Oregon Field Guide

Series / 35 Seasons

Oregon Field Guide is your destination for outdoor recreation, ecology, natural resource and travel stories from across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

26m 30s

Eulachon Smelt

9m 50s / TV-G

Oregonians over 40 remember the fun of dipping nets into rivers alive with huge runs of eulachon smelt. Today, the tiny, mild-flavored fish is officially listed as "Threatened" and their harvest is radically restricted by state fish and wildlife managers. In large part, the listing is thanks to action by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.

Slot Canyon Geology

5m 25s / TV-G

Inspired by our recent visits to the Valhalla slot canyon, we wondered just how these unusual features form. PSU emeritus professor of geology, Scott Burns takes us to Oneonta Gorge and explains how it all comes about and shows us how new technologies are allowing us to find more of them.

Who's Watching Oregon's Wildlife

9m 18s / TV-G

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has a mission to protect all species in the state. But even by its own admission it’s failing. The agency spends money on the fish and the game animals that make money from licenses and tags. It neglects hundreds of other sensitive species.

Mecate Rope Maker

8m 20s

98-year old Frankie Dougal carries on a ranch tradition of horsehair “mecate” ropemaking and is passing it on to the next generation in the southeast Oregon town of Jordan Valley. (Update: Frankie passed away in 2017, at the age of 99.)

Fat Bikes

6m 27s / TV-G

Winters in the Northwest are becoming warmer and wetter as the climate changes. And that spells trouble for skiers and snowboarders as well as the communities that depend on those snow sports. But a new winter sport is gaining traction.

Disappearing Meadows

10m 27s / TV-G

Natural meadows – from the high cascades to the coast – are disappearing. The reasons include climate warming, fire suppression, grazing, debris flows, etc. that encourage invasive plants and trees to take over open ground. We follow researchers as they track the progress of the destruction and restoration teams stemming the loss of these diverse ecosystems and the species that depend on them.

Columbia River Bar Pilots

16m 10s / TV-G

Field Guide follows bar pilots as they encounter crashing surf, unpredictable currents and fierce winds of the infamous Columbia River Bar—a gauntlet that has killed nearly 2,000 men and sunk 700 vessels since record-keeping began.

John Day River Paddleboarding

12m 35s / TV-G

Adventurous stand-up paddleboarders embark on a multi-day journey down the John Day River. When everything has to fit on your board, how do you pack? How are rapids negotiated while standing up? What's it like to experience four days of raw geologic splendor in the John Day canyon? "SupPaul" Paul Clark shows us why "Adventure SUP" is a great new way to get down the river.

Behind The Scenes On Valhalla

11m 50s / TV-G

We take you behind the scenes of our largest, most dangerous expedition ever. You will see just what went into this unparalleled adventure of discovery as we travel deep into the wilderness to explore and reveal a hidden geologic wonder right here in Oregon.

Desert Plants

9m 47s / TV-G

The American Indian inhabitants of upper Harney County never developed agriculture — they didn’t need to. The high desert land offers plenty of hunting and gathering of edible plants, if you know where and when to look.

Field Guide Producer Vince Patton

12m 22s / TV-G

Oregon Field Guide's producer Vince Patton prepares for retirement. Vince shares stories from life on the road with Field Guide, memories from his 35 years in the business, and archival clips from his long distinguished career. We'll be wishing Vince well on his new life adventures.

2nd Grade on the Bay

6m 3s / TV-G

Children learn that sea cucumbers can be softer than the look and crabs tickle when they crawl up their arms. In Tillamook, Oregon, all second graders get a lesson in ocean life that takes them from the classroom to the tide pools near Netarts Bay. The science program has become an annual tradition called 2nd grade day at the bay.

Backyard Habitat

7m 25s / TV-G

Portland’s Backyard Habitat program encourages homeowners to plant native species, avoid pesticides and remove invasive weeds. The goal is to attract more birds to usable habitat in the city. Recently, local scientists began testing to see if native plants really do make a difference ecologically. Early results show many do attract more insects, bird food, than non-native ornamentals.

OFG Nature Break: Silver Falls State Park

51s / TV-G

Tired of all the rain? Silver Falls State Park is great to visit all year, but it is a rainforest ecosystem and is maybe best seen this time of year. The waterfalls are booming and the moss is dripping!

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