon nearly a month earlier, in a case Trump administration launched a Senate, and he has continued in
Wild have to do it for them. where we will be represented by process to weaken these his temporary “acting” role for
After the Trump administration’s the Western Environmental Law protections. A broad coalition of over 450 days. In September, a
recent move to strip Endangered Center. The incoming Biden public lands, wildlife, and science federal judge found this bizarre
Species Act (ESA) protection administration will have an advocates has formed over the last situation to be illegal, and hinted
from gray wolves across the opportunity to review, and few months to fight these that decisions adopted under his
country (including Western hopefully correct, these terrible changes, including going to court leadership could be invalid.
Oregon), we joined with a Trump decisions in 2021. if necessary. Our efforts have Unfortunately, Pendley has William Perr y Pendley
13MIGRATIONS
Thinking strategically
Kate Ritley, Oregon Wild Board President After a few years of
collaborating on different
projects, Oregon Wild is
E very four years, Oregon
Wild embarks on a strategic
planning process to chart our
Wild’s fierce resolve, tenacity,
and grit. I am proud to be part
of an organization that demands
After months of deliberation
and refinement, we are proud to
share a summary of our new
also thrilled to add Faith
Briggs to our board of
directors. We initially got a
course for the coming years. It is accountability and stands up strategic plan. With this new L AUREN ANDERSON
sense of Faith’s creativity,
an opportunity to reflect on the to the powers that exploit plan guiding our work, Oregon smarts, and passion for
challenges and opportunities we Oregon. You can read about Wild is poised to take advantage public lands through our
face, to prioritize our goals, and each of our values at of some extraordinary upcoming partnership with Soul River
The tail end of 2020 Inc. where she served as
to optimize our strategies for oregonwild.org/values. opportunities to protect brought two exciting Program Director. But
creating change. Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and additions to the Oregon Faith’s resume stretches
waters. Check out the plan at Wild team. To lead our
As we dove into the planning to all corners of the
Our new strategic plan also oregonwild.org/strategic-plan new forest climate advocacy and multimedia
process earlier this year, we
outlines two important areas of program, we are thrilled to world. She describes
quickly recognized the need to add Lauren Anderson to
articulate Oregon Wild’s values– focus for Oregon Wild. First, we herself as a “professional
are launching a forest climate the staff. Lauren is no nerd,” and works at the
those intangible things that stranger to Oregon’s
inspire our work, differentiate us program to pursue federal and intersection of creative
state policies that leverage the waters and woods having producing, environmental
from other organizations, guide received her Master of
our decisions, and unite us in vast carbon storage potential of justice advocacy, and
Oregon’s forests. Second, we are Public Policy at Oregon documentary filmmaking.
pursuit of a shared vision. Of State University. Since
prioritizing partnerships with We’re excited for her to
the language we adopted, my then, she’s worked in express her passion for
personal favorite is “we give ‘em pro-democracy and anti-hate
Washington, D.C. with the sharing contemporary
hell,” because it is an aptly- groups to ensure the will of the National Wildlife
people is represented in stories from diverse
worded description of Oregon Federation on federal
government decisions. energy, climate, and
wildlife policy initiatives,
including those related to
natural climate solutions.
With a background in
biology, she loves spotting
new birds and wildflowers
on the trail. Welcome
Lauren!
FA I T H B R I G G S
Goodbye 2020: Here are all the things not invited back next year.
Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1 14 at oregonwild.org/goodbye2020
See the key
ERIC DEBORD15 Winter Spring 2021 Volume 48, Number 1
Top 5 Conservation Accomplishments of 2020
Made possible by Oregon Wild donors
Built grassroots support and significant momentum
towards advancing what could be the largest rivers
protection effort in Oregon history.
Stood up for gray wolves by initiating a lawsuit against
the Trump Administration over its decision to strip away
Endangered Species Act protections for the species.
Continued to be a vigilant watchdog for our public lands
by monitoring, submitting formal comments on, and/or
objecting to nearly 200 timber sales and other proposed
projects.
Moved closer to increased protections for Mount Hood
and the Columbia River Gorge by leading a coalition
towards legislation that will set a new vision for
conservation and recreation in the region.
After years of pressure, we struck an historic agreement
to limit aerial pesticide spray in private forests and
chart the path for a huge leap forward in protections for
rivers and wildlife in the Oregon Forest Practices Act.
Please consider making a tax-deductible, year-end donation
Bottom left photo: Francis Eatherington to help us protect and defend Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters in 2021!You can also read
