In this show, we interview people from all over the world who are making a difference. From the founders of non-profits and social enterprises to innovators every field imaginable these interviews will inspire you to make a difference in the areas of life you care about. The common thread in all of our interviews is the people interviewed have participated in Landmark programs and put what they got to use in making a difference.
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Everything to know about exploring Oregon's best outdoor destinations from the Statesman Journal including where to camp, hike, bike and more.
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Oregon's 25 best mountain biking trails and trail systems
46:20
46:20
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with outdoor intern Emma Logan about the best mountain bike destinations across Oregon. The two break down the best spots to ride near Mount Hood, on the Oregon Coast and in central, southwest and eastern Oregon. The destinations range from smaller trail systems new to the scene to internationally recognized …
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Elephant Conservation - Dr. Paula Kahumbu
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Dr. Paula Kahumbu stands at the forefront of wildlife conservation, serving as the passionate and visionary CEO of WildlifeDirect.Known for her indomitable spirit in the fight against elephant poaching and ivory trafficking, she has led significant campaigns such as the “Hands Off Our Elephants” initiative alongside Kenyan First Lady Margaret Kenya…
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Running to make a difference with Roshni Rai
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27:24
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27:24
An interview with Roshni Rai, an ultra-marathon runner, attorney, motivational speaker, author of “From the Mountain to the Ocean: Run with Roshni,” and the Goodwill Ambassador of the Everest Marathon for India. With a background as a legal executive at Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd. and a practicing lawyer at Kalimpong Courts, Roshni has run over …
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This small Oregon town is known worldwide for 'gold level' mountain biking
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33:47
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with outdoor intern Emma Logan about mountain biking in Oakridge. This small town has put itself on the map with a world class trail network. With over 300 miles of trails, Oakridge is one of the six gold-level ride centers in the world and has been dubbed "Mountain Biking Capital of the Northwest." This epis…
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Dementia and Alzheimers - Maree McCabe AM
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39:51
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Maree McCabe AM, former CEO of Dementia Australia, has been a formidable leader in the mental health and aged care sectors since 2010, focusing especially on dementia. With her at the helm, Dementia Australia has flourished as the national organization, offering expert support, advocacy, and information for people affected by dementia as well as th…
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Willamette Water Trail: Idyllic floats and campsites on this underrated river
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness returns to one of the state's great backyard gems — the Willamette Water Trail. Urness highlights his two favorite places to float and camp on the mainstem Willamette, that features surprisingly beautiful scenery, wildlife habitat and camps just a stone's throw from cities such as Euge…
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Anne Margaret Rittman is a teacher, author, artist, and human rights activist who has had a lifelong relationship with the country of Nepal. Starting with a chance encounter with a young boy named Ram on the streets of Katmandu 50 years ago, she will share a remarkable and improbable story that includes the founding of a school in a rural village, …
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Dr. Percy Avari is a distinguished veterinarian with a fervent passion for wildlife conservation. Throughout his career he focused on the welfare of vultures and the mentoring of new veterinarians. He served for more than 15 years as a professor at the Bombay Veterinary College and his extensively published and ground research has been extensively …
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Oregon wildfire update and the future of Opal Creek
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In this episode, host Zach Urness gives an update on the fast-developing wildfire season in Oregon and then posts and interview that dives into how beloved places such as the Opal Creek area reopen post wildfire.First, Urness breaks down some of the fires burning across the state after a major lightning storm ignited a number of new blazes near Oak…
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Tamika Lamison is the remarkable and visionary founder of the Make a Film Foundation (MAFF). Tamika, an accomplished Filmmaker herself, established MAFF with the heartfelt mission of empowering children who have serious or life-threatening medical conditions. Through MAFF, these children experience the magic of filmmaking by creating short film leg…
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Summer skiing on Mount Hood, even during an extreme heatwave
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with outdoor intern Emma Logan about summer skiing at Timberline Lodge and Ski Area on Mount Hood. Timberline offers the only place to ski in the middle of the summer in North America. From the top of the Palmer snowfield, skiers stand at over 8,000 feet and are immediately transported back into a winter stat…
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Outdoor photography, long-distance hikes and the Columbia Gorge's Chinook Trail
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58:15
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Host Zach Urness talks with long-distance hiker, photographer and gear-maker James Parsons about a variety of topics, including the little-known Chinook Trail in the Columbia River Gorge. Parsons, probably best known for his photography through his Extreme Oregon Instagram page, talks about the strange place outdoor photography finds itself in 2024…
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New Opportunities for Neurodiverse Teens - Madeleine Jane Lobsey
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46:16
