OREGON WILD Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2

OREGON WILD AND SCENIC SUMMER Also: The fight for a livable climate Working to protect and restore Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters as an enduring legacy for future generations.

Main Office Western Field Office 5825 N Greeley Avenue Portland, OR 97217 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 Wild & Scenic Summer {4-7} The e-mail address for each Oregon Wild Conservation & Restoration Coord. Doug Heiken staff member: [email protected] Western Oregon Field Coord. Chandra LeGue The fight for a livable climate {10-11} (for example: [email protected]) Northeastern Field Office

P.O. Box 48, Enterprise, OR 97828 After the fires {15} Climate Forest Policy Cooridinator Lauren Anderson x 210 Phone: 541.886.0212 Communications and EDI Associate Alijana Fisher x 223 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 Development Associate Wren Wells x 205 Public Lands Campaigner Jamie Dawson Finance Manager Ellen Yarnell x 219 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 Darcie Meihoff Vik Anantha Seth Prickett Naila Bhatri

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Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 2 From the Director’s Desk Tree huggers Sean Stevens, Executive Director

With hugs on my mind, I was chance to see wild salmon Well, I think we can start by turn our attention to saving the maybe more attuned to noticing swimming up a mountain stream, hugging a tree. Bathing in a wild special piece of it that we have that classic bumper sticker Tree and the final steps to a river. Listening to the hooting of here in Oregon. Hugging Dirt Worshipper the breathtaking summit rank high a great gray owl in the still of the other day on a car in front of me. on your list. How should we night. And after we re-establish ’m sure many of you have Obviously, someone sporting this appreciate and honor these that deep connection with the encountered the same sticker is making a statement incredibly special things in wild world that we love, we can experienceI in recent months that about their unabashed values. our lives? I have. You head over to a friend But, as a card-carrying or family member’s home. You environmentalist, you’ve probably cautiously walk inside (without a been called a tree hugger before mask on!). You exchange a glance – sometimes affectionately and that asks, “Are we doing this?” sometimes derisively.

And then you give your loved I think it’s time to lose any ones a big, joyous hug. hesitation we might have in owning the identity of a “tree After so much social isolation hugger.” After all, we really only and separation, these reunions are hug the things that we care about truly a gift. I’m desperately - the things that we love. looking forward to seeing my Certainly, the past year-and-a- Oregon Wild colleagues in half has made us realize what it person very soon - hopefully feels like to live without the gathered around a campfire. things that are most precious to Thanks again to all the frontline us. workers, vaccine researchers, and anyone who has sacrificed for our And aside from our family and community well-being during the friends, what is it that you care pandemic. about most in this world? I’d imagine that Oregon’s awe- BRIZZ MEDDINGS Sometimes the big ones are hard to get your arms around, but that doesn’t mean we inspiring old growth forests, the shouldn’t still try to hug them!

3 Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 A love letter to Wild & Scenic Rivers

Jamie Dawson, Public Lands Campaigner NW RAFTING

ow do we know a place is intangible about them. For an eddy on its natal stream, the involved in the lawmaking How Oregon’s biggest river H“special”? Is it about a many, those special places are juvenile chum salmon it chased process and nominate their own bill came to life feeling? How many generations rivers. They connect us in nearly down in the sea. special place for a Wild & need to visit and feel the same every way imaginable: Scenic designation. These are To understand where the River way before it gets the title? communities upstream and Likewise, the River Democracy protections that will last beyond Democracy Act came from, we Does it need to meet some downstream, families Act, legislation that would my lifetime and provide an have to rewind back to the scientific standard? throughout decades. They even designate just under 4,700 miles opportunity for those rivers and 1980s when a then- As far as I’m concerned, what connect multiple species of rivers as Wild & Scenic, their surrounding landscapes to Congressman Ron Wyden first makes a place special is not through a food web; if you eat connects Oregonians across the be preserved as “special” for dipped his toes in the Wild & always quantifiable. Sometimes, an adult salmon, you’re state. This proposal has created generations to come. Scenic pool. In those days, they’re special because they just connected to whatever it ate the opportunity for individuals Oregon was still intensely are - there’s something - the caddisfly it scooped from from all walks of life to become logging public lands, and

Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 4 Indigo Creek: Indigo Creek (left) is a textbook example of how With that history in mind, had to turn people away in fear important tributaries are to a Congressman Wyden worked of breaking fire code. watershed, and how critical it is with Oregonians and other to maintain healthy waterways members of our Congressional River lovers of all stripes from the headwaters on down. delegation to create the 1988 showed up: students, guides, This remote stream feeds into Oregon Wild and Scenic members of watershed councils, the Wild & Scenic Illinois River, which itself is a tributary of the Rivers Act. He sees the River hunters, anglers, retired Rogue River. Indigo Creek is Democracy Act of 2021 as a biologists, drinking water known for its exceptional water continuation of that legacy. providers, and more. Breweries quality and near-pristine fish nominated the clean water spawning and rearing habitat, To describe its origin story, sources that make their beer and during summer’s low flows now-Senator Wyden said it top-notch. Anglers nominated it provides 15-20% of the Illinois best himself in a recent short their favorite stretches of fishy River’s water. The world-class fishery of the lower Rogue film that Pacific Rivers created waters. In my neck of the would not be what it is without about the River Democracy woods in Central Oregon, a cool, clean tributaries like Indigo Act: group of local middle schoolers Creek. Though difficult to teamed up to nominate Tumalo access, this secluded creek “This [bill] embodies all the Creek - a place they recreate also provides a truly intimate dreams we had back then. But I with their families and conduct and challenging paddling always wanted to pick up on this citizen science projects for class. experience for whitewater boaters – though it’s not for incredible legacy with this bill. Their nomination letter even the faint of heart. We’re fulfilling that vision. We’re got them on the front page of going to call it the River the Bend Bulletin: NW RAFTING Democracy Act because the recommendations for the future of “We believe that Tumalo Creek safeguards for the state’s rivers the Wild & Scenic Rivers system should be designated as a Wild and waterways were severely in Oregon didn’t come from and Scenic River to protect it for lacking: only 317 of our total Washington DC – it came from years to come because it represents PATRICIA KOLBERG 110,994 miles (0.003%) of our Oregonians in every nook and everything that we love in Bend, rivers were protected. The Wild cranny of our state.” OR – the beautiful outdoors, being Tumalo Creek: Tumalo Creek is a recreational hotspot. It’s & Scenic Rivers Act seemed with friends/family, and having perhaps most well known for Tumalo Falls, a nearly 100-foot like a natural solution to this To say that his efforts were well fun! [We] feel the need to protect waterfall that draws tourists from around the world. It also issue; the Rogue River was one received would be an the creek because it is part of our boasts a variety of hiking and biking trails that tie into the larger of the original 8 rivers protected understatement. At his “Rivers community.” trail system on the Deschutes National Forest. Perhaps most when the Act was passed, and Town Hall” in Bend in 2019, it importantly, this watershed is the source of Bend’s drinking was standing room only. A film All told, after more than two water, so we are grateful to see sections of both Bridge and it’s been a wild success ever Tumalo Creeks included in the River Democracy Act. since. screening I co-hosted on the years of public meetings, town topic was so popular we nearly halls, and intense discussions 5 Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 And they’re backed by staked. The river gets a buffer of As our Wilderness Program Oregonians: a January poll protection on either side – in Manager Erik Fernandez puts showed that 87% of surveyed some places this means a it, “You can go hiking, hunting, Oregonians support designating backcountry roadless area, and fishing, swimming, camping, more Wild & Scenic Rivers, others are home to some of trail running, mountain biking, including 75% of Republicans. Oregon’s most beloved trails snowshoeing, skiing, and the (think: the Rogue River trail). like. Just leave your recreational What is Wild & Scenic & Clearcutting and old-growth bulldozer at home!” what’s in the bill? logging generally don’t make the cut as acceptable pursuits, At the end of the day, it’s all The anatomy of a Wild & but all sorts of recreation worth it Scenic River is pretty variable, activities do, depending on the but a good general rule is that development level of the area. When the bill passes and is no new dams can be built and signed into law, what will we no new mining claims can be get for our collective efforts? I

