Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow, and Oregon Leads the Way!
Sit down and pour yourself a cup of Stumptown coffee because we’re about to take a delightful journey down memory lane, tracing the path Oregon took to lead the country in sustainable building practices.
A Tale Rooted in 70s Portland
The backstory begins in the heart of Portland in the 1970s, when the city still had that new-book smell we all know and love. Back then, Oregon was just another average state unaware of the pioneering role it would play in sustainable living. When the Tom McCall Waterfront Park replaced the Harbor Drive freeway, Oregonians began to see the potential of ushering in an era of environmental consciousness. What was originally viewed as an oddball choice – replacing a freeway for a park – sparked a deep-seated love for sustainability that would waft over the entire state.
Building the Bridge to Sustainability
Much like the resilient moss that clings to our trees here in Oregon, these early inklings of environmental concern stuck around and started to influence all aspects of life. The Mill Ends Park, the world’s smallest park tucked away on a median strip in Portland downtown, might have seemed like a funny little local oddity, but it showed how Oregon positively reveled in its quirky, green identity.
But how did Oregon transition from feeling a mere nibble of the sustainability bug to becoming a full-blown leader in sustainable building?
The Rise of Eco-Consciousness in Oregon
The magic truly started with the opening of a humble recycling center in Eugene named Bring Recycling in 1971. It proved to be more important than winning the Civil War football game against those pesky Beavers. It sparked an eco-consciousness that spread quicker than the delightful aroma of marionberry pie baking in grandma’s oven.
The establishment of the Energy Trust of Oregon in 2001 was another milestone. It offered incentives to Oregon businesses and homesteads for adopting energy-efficient practices. The impact of the Energy Trust has been felt all the way from Astoria’s misty coastline to the high desert of Bend.
“The Bullitt Center Model” of Construction
In 2013, the straw that really stirred the Sustainability Cocktail was the completion of the Bullitt Center in Seattle – a building so green that it’s practically a douglas fir! Oregon builders saw this and thought, “Why have just a tree when we can have the entire forest?” Thus, they embarked on a journey to retrofit existing buildings and establish new constructions aimed at net-zero energy usage and minimal environmental impact.
The “Bullitt Center Model” was soon incorporated into Oregon constructions. For instance, in the heart of Pearl District stands the striking twelve-story edifice, “The Radiator.” This LEED-certified building, constructed in 2015, was the result of a community that simply adored the idea of sustainability.
Today’s Eco-Cities of Oregon
Fast-forward to today, Oregon has developed several ecologically conscious districts in different cities. The Lloyd ecoDistrict in Portland, and the River Road/ Santa Clara neighborhood in Eugene, are just two examples. These districts serve as upto-date symbols of Oregon’s commitment to sustainable practices just as much as the beloved Powell’s City of Books symbolizes our state’s unwavering dedication to the written word.
Oregon’s journey to sustainable living has been a steady and firm side-step from the country’s “bigger-is-better” ideal. It’s a dance imbued with the spirit of Portland’s famous sidewalk stencils stating “Keep Portland Weird”. Truth be told, if being a leader in sustainable living is weird, then may we be as delightfully odd as a squid juggling bagpipes!
Oregon: An Unsung Eco-Hero
In embracing sustainable practices over the decades, Oregon has remained as unpretentious as a Deschutes ale on tap. While other states may have taken more glamorous routes to eco-fame, Oregon has progressed quietly and diligently like a dresser full of socks knitted from locally-sourced wool.
Everywhere from the PDX carpet to the Tillamook ice cream vault, the sturdy and sustainable Oregon spirit is present. It’s embedded in every raindrop that cascades down from our trademark gray skies, every gust of wind weaving through the Columbia River Gorge, every sight of the exquisite Beacon Rock, and every footfall in our forest trails peppered with Ponderosa Pines.
So next time you find yourself gazing at our gorgeous Oregon sky, take a moment to appreciate not only the raw beauty of the Beaver State, but also the concerted effort that has gone into preserving that beauty for generations to come. Remember that Oregon never simply wakes up, it rises – just like the grand Mt. Hood rising above the horizon – continually forging the path of sustainability for the rest of the country to follow.
As they say around here, “The secret to getting ahead is getting started. And boy, have we started.” There’s so much more to explore, and each of us can play a part. Because that’s just the Oregon way, isn’t it?