Environment Oregon facts for kids
Environment Oregon is a group in Oregon, USA, that works to protect the environment. It's a non-profit organization, which means it doesn't aim to make money. Instead, it focuses on getting new laws passed to help the environment at local, state, and national levels. This is called "lobbying" – talking to lawmakers to share ideas and encourage them to make certain decisions. Environment Oregon is connected to Environment America, which is a larger group of environmental organizations across many states. Based in Portland, Oregon, Environment Oregon has over 35,000 members who care about nature. It also works closely with its sister group, the Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center.
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How Environment Oregon Started
Environment Oregon was created in 2007. It took over the environmental programs that were part of the Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG). OSPIRG itself was started by students at the University of Oregon. They were inspired by Ralph Nader, a famous consumer advocate who visited college campuses in the early 1970s.
Protecting Nature: Campaigns and Projects
Environment Oregon works on many projects to protect the environment. Here are some examples of their efforts:
Saving Forests Near Crater Lake
Around 2014, Environment Oregon worked to stop a plan called the Bybee timber sale. This plan would have allowed logging companies to cut down thousands of trees near Crater Lake National Park. This area is very important for wildlife and is where the Rogue and Umpqua rivers begin. These rivers are vital for fish like Steelhead, Coho, and Chinook salmon. To protect this special place, Environment Oregon asked the U.S. Congress to create a new protected wilderness area. This area would cover over 500,000 acres and include a 75-mile wildlife corridor, which is like a safe pathway for animals. The group talked to over 60,000 Oregonians and sent more than 10,000 public comments to the United States Forest Service to show support for stopping the logging.
Promoting Solar Power in Oregon
In 2012, Environment Oregon started a campaign to encourage more solar energy. Their goal was to have 250,000 solar roofs in Oregon by 2025. They released a report called "Solar Works for Oregon." This report showed how much power the sun could provide, how it could help the environment, and how it could create jobs in Oregon. The report found 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 prevent 3.8 million tons of carbon dioxide pollution. That's 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. To help reduce plastic pollution, the group successfully supported laws in 2012 to ban plastic bags in cities like Portland, Corvallis, and Eugene.
Supporting Renewable Energy and Land Use
In 2007, Environment Oregon campaigned for more renewable energy sources, like wind and solar. They also supported Measure 49. This was a ballot measure, or a public vote, about how land should be used and developed in Oregon.
Images for kids
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An Environment Oregon job poster in Portland