PACIFIC RIVERS COALITION Senator Ron Wyden, holding a photo of himself from 1988. The sign behind him reads: Sandy River: Just a stone’s "Oregon: the Wild & Scenic River capital of the world." throw from Portland is one of Oregon’s most popular and research, the River far as magnitude goes. The fishing rivers – the Sandy Democracy Act accrued more proposed 4,700 miles of River! The Sandy and its than 15,000 nominations from additions to the National Wild tributaries provide excellent Oregonians across the state. It’s & Scenic Rivers System would habitat for a number of fish heartening to know that bring Oregon up to nearly 6% species including spring and river-lovers across multiple of our rivers protected. It has fall Chinook, coho salmon, winter steelhead trout, and generations recognize the the potential to make us a eulachon. Drift boaters, day importance of protecting our nationwide leader on river hikers, steelhead anglers, waterways, and that Senator protection. and whitewater paddlers Wyden took their nominations flock to this watershed seriously. Since its introduction the bill because of its interesting has received enthusiastic geology and incredible scenery. A number of Jeff Merkley, Oregon’s other support from businesses, and outfitters run guided trips in senator, joined Ron Wyden’s elected officials from across the this region, showcasing the introduction of the River state. In mid-June, a collection importance of Wild & Scenic Democracy Act in February of of over 50 breweries from across Rivers to Oregon’s DANIEL HOWLAND The Little Sandy this year. I think it’s safe to say Oregon recently published a recreation economy. River is an important tributary to that it’s the first of its kind as letter showing their support. the mainstem Sandy River.

Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 6 was pondering this question This is what the Wild & Scenic recently as I hiked a trail along Rivers Act - and Senator Central Oregon’s absolutely Wyden’s River Democracy Act Upcoming Wild & Scenic Summer Webcast iconic Metolius River. If you - is all about. This is the beauty Jamie Dawson, Public Lands Campaigner haven’t been to the Metolius of public lands and the yet, I hope one day you can find protections that envelope them. Summer is upon us, and it’s a great time to get out on the river. We hope you’ll join time to visit. It’s easily one of There are a lot of uncertainties us to learn more about these fellow river-loving friends: the most beautiful rivers I’ve in this world, and there are ever glimpsed. Springing forth certainly things coming down from seemingly nowhere near the pike that we can’t yet the base of Black Butte, it has imagine. But through it all some of the clearest, bluest these places will be protected, water I’ve ever seen in my life. thanks to this bill and bills like Towering ponderosa pines line it. its banks and cunning fish fill its waters. It’s not too often that regular people have the chance to A number of private cabins contribute to legislation in such flank the shoreline outside of a meaningful way, but in Camp Sherman, and on this Oregon it just makes sense. We particular occasion I was have a strong history of walking on the river trail politicians who care about our thinking, “Wow, it sure would rivers, and an even stronger be nice to own one of those!” history of Oregonians standing Immediately following that up for special places. 15,000 thought came a wave of intense nominations can’t lie - people Lampreys of Oregon gratitude, because I realized I across the state showed up in will never need to own a cabin droves because they care about Wednesday, July 28, 6-7pm PST to enjoy this place - it’s part of our public waterways and all our public lands system, and that they provide. Though we Join us for a discussion about Oregon’s are fish!) are indicators of a healthy and already designated Wild & may have different motivations, most lovable fish species, the lamprey! If you diverse ecosystem, and Oregon is fortunate Scenic! It was originally the end goal is the same: make look beyond their boneless bodies and to have 10 species of native lamprey. Come protected as part of Senator sure these places are here for slightly terrifying disc mouth, you’ll find learn a little about these unique creatures there’s a lot to respect. These fish (yes, they and their ecological and cultural importance. Wyden’s efforts in the ‘80s, and future generations to admire here I am nearly 40 years later and enjoy. I hope you’ll join me still reaping the benefits. in doing all you can to make You can learn more about this webcast, see the entire list of programs, and that vision a reality. RSVP for all presentations at oregonwild.org/explore-oregon

7 Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 Wild & Scenic Rivers critters Danielle Moser, Wildlife Program Coordinator

When we safeguard our rivers and waterways, we’re not just protecting them for people. An incredible diversity of wildlife reap the benefits of Wild & Scenic River designations!

