
April Ehrlich
April Ehrlich is a reporter covering lands and environmental policies in Oregon and Southwest Washington at OPB, after joining as a breaking news editor in November 2021. She previously worked at Jefferson Public Radio in Southern Oregon, where she was a reporter, show producer, and radio host. While there, she focused much of her reporting on wildfire coverage, including an investigation with NPR into federal disaster assistance programs and how they routinely fail people in marginalized groups.
April’s reporting has won numerous Public Media Journalists Association awards and regional Edward R. Murrow awards, as well as a national Murrow.
Latest Stories

Oregon launches statewide recycling system
Large companies will start paying into a program to expand and unify Oregon's recycling system, helping more cities offer recycling services.
Federal budget bill would boost logging — but cut funds to Oregon timber counties
The proposed budget bill would increase logging on federal lands, but most of that money won't go to Oregon counties that typically receive a portion of timber sales.

Climate change may be fueling tree pest outbreaks in Oregon
Annual cold snaps have kept some invasive tree pests in check, but outbreaks could become more common with warming temperatures.

Union Pacific Railroad train sparked the Rowena Fire, lawsuit alleges
A Wasco County couple is suing Union Pacific Railroad for allegedly starting the Rowena Fire that destroyed over 50 homes outside The Dalles this month.

As the flames die down, Rowena residents determine what’s next
Last week, the fire destroyed 56 homes in the unincorporated community of Rowena, outside The Dalles. There’s a long road ahead as it recovers from the blaze.
Federal cuts threaten Oregon’s disaster response ahead of wildfire season
The Trump administration hasn’t renewed a critical grant that helps fund local disaster response, leaving Oregon counties and tribal governments vulnerable ahead of a potentially active wildfire season.
Oregon lawmakers pass bill requiring Coffin Butte Landfill to invest in more emissions tech
Over two dozen counties send their trash to the 178-acre Coffin Butte Landfill north of Corvallis, where massive methane leaks have prompted calls to better regulate those emissions using advanced technology, like drones, planes or satellites.

Crater Lake superintendent resigns, citing staff shortages
Since he started at Crater Lake in January, Kevin Heatley has seen Crater Lake’s permanent workforce cut in half, and onboarding seasonal staff was delayed by a month. "Things are not OK," he said.

Northwest wildfire outlook is grim, even as hiring has ramped up
But there was a glimmer of hope: Federal firefighting managers said their workforce is about where it needs to be for the fire season ahead, despite the Trump administration’s efforts.
An unusual pairing of geese draws a gaggle of Portland-area birders
An unusual couple of nesters has attracted the attention of Portland-area birders drawn to a story about the peculiarities of nature.