More than 70 Groups release Common Conservation Priorities at Capitol

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Kendra Kimbirauskas
Cell: 503-997-7438

For Immediate Release: February 28, 2005

     More than 70 Groups release Common Conservation Priorities at Capitol

250 Oregonians travel to Salem to Ask Decision Makers to Support Pro-Environment Legislation

Salem, OR  More than 250 Oregonians from as far away as Ashland gathered today in Salem for the release of the Oregon Conservation Network’s (OCN) “Common Agenda” at Environmental Lobby Day 2005.              

The OCN is a coalition representing more than 70 conservation-minded organizations from around the State of Oregon.  For the first time since its beginnings in 1995, the member groups of the OCN have worked together to create a set of seven environmental priorities for the Oregon Legislature. Citizens from across the state took the opportunity today to speak to their decision-makers about those priorities.

“The environmental community has always worked together,” said Jed Jorgensen, Political Director for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters Education Fund. “However, this is the first year where we are collectively pooling our energy and resources on key pro-environment priorities.” 

Citizens attending Environmental Lobby Day met with their state legislators to ask them to ensure environmental safeguards pertaining to one or more of the seven “Common Agenda” items. The Common Agenda includes a range of proposals from preventing any weakening of Oregon’s current environmental laws, to eliminating toxic chemicals from Oregon’s rivers, to the promotion of biodiesel fuels.

“I have six grandchildren,” said Donna Fogelstrom, a registered Republican from Creswell, Oregon. “I came today because I want to encourage my representatives to take a stand and clean up our rivers so that my grandkids and their children have a safe place to play, fish and swim.”

At today’s press conference, Senate President Kate Brown and Senator Charlie Ringo were on hand to endorse the work of the OCN. 

“These days the environmental community is receiving a lot of attention around the Capitol,” said Senator Charlie Ringo a Democrat from Beaverton. “It’s great to see such coordination around a pro-active environmental agenda.” 

“The ‘Common Agenda’ proposes common sense solutions to some of the greatest threats to Oregon’s quality of life,” he added.

The Oregon Conservation Network is a project of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters’ Education Fund.