The latest

Woman-owned and operated, Est Wines uses organic, regenerative farming practices to create wines that are vibrant, expressive, and deeply rooted in the land. Plus, they grow in the exclusive farm use (EFU) zone and manage a tasting room within the urban growth boundary (UGB)!

In early May, 1000 Friends of Oregon cohosted a webinar focused on accessible housing policy for advocates, alongside partners at AARP Oregon, Community Vision, and Sightline Institute.

Last week, we looked at actions that individuals, families, and communities can take to protect homes and neighborhoods from the spread of embers and other wildfire-related dangers. Now, we are zooming out to look at landscape-wide and statewide ways in which we can reduce wildfire risk to communities—which involves statewide policies and programs, including Oregon’s land use system.

When people think about making homes wildfire resilient, they often think about building them that way from the ground up. That is an option—which currently is only 2–11% more expensive on average—but what about the rest of us who live in already-built homes? Fortunately, there are many ways to make those structures—and other buildings—wildfire resilient as well, including through state grants, incentives, and education about simple and cost-effective steps that can be taken on any home.

This Oregon Wine Month and Wildfire Awareness Month, 1000 Friends of Oregon is proud to feature Winter’s Hill Estate, a Yamhill County vineyard where three generations of the Winter and Gladhart family have built a legacy rooted in care for the land and a deep sense of responsibility for its future. They are also navigating an era of increased wildfire frequency and intensity with thoughtful and innovative approaches—creating hope for the future of Oregon wine.

Wildfire is a natural part of our ecosystem—although human-caused climate change, sprawl, and excessive fire suppression have increased its impacts. We can’t afford to ignore these realities—as, frankly, many did when they responded to the fear-mongering campaign that successfully demanded that the legislature repeal Oregon’s wildfire hazard map. The good news is that there are actions we can and should take to live safely with wildfire. A better, safer, and more sustainable future is possible, but it calls for joining hands and working together.

Community members, local leaders, and advocates are invited to attend a public forum on Saturday, May 2 to discuss the proposed Washington County Data Center Moratorium and its potential impacts on the region.

Our land use conservation and development system has helped us avoid some of the most devastating impacts of wildfires (so far). But developers, private property interests, and corporations are increasingly pushing for the expansion of urban growth boundaries and allowing more commercial uses, tourist destinations, second homes, and subdivisions in the wildland-urban interface and other at-risk areas.

The Land Use Board of Appeals agreed with 1000 Friends and its coalition partners that Clackamas County correctly denied a permit request to host dozens of weddings in the middle of working farm and forest operations.

Monmouth’s elected officials are learning a painful lesson that it’s not a good idea to cut the public out of important land use decisions. Not only is it politically unpopular, but also it is unlikely to save any time or money.