Spring is in the air, Friend.

How wonderful to be welcoming this season of renewal, even as we are also crossing the one-year mark of life during COVID. Despite the constraints of the last year, we've got new interns, fresh programs, budding opportunities, and exciting collaborations sprouting up everywhere.

In any odd-numbered year, Oregon's long legislative session dominates the first six months. We're now just about halfway through the 2021 session, and I'm pleased to let you know that our legislative priorities—expanding Goal 1 access to public processes, mapping and mitigating wildfire risk, enhancing livability by connecting housing and transit, and supporting the needs of farmers and ranchers—are all advancing. We'll know more at the end of the month, so you can keep an eye out of a mid-session update in early April. On the wildfire front, I'm additionally working with state and national leaders on a Wildfire Summit, and we'll soon have ways for you to join that conversation, too.

This week, 1000 Friends has also begun the process of selecting our next Gerhardt Intern from among the 41 stellar applications we received. It won't be an easy choice! Plus, we've got two law interns starting this month; I hope to be able to introduce them in our April Oregon Stories. Along with the nearly 50 participants in our current Land Use Leadership Initiatives (LULIs), the next generation of land use advocates is looking strong. I also want to take a moment to recognize our partners at AARP Oregon, who have generously provided support for our LULI programs across the state for several years now. Thank you, AARP! For more information about becoming a Business Member of 1000 Friends, see the feature below.

Last but not least, we are now just a few weeks away from being ready to launch our next 4-year strategic plan. I know I've said this before, but I truly can't wait to share it with you. Stay tuned in April for the big release.

Friend, thank you. The last twelve months were some of the hardest we've ever faced, but together, we made it through. The end of the pandemic seems finally to be within sight, and as spring comes into full bloom, we have so much to look forward to in the year (and years) to come. Your ongoing support means the world to me, and to everyone at 1000 Friends.

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.