Re: Please protect and maintain full OUTDOOR SCHOOL funding!

[Paul Sheldon]

I talked with Pam Marsh’s office. They said there’s not much she can do, but they appreciate the input. :(

It would be great if more people can call, before it’s too late. 

Paul Sheldon (he/el/they)

Executive Director

The CREST

www.thecrestatwillowwitt.org

(541) 613-4119 (direct/text)

501(c)(3) EIN 82-2665900

CREST: 

C reate Community in Conservation

R eciprocity, Respect, and Resilience

E quity through Education

S tewardship, Restoration, and Regeneration

T rust.

Willow-Witt Ranch is located within the ancestral homelands of the Shasta, Takelma, Athabaskan, and Latgawa peoples who lived here since time immemorial. These Tribes were displaced during rapid Euro-American colonization, the Gold Rush, and armed conflict between 1851 and 1856. In the 1850s, the discovery of gold and settlement brought thousands of Euro-Americans to their lands, leading to warfare, epidemics, starvation, and villages being burned. In 1853 the first of several treaties were signed, confederating these Tribes and others together - who would then be referred to as the Rogue River Tribe. These treaties ceded most of their homelands to the United States, and in return they were guaranteed a permanent homeland reserved for them. At the end of the Rogue River Wars in 1856, these Tribes and many other Tribes from western Oregon were removed to the Siletz Reservation and the Grand Ronde Reservation. Today, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (https://www.grandronde.org) and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (http://www.ctsi.nsn.us/) are living descendants of the Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of this area. We encourage YOU to learn about the land you reside on, and to join us in advocating for the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous people. We also acknowledge that Euro-American colonists excluded, marginalized, enslaved, tortured, and murdered many other descendants of slaves, darker-skinned people, Chinese and other Asian and Pacific Island immigrants, Mexican workers, and others.  We cannot change these tragic events of the past, but we acknowledge them and invite you to join us in doing what we can to bring justice and equity to all, as we move together into a more resilient, inclusive, and just future.

On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 8:27 AM Kim Silva <k...@friendsofoutdoorschool.org> wrote:

Excellent, Paul! Thank you!!!

Kim Silva, MPA, CFRE
she/her (What is this?)

Executive Director
Friends of Outdoor School

Message number: (971) 303-8914
www.FriendsofOutdoorSchool.org

Please note that I typically don't work on Fridays.

Create your legacy - include Outdoor School in your estate plans. 

Did you notice my font is large? This is done for accessibility purposes. It is recommended to use at least 14pt font size, with Arial or Verdana (sans serif) fonts being the most legible. 

     

On Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 9:11 PM Dan Prince <d...@friendsofoutdoorschool.org> wrote:

Thanks Paul, these are great. 

Dan Prince 

(he/him/his)

Associate Director

Friends of Outdoor School

Phone: 503-427-8715

d...@FriendsofOutdoorSchool.org

www.FriendsofOutdoorSchool.org

Connect - Support - Advocate

On Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 8:38 PM Paul Sheldon <ex...@thecrestatwillowwitt.org> wrote:

Thanks... writing to Ways & Means members, now.

On Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM Kim Silva <k...@friendsofoutdoorschool.org> wrote:

Sigh. The hearing just ended, and it wasn't hopeful. We have a call with our lobbyist soon. Keep an eye on your email. The cuts suggested for ODS are WAY beyond what anyone else is experiencing, despite the fact that the voters mandated it. We will see what we can do. Hang tight, Paul.

-KS

Kim Silva, MPA, CFRE
she/her (What is this?)

Executive Director
Friends of Outdoor School

Message number: (971) 303-8914
www.FriendsofOutdoorSchool.org

Please note that I typically don't work on Fridays.

Create your legacy - include Outdoor School in your estate plans. 

Did you notice my font is large? This is done for accessibility purposes. It is recommended to use at least 14pt font size, with Arial or Verdana (sans serif) fonts being the most legible. 

     

On Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 2:45 PM Paul Sheldon <ex...@thecrestatwillowwitt.org> wrote:

FYI (response from Jeff Golden)

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sen Golden <Sen.Jef...@oregonlegislature.gov>
Date: Mon, Jun 2, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Subject: RE: Please protect and maintain full OUTDOOR SCHOOL funding!
To: Paul Sheldon <ex...@thecrestatwillowwitt.org>

Hi, Paul—here’s what I wrote this morning to Jack Duggan, who essentially made the same request. 

  But that burrito sounds good….   J

……

Jack, in all likelihood this will be one of many reductions/cuts this session that no rational government on a rational planet would make.  It is one of those programs that help build citizens in a way that (to be solely budget-minded for the moment) clearly makes government more cost effective in the future.

   I'm one of those who don't see a path to adequate funding for programs like this without developing a more robust, productive revenue system in Oregon-- a highly political venture.

              My best to you---  JG

 

 

From: Paul Sheldon <ex...@thecrestatwillowwitt.org>
Sent: Monday, June 2, 2025 8:30 AM
To: Sen Golden <Sen.Jef...@oregonlegislature.gov>
Subject: Please protect and maintain full OUTDOOR SCHOOL funding!

 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside the Legislature. Use caution clicking any links or attachments.

 

Hi Jeff,

Thanks very much for your service to the people of Ashland!

 

This session, please protect and maintain FULL FUNDING for Oregon's OUTDOOR SCHOOL PROGRAM.

 

I'm happy to discuss via phone or over a burrito, as time allows

 

Thank you,

 

Paul

 

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