Rugged Oregon Coast

Oregon Offshore Wind Work Group

At the request of representatives from the renewable energy sector, fishing industry, labor unions, environmental groups, and other interests, Oregon Consensus facilitated an informal work group to explore the impacts and benefits of offshore wind along Oregon’s coast. This work group has recommended that Oregon develop an “Offshore Wind Roadmap with Exit Ramps.” The Roadmap … Read more

Oregon wind farm

OregonSmart Siting Collaboration

Oregon Consensus was asked by a coalition of nonprofit organizations engaged in renewable energy issues (Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council, Renewable Northwest, and Oregon Natural Desert Association) to help facilitate a collaborative effort around renewable energy facility siting. These groups recognize that there is the potential for expanding renewable energy in Oregon, but … Read more

Coastal forest

Oregon Department of Forestry, Recreation, Education and Innovation Program Strategic Visioning

The Recreation, Education, and Innovation (REI) program, housed within the State Forests Division of the Oregon Department of Forestry, is embarking on a strategic visioning process to develop internal agency agreement on a vision and common set of values for the REI program, as well as a process for future strategic planning that explores how … Read more

Recycling bales

Department of Environmental Quality – Updating Oregon’s Recycling Systems Project

Starting in October 2017, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) hosted meetings with local governments, recycling collectors, recycling processors, and industry representatives to address short-term responses to China’s 2018 ban on the import of certain recyclables from the United States. In May 2018, DEQ launched a longer-term planning process with a convening of these representative … Read more

Father with infant daughter

Newborn Screening Advisory Board

Northwest Regional Newborn Screening (NWRNBS) is a program of the Oregon Health Authority’s Oregon State Public Health Laboratory. NWRNBS has formed an advisory board to assist with the modernization of the program.  The advisory board is setting protocol and criteria for adding or removing conditions from the screening panel, and providing overall strategic advice to … Read more

Drop of water falling in a pool

Governor’s 100-Year Water Vision

Oregon’s natural resource agency leadership began a process to engage communities, experts, and interest groups to examine the Governor’s 100-Year Water Vision. The water vision was drafted as a starting place and an invitation to stakeholders, agencies, and tribes to help shape a long-term vision and plan for strategic investments in Oregon’s water and water … Read more

Research on Forestry and Estuarine Shellfish

An estuarine research project was conducted by PSU faculty from the Environmental Science and Management Department and others with funding from Oregon Sea Grant. The project, captioned “Linkages between forestry practices and Oregon’s estuarine shellfish,”clarified connections between forest management regimes and contaminants in estuarine shellfish to inform future forestry policy discussion. Oregon Consensus facilitated an … Read more

Columbia Basin Partnership

As a follow up from OC’s 2012 Columbia Basin Salmon and Steelhead Situation Assessment, NOAA fisheries held a basin-wide collaborative forum to reconcile overlapping efforts for salmon and steelhead into a consistent and comprehensive set of integrated goals that provide a common path toward recovery. OC provided consultation services to NOAA and others in support … Read more

Early Learning Hub Technical Assistance

The Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Early Learning Division recently completed a second-round application process for prospective Early Learning Hubs (ELH). Five new ELHs were approved. Two additional applicants were not selected, but were recommended to merge with existing ELHs. The Early Learning Division asked Oregon Consensus to provide technical assistance to help these seven … Read more

Columbia Gorge Commission Urban Area Policy Group

Oregon Consensus and the William D. Ruckelshaus Center conducted a convening assessment for The Columbia River Gorge Commission. The assessment explored opportunities to engage regional stakeholders in a collaborative effort to develop a comprehensive regional urban area policy for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The overall purpose of the project was to help … Read more

Region 1 Transportation Coordination Task Force

In 2014, Oregon Consensus convened the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Region 1 Transportation Coordination Task Force. The goal of the task force was to make recommendations to the Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) regarding formation of an Area Commission on Transportation (ACT) or similar public body in ODOT’s Region 1. (At that time, only Region … Read more

Governor’s Task Force on Genetically-Engineered Agriculture

Oregon Consensus provided facilitation services to the Oregon Governor’s Task Force on Genetically-Engineered Agriculture. The task force identified and framed the major issues between growers of genetically-engineered (GE) agricultural products and other producers, including organic growers. The task force also identified areas of alignment and disagreement related to GE and non-GE food products, including information … Read more

Health Care Transformation

Since 2012, Oregon Consensus has been providing the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) with a wide range of collaborative support to advance health care transformation in Oregon. Oregon Consensus services have included facilitation, conflict resolution, collaborative learning summits and public engagement meetings, as well as organizational consultation to support OHA’s ongoing work with Coordinated Care Organizations … Read more

Population Forecasting

Oregon law requires each county to prepare and update coordinated population forecasts for cities within the county. The population forecasts provide critical data for land use planning across the state, allowing communities to manage the demand for new land and evaluate development capacity. Historically, only half of Oregon counties were able to meet state requirements … Read more

Early Learning Hub Readiness

Oregon Consensus provided technical assistance to the Early Learning Division (ELD) to support the Division’s efforts to prepare applicants seeking approval to serve as Early Learning Hubs. The Early Learning Hubs are a new approach to community-based leadership that brings together schools, education providers, health care, social services and the private sector to build on … Read more

Transportation Assessment

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Metro, and Clackamas County engaged Oregon Consensus to conduct an assessment of transportation decision making processes in ODOT’s Region 1. The assessment also explored possibilities for a collaborative effort among stakeholders to increase public input into transportation policy, particularly input from under-represented areas of the region. The effort came … Read more