Left to Right: Brenda María Trejo Rosas (Agency Environmental Justice Coordinator, Office of Equity); Renee Trexler (VIP Station Operations Manager); Hillarie Sales (Air Quality Program Coordinator); Chris Varley (Air Quality Public Affairs Specialist) and Valerie Arkell (Water Quality, Basin Specialist).
On April 23, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality joined organizations from across the state. They gathered at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) to celebrate Pacific Northwest Forests at the OMSI After Dark event in Portland, Oregon. The event drew hundreds of Portlanders eager to engage with the exhibits and organizations and to celebrate the natural wonders of the forests for the 55th anniversary of Earth Day!
At the outreach event, a group of DEQ colleagues showcased the agency’s numerous efforts. They aim to restore, maintain, and enhance the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. The attendees included a vibrant array of community partners, members, vendors, and gnomes (yes, gnomes!)
Many folks expressed being familiar with DEQ’s Vehicle Inspection Program (VIP) program. Go DEQ VIP! Folks eagerly spoke with Renee Trexler (VIP Station Operations Manager) about vehicle emissions testing.
Many attendees were also surprised to learn that DEQ’s work expands beyond VIP. Indeed, just like a forest is not an isolated tree, DEQ is not an isolated program. One program alone cannot achieve DEQ’s mission. One person alone cannot achieve DEQ’s mission. The success of the agency is dependent on inclusive collaborations across media and between employees. The success of the DEQ-OMSI community engagement and outreach project was made possible by DEQ employees collaborating and supporting each other.
The following are descriptions of some of the DEQ-led activities at the event:
Safe and Clean Air for All
Air Quality is essential for achieving a healthy environment. Chris Varley (Air Quality Public Affairs Specialist) and Hillarie Sales (Air Quality Program Coordinator) increased the public’s awareness of various air quality programs. Sales engaged attendees in a card game about criteria air pollutants. The card game was created as part of DEQ’s Community Air Action Planning (CAAP) pilot program. The CAAP program aims to increase communities’ air quality knowledge and capacity for collective action.
DEQ’s communications team helped organize and coordinate DEQ employees participating at the OMSI Earth Day After Dark Event. Varley showcased science communication skills. He provided attendees the opportunity to engage with DEQ’s Air Quality Index. This activity increased awareness about the accurate scientific data concerning Oregon’s air quality. This data is collected and shared by the Air Quality Monitoring section of DEQ’s Laboratory and Environmental Assessment Division.
Cleanup and Rulemaking
Staff working on DEQ’s Environmental Cleanup Program including: Dr. Franziska Landes (Senior Environmental Scientist and Hydrologist), Dr. Sarah Van Glubt (Project Manager, Cleanup Program). Annie Rohlf (Public Affairs Specialist, Cleanup Program) provided information in various languages about a proposed rule to classify certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous substances and how to submit a public comment. Attendees at the event were encouraged to submit a public comment. Approximately, one third of the comments submitted for the comment period were from folks who attended the OMSI event.
Clean and Safe Drinking Water for All
Valerie Arkell (Water Quality, Basin Specialist) provided a poster describing the benefits of riparian vegetation, as well as flash cards and hand outs describing some of the aquatic macro invertebrates that make their homes in these riparian habitats. We also provided stickers with an emphasis on trees and fish to engage conversations and promote enthusiasm about water quality!
Science Communication Advances Environmental Justice
DEQ scientists have established a collaborative partnership with OMSI. This partnership provides innovative opportunities for DEQ. These opportunities allow DEQ to engage in effective and inclusive science communication with the public. DEQ Environmental Cleanup Program is home to one of those scientists: Dr. Blair Paulik Aguilar (Senior Technical Policy Analyst)!
In 2015, Aguilar completed a science communication fellowship with OMSI. She has continued to volunteer and work with the organization. Aguilar’s commitment centers on environmental justice principles and equity in her work. This aligns with OMSI’s commitment to bringing science to as many people as possible. DEQ and OMSI are dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers by addressing disparities in public engagement.
Special Kudos
The event couldn’t have turned out so well without the following people who supported the project’s planning and implementation.
- Stephanie Caldera (Operations and Policy Analyst; Materials Management) provided outreach materials and moral support.
- DEQ’s Facilities and Fleet Coordinator who made printing of materials possible. Ultimately advancing language justice and accessibility to DEQ decision making.
- Franziska Landes (Senior Environmental Scientist and Hydrogeologist) provided informational material to be handed out at the event.
- Annie Rohlf (Environmental Cleanup Program Public Affairs Specialist), provided DEQ labels to label seed bombs.
- DEQ’s Materials Management provided display materials at the event.
The need to collaborate with communities and DEQ staff (beyond air, land and water quality programs) is more important now than ever. We look forward to more opportunities like this one to work with Oregon communities and partners.
By Brenda María Trejo Rosas, Agency Environmental Justice Coordinator, Office of Equity