Clean air, clean water, green places we can go to relax or play – they’re practically our birthright as Oregonians. In 2006, I helped pass the largest bond measure in history to buy natural areas critical to protecting our air and water quality as well as wildlife habitat. Through my work at Metro, I also helped purchase over 10,000 acres of natural areas, and invest over 20 million dollars into local parks projects, connecting people to nature throughout the region. Combined with common sense protections of streams and riverbanks, we can continue to enjoy nature in and around our communities.
Fostering Oregonians’ intimate relationship with nature can’t stop with us, though: we’ve got to inspire future generations to treasure and safeguard it as we do. Last year, I convinced the majority of the Metro Council to fund Outdoor School. My goal is to give every 6th grader in the Metro region the chance to experience the magic and discovery of spending a week learning in nature. Many school districts have already re-started, expanded or kept their Outdoor School programs for this reason.
A Record of Success:
- I helped pass the largest bond measure in history to buy natural areas critical to protecting our air and water quality as well as wildlife habitat
- I helped secure 20 million dollars’ investment into local parks projects
- I saved funding for Outdoor School. Now every 18,000 6th graders in the region can experience nature.