Barbara Bernstein

On December 14 the Portland City Council unanimously passed an historic ordinance banning new bulk fossil fuel terminals in the city, a bold move that commits the city to transition away from fossil fuels. This victory for climate justice is the result of over two years of ... Read more

The Portland area prides itself on its extensive network of parks and natural areas. But these amenities are something we cannot just take for granted. How do we ensure that all area residents have access to nature and why is this so important? On this episode of Locus Foc... Read more

As we continue to try to make sense of where the world is hurtling toward as Donald Trump prepares to become the 45th president of the United States, we follow up on last week's discussion about the fight to keep gigantic fossil fuel projects from being built in the Northwe... Read more

With the election of Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, how do we go forward to protect the Pacific Northwest from the ravages of fossil fuel development? On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with Dan Serres, Columbia Riverkeeper Conservation Direct... Read more

One of the more pernicious false choices you hear in debates about trees and redevelopment in Portland is the idea that we must “choose” between trees and their public health benefits and the urgent need for affordable housing. Preserving more, larger trees and space for ne... Read more

As we stagger past the shock and dismay of this presidential election, it's important that we understand what we must do as individuals and as a community to counter the forces that have been unleashed by the election of Donald Trump. To help us navigate these difficult wat... Read more

Oregon's statewide land use laws, dating back to 1973, have done a pretty good job of protecting farmland around the state. But they are not doing nearly as a good a job protecting land for growing food. As the price of farmland in the Willamette Valley soars, it's getting ... Read more

Trees play an extraordinarily important role in our cityscapes. They are living landmarks that define space, cool the air, soothe our psyches, connect us to nature and even improve our health. On this episode of Locus Focus we talk with Jill Jonnes, author of URBAN FORESTS... Read more

Since 2010, Ascot Resources has been trying to get a permit to conduct exploratory drilling for gold, copper and molybdenum deposits on Mt. St. Helens, with plans to ultimately develop a mine. The proposed drilling project is located just outside the boundary of the Mount S... Read more

According to the American Farmland Trust, fifty acres of prime agricultural land are paved over and developed every hour in North America. At the same time the number of farmers is declining while the human population is expected to eclipse eight billion in just over a deca... Read more