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Ecotrope

Fresh ideas on nature and community.

May 13, 2013

Army Corps Won't Kill Gulls To Help Salmon-Eating Terns

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has decided that it is not going to continue killing gulls that have been preying on baby Caspian terns at a nesting colony at the mouth of the Columbia River. Continue reading →

Filed under: Environment, Fish & Wildlife, Caspian terns


May 12, 2013 · By Cassandra Profita

Curbside Food Scraps Return To Portland As Compost For Community Gardens

Portlanders who have endured the stench of rotting food and the pinch of every other week trash pickups may take heart from this bit of news: The food scraps collected from curbside bins are coming back to the city as compost for community gardens. Continue reading →

Filed under: Environment, Sustainability, Composting


May 07, 2013 · By Cassandra Profita

Downsizing To A Micro-Loft: From 1,200 to 300 Square Feet

Walk into Gary and Michelle Hogue's downtown Portland micro-loft, and you're immediately standing in the kitchen, living room and bedroom. It's like a studio apartment, only smaller. Continue reading →

Filed under: Environment, Sustainability, Tiny homes


May 07, 2013 · By Cassandra Profita

Forest Service: City Trees Are Good For Carbon Storage, Too

Forests soak up a lot of carbon dioxide that would otherwise contribute to climate change. But a new study by the U.S. Forest Service shows cities can store carbon too, as long as they maintain their urban tree canopy. Continue reading →

Filed under: Environment, Forestry, Urban trees


May 02, 2013 · By Cassandra Profita

Recyclers Limit Plastic Collection As China Stops Buying

Oregon recyclers have stopped accepting certain kinds of plastic because China has stopped buying them. Continue reading →

Filed under: Environment, Sustainability, Recycling


April 26, 2013 · By Cassandra Profita

Report Finds Dirtier West Coast Trucks End Up In Oregon

A new Portland City Club report has found that older, more polluting diesel trucks that don't meet environmental regulations in California and Washington are being used in Oregon instead. Continue reading →

Filed under: Transportation, Environment


April 25, 2013 · By Cassandra Profita

This Nanotech "Lily Pad" Could Obliterate Stormwater Pollution

A Beaverton start-up has created a floating "lily pad" that uses solar-activated nanotechnology to break down water contaminants. It could be deployed to clean up polluted storm water in retention ponds or ditches alongside roads and parking lots. Continue reading →

Filed under: Environment, Water, Stormwater


April 24, 2013 · By Cassandra Profita

The Pros And Cons Of Car-Sharing

With all the different car-sharing services now available in the Portland area, I wanted to find out what draws people to car-sharing and what they do and don't like about it. Here are the pros and cons listed by about a dozen people who shared their thoughts with OPB's Public Insight Network. Continue reading →

Filed under: Environment, Transportation, Car-sharing


April 23, 2013 · By Cassandra Profita

Urban Beekeepers Aim To Change Household Pesticide Use

New Seasons Market placed two colonies of honeybees on the rooftop of its Happy Valley store yesterday as part of a new campaign to discourage people from using pesticides at home. Continue reading →

Filed under: Fish & Wildlife, Environment, Bee colony collapse


April 19, 2013 · By Cassandra Profita

For Earth Day: Feasting On Low-Carbon Food

An Earth Day event at several Oregon colleges Monday will feature low-carbon foods like cheese-less pizza and edamame burgers. Each food item has a little lesson in climate change cooked into it. Continue reading →

Filed under: Environment, Sustainability, Low-carbon food, Bon Appetit, University of Portland



About Ecotrope

In the Pacific Northwest, the environment is personal - it's where we live, work and play. Oregon Public Broadcasting's Ecotrope will bring you news and insight on the region’s environmental issues. Site curator Cassandra Profita is an award-winning reporter with degrees in journalism and environmental studies.


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