Two-Wheeled Connections: Scenic Bikeways Reach Rural Oregon

Oregon's a state of many firsts. Now we can add another: the first state in the nation to officially designate Scenic Bikeways. It's all part of an effort to support rural communities by tapping into a lucrative and growing group of tourists looking to see Oregon in a slower way, hungry for memorable experiences and open landscapes--and oh yeah, local food. For a small investment from a broad array of partners, the strategy is already paying off. Find out what Scenic Bikeways could mean for Oregon.

Bicycle Geographies: A Personal Reflection From Eastern Oregon

What goes through one's mind during 300 miles of cycling down quiet roads and highways, past vast ranches and fields of wheat, up and down through sage desert and Ponderosa forest? A lot, it turns out. That's what our Communications Coordinator, Craig Beebe, found out on a recent pair of tours on Oregon Scenic Bikeways in eastern Oregon's Grande Ronde Valley and John Day country. Craig reflects on the experience and what it taught him about Oregon in this personal essay with photos.

Land Use Is: Your Plate

Last month, we shared our new campaign to explore the many ways that land use planning affects your life, your community, and Oregon's future. We call it Land Use Is. Throughout the coming months, we'll bring you more in-depth profiles of how land use has shaped the way we live in Oregon. We begin with Your Plate--a quick synopsis of the key land use facts behind Oregon's celebrated local food, thriving farmland, and growing agricultural industry. Learn more, and help us tell the story of what Land Use Is for Oregon.

Making Density Work: Lessons From Seattle and Matt Yglesias

Outreach Director Tara Sulzen recently spent a couple of days in Seattle for the annual Urban Land Institute Northwest Young Leaders Conference. She learned a great deal about how developers are reacting to changing demographics, and what cities need to do to encourage good density. Followed by an event with noted economics blogger and author Matt Yglesias, the last couple of weeks have brought a lot of lessons. Tara shares some takeaways for her work here.

State Line, Stark Contrast: Report Studies Rural Sprawl in Greater Portland

The Sightline Institute came up with an interesting natural experiment: chart rural sprawl on the Oregon and Washington sides of the Portland region, and compare the effectiveness of rural land protections in each state. The result? Remarkable proof of how Oregon planning keeps farmers farming, rural roads free of congestion, and water and air cleaner than our neighbors to the north. See the striking maps and learn what the report means for our work.

Departures: Farewell, Ben!

We say goodbye this month to Ben Gordon, our Central Oregon Outreach Coordinator. Ben has played a huge role in expanding our network of supporters and allies in Central Oregon, hosting many great events and working with local residents to help them understand and participate in land use processes affecting their community. He led our New Face of Farming initiative in 2011, created the hugely popular Monthly Buzz land use check-in, organized UGB bike rides and other great events. Most of all, he has been a good friend and inspiring colleague. We're sorry to see him go, but wish him the best in his new endeavors at the Oregon Natural Desert Association.

Upcoming Events

Jackson County Regional Plan Hearings
Throughout August
Bear Creek Valley cities

The Jackson County Regional Problem Solving plan (aka RPS) is nearing the finish line. After changes to the plan were requested by LCDC this Spring, the county has adopted revisions. Now each participating city must do the same. This is the last opportunity to comment before the plan returns to the state for consideration. Find out the schedule in your community--click here.

Raise Your Glass Fundraiser: Celebrating Oregon Wine and Winemakers
Saturday, August 25, 5:00-7:00pm
Lemelson Vineyards
12020 Northeast Stag Hollow Road, Carlton, OR
Cost: $25

Join us for a celebration of Oregon's unparalleled wines and winemakers at Lemelson Vineyards in Yamhill County. We'll toast to great wine, delicious local food, and a bright future for Oregon winemakers and for 1000 Friends. Space at this event is very limited. Purchase tickets here, or contact Kristin Barber at 503-497-1000 x123.

Save the Date: Cool Communities Happy Hour with Robert Liberty in Bend
Wednesday, September 26, 5:30pm
Location TBA, Bend

Join former 1000 Friends Executive Director Robert Liberty for an informal discussion about creating walkable neighborhoods, providing transportation options, and building good housing in Bend. More information will be announced soon.

Check out our calendar to stay up-to-date on all our upcoming events around the state.

Regional Updates

Join the Conversation

Let 1000 Friends and the power of social media help keep you up-to-date on our work and related topics. In case you haven't been following us, here's some of what you've missed:

Join Us!

August 3rd
Here's some good news for your Friday. There are now more farmers markets in the US than Pizza Huts, Taco Bells, or Burger Kings, according to the USDA. Whether your thing is blueberries or brussels sprouts, that's something to celebrate!

July 30th
What it takes to be a Century Farm: smart people, strong land protections, and wise tax policies that keep farm fields from being converted to subdivisions. Read about Oregon's new crop of Century Farms.

July 27th
NASA's Landsat satellite is celebrating its 40th anniversary by releasing some astounding animations demonstrating change on the American landscape over the last decades. Astounding, and not a little disturbing in some places, like Coral Gables, Florida. Watch the American Landscape Change As Seen From Space.

July 23rd
Who walks most to work in the Northwest? According to Sightline Institute, it's residents of Corvallis--by a long shot. Learn more here.

July 19th
When we talk about walkable, transit-friendly places to live and work, we're not just talking about large cities. In fact, with vision and the right investments, many suburban areas can become a lot more walkable, as one Washington suburb has discovered. Read more here.

Follow Us!

August 3rd
Thank you, @StreetsblogDC, for sharing this hilarious video tribute to public transportation at @umich. ow.ly/cJ0FS

August 2nd
.@TheBigFloat has vision for a beach in downtown #Portland, reports @portlandmercury. How far the Willamette has come. ow.ly/cGYWT

July 26th
With #Olympics2012 afoot, #Portland gets silver--for lowest per capita carbon emissions, says @CEOsforCities #CityVitals report:ow.ly/cwQ8b

July 26th
"Gotta dig #Portland," says @tomhanks in this charming short video. We love it--but "gotta dig Oregon" is our mantra! ow.ly/cwxRN

July 24th
New federal #transportation bill is step in wrong direction, says guest viewpoint in @registerguard: ow.ly/ct8JH

July 20th
Green schools are great, but one factor often forgotten: Where they're built. #Portland's Rosa Parks Elem gets praise: ow.ly/co12I

July 18th
The @Oregonian reports more international tourists are visiting the #Oregon coast. They're not coming for subdivisions.ow.ly/ckxwz

July 17th
Growing electric motorcycle co. Brammo buys old Walmart in #TalentOR for new HQ.ow.ly/ciMMV #ORLandUseNews via @SustainableBzOR

July 13th
New study from @BrookingsInst on the#transit disconnect between jobs & workers:ow.ly/ce52v

July 11th
Two stories about farms returning to land once slated for development, in MD & MN:ow.ly/cb1LO & ow.ly/cb1Ne

1000 Friends of Oregon | 133 SW 2nd Ave., Suite 201, Portland, OR 97204
503-497-1000 | info@friends.org
© 2012, 1000 Friends of Oregon, All Rights Reserved.

Oregon Stories is 1000 Friends' monthly e-newsletter, with updates on our work and important happenings across Oregon and the nation. Questions, comments or story ideas?  Please email craig@friends.org.

Click below to manage your subscriptions:
Subscribe| Unsubscribe