Just days after Oregon hunters and anglers were already fired up over the controversial IP28 ballot initiative, another major hunting story is making waves across the country, and this one could directly affect access to public lands across the Pacific Northwest. The...
Conservation
Were Wolves Once Native To Oregon? Growing Populations Fuel One Of The State’s Biggest Debates
Spend enough time in Oregon and eventually the wolf debate finds its way into the conversation. Maybe it starts around a campfire in Eastern Oregon. Maybe it shows up in the comments section online. Maybe it comes up after someone spots tracks near their property, or...
The Heartbreaking Story Of Keiko, The Real Orca Behind Free Willy And His Time In Oregon
For millions of people who grew up in the 1990s, Free Willy was more than just a movie. It was emotional, unforgettable, and for many kids, it was the very first time they questioned whether wild animals truly belonged in captivity. At the center of that movement was...
This Epic Oregon Drive-Thru Safari Lets You See Lions, Rhinos, And Giraffes Without Ever Leaving Your Car
There aren’t many places in the United States where you can watch a giraffe stroll past your windshield or hear a lion roar just a few yards away from your car. But in Southern Oregon, that experience is surprisingly real. Damara Zebra roam the grassy hills of...
Can You Actually Sell An Iconic Waterfall? Oregon Is About to Find Out
One of the Pacific Northwest’s most photographed waterfalls is officially on the market, and it’s setting off alarm bells across the state. That Oregon Life has been writing about this beloved spot since 2016, and ten years ago, I couldn't have imagined that I'd be...
New Life In Sanctuary For George the Chimpanzee, Rescued From West Coast Game Park Slum
For more than a decade, George lived in the shadows. He was a chimpanzee trapped in the recently shut-down West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon, Oregon, a place that billed itself as a family attraction, but behind the fences, told a different story. There were no...
Don’t Confuse Wildlife Safari in Winston With the Horror Show That Was West Coast Game Park Safari
This past week, Oregon made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. More than 300 animals were seized from the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon after authorities uncovered a nightmare behind its gates. Investigators described filthy, overcrowded enclosures,...
Amazon To Build Four New Nuclear Reactors On The Columbia To Power AI
Amazon has announced a partnership with Energy Northwest and X-energy to build four new nuclear reactors near Richland, Washington, aiming to power its growing AI models. This project will rely on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), a modern nuclear technology considered...
Size Of Gray Whales Is Shrinking – May Be Due To Changes In Ocean
Honey I shrunk... the whales? All joking aside, new research suggests that we as a species might have done just that. As humans, our impact on the environment has played a crucial role in global climate, ocean acidification, rising temperatures, plastic and other...
The Oregon Zoo’s Rhino Family Celebrates a 100 lb. Newborn Bundle of Joy
It's time for tiny trumpets and big smiles at the Oregon Zoo! On a cozy Monday night, something magical happened: the lovely 11-year-old eastern black rhino, Jozi, became a first-time mom to an adorable 100-pound baby! This tiny wonder is not just a bundle of joy but...
Whales, Tales, and Native Trails: OMSI’s Fascinating Orca Exhibit Rocks
Ever imagined standing face-to-face with the ocean's mightiest predator? Dream no more. At "Orcas: Our Shared Future", OMSI's current temporary exhibit, guests can journey alongside the waves of environmental heroes, pop culture icons, and deep-rooted Indigenous tales...
This Museum Is A Gem Nestled in the Scenic Beauty of The Gorge
As the golden rays of dawn kiss the Columbia River Gorge, there lies a treasure tucked into Washington State’s undulating landscapes: the Maryhill Museum of Art. This majestic edifice doesn't just serve as a repository for art; it's a testament to the vision of its...











