Environment Oregon facts for kids
Environment Oregon is a group in Oregon, USA, that works to protect nature. They help create new laws and rules that keep our environment healthy. This group is part of a bigger network called Environment America, which includes similar organizations in many other states. Environment Oregon is based in Portland, Oregon, and has over 35,000 members across the state. They also work closely with the Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center, another group that helps with their goals.
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How Environment Oregon Started
Environment Oregon began in 2007. It was created to bring together the environmental efforts of the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG). OSPIRG was started by students at the University of Oregon in the early 1970s. They were inspired by Ralph Nader, a famous consumer advocate who visited many college campuses.
Protecting Our Planet: Campaigns
Environment Oregon has worked on many important projects to protect Oregon's natural beauty and resources.
Saving Forests Near Crater Lake
Around 2014, Environment Oregon worked to stop a logging project called the Bybee timber sale. This project was planned near Crater Lake National Park. The group was worried about the wildlife and forests around the park. Logging could harm the homes of animals and affect rivers like the Rogue and Umpqua. These rivers are very important for fish like Steelhead, Coho, and Chinook salmon.
To protect this area, Environment Oregon asked the government to create a new protected wilderness area. This new area would cover a large space and create a safe path for wildlife. The group talked to over 60,000 Oregonians about this issue. In 2013, they sent more than 10,000 public comments to the United States Forest Service. These comments supported stopping the logging project.
Bringing Solar Power to Oregon
In 2012, Environment Oregon started a campaign to encourage more solar power. Their goal was to have 250,000 solar panels on roofs in Oregon by 2025. In July 2012, they released a report called "Solar Works for Oregon." This report showed how much power the sun could provide. It also explained how solar energy could help the environment and create jobs in Oregon.
The report suggested that Oregon could get enough electricity from rooftop solar panels to power 250,000 homes. This is like powering all the homes in Portland! Using more solar energy could also stop a lot of carbon dioxide pollution. This would be like taking 730,000 cars off the road.
Fighting Plastic Pollution
Environment Oregon has also worked to raise awareness about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. This is a huge area in the ocean where plastic trash collects. In 2012, they helped pass laws to ban plastic bags in cities like Portland, Corvallis, and Eugene. These bans help reduce plastic pollution that can end up in our oceans.
Other Important Efforts
In 2007, Environment Oregon also campaigned for more renewable energy. They supported Measure 49, which was a ballot measure about how land is used and developed in Oregon.
How Environment Oregon Gets Members
Environment Oregon works with another group called the Fund for the Public Interest. This group helps Environment Oregon find new members and raise money. They have people who talk to Oregonians door-to-door, on streets, and over the phone.
