2015-2016 Accomplishments

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Here’s a snapshot of our accomplishments from the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

Protecting Special Places

  • Worked with allies nationwide to rally supporters in support of public lands in response to the armed takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
  • Finalized the designation of 14 miles of the Chetco River as a new State Scenic Waterway.
  • Finalized the designation of 13 miles of the Molalla River as a new State Scenic Waterway.
  • Along with our coalition partners, we submitted over 30,000 petitions to Oregon’s congressional delegation in support of protecting the Crater Lake Wilderness.
  • Launched new websites for the Ochoco Mountains National Recreation Area and the Crater Lake Wilderness proposals.
  • Hosted four public town hall sessions for the Ochoco Mountains National Recreation Area proposal to present our idea and hear community feedback in Crook County.
  • Helped prevent passage of legislation that would have opened Wilderness areas to mountain bikes.

Defending and Restoring Oregon’s Forests and Waters

  • Saw our work to curb suction dredge mining pay off as a moratorium went into effect for all rivers in January 2016.
  • Launched the Oregon Forest Voices website, with partner Beyond Toxics, to showcase the stories of rural residents living with the repercussions of industrial logging and chemical sprays.
  • Submitted qualifying ballot measure signatures for three proposed state initiatives aiming to protect drinking water from damaging logging practices.
  • Collected over 2,000 online petition signatures about the need to reform Oregon’s outdated logging practices.
  • Held several film screenings and other outreach events on the Oregon Coast to promote the need for reform of the Oregon Forest Practices Act.
  • Ensured Thomas Creek Restoration Project focused restoration activities on previously logged landscapes. The project is considered the first success of Northeast Oregon collaborative efforts.
  • Celebrated, along with many allies, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission order denying authority to build the Pacific Gas Connector LNG Pipeline. Oregon Wild helped to prevent the serious adverse impacts to public old growth forests, rivers, and the climate that the pipeline and associated energy terminal would have led to.
  • Through our forest watchdog program we:
    • Commented on a total of 120 projects that impact public lands, and protested/objected to 18 projects that would have had unacceptable negative impacts.
    • Successfully got the BLM to withdraw the John’s Last Stand Timber Sale – which would have logged 50 acres of mature forest within the Hardesty Wildlands area near Eugene.
    • Submitted an official protest and later filed litigation on the BLM’s new management plans (WOPR Jr.) to increase clearcut logging and reduce stream and wildlife protections.
    • Stopped a destructive logging proposal in Bend’s drinking watershed and limited the project to legitimate meadow restoration.

Helping Native Species Thrive

  • After the Oregon Legislature confirmed ODFW’s illegal wolf delisting decision, we led the effort to hold Governor Brown and legislators accountable with paid advertisements in radio and print as well as high profile earned media.
  • With our allies, won the first round of our wolf delisting lawsuit after a judge ruled that the wolf delisting bill was potentially unconstitutional.
  • Hosted two wolf forums featuring Rep. Peter DeFazio in Eugene and Rep. Earl Blumenauer in Portland.
  • Along with our co-plaintiffs, we convinced a federal magistrate judge to issue findings and recommendations to protect Oregon Spotted Frogs and rare wetlands ecosystems from unsustainable grazing practices.
  • Hosted our second annual Wildlife Lobby Day and successfully brought several dozen citizen lobbyists to Salem to defend native species in the legislature.
  • Along with allies, we convinced a judge to rule in our favor, rejecting attempts by the federal government to avoid Endangered Species Act protections for wolverine.
  • Testified at several ODFW Commission hearings on wolves including generating significant conservation attendance to rural meeting.

Connecting People to Wild Places

  • Launched the Wild Ones activist network and hosted over a dozen trainings and other gatherings for Oregon Wild supporters looking to take their advocacy to the next level.
  • Hosted the second Crater Lake Wolf Rendezvous and seventh annual Wallowa Wolf Rendezvous, taking intrepid adventurers to see Oregon’s wolf country for themselves.
  • Led over 40 hikes for the public, including a week long hike series in the Crater Lake Wilderness proposal, fly fishing in the Ochoco Mountains National Recreation Area proposal, and snowshoeing in the winter.
  • Hosted 14 Oregon Wild Wednesdays in Portland, Eugene, Ashland, and Bend featuring guest speakers ranging from outdoor writers to adventurers.
  • Connected with new supporters at dozens of community events, film screenings, and happy hours across the state.
  • Hosted the first Oregon Brewshed® Alliance Brew Fest in Portland with over 300 attendees enjoying great beer sourced from clean water and learning about the connection between forest protection and drinking water.
  • Hosted and participated in 34 Oregon Brewshed® Alliance happy hours, beer releases, pint nights, community talks, hikes, and festivals with partners.