Explore Oregon Podcast: The state's most beautiful places and biggest issues

In this episode, Zach talks to Eric Davis about how to go snowboarding on the Oregon Coast after a rare coastal snowstorm. Snowboarding is very rare on the Oregon Coast, but Davis has made it happen twice now, including last week, when he went snowboarding at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area with his 5-year-old daughter and captured some unique photos and video in the process. In the podcast, Davis explains how he tries to find snowboarding opportunities in the Coast Range and the magic of snowboarding above the ocean last week on a the "Great Dune" at Cape Kiwanda.

Host Zach Urness wraps up the latest outdoors news before heading out on the state's best snowy waterfall trips. In the first half of the episode, Urness hits on the end of timed entry permits for the Columbia Gorge's waterfall corridor, Oregon's snowpack jumping to 108% of normal with more on the way and the future of outdoor recreation business in light of lawsuits, an Oregon Supreme Court decision and new legislation. In the second half, Urness talks about his favorite trips to snow-covered waterfalls.

In the latest edition of the Explore Oregon Podcast, Zach wraps up the latest outdoors news and includes a handful of fun places to travel in February during this newsletter-style podcast. Zach talks about the series of dead whales that washed up on the Oregon Coast last month and looks at whether it's a big deal or not, along with dispelling the notion that Oregon will once again use dynamite to explode the whale carcasses, as the state attempted in the 1970s. He also touches on a string of historically hot years in the Beaver State, the number of boating deaths in Oregon and a handful of other newsy topics. Finally, Zach highlights two great places to travel in February including skiing or snowshoeing at Gold Lake Sno-Park and traveling to the Oregon Redwoods.

In this episode, Zach talks about the growing momentum to reintroduce sea otters on the Oregon Coast with Chanel Hason, director of outreach and community relations for the Elakha Alliance. They talk about how returning sea otters to the Coast could help save kelp forests — and why that's important — along with why the fuzzy marine mammals were wiped out in the first place and how reintroduction could work.

In this episode, Zach talks about all the big new changes at Silver Falls State Park. Park officials are planning a new trailhead and waterfall trail, a new campground and visitor's center, all while expanding the park by upgrading a backcountry area now known as the Smith Creek Village. Zach talked to Silver Falls manager Chris Gilliand and operator of the new Smith Creek Villages Brooke Gerken. Zach also details other updates at the park, including the return of guided tree climbing, adventure races and the network of backcountry trails. Finally, he touches on the history of how the park came together and was saved by a landscape photographer from Silverton named June Drake.

In this episode, Zach takes a winter road trip to Crater Lake National Park and talks about how to get the most out of your journey. Oregon’s only national park becomes a winter wonderland during the year’s coldest months, becoming an amazing place to snowshoe, ski, snow camp or just get views of the lake while sitting indoors. But the journey to Crater Lake also offers opportunity. The mountain highways leading to the park feature waterfalls, hot springs and snow adventures. Zach offers a roadmap to some of his favorite spots along the way and returning from Crater Lake.

A series of research studies and surveys published over the past few months have revealed a troubling trend — some of Oregon's most iconic trees are dying or struggling in record numbers. In this edition, Zach talks to Oregon Department of Forestry Christine Buhl about recently documented die-offs of western redcedar, Oregon's true fir species, Douglas fir and the insect invasion of Oregon white oak. Taken together, says Buhl, the studies reflect how Oregon's hotter and drier climate is damaging the state's most beloved trees at record rates. Buhl talks about what's going on, what Oregon's forest of the future might look like and what can be done to mitigate some of the problems.

In this episode, outdoors intern Makenzie Elliott talks to Daniel Hasselschwert, the owner of Ossies Surf Shop in Newport about all things surfing on the Oregon Coast. The two discuss what makes Oregon such an interesting place to surf and why people can surf the waves year round. They also talk about what it takes to start surfing with things like taking lessons and finding the right gear. Hasselschwert also shares why he loves the sport of surfing and why he believes it is so popular and loved by many. Elliott also reflects on her first surf lesson she took with Hasselschwert at Ossies Surf Shop. She discusses what it was like surfing for the first time and what she learned while in the water.

In this episode, Zach talks with wilderness chef and forager Kayla Sulak about the art of camp and wilderness cooking while highlighting a few of her favorite recipes for wild mushrooms, fish and game. They're also joined by experienced angler and hunter Mason Krupka to talk about the process of harvesting and hunting Oregon's wild bounty and the best methods for cooking it all up into something delicious. The mushroom, fish and game are all staples of Oregon's outdoors and something most people can harvest with a bit of focus and research, and many of the recipes Kayla highlights are one-pan meals made on a skillet. To find more recipes and information from Kayla, follow her on social media on Instagram, Facebook or YouTube.

In this episode, outdoors intern Makenzie Elliott looks into the recently published "Travel Guide to Oregon Indian Country." The guide, which was created by Travel Oregon in partnership with Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes, highlights events, outdoor activities and other attractions like tribal museums and casinos. Makenzie talks with Travis Hill, the chief operating officer for Umpqua Indian Development Corporation and a contributor to the guide, about the creation of this travel guide, what he hopes comes from the guide and why a guide like this is important to tribal communities. Hill also mentions some outdoor activities and events people can explore around the Umpqua area, which is located in southern Oregon in the Roseburg area.