Pacific levels. In large part most endangered group of support suitable habitat and eastern Lamprey through the animals in North America? provide food for a number of fish. Oregon. leadership of The Though the Pacific Freshwater mussels. Oregon is home to several native presence not Northwest freshwater mollusks including of healthy known as tribes, efforts Despite their integral role in Western Pearlshell, Floaters, riparian Oregon’s are aquatic habitats, these mollusks Western Ridged Mussel, and conditions, most underway to are often undervalued. They Fingernail and Pea Clams. such as an adorable help this provide a number of abundance of creature, species “environmental services” such as Redband Trout woody debris, undercut this recover. improving water quality by banks and overhanging anadromous Specific removing excess Redband trout are a vegetation have been associated (meaning they examples of their bacteria and subspecies of with robust redband trout migrate from efforts include nutrients rainbow trout that populations. freshwater to the ocean advocating for the removal through their have a distinct and back again) eel-like fish is of dams, relocation of lampreys to filter- evolutionary Habitat degradation and tenacious, having lived through their historic range, installation of feeding. The history. This fragmentation, plus the three ice ages and five mass passage structures, and restoration movements has allowed introduction of non-native species extinctions! of aquatic habitat. of mussels them to into Oregon’s waterways, has not also help adapt to a only reduced their range and Unfortunately, because of dams, Freshwater Mollusks stir oxygen variety of caused extirpations (local reduced access to clean water and and habitats and extinctions), but could also put habitat, and climate change, this What’s extremely important for nutrients into conditions that their future in jeopardy. ancient fish is at risk and has been the health and vitality of the sediment other trout would designated as a species of concern freshwater ecosystems, culturally and water. Finally, find unsuitable, like at both the state and federal significant, and considered the they help create and the arid landscapes of

Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 8 The restoration of beavers (and those protected by the Wild & beaver ponds and dams) can Scenic Rivers Act) are critical provide a solution to some of components for allowing the the mounting environmental species to thrive in the state. Just one species challenges of our time. Beavers Jonathan Jelen, Development Director are an invaluable ally when it comes to mitigating Sitting along any one of for all the others. And if severe drought and Oregon's amazing rivers, you're reading this, floods, improving the you can hear a symphony chances are that you're of quality of fish of nature’s sounds. The that unique species! habitat, and calls of kingfishers. The reversing rapid-fire taps of a Your voice and your biodiversity loss woodpecker hard at work. donation can help us protect 4,000+ miles of Kingfisher Even the rivers themselves rivers, ancient forests, and offer a rhythmic serenade the myriad of species that as the water mimics the depend on these Often heard Beavers drum beats as it rushes ecological arteries. We before seen, over, under, and around can't do it without you. These ecosystem engineers (and the Belted rocks. Each and every part And again, only one Oregon’s state animal) provide a kingfisher is of this place brings its own species can help in this number of benefits to riparian Oregon’s only sound, its own voice. regard. environments such as creating and kingfisher species. restoring habitat like wetlands, Unlike woodpeckers, But of all the countless Seriously, we've asked capturing excess sediment, which typically eat species that depend on river otters for donations only one species recharging groundwater, and much insects, this uniquely our rivers, and all we’ve gotten in has a voice that can speak return are blank stares. more. It has been said that next to crested bird frequents open humans, beavers do more to shape lakes, ponds, rivers or estuaries their environment than any other looking for a vantage point to 1) MICHAEL DURHAM 3) NATIONAL Please consider making a donation in honor of animal. catch fish. As such, having clean PARK SERVICE 4) US FISH AND your favorite river critter. and healthy bodies of water (like WILDLIFE SERVICE

