Bonding on Brownfields in Oregon

The Oregon Brownfields Conference & Awards Luncheon held on April 29-May 1, 2018 was a combined family reunion and homecoming. Few conferences match the camaraderie shared by those who attend this gathering.

Tillamook representatives receiving an award.

The Salishan Conference Center was an idyllic setting to bond with longtime colleagues and bring new partners into the fold. Led by Karen Homolac of the Oregon Business and Development Department (aka BizOregon), and organized with by CCLR, the Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the 2-½ day event brought together excellent educational content and networking opportunities.

The 101 workshop organized CCLR is always a crowd favorite, and started with short pep talks from five respected land recycling experts, followed by concise presentations from CCLR, DEQ, EPA and Stantec. It culminated in a Family Feud review/quiz that generated energy leading up to a tour of Lincoln County brownfield sites.

Tour of Lincoln County brownfield sites

The conference had many highlights, including the awards ceremony, a screening of Built by Zidell, a David Bee film about the rise and remediation on the Zidell waterfront property along the Willamette River, a special tribute to Charlie Bartsch, and the Lightning-Fast Talks (20 slides, each for 20 seconds) that gave a whirlwind tour of brownfields across the world and the northwest.

Baker High giving a Lighting Presentation.

CCLR thanks the conference committee, organizers and major sponsors Stantec and Maul Foster Alongi, for bringing everybody together. Until 2020!

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