Earlier this week, Oregon Governor Kate Brown shared the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s work on a global stage when she served as a panelist on a session titled “Partnerships to Reduce Wasted Food on the American West Coast” at COP26, the 2021 United Nations climate change conference.
Author Archives: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Two Decades of Work Result in Meeting Water Quality Standards for Bacteria in the Lower Columbia Slough
ou might not know this, but keeping poop out of the water is a lot of work! The Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for keeping Oregon’s waters safe and healthy and restoring streams and lakes from sources of nonpoint source pollution, such as bacteria from human and animal waste. This is a long-term investment that takes a combination of resources, partnerships and time.
DEQ partnership will provide affordable loans for failing septic systems in Oregon
An affordable loan program is again available for homeowners and small businesses in Oregon to repair or replace failing septic systems. Fixing or replacing failing septic systems benefits Oregonians by protecting public health and addressing threats to water quality. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and regional nonprofit lender Craft3 are teaming up to makeContinue reading “DEQ partnership will provide affordable loans for failing septic systems in Oregon”
Episode 4 – Recycling Transformation in Oregon
DEQ’s most recent podcast is on the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act. Do you feel like you’re not sure what can actually be recycled? Where is all that recycling going? Is it just being thrown away? What about the people making all this packaging – shouldn’t they be contributing to the solution? DEQ hadContinue reading “Episode 4 – Recycling Transformation in Oregon”
Oregon awards Oregon Green Schools $10,000 grant
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has awarded Oregon Green Schools $10,000 to help the nonprofit transition from a fully volunteer organization to establishing a more formal structure, including a small, paid professional staff. This shift will strengthen and expand OGS’s activities with schools across the state. Photos: Students complete the Oregon Green Schools GreenContinue reading “Oregon awards Oregon Green Schools $10,000 grant”
DEQ staff spotlight on Lynda Viray, in honor of Filipino American History Month
Filipino Americans make up one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States with nearly 20,000 residing in the State of Oregon. Every October we celebrate Filipino heritage to increase awareness of the significant role Filipinos have played in American history. We had the opportunity to talk to Lynda Viray, someone who knows firstContinue reading “DEQ staff spotlight on Lynda Viray, in honor of Filipino American History Month”
New “Bad Apple” campaign helps Oregonians save money by keeping foods fresher, longer
Spoiled food is costing Oregon households real money. In fact, every year the average household loses $1,600 by throwing away spoiled food. And while many people are already taking steps to reduce food waste, research funded by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality found that 85% of Oregon households agreed they could do more toContinue reading “New “Bad Apple” campaign helps Oregonians save money by keeping foods fresher, longer”
Fire clouds: Pyrocumulus, firenados and more
The sight of a pyrocumulus cloud just makes your jaw drop. “You go, ‘Oh my, wow,’ ” Peter Brewer, wildfire smoke coordinator for the Oregon Department says in a bonus episode of GreenState. Pyrocumulus clouds form over wildfires and can tower thousands of feet into the sky. Smoke is a main ingredient. Learn more aboutContinue reading “Fire clouds: Pyrocumulus, firenados and more”
Bonus Pods!
Every once in a while, a particular part of a story will catch our interest. When we thing you will also find it interesting, we make a Bonus Pod. Listen to the podcast on: SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. List of Bonus Pods by date (most recentContinue reading “Bonus Pods!”
DEQ receives EPA’s 2021 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is a recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2021 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award. EPA’s announcement of the 33 award winners on Sept. 22 coincides with Pollution Prevention Week. The award recognizes outstanding achievement in the design, manufacture, promotion and use of environmentally friendly products inContinue reading “DEQ receives EPA’s 2021 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award”