On May 19, we teamed up with the Oregon Ocean Alliance to lead an inspiring group of youth advocates at the State Capitol in Salem for Oregon Ocean Youth Lobby Day, speaking up together to protect the future of our coast. We met with state representatives to advocate for two important ocean bills focused on protecting Oregon’s vital eelgrass habitats and rocky shore ecosystems.
Students from the University of Oregon and Oregon State University led nearly 20 lobby meetings with legislators and their staff, from both sides of the aisle, to talk about ways to keep our ocean healthy.
Right now, there are two key bills in the Oregon legislature (HB3580 and HB3587) that help support two vital ecosystems along our coast: rocky habitats and eelgrass meadows. Both of these ecosystems help support wildlife, coastal resilience and coastal communities but are at risk from the effects of climate change, human interaction and pollution. The agencies and programs that manage these areas are also underfunded and under resourced, which is why Oregon’s youth were lobbying for these bills at the Capitol.
The Oregon Coast belongs to all Oregonians. With these bills, we have the chance to help secure a more sustainable future for our shores as well as for our younger generation who will inherit these places in the future.