9 Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 Natural climate solutions take center stage at state agencies Lauren Anderson, Climate Forest Policy Coordinator

for a new state forester, we will process of developing a Natural riparian buffers. The report be advocating for a new leader and Working Lands Report to should also recommend that who will center climate change, the Governor highlighting the emissions from logging be clean water, and other policies and practices that will included in the Department of conservation values in the work be needed to increase carbon Environmental Qualities of the agency. sequestration and reduce Greenhouse Gas Reporting emissions in Oregon forests and Program - emissions from Oregon Wild is also working agricultural lands. We are logging are not currently with a broad coalition of working hard to ensure that this measured in Oregon. This report stakeholders to provide feedback report will highlight key is an important opportunity to for ODF’s first ever Climate climate-smart forestry practices position Oregon as a national Change and Carbon Plan such as old growth carbon leader in climate smart forestry,

PAMELA WINDERS (CCCP). The agency was reserves on public lands, longer and we will do everything directed to create this plan by logging rotations, increased possible to ensure this ambition Oregon Governor Kate Brown green tree retention and bigger is met. hese last few months have and the broader interests of and offers an excellent Tbrought big changes for the Oregonians. opportunity for the public to Take action! agencies that oversee Oregon’s encourage strong climate action → ← state forest policies and Meanwhile, the head of the Please email the Oregon Global Warming Commission at from ODF. You can view the [email protected] and tell them to include old regulations. Three new members Oregon Department of Forestry CCCP on ODF's climate were nominated to the Board Peter Daugherty resigned under growth carbon reserves on public lands, longer logging change webpage where an rotations, increased green tree retention and bigger that oversees the Oregon pressure from the Board of informational webinar has been riparian buffers in their Natural and Working Lands Department of Forestry (ODF), Forestry and Oregon legislators. posted. Comments on the draft Report. Also tell them to require that emissions from a change that shakes up what Daugherty opposed plan can be submitted through logging be included in the Department of Environmental has historically been a very modernizing the agency, the portal on the website. Qualities Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. These logging-focused entity. The new especially in light of the need to recommendations are simple, important steps Oregon can take to reduce emissions and improve carbon make-up of the Board shifts the address the pressing threat of Meanwhile, The Oregon Global sequestration. focus toward more carefully climate change. As the Board Warming Commission is in the considering conservation values conducts a nationwide search

Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 10 President Biden must recognize that forest defense is climate defense Lauren Anderson, Climate Forest Policy Coordinator

overemphasize wood executive order, the Department conserve “at least any specifics, we are working to products as a climate of Interior, along with other 30 percent of our lands and use its framework to ensure the solution. We know this land management agencies, also waters by 2030,” the first-ever highest level of protections for to be an ineffective released a new report titled, national goal for the Forest Service and Bureau of strategy - in Oregon, 65 “Conserving and Restoring stewardship of nature in Land Management lands in percent of wood carbon America the Beautiful.” Biden is America. While the report itself Oregon, including our Oregon harvested since 1900 has directing federal agencies to was very high-level and lacked remaining intact forests. Wild has been leading efforts to returned to the atmosphere, and include the protection and only 19 percent remains in restoration of Pacific Northwest long-term products. But there is forests as a critical climate some progress on that front, as solution. In a significant win for the agency did recently pen a forest advocates, the Biden report stating: “Maintaining the administration released its health and integrity of national plan highlighting America’s forests is vital to intended climate actions in the protecting their carbon US that explicitly calls for forest sequestration potential, protections. We are now including conserving old- pursuing next steps, like growth forests from wildfire and pushing for the administration other threats.” While logging is to take immediate executive a far bigger threat to old growth action to pause all timber sales than wildfire, it was still on federal lands that have encouraging to see old-growth mature and old growth forests. forests specifically called out in the report. In more disappointing news, the US Department of Agriculture, Under the Biden which oversees the Forest administration’s climate change Service, continues to GREG LEIF

