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March 7, 2012

The 2012 Legislature: How We Protected Oregon Communities

Dear Friend,

No policy decisions happen in the short, even-year legislative sessions. Right? It sure didn't feel that way in Salem these last several weeks.

For much of the session, it appeared that farmland in southern Oregon was going to be the trading horse for other priorities. By mid-February, I thought it was inevitable. But our members and volunteers made a real difference, calling Senators, Representatives, and the Governor and standing up for Oregon’s agricultural economy. The bill that threatened productive farm and forest land in Southern Oregon died in committee, as did all of our major threats.

Yet even though they’ve reached Sine Die in Salem, our work is not over. We expect an Executive Order that will keep the potential for redefinition of farm and forest lands alive. I look forward to working with you in the coming months to show why the vision of one, interdependent state is key to economic stability in rural Oregon.

Thanks for all you do for Oregon,

Jason Miner
Executive Director, 1000 Friends of Oregon

P.S.--Read below to learn about some our other recent work at 1000 Friends, including the exciting launch of our New Face of Farming report and video.

Celebrate With Us!

1000 Friends cordially invites you to join us for the Tom McCall Legacy Gala, our annual celebration of our work for a vibrant Oregon. This year's dinner is Friday, March 23, at the Governor Hotel in Portland. As always, we'll feature delicious food and wine, inspiring speakers, and an opportunity to connect with other supporters of our work. Learn more and join us here!

What We Heard (So Far): 1000 Friends Releases New Face of Farming Report

Last year, we traveled the state to talk with agricultural professionals about how the land use system supports their success today. We heard many perspectives on a variety of topics, but this was clear: by and large, farmers and ranchers do not see the land use system itself as a barrier to their success. Our initial report outlines what we heard, and what we're doing next to support the New Face of Farming in Oregon. Read the report, and watch the video stories of several participating farmers.

The Impressive (and Growing) Value of Walkability: Chris Leinberger Speaks

We were pleased to welcome nationally renowned real estate and planning expert Christopher Leinberger to Oregon last month for the kickoff event in our 2012 McCall Society Speaker Series. Before a packed audience at the Augen Gallery in Portland, Professor Leinberger shared his perspective on the growing market and opportunities to build more walkable communities, meeting consumer demand and createing better places to live. Couldn't make it? We've got a recap and a video of his presentation here.

Support Our Work

We prevented many of the worst threats in the 2012 Legislature, but our work goes on. We need your help to advance our vision for a single, strong Oregon. Please consider a visit to our online donation page to join or renew your membership. Thank you for making our work for Oregon possible.

Upcoming Events

Tom McCall Legacy Gala
Friday, March 23, 2012, 6-8pm
The Governor Hotel, Portland

Join us for our annual celebration of the life and legacy of Tom McCall, and the work we carry out today and the future. Learn more and buy tickets here.

Monthly Buzz: Central Oregon Update
Wednesday, April 4, 8:30-9:30am
The Common Table, Bend

Join our Central Oregon staff for our monthly check-in on land use happenings and advocacy opportunities in the Central Oregon region. Learn more here.

McCall Society Speaker Series: Governor Barbara Roberts
Tuesday, April 10, 6-7pm
Laura Russo Gallery, 805 NW 21st Ave., Portland
Cost: Free for 1000 Friends members, $15 for others

We are honored to welcome former Governor and current Metro Councilor Barbara Roberts for the second event in our 2012 McCall Society Speaker Series. Gov. Roberts will discuss her life's work for Oregon. RSVPs required to Kristin Barber at kristin@friends.org or 503-497-1000 x123. Learn more about the series here, including events in June in Salem and October in Bend.

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

Regional Updates

Central Oregon News

Portland Metro News

Southern Oregon News

Willamette Valley News

1000 Friends of Oregon has regional offices around the state. Our regional staff work with local residents and elected officials on issues important to their communities.

To find out what 1000 Friends is working on in your region of the state, click on the appropriate image to the right.

Share With Us

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!

February 28th
Housing is considered affordable when it takes up less than 30% of a household's budget. Yet many never look at the combined costs of housing and transportation when choosing where to live, and when you put these costs together, affordability can change dramatically. This interactive map can help you identify the true affordability of neighborhoods in your community--and they've just added the Bend region! Check it out.

February 22nd
The Hillsboro Argus salutes ordinary Oregonians who fight to protect their communities. This is specific to Washington County, but could apply to Oregonians everywhere. Click here.

February 13th
Researchers from the University of Utah report that America has 40 million too many big homes, and needs to build 10 million new attached homes and 30 million smaller detached homes to keep up with demand. Most Americans don't want the big house on the fringe anymore; they want to live in neighborhoods where their kids can walk to school safely and they can walk to the store, and where transit or biking to work is an easy option. http://ow.ly/9lrBI

February 3rd
The opponents of Oregon land use planning are at it again, trying to chip away at the system that does so much to preserve farmland, promote great communities, and involve citizens in shaping their communities' future. We can't let them succeed, says The Source Weekly of Bend in this strong editorial. http://ow.ly/8Rv5r

March 6th
Thankfully Oregon #landuse laws helped prevent THIS from happening here: ow.ly/9uG04 (40-yr timelapse of Vegas sprawl from @NASA)

March 2nd
"Smart growth & sustainability are about town & country, equally & alike...we need to attend to both sides of this coin." ow.ly/9qgqq

February 27th
Oregon Parks planning "Grand Tour Bikeway": 134 miles to connect #LaGrande & Baker City. ow.ly/9jE9o #ORLandUseNews #EasternOR

February 22nd
#SouthernOregon friends: join us & Rogue Advocates for Envision the Rural Rogue Valley forum in #CentralPoint tonight: ow.ly/9fAD8

February 20th
Impressed by the Newberg Graphic's stand against unwarranted anti-planning rhetoric recently at Newberg City Council: ow.ly/9b52Z

February 9th
Great piece. RT @HillsboroArgus: Citizen involvement essential to local government, says Carla Axtman @carlaaxt ow.ly/8YfAG

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.

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Photo credits:
Header image: Edmund Garman. Used and modified under Creative Commons License.
McCall Legacy Gala: Illustration created for 1000 Friends by Natalie Cregar.
New Face of Farming Report: Design by Victoria Demchak.
Christopher Leinberger: Peter Ovington
Thanks to Dave Garlock for help with the header image.