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Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is a multi-talented General Manager of the A List, an online platform for young people with autism and neurodivergent people in Australia.In 2023, Madeleine expanded its offerings with the introduction of The A List Social Hubs. These physical spaces, spearheaded by Madeleine herself, are transformative environments where neu…
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Oregon wildfire forecast and preview for summer 2024
26:19
26:19
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about the wildfire forecast for the summer of 2024 and the fires burning right now. Urness lays out what type of wildfire season is expected using interviews with fire weather meteorologists, who explain how drought, fuel moisture and El Nino to La Nina weather patterns could impact wildfires across the state…
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Impacting Cancer on a Global Level - Dr. Bert Petersen
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Dr. Bert Petersen, a renowned Cancer Surgeon, serves as the Director of the Breast Surgery Clinic Program at St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, New York, and is a Senior Landmark Program Leader.Throughout his professional journey, Dr. Petersen has significantly contributed to advancements in cancer care and surgery. He has spearheaded numerous global …
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Elkhorn Mountains & Anthony Lakes a summertime jewel in Eastern Oregon
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In this episode, Zach talks about the Elkhorn Mountains and Anthony Lakes area of Eastern Oregon. Urness breaks down the what makes the Elkhorns such a striking range, the best time to visit, where to stay and what to do when visiting. There's no shortage of hikes, alpine lakes, fishing, backpacking and wildlife to enjoy — along with an Old West gh…
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'Ride through history.' Santiam Wagon Road offers beauty, adventure and historic landmarks
42:27
42:27
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42:27
In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about one of Oregon's most beautiful and historic trails that is often overlooked. The Santiam Wagon Road was once the primary route connecting the Willamette Valley to Central Oregon in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Today, the roadway has been transformed into a beautiful trail best explored on 18 miles an…
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Shellburg Falls reopens after four years, but Valley of the Giants closed long-term
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27:21
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In this episode, host Zach Urness reports on two beloved places — one that is reopening after a major wildfire and another that just closed because of a huge landslide. Shellburg Falls Recreation Area reopened this past weekend, and Urness talks about how the experience of visiting the 100-foot waterfall and surrounding trails has changed — in some…
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Oregon Outback: Hot springs, hikes, dark skies and thick steaks
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32:23
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about the Oregon Outback and Summer Lake area, a land of desert canyons, hot springs, hikes and quite possibly Oregon's best restaurant. The region was recently established as a dark sky sanctuary, but Urness looks at all the daytime adventures, along with the best time to visit and places to stay. He talks a…
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Eugene woman talks about shattering speed record on Oregon Pacific Crest Trail
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51:11
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks to ultra runner Emily Halnon of Eugene, who back in 2020 set the speed record for the Oregon segment of the Pacific Crest Trail. Halnon ran the Oregon PCT's 460 miles in 7 days, 19 hours and 23 minutes — an average of 57 miles per day. She set the record for both male and female runners. In the podcast — and …
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Fern hunt! How to harvest plants from Oregon's national forests for your backyard with a free permit
22:11
22:11
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In this edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about a program that allows harvesting plants from national and state forests and replanting them your own backyard.With the program, you can transplant ferns, saplings and even wildflowers into your own yard for free. It's called the "forest products free use permit" and we'll t…
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A guide to ‘wildflower hotspots’ and the best times to visit
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54:07
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In this episode, Zach talks about Oregon's wildflower hotspots and the best times to visit with expert Greg Lief. Lief, who runs the website OregonWildflowers.org and the Facebook group Oregon Wildflowers, talks about some of Oregon's most interesting blooms and the best times to visit places such as the Columbia Gorge, Old Cascades, Coast Range an…
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Steelhead rebound: Once at risk of extinction, Oregon's iconic fish has biggest year in two decades
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17:09
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about the rebound of one of Oregon's most iconic fish from near extinction. Urness was interviewed by Think Out Loud host Dave Miller on Oregon Public Broadcasting about why this year's run of winter steelhead in the Upper Willamette Basin was so special. After their population n…
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Oregon Desert Trail features canyons, dark sky, hot springs, solitude
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30:54
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In this episode, host Zach Urness revisits the Oregon Desert Trail, a challenging but beautiful route designed to open the eyes of hikers to the wonders of the high desert.Urness talks about why spring is a time to consider hiking or planning a short or long-distance trek along the 750-mile route that travels from just outside of Bend all the way t…
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The world's largest 'dark sky sanctuary' is established in SE Oregon
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43:20
