Dear Friend,

Can you believe we're already coming up on the end of summer? This is the time of year when I'm especially grateful for Oregon's land use planning program, and the 241 urban growth boundaries that protect our millions of acres of farm and forestlands, not to mention thousands of public parks and natural areas. I hope you and your family have been able to get out and enjoy at least a few of Oregon's many majestic destinations during this beautiful season.

Of course, late summer also means we are now in full-blown wildfire season across the West, including Oregon. Our neighbors in California are having a much rougher go of it, but that doesn't mean Oregon is safe. In fact, it only increase pressure on us to do better. Fortunately, the wildfire report and recommendations we published last year, as well as the work I did with the Governor's wildfire council, continue to help shape new policy.

Speaking of doing better, this month brought with it a major victory in our Portland-area housing work: the passage of the Residential Infill Project, a success four years in in the making. Coupled with the passage of HB 2001 last summer, we are finally in a position to truly make progress in meeting Oregon's land use planning Goal 10: Housing, which in turn will ultimately reduce the pressure to expand urban growth boundaries throughout the Metro region. Hundreds of donors and volunteers worked to make this vision a reality through our Portland for Everyone program, and I am truly grateful for everyone involved.

Thank you, Friend, for all you do. 

For Oregon,

Executive Director

P.S. Please note that our offices remain closed while my staff and I remain fully accessible by phone and email from our home offices. Please feel free to contact us at any time.