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Artwork for Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues

Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues

Zach Urness / Statesman Journal
Search and Rescue
Oregon Search and Rescue
Mount Hood
Oregon Desert Trail
Dark Sky Sanctuary
James Kim
Oregon Episcopal School
Outdoor Recreation
Eastern Oregon
Pacific Crest Trail
Hood River Crag Rats
Volunteer Organizations
Mazamas
Newberry Volcanic Monument
Oneonta Gorge
Oregon Outback
Backpacking
Owyhee Canyonlands
Oregon National Forests
Shellburg Falls

Everything to know about exploring Oregon's best outdoor destinations from the Statesman Journal including where to camp, hike, bike and more.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes224Founded8 years ago
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Science

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Artwork for Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues

Latest Episodes

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks about an in-depth story that he wrote about the past, present and future of Oregon's timber industry. The story and podcast look at the history of Oregon's most important and influential industry and the curren... more

In this episode, host Zach Urness talks with Oregon State Representative Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, about landmark legislation to protect Oregon wildlife and a host of other legislative issues. Helm talked about passage of a bill to rise $38 million for ... more

In this episode, host Zach Urness reposts a conversation with author Glenn Voelz about the rise of Oregon's search and rescue, from the pioneer age to the modern era. Voelz is author of the book "Oregon Search & Rescue: Answering the Call," which cov... more

In this episode, host Zach Urness dives into the sale of 92-foot Abiqua Falls and the effort to preserve it as a new park. Urness talks with outdoors writer and author Adam Sawyer about what makes Abiqua Falls so special and the unique space it's occ... more

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Recent Guests

Ken Helm
Oregon State Representative, Democrat of Beaverton
Oregon State Legislature
Episode: Oregon lawmaker talks major wildlife bill, public lands and controversial waterway permits
Adam Sawyer
Outdoors writer and guidebook author
Episode: Spectacular Abiqua Falls is for sale. What to know about the effort to preserve it
Randy Dersham
Director of the documentary 'Oregon's Boat'
Documentary Film Director
Episode: Repost: How the McKenzie River Drift Boat became world famous
Pete Wallstrom
Longtime raft guide and business owner
Oregon Outfitters and Guides Association
Episode: What outdoors bills are coming to the Oregon Legislature in 2026? Wildlife, liability, permits
Debbie Colbert
Director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the first woman to hold that position.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Episode: Trailblazing Oregon Fish and Wildlife director talks fishing fees, wolves, coho boom and more
Dan Shryock
An award-winning journalist and travel writer dedicated to cycling in Oregon.
Episode: The glory of Oregon's 'scenic bikeways' with author Dan Shryock
Mike Gurley
Expert mountaineer and climb leader with the Shemeckadins
Chamecadans
Episode: 10 best Oregon mountain climbs that don't require ropes
Lisa Sumpton
Director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Episode: Oregon's state parks face closures and cuts. Here's the director's plan to avoid that
Franziska Weinheimer
Owner and operator of Hike Oregon
Hike Oregon
Episode: 10 spectacular backpacking trips for each month of summer (repost)

Host

Zach Urness
Host of Explore Oregon Podcast, Statesman Journal

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 138 ratings
  • Wish there was a different host…

    The subject matter of this show is great and I love that it spans local history, outdoor opportunities and natural resource issues. However I find the host to be lackluster, to the point where I have bailed on some episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Sitka541
    United Statesa year ago
  • Stay out of Oregon!!!!!

    The last thing Oregon needs is more tourists to come and disrespect the land and locals.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    plopler
    United States2 years ago
  • Host is the best

    I always learn from this podcast. The host is great and makes we want to explore all the places he talks about.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    growinthesun
    United States2 years ago
  • Great info! Love this podcast

    Hey, thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge! I really appreciate your info. Great podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mountainlivin
    United States2 years ago
  • Outstanding journalism & information

    I moved to Oregon in 2018 and luckily discovered this podcast shortly there after. Zach Urness produces well research highly interesting content that has enhanced my understanding of Oregon and nature in general. I enjoy this podcast so much I share it with friends and family, and have actually almost subscribed to the statesman based on the podcast alone. Zach, if you read these reviews, I am really curious about the music that starts every show. Is that your guitar playing or someone else’s?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jamwcats
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and topics are commonly described as informative, engaging, and helpful for planning trips or understanding local issues.
Some listeners critique the hosting style or production consistency, noting that delivery or audio levels can vary between episodes.
Listeners repeatedly praise the host for being well-researched and a strong interviewer, with many saying the show inspires them to explore Oregon's places.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Oregon's greatest disasters fueled rise of search and rescue (repost)
Q: What was the most surprising finding in your research?
The depth of Oregon's early involvement in SAR, including how volunteer groups formed the backbone of rescue efforts long before formal systems existed, and how the mountain rescue culture evolved through decades of innovation and tragedy.
How Oregon's greatest disasters fueled rise of search and rescue (repost)
Q: What inspired you to write this history of search and rescue, and specifically in Oregon?
Voelz cites a lifelong interest in history, his experience as a SAR volunteer, and the curiosity to document Oregon's distinctive, club-driven SAR origins and how failures spurred progress.
Spectacular Abiqua Falls is for sale. What to know about the effort to preserve it
Q: How do you feel about the fact that it's for sale?
I have strong feelings about it; the preservation of natural resources for the public good is crucial.
Spectacular Abiqua Falls is for sale. What to know about the effort to preserve it
Q: What is the history of ownership of Abiqua Falls?
Abiqua Falls has been owned by the Mount Angel Abbey since 1908, which has always allowed public access.
Will Oregon's mountains get any more snow this winter? Plus, where did 2025 rank in terms of heat, rain?
Q: How did we get to the third hottest year on record without those real noticeable things?
Nighttime lows were particularly warm during the summer, contributing to the overall temperature ranking.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show consistently centers on Oregon's outdoors, history, and natural-resource issues, weaving engaging destination features with timely policy and environmental topics. Episodes frequently explore conservation, public-access debates, climate and weather impacts on recreation, and the stories behind trails, waterfalls, and iconic landmarks. A recurring strength is pairing on-the-ground guides and subject-matter experts with accessible storytelling, offering practical trip ideas alongside deeper context about land use, wildlife management, and community stewardship. A notable edge is its ability to connect vivid outdoor experience with the policy and science shaping access and safety, which is valuable for listeners who plan trips, seek d... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. OPB Politics Now
2. Think Out Loud
3. City Cast Portland
4. Peak Northwest
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 224 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Ken Helm
2. Adam Sawyer
3. Randy Dersham
4. Pete Wallstrom
5. Debbie Colbert
6. Dan Shryock
7. Mike Gurley
8. Lisa Sumpton

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