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks about the recently established Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary — the largest such sanctuary in the world. The 2.5 million acre sanctuary, located east of Lakeview near towns such as Plush and Adel in southeast Oregon, becomes the largest dark sky sanctuary in the …
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Spring snow! Rustic lodge, hidden shelters and hot spring on Willamette Pass
24:29
24:29
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In this episode, host Zach Urness takes listeners to the snowy wonderland of Willamette Pass, a great place to visit during the spring snow season. Even as the days get warmer and longer, there is still lots of snow on Oregon's mountain passes, which makes for a fun recreation season for skiing, snowshoeing and other activities. Urness highlights a…
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In this episode, Zach talks about the beloved and troubled slot canyon known as Oneonta Gorge.Named by a famous photographer of the 19th Century, this was once gem in the Columbia Gorge that featured an off-trail trip below high walls to a dramatic waterfall.But Oneonta became one of the first places “blown up” by early social media, particularly I…
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With big snow coming, visit these stunning ice-covered waterfalls
29:20
29:20
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In this episode, Zach reposts an episode about visiting Oregon waterfalls covered in snow and ice.With heavy snow forecasted in the lower elevations of the Cascade Mountains this coming week, Zach decided to post a podcast he originally recorded four years ago that details the best places to ski or snowshoe to Oregon’s best waterfalls covered in sn…
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Ski or snowshoe to ice-covered waterfall, hot springs, lake, at Newberry Volcanic Monument
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In this episode, Zach Urness talks about a ski or snowshoeing trip to ice-covered Paulina Creek Falls in Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Central Oregon. Urness details what makes the trip unique, including a snowy waterfall, alpine lake, high peak, hot springs and even a backcountry restaurant. He talks about when and how to do the trip, how…
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The rise of Oregon search and rescue, from pioneer daring to the modern era
1:02:27
1:02:27
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with author Glenn Voelz about the rise of Oregon's search and rescue, from the pioneer age to the modern era.Voelz is author of the book "Oregon Search & Rescue: Answering the Call," which covers the state's best-known searchers, high-profile disasters and how both shaped modern …
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The future of Hoodoo Ski Area with manager Matthew McFarland
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30:25
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In this episode, Zach chats with Hoodoo Ski Area general manager Matthew McFarland. McFarland talks about a challenging 2023-24 season, the decision to allow more kids to ski for free and how to groom ski runs so they can be open with less snow than in the past. He also talks about the economics of running a smaller ski area that serves as a "feede…
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News roundup: Latest verdict in PacifiCorp trial, Oregon's' hot 2023, logging controversy
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22:53
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In this episode, Zach talks about some of the latest Oregon outdoors news including: -The latest $85 million verdict in the class action wildfire trial against PacifiCorp-How hot Oregon was in 2023 and the anniversary of the last Cascadia Subduction zone earthquake-A lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service for failing to suppress the Beachie Creek …
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Why does NW Oregon get such bad freezing rain events?
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23:11
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks to National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Burling about the most recent freezing rain event in the Willamette Valley. They discuss why the Willamette Valley and northwest Oregon is uniquely suited for impactful freezing rain events and ice build up, and what happens in the sky to create freezing rain. Z…
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Winter recreation season is here! Plus the glory and pain of Umpqua Hot Springs
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25:58
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In this episode, Zach Urness breaks down the incoming blizzard and beginning of winter recreation season, along with a feature on the glory and trouble of Umpqua Hot Springs. In the first half, Zach talks about the incoming snow, what impact it will have on winter recreation in Oregon and some suggestions for snowy places to travel. In the second h…
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness is joined by Hike Oregon's Franziska Weinheimer to pick their favorite destinations from the past year 2023. Urness and Weinheimer feature rafting trips, backpacking routes and snowy adventures with epic views in a podcast meant to help others plan their trips for the coming year.…
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Biggest outdoors news and environment stories of 2023
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30:19
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In this edition, host Zach Urness breaks down the 10 biggest news stories in Oregon's outdoors and environment from 2023. Urness details some good news, such as the continued population growth of the western snowy plover from the brink of extinction, and some bad news, such as the closing of Salem Summit Company, with lots of news and analysis in b…
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Best combination outdoor adventures and brewpubs-restaurants across Oregon
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52:40
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with guidebook author Matt Wastradowski about their favorite places for a combination outdoor adventure and meal or drink. They travel to every corner of the state, talking about some of the state's best brewpubs, cowboy diners and seafood stops that also happen to be near big mo…
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Snow and ski area openings, water crisis, now-hidden gem of the Oregon Coast