11 Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 Oregon wolf digest Danielle Moser, Wildlife Program Coordinator

his year has already been an February when ODFW officials eventful year for Oregon’s received a “mortality signal” from wolves.T Unfortunately, 2021 a GPS collar on one of the started off on a bad note when wolves. All signs point to the Trump administration - in a poaching, but ODFW cannot parting shot - removed the offer confirmation until the remaining portion of protected necropsy lab gets the results gray wolves in the country from (which we’re still awaiting). the federal Endangered Species list. As a result, wolves Coincidentally, this isn’t the first throughout Oregon no longer time we’ve seen questionable have any state or federal (legal) behavior toward wolves in protections. The loss of Union County. In 2018, a man protections could jeopardize wolf illegally trapped and shot a wolf, recovery in the state, which is but was absolved of any harsh why Oregon Wild and partners punishments when the local District Attorney blamed the filed a lawsuit against the identified in western Oregon, wolf itself for getting trapped. administration to reinstate them. and human-caused fatalities And in 2017, a man shot and Finally, ODFW recently released remain a cause for concern. Shortly thereafter, the Oregon killed a wolf that he claimed was the annual wolf report. The Oregon Wild will continue to State Police and the Oregon charging him - however the agency’s surveys documented monitor wolf management Department of Fish and public records revealed that the wildlife does not reflect the true 173 individual wolves, a decisions while advocating for Wildlife (ODFW) announced wolf was, in fact, running away values of Oregonians, which is population increase of 9.5% over full species recovery across the the death of five wolves in Union from him. This culture of why we need a wildlife agency the previous year. Alarmingly, state. The report illustrates that County. It appears that the permissiveness around poaching and justice system to hold the number of breeding pairs while wolf recovery in Oregon is deaths occurred in early and inhumane treatment of our perpetrators accountable. dropped, no new packs were progressing, it’s still slow.

Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 12 ODFW Conservation roundup Steve Pedery, Conservation Director

The rhetoric and threats from this Simpson (R-ID) over the fate of for their removal. However, we far-right group are abhorrent, but the lower four Snake River Dams. cannot support linking that to the larger problem is politics. For weakened protections for rivers twenty years, politicians have Simpson wants to tie removal of like the Upper Willamette, ignored the elephant in the room these dams to a $33 billion dollar McKenzie, Santiam, Clackamas, - too much water has been scheme to weaken clean water Deschutes, and John Day (which promised to too many interests. protections and subsidize is Simpson’s plan). We recently agribusiness and development joined with dozens of other We recently urged the Biden over salmon and steelhead in Pacific Northwest conservation administration and Oregon’s dozens of other watersheds. groups, including Willamette elected leaders to break this cycle Unfortunately, some Oregon Riverkeeper and the Orca and establish a program to buy politicians willingly entertain the Conservancy, to urge elected back water rights and retire them. idea. officials to pursue Snake River Such a program, coupled with Dam removal without linking it efforts to restore wetlands and The lower four Snake River Dams are enormous fish killers and to Simpson’s $33 billion package reduce pollution flowing into of anti-environmental measures. Upper Klamath Lake, is the only Oregon Wild has long advocated realistic way to end the water crisis in the Klamath Basin. Promise and Peril on Snake River Dams T he Snake River

Two Decades Later, some irrigation diversions in One reason for the failure to Klamath Water Crisis Rages order to honor the senior water address the Klamath crisis was On rights of The Klamath Tribes and the “Klamath Basin Restoration protect endangered fish in Upper Agreement” or KBRA, a Klamath Lake. A far-right group complicated scheme that linked Twenty years have passed since affiliated with Ammon Bundy removal of dams on the Klamath the 2001 Klamath Basin water has rushed to exploit this River to the unsustainable status crisis. Now, in the summer of situation, purchasing property quo of water for high desert 2021, the Basin is facing a near a key irrigation facility and irrigation. A similar proposal is drought that could be even worse. threatening to violently seize it. now being floated by Rep. Mike Water managers have closed R. SHIPLEY Pelicans on Upper Kalamath Lake

13 Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 Conservation conversations: Migrations highlighting BIPOC voices Alijana (Ally) Fisher, Communications and EDI Associate

