Environmental Steward

Local Spotlight: For Pride Month, we recognize the work of Vernonia, Oregon resident, Michael Calhoun. Learn more about the important environmental stewardship work Michael has been doing in his own words below.

I became interested in the environment growing up in a log cabin on a creek in Vernonia Oregon. Being exposed to all the nature and wildlife that surrounded me shaped my life. My parents were part of the back to land movement.

I am currently the Board Chair of the Columbia Soil & Water Conservation District where I was endorsed by the Sierra Club and Our Revolution. I work with a diverse group of stakeholders, offering people of the community assistance to sustain local natural resources. In 2023 I was appointed by the Governor of Oregon to serve on the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program. I formally served as Chair of the Upper Nehalem Watershed Council.

I hold a B.A. in Communication Studies from Western Oregon University and a Post B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon. I also have earned over 50 professional certifications from various organizations and institutions.

I was honored to be the recipient of the Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Award from the Oregon Department of Forestry & Oregon Community Trees. I have also received the Daily Point of Light Award from Points of Light.

Vernonia has given so much to me that I enjoy being involved and giving back to my community. The following are highlighted projects that I have worked on locally over the years.

I worked to bring a Hiroshima Peace Tree to the City of Vernonia. It is a program between Oregon and Japan as a way to promote peace. Seedlings were sprouted from Ginkgo trees that survived the atomic blast of WW2 and were planted in communities across Oregon. Vernonia having experienced two 500-year flood events in the span of only 11 years shared in the story of resiliency.

Another project I worked on was getting the Banks/Vernonia Trail certified as a National Recreation Trail. It is a certification from the National Parks Service that recognizes high caliber trails for their unique history and natural features.

Being in the LGBTQ+ community and living in a rural town, visibility for those historically underserved has always been important to me. In June 2023 I hosted and organized the first Pride event in the history of the City of Vernonia.

For this work, I’ve been fortunate enough to have been interviewed on TV by KOIN 6 News & KGW, Radio XRAYfm, Podcast Cascade of History and be featured in magazines including Mother Earth News and the Ruralite.

With these projects it is my hope that Vernonia and its unique features could be highlighted for people to both discover, enjoy and create community connection. I also hope that these stories can inspire others to be advocates in their community, however big or small, as one person can make a difference.