WALLOWA COUNTY — Environment Oregon is returning east of the Cascades this summer for two events.

The organization is celebrating everything that makes state parks special, conservation advocate Justin Boyles said, while also connecting with local officials, community members and business owners.

Up first is Oregon state park trivia night from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, at Terminal Gravity Brewery, 803 School St., in Enterprise. Boyles invited everyone to come out, test your knowledge and there is the chance you walk away with a fun prize.

“It’s proving to be a fun way to connect with people in the community,” Boyles said. “It is a fun, engaging way to teach people how amazing our state parks are.”

The venue hosting trivia night usually provides the first prize, Boyles said, such as a gift certificate or a free round of beverages. Second place might go home with some fun “protect our parks” stickers.

Boyles added he typically talks with local business owners who support Oregon state parks to gather more prizes.

Then from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on June 6, Environment Oregon is hosting a guided walk at Minam State Recreation Area in partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The walks are typically 1 to 2 miles long, Boyles said, but will be adjusted based on the needs of those in attendance.

“It’s not meant to be a strenuous walk,” he said. “It’s meant to be a walk and talk.”

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Park Manager Brian Vaughan will join Boyles for the walk. The group will stroll and learn about what makes Minam State Recreation Area special — highlighting the landscape, as well as flora, fauna and fungi. Attendees also will learn about what specific challenges a park such as the recreation area faces.

“A big thing around here is actually struggling with keeping invasive weeds — invasive species down,” Boyles said.

Both events are free and open to all ages. Those interested in attending should RSVP for trivia night here and for the Minam walk here.

Support Oregon’s State Parks Campaign

Environment Oregon is a state-wide nonprofit organization based in Portland that works for clean air, clean water and clean energy in the state and works to protect wildlife and open spaces.

As part of the organization’s Support Oregon’s State Parks campaign, Environment Oregon is looking at ways to bring more reliable and robust funding to the state park system.

What if, rather than having Oregonians pay for day use passes or annual passes to access parks, there was an optional fee people could pay when registering their cars that would go toward supporting state parks?

Out-of-state visitors still would need to pay for day use passes.

The fee would be priced to be less expensive than the price of an annual pass and indexed to inflation.

Currently, Boyles said, the organization is working to identify legislative champions, while simultaneously raising awareness amongst Oregonians about this idea. The fact that it is an optional fee on vehicle registration really resonates with people

“We’re continuing to get a resounding yes from so many Oregonians from so many different walks of life and in so many different places,” Boyles said. “Our state parks are absolutely amazing places. They deserve to be supported.”