e’re facing huge in the complex dance of figuring GABY DIAZ WREN WELLS ALLY FISHER JARED KENNEDY environmental challenges, out my identity and beliefs. This fromW climate change to the life experience has fueled my Even during the pandemic the Joining the team as our new diverse perspectives and extinction crisis. To address aspiration to tell stories world kept turning. And that Development Associate is addressing the climate crisis these issues we must draw on a highlighting the unique has meant new adventures for Wren Wells. Having spent the through an equity lens. We’re wealth of knowledge across all perspectives that BIPOC Oregon Wild staff and board, last several years as a looking forward to Ally our communities; however, the individuals bring to as well as new faces joining Stewardship Coordinator in bolstering our ability to conservation movement has environmentalism. Through our team! Missouri working with communicate with our excluded non-white voices. The these virtual interviews, I've government agencies and members and the general good news is that this is starting discussed the issue of climate After five years working closely conservation partners, Wren public (and maybe to a cello to change. More diverse change extensively and how it with Oregon Wild members is thrilled to be joining the and ukulele concert!). perspectives are being integrated intersects with equity, diversity and managing all sorts of Oregon Wild team. Her love of Welcome Ally! into the movement thanks to and inclusion. Additionally, outreach and fundraising the outdoors stems from her events, Membership and Event time spent in Utah’s red rock Finally, we’re bummed to efforts from BIPOC (Black, biracial identity and JASON GONZALES Breaking the law, the Oregon Forest Indigenous, and people of color) multiculturalism has played a Manager Gaby Diaz is movingResources country Institute and her participates adventures in a reportlogging that industry board lobby member day. leaders. But a lot still needs to significant role in many of these on. Gaby first came to the climbing 57 of the 58 Jared Kennedy is leaving the attention of Oregon Wild when 14,000-foot-tall mountains in Oregon Wild board after four be done to make the conversations as it relates she joined us for our inaugural Colorado. We’re excited to years of service. But, we can’t environmental field more towards the navigation of white wildlife lobby day back in 2016. have Wren on board – be too sad, because Jared welcoming and equitable. I’ve spaces. These interviews Soon she was moving from welcome! has taken a job with close been working on a project to do illustrate the enormous volunteer to staff member Oregon Wild allies, Greater just that - a series of opportunities available to the and taking on an ever- Also joining the team this Hells Canyon Council. Our loss conservation conversations conservation community when expanding portfolio of spring, after starting as an is certainly GHCC’s gain as aimed at inspiring people of engaging with diverse responsibilities. No doubt intern in the winter, is our new Jared has shown his passion color to enter the realm of perspectives to make the many of you have seen Gaby’s Communications and EDI for public lands protection conservation, promoting movement more inclusive. You smiling face at the Mississippi Associate, Alijana (Ally) Fisher. (and for connecting people to allyship, and building can view these conversations, Street Fair or Call of the Wild She recently graduated from those lands) in spades over community. and many more in the in recent years. We will miss Willamette University with a the years. We’ll look forward to months to come, at Gaby’s contributions to the degree in environmental partnering with him in his new I’ve had my share of struggles oregonwild.org/ team, but feel lucky that she is science. As a person of color, role and we thank him for his - from trying to assimilate to convos staying in our orbit as the new she is committed to making time at Oregon Wild. challenging the status quo - all Development Manager at 350 the conservation realm a ALLY FISHER PDX. Thank you Gaby! more inclusive space filled with After the fires Chandra LeGue, Western Oregon Field Coordinator

