Jonathan Poisner's Blog Posts

The Oregonian today has a great front page story documenting the significant challenges Oregon faces tracking water use, making sure that we're not taking too much water from our rivers and underground aquifers, stealing a precious legacy from our children and neighbors.

Of course, the article would've been more useful earlier in the session rather than after deals were cut and decisions largely made. 

Fascinating story about the health benefits of having access to nature in today's Oregonian.

It's something I've always intuitively assumed, but glad to hear there's scientific research being done to back it up.

Last Sunday, the Eugene Register-Guard ran an opinion piece that I co-authored with Tom Chamberlain, President of the Oregon AFL-CIO, making the case that Oregon should continue to invest in policies that promote green jobs.

"2009 is a year of crisis. We are in an economic crisis that has been described as the worst since the Great Depression. Double digit unemployment, record home foreclosures, tens of millions without health insurance, and a financial system in chaos are just a few symptoms of this crisis.

I just got back from enjoying the sunny rally to oppose the Columbia River mega-bridge that too many of our elected officials support.  And I'm pumped.

15 months ago I would have told you not to worry about the mega-bridge. It's such a bad idea that even with big-time lobbyists pushing it, it would fall of its own weight.   Too dumb to pass.  Portland's likely new Mayor (Sam Adams) was opposed to it as well and I had confidence in Sam.

When I started out as Executive Director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters in 1997, I was startled to learn that only three other states had staffed organization whose primary focus was electing pro-environment candidates and holding them accountable.  

There were a handful of other all-volunteer State LCVs, and the national league was doing its thing at the Congressional level, but most state environmental communities had no strong electoral effort to promote environmental responsibility.

I recently had the chance to travel for a couple of weeks in southeast Utah.  It's a part of the American landscape I had always wanted to explore.  So when some friends (wonderful OLCV donors!) said I could stay at their place near Moab, I jumped and used it as a home base for exploration.

Here are some photo highlights.