Oregon Field Guide

The Klamath River now flows free for hundreds of miles from Southern Oregon to the ocean. But after the largest dam removal project in the U.S., challenges remain. Water shortages in the upper basin fuel toxic bacteria, disease outbreaks and conflicts over endangered fish as salmon swim upstream for the first time in a century.

Judy Li explores an overlooked world of critters living in Oregon’s streams; scientists study the causes of dust devils to better understand the challenges facing future explorers on Mars; Pamela Slaughter formed People of Color Outdoors (POCO) to bring people together in nature.

Join a quest in search of the quietest place in Oregon; A camping 101 guide to those new to outdoor life; Merlin Sheldrake sees the world from the mushroom’s perspective.

Portland urban naturalist Mike Houck tracks great blue herons on the Willamette River; Garden railways combine model railroads with imaginative outdoor landscapes; Small acts of kindness are an integral part of the Pacific Crest Trail experience.

The Gambler 500 is an off-road, rally-style event where drivers drive zany cars and collect huge amounts of trash; The Klamath Tribes hope to restore a “first food” called wocus in Southern Oregon wetlands; NASA scientists test autonomous dog-like robots in Northern California caves in preparation for future missions to the Mars.

Red-legged frogs cross a busy Portland highway with help from the “Frog Taxi ; Lower Elwha Klammal tribe celebrates the Elwha River’s recovery 12 years after dam removal; Scientists search for colliding black holes from inside a mysterious facility built on the windy steppe of eastern Washington.

Alan Case is on a quest to shoot an arrow farther than any human in history; Cayuse tribal member, Gabe Sheoships, explores explores connections between migratory fish, urban forests, and community stewardship; The community of St. Helens' hosts an annual sandcastle contest which features 18 teams creating stunning sculptures in 3 days.

Treasure hunters clean up the Deschutes River and return lost “loot” to their owners. A rare “raised bog” evokes wonder on the Olympic Peninsula. “Cat parents” take their adventurous felines hiking, snowshoeing, and paddleboarding!