ll forests in Oregon were, at are ravaged by new roads, heavy have already been cleared in some point, born from fire. equipment, and chainsaws soon watersheds like the McKenzie AsA a naturally-occuring after a fire is out. Though this and Santiam. disturbance, wildfire boosts so-called “salvage” logging is the diversity in forests by helping to most destructive action that can Along Oregon’s scenic roads and create complex biological be taken after a fire, it continues highways impacted by last year’s legacies and habitat like to be business-as-usual for fires, we’ve seen abuse of “hazard standing dead snags, downed forest managers across the state. tree” logging by Oregon woody debris, and natural Department of Transportation Oregon’s already-lenient forest contractors. Though legitimate M ICHAEL HUDSON Logs stacked after openings. Sadly, these important roadside logging near Breitenbush complex fire-burned landscapes management laws allow private hazards must be addressed along are becoming increasingly rare timberland owners to expand roads, what whistleblowers have pushed forward a plan to log post-fire logging in the Santiam as both private and public lands clearcutting after a fire, and reported (and most people can over 3,000 acres of wildlife canyon, McKenzie watershed, thousands of acres of these lands plainly see) is overly aggressive habitat areas. We’ve joined North Umpqua, and in southern E RIC FERNANDEZ cutting that has impacted litigation to prevent the fast- Oregon. We’re fighting for these Planned, Completed, and Ongoing Logging of 2020 Fire Landscapes wildlife habitat and scenic tracking of this damaging public lands through all legal Holiday Farm Fire corridors. We’ve called on proposal and are awaiting our avenues available to us. Governor Brown to halt day in court. ODOT’s abuses, but the State’s Despite all of our efforts and response has been weak. Federal public lands aren’t those of our allies, more action immune from post-fire logging. is needed to ensure our forests In the Santiam State Forest, the While the majority of our can recover and endure. We’ll Oregon Department of Forestry National Forests impacted by continue to call on state and last year’s fires are not being federal agencies and our elected proposed for logging, thousands leaders – from Governor Brown µ of acres along hundreds of miles to our Congressional of Forest Service roads – some representatives – to increase not even open to the public – oversight, reform lax laws and are at risk of logging under the loopholes, and fight for reform This map displays known post fire planned, complete, and 0 2.5 5 Miles ongoing logging in the 2020 fire areas. Tribal Reservations logging is not shown. Other land ownerships likely guise of public safety. Proposals that helps communities recover, have more logging completed than is currently shown and more planned not yet shown. Post Fire Roadside Logging - Forest Service by the Bureau of Land adapt, and prepare for future

Service Layer Credits: USGS The National Map: National BLM - Post Fire Logging Boundaries Dataset, National Elevation Dataset, Geographic Management are using Trump- wildfires without harming our Names Information System, National Hydrography Dataset, Private Lands - Post Fire Clearcutting (9/2020 -12/2021) National Land Cover Database, National Structures Dataset, and National Transportation Dataset; U.S. Census Bureau - Fire Perimeters TIGER/Line; HERE Road Data. Data Refreshed July, 2017. CASCADIA WILDLANDS approved logging loopholes to precious natural landscapes. expedite thousands of acres of

15 Summer 2021 Volume 48, Number 2 5825 N. Greeley Ave. Portland, OR 97217

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Printed on recycled paper with vegetable based ink. Jonathan Jelen, Development Director trail! and hitthe Join theclub month or more. and new members whojoinat $10/ current members Evergreen Society is automatically available toall Oregon Wild HikingClub. That’s why the we are bringingback sanity. for ourhealth,community, and are important ouroutdoorspaces have alsodemonstrated how our work.Thelastfifteen months lands continues of tobeavitalpart peopletoourpublicconnecting be leadingpublic hikesthissummer, even OregonWild though willnotSo lifetime exploring them all. spenda youcould and coastline, mountains, rivers,ancient forests, Heck, withsomany amazing itoffers. recreation opportunities countless world-classoutdoor We know youlove Oregonandthe This benefit defending ourold-growthdefending forests year-round. Whether we’re conservation – helpingtoadvance ourcampaignsbest way tosupport Being anEvergreenmember isthe hikes willfeature: our stafftoget “outthere.”These selectedby –specially September monthOregon each June through set of3suggestedhikesthroughout anexclusiveMembers will receive • • • • • and waters inthat area thewildlands,wildlife, preserve youcan taketohelp Action for apost-hikebeverage stop brewery partner Alliance OregonBrewshed® Suggested Relation toourcampaign work featuresEcological of thearea season, permits,etc) information difficulty, (distance, andgeneral Directions

www.oregonwild.org/hikeclub using theenclosed envelope orat wildlife, andwaters. Signuptoday continue ourwildlands, topreserve discovering new trailsandhelpus 2021. We hope you’lljoinusin untilwill run theendofSeptember This specialEvergreenpromotion keep Oregonwild. you're playing akey roleinhelpingus hiking, youcanrestassuredthat nomatteryou. So what trailyou're inOregonthat arespecialto places dollars cangotoward protecting always becurrent andmoreofyour work. Plus,yourmembership will toour iscrucial support dependable up for imperiled wildlife,your waters,Wild &Scenic orspeaking working toprotect public landsand from theconstant threat oflogging,