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Oregon’s forests and farms protected

Environment Oregon helps lead campaign

In November, Oregonians made their voices heard loud and clear when they passed Measure 49 to protect our forests and farm lands, with 61 percent voting “Yes.” Environment Oregon has made passage of Measure 49 its top priority for several months, with our entire staff chipping in. The measure passed in 22 of Oregon’s 36 counties.

This victory will protect the unique Oregon we know and love by putting strong limits on the out-of-control development allowed by Measure 37, passed in 2004. In three short years, property owners had filed 7,500 claims to develop more than 750,000 acres of rural land under Measure 37. 

Our plan for victory

Our campaign to pass Measure 49 had two components: using research and facts on how Measure 37 was threatening Oregon, and working with thousands of volunteers to educate and turn out hundreds of thousands of voters.

Working with the Oregon Farm Bureau and the Winegrowers Association, we produced two reports on how proposed subdivisions and other development threaten Oregon’s farmland and wine country—both were covered in media outlets across the state.

Talking to voters is the most effective tool for winning elections. Between July 1 and Election Day, our staff and volunteers talked to more than 100,000 Oregonians about Measure 49 at their doorsteps, on street corners or on the phone.

Of course, it wasn’t just Environment Oregon—it was a true team effort. The Oregon Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, 1,000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon League of Conservation Voters and others worked together for this victory.

We now look ahead to continuing our work to protect Oregon’s environment. We’re specifically focusing on convincing Congress to pass a good energy bill, convincing the state Legislature to take more leadership in addressing global warming, and working with Gov. Kulongoski to establish marine protections off the Oregon coast.
 

An orchard below Mt. Hood.