By Sofia Baum and Jenni Denekas | 2-minute read
We love our members!
This Valentine’s season, we’re feeling the love. Thank you for collaborating with us to protect Oregon’s farms, forests, and communities—your support truly makes this work possible!
Our members will be receiving a Valentine’s Day postcard with a special crossword puzzle soon. If you’d like to join this community of care, we’d love to welcome you. Learn more about membership.
Looking for crossword answers? Click here!
So many reasons to love Oregon
Our passion for Oregon’s communities, working lands, and natural areas drives our work. Here are a few of our staff's favorite places and fun facts from around the state:
Blue Pool, along the McKenzie River. It’s a beautiful, clear, blue pool that is incredibly cold (about 38F) and very clear (because it's too cold for most algae to grow).
—Jacky Lee, Oregon for Everyone Manager
I grew up going to the Oregon coast and now, as an adult, it's still one of my favorite places to explore. I feel so lucky to have so many miles of public beaches so close by!
—Anna Kemper, Great Communities Program Director
On a break during the 2024 board meeting in Jacksonville, I stumbled across the place marker for Jacksonville’s Chinatown. I wondered what happened to those bachelors, and if they ever got to start families on this side of the ocean. And with Lunar New Year coming up, I wonder if they had any firecrackers and if anyone’s horses got upset.
—Lou Ocampo, Operations Manager
I appreciate Portland’s parks, especially Mt. Tabor. The history of preservation in the Columbia River Gorge is ongoing, and it started with creating the first National Scenic Area.
—Ben Asher, Operations Associate
My favorite place is the Painted Hills! Quietest place I’ve ever been, and I love seeing the ecological and geologic history.
—Cassie Wilson, Legislative Manager
Koosah and Sahalie Falls: The sound of the water and being surrounded by trees always ground me.
—Sofia Baum, Membership Experience Manager
I love the Columbia River Gorge and especially the Rowena Plateau. The viewpoint at the top at Tom McCall Preserve is the east end's Crown Point. And I believe it to be better! So many geological features can be viewed from there.
—Jim Johnson, Working Lands Program Director
At this point I've spent years of my life exploring Forest Park, whether running, hiking or biking. And I've yet to scratch the surface of what the park has to offer!
—Eve Goldman, Staff Attorney
Crossword answers
ACROSS
3. What do we protect when we safeguard Oregon’s farms, forests, rivers, and wildlife? (ANSWER: NATURE)
4. What do we strengthen when we bring people together to shape Oregon’s future? (ANSWER: COMMUNITY)
DOWN
1. What’s the land use process Oregon uses to guide growth and protect rural lands? (ANSWER: PLANNING)
2. What do we help protect from sprawl so Oregon can keep producing local food? (ANSWER: FARMS)
5. What do we build when Oregonians come together around shared values and common ground? (ANSWER: UNITY)
