In the Summer 2019 Instream, we announced that longtime development director Molly Whitney departed for the Cascade Forest Conservancy to become its executive director. In this fall issue, we would like to formally introduce WaterWatch’s new development director, Neil Brandt. Many of you have already encountered Neil in person, on the phone, or by email. He’s been at WaterWatch for …

Wetlands, like this autumn scene of the Tualatin Wildlife Refuge, are more than beautiful stretches of nature. They provide clean water and habitat, sequester carbon and reduce flooding. With the passage of House Bill 2437, however, wetlands in Oregon are increasingly in peril. In the 2019 Oregon legislative session, legislators and Oregon Governor Kate Brown focused much of their attention …

Don’t be fooled. Despite the Capitol’s stately appearance, the 2019 legislative session was filled with broken promises, acrimonious debate and plenty of regressive proposals about water and rivers. Against the high drama of the 2019 session, including two Republican walkouts, many broken promises and sweeping polarizing behavior within the halls of Salem, water did not fare well. This, despite a …