Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed a bill that allows companies to register as "benefit companies" in Oregon – businesses that offer environmental and social benefits in addition to making profits.

The designation recognizes businesses that conserve natural resources and provide employees with better quality of life.

Filed under: Environment, Sustainability, Benefit Corporations

Portlanders put a lot of things in their recycling bins that really don't belong there. Far West Fibers President Keith Ristau walks through his Portland recycling facility and explains which items are the trouble-makers.

Filed under: Environment, Sustainability, Recycling

Along Forest Park's Wildwood Trail, four Portland brewers found inspiration for new and unusual beers that incorporate spruce tips, huckleberry, ginger root, salmonberry and vanilla leaf.

Filed under: Environment, Sustainability, Foraging, Forest Park

Believe it or not, Portland doesn't hold the world record for tree-hugging. At least not yet. Next month, the Hoyt Arboretum and the Portland tree service Treecology will attempt to gather more than 702 people to simultaneously hug trees. That's what it will take to beat the current record-holder, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

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A new study by Oregon State University researchers found that acidic water adds stress during a time when baby oysters are already in a "death race" to build their first shell. Researchers concluded that water with elevated carbon dioxide levels can cause the oysters to lose that race – even if the water isn't fully corrosive.

Filed under: Environment, Pacific Ocean, Ocean acidification

The city of Seattle has donated 7 acres of land and granted more than $100,000 toward planting a "food forest" just 2.5 miles from downtown. The edible forest will function as an ecosystem while growing a wide array of fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts.

With a local neighborhood at the helm, the Beacon Hill Food Forest is set to become the largest forageable space in the U.S.

Filed under: Environment, Sustainability, Food forests

Filed under: Health, Nation, Environment

Filed under: Food, Environment, Science

American shad fish are an invasive species that spawn by the millions in the Columbia River. They're fairly small and really bony, but with the right preparation, they make for a cheap, tasty feast.

Filed under: Environment, Fish & Wildlife, Foodie Friday

One out of every four calories produced by world agriculture is being lost or wasted, according to new report released by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Filed under: Environment, Oregon