2022 was second-busiest year ever for Oregon state parks
Last year was Oregon State Parks’ centennial — and now the agency has another reason to cheer. State parks saw their second-busiest year ever in 2022, the agency announced Thursday. According to Oregon State Parks, visitors logged 2.97 million camper nights last year, just 1.8% lower than 2021. Oregon’s 198 state parks racked up more than 52 million day-use visits, 2.7% fewer than 2021. “We know the next 100 years will bring challenges and opportunities, but we will meet them together with resilience and a sense of stewardship for these awe-inspiring places that belong to us all,” Oregon Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Sumption said in a statement. (OPB Staff)
White-tailed deer in SW Washington make gains, but still face threats
Columbian white-tailed deer, a species that lives among the Columbia River lowlands and floodplains in Southwest Washington, are no longer considered endangered by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. But the deer are still considered a threatened species. Jeff Azerrad, a state Fish and Wildlife environmental planner, says the reclassification is a technicality. Though the estimated population has increased, the loss of habitat and other challenges continue to pose a risk. (Lauren Ellenbecker/The Columbian)
You can chase Gorge waterfalls without a timed-entry permit this year
Oregonians and tourists interested in chasing waterfalls through the Columbia Gorge won’t need a permit this summer to travel along the region’s historic highway. A timed permit will remain in effect, though, for the Multnomah Falls parking lot. Last year, from May 24 to Sept. 5, visitors driving between Bridal Vail Falls (exit 28 from Interstate 5), and Ainsworth State Park (exit 35) were required to get a “timed entry permit,” which was aimed at reducing congestion around popular trailheads such as Multnomah, Wahkeena and Horsetail falls. Officials say the timed permit system was an experiment and provided good data for the future. (Zach Urness/Salem Statesman Journal)
Two free admission days at High Desert Museum in Central Oregon this month
The High Desert Museum near Bend will have free admission two days this month: Feb. 11 and Feb. 25, both Saturdays. This marks the first time the museum has been cost free to visits since the pandemic began in 2020. Long known as a natural history museum and wildlife center, in recent years the museum has created more exhibits displaying Indigenous artwork. “Creations of Spirit” opened last month to highlight weaving, music and other forms of Indigenous art from Central Oregon. The museum is probably best known for its live species on exhibit, including foxes, porcupines and the ever-popular river otters. Museum volunteer Steve Magidson told OPB he visits the resident otters most mornings. “If you can’t have a good day after starting that way, you have a problem,” Magidson said with a laugh. The museum will host talks about the animals throughout each free admission day. (Joni Auden Land, OPB)
Gresham council blocks special recycling licenses
Gresham, Oregon, households using a special service to recycle batteries, light bulbs, plastic wrappers and other items will need to find another option. Gresham City Council voted earlier this week to stand with local trash and recycling haulers to reverse a vote last December to create a new permit system to allow non-franchised haulers to operate in the city. About 350 households had been using a subscription service called Ridwell to pick up hard-to-recycle items not included in traditional curbside pickup. (Christopher Keizur/The Gresham Outlook)