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In this edition, Zach talks about the massive winter storm arriving in Oregon's mountains — and ski areas that have announced openings — along with the drinking water crisis in Sweet Home and Lebanon, new permits for Mount Hood and a variety of other news stories. Urness touches on how to explore the landslide-closed road on Cascade Head and visit …
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An Oregon ghost town's illegal Black loggers showcased at museum in Joseph
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19:07
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In this episode, outdoors intern Olivia Stevens transports listeners to what was once a booming logging town in northeastern Oregon. It was also a town where Black people lived and worked at a time when it was illegal for them to do so because of Oregon's racist laws. Now, 100 years after the founding of Maxville, a descendant's efforts to bring to…
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Hikes and science abound at NE Oregon's Zumwalt Prairie Preserve
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21:50
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with outdoors intern Olivia Stevens about her experience exploring the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve in northeast Oregon. While the Zumwalt may not be the main draw for visitors to the Enterprise and Joseph area, its managers make a compelling case for taking the a remote drive there. Visitors to the prairie can h…
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Will this Oregon winter be snowy, rainy or dry? El Nino to have major impact
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22:39
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In this episode, host Zach Urness forecasts the upcoming winter with state climatologist Larry O'Neill. The two discuss whether this winter will be rainy, snowy, dry or warm, and looked at how the El Nino weather pattern would likely impact the next few months. Specifically, the two talked about how the strength of this year's El Nino could determi…
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A conversation with Oregon's godfather of sandboarding, Lon Beale
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness talks with the godfather of sandboarding in Oregon and across the world — Lon Beale. They talk about how to get started sandboarding on the Oregon Coast and its dunes, why it's so much fun and how the sport started. Beale talks about some of the best places to ride, how the sport has a…
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Eugene author Bob Welch details 'section hiking' the PCT over 11 years
33:46
33:46
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In this episode, outdoors intern Olivia Stevens takes listeners through a Eugene author's unusual strategy to finishing the Pacific Crest Trail. Rather than the traditional experience of completing the trail from the borders of Mexico to Canada in one go, Bob Welch hiked the 2,650 miles in 17 chunks over 11 years. Welch recently published a book ab…
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Why hasn't Oregon released investigation reports of the 2020 Labor Day Fires yet?
19:19
19:19
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In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about why fire investigation reports from the devastating 2020 Labor Day Fires still have not been finished or released by Oregon officials. Zach was interviewed about his in-depth reporting on the subject by Dave Miller, host of Think Out Loud on Oregon Public Broadcasting. They talk about where the investig…
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2023 wildfire season in review: Acres burned, homes lost, lessons learned
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30:45
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness breaks down Oregon's 2023 wildfire season and puts it in prospective compared to recent years. Zach details the acres burned, homes lost and air quality impact around Oregon, along with the biggest fires of the year and big takeaways from the season. Then he talks with Alex Robertson, …
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Guide to northeast Oregon's Wallowa Mountains
47:14
47:14
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Olivia Stevens talk about some of the best things to do in the Wallowa Mountains. Olivia highlights overlooked campsites, cultural sites and museums and some new hikes in northeast Oregon's Joseph-Enterprise-Wallowa Lake area. Then, Zach posts a full episode that br…
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Clear bottom kayaking at Wallowa Lake becomes a viral sensation
23:42
23:42
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In this episode of the Explore Oregon Podcast, host Zach Urness and outdoors intern Olivia Stevens walks listeners through a unique experience on Wallowa Lake in the remote northeastern town of Joseph. A small, family-run company out there recently became a viral sensation after a social media influencer posted a video paddling through the glacial …
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View Roosevelt elk and listen to them 'bugle' at Jewell Meadows refuge
18:56
18:56
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In this episode, outdoors intern Olivia Stevens brings listeners to Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area to watch and listen to one of Oregon's most majestic animals — Roosevelt elk. Jewell Meadows, located in the Coast Range east of Seaside, is popular place where visitors can see up to 200 elk in one visit. Stevens highlights the sound an elk makes while…
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A 'Ring of Fire' eclipse is coming to Oregon next month. Here's everything you need to know
32:57
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In this episode, Zach talks with University of Oregon astronomy professor Scott Fisher about the upcoming "ring of fire" solar eclipse. The annular eclipse, while not quite as dramatic as the 2017 total solar eclipse, will showcase the moon blocking the sun in Oregon beginning at 9:13 a.m. on Oct. 14 and traveling across a wide swath of the state. …
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In this episode, Zach breaks down how to boat camp at Waldo Lake in a year when many campgrounds and roads are still closed due to last year's Cedar Creek Fire. While two of the campgrounds at Waldo are closed, you are allowed to load up a canoe or kayak with camping equipment and head to "dispersed" campsites that dot the lake's shoreline. Zach ex…
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