Oregon coalition launches statewide tour to explore environmental rights amendment

The Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment (OCERA) is hosting a series of listening sessions across the state to gauge support for enshrining the right to a safe and healthy environment in the state constitution.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:05am

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An organization called the Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment (OCERA) is launching a statewide 'Ground Truth Listening Tour' to explore whether Oregonians would support a state constitutional amendment that would guarantee the right to a safe and healthy environment. The tour will include events in Ashland, Medford, Grants Pass, and other cities across Oregon over the next few months.

Why it matters

Currently, Oregon protects the environment through laws and regulations, but does not have an explicit constitutional guarantee of the right to a safe and healthy environment. OCERA believes enshrining this right in the state constitution could help secure a more sustainable future for Oregon.

The details

The listening tour events will allow OCERA to hear stories from Oregonians about how environmental issues are affecting their communities. The goal is to compile a report by July on the findings from the tour to gauge support for a potential constitutional amendment.

  • The listening tour kicks off on March 31 with events in Ashland and Medford.
  • Additional events are scheduled in Grants Pass, Roseburg, Port Orford, Gold Beach, and Brookings in April.
  • In May, OCERA will hold conversations in central and eastern Oregon, and in June in the rest of western Oregon.

The players

Oregon Coalition for an Environmental Rights Amendment (OCERA)

An organization advocating for a state constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to a safe and healthy environment for Oregonians.

Mel Martin

The campaign coordinator for OCERA who is leading the listening tour events.

Alan Journet

The co-facilitator of the Southern Oregon Climate Action (SOCAN) group, which is co-sponsoring the Medford event on the listening tour.

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What they’re saying

“Oregonians are rightfully proud of our unique and beautiful state. Indeed, so committed are we to this delightful corner of the universe that many of us probably think that the health and safety of our environment is constitutionally protected. This is not the case.”

— Alan Journet, SOCAN co-facilitator

“The question before us is this: Is there a reason for Oregonians to support a Constitutional Amendment to enshrine for us the right to a safe and healthy environment?”

— Alan Journet, SOCAN co-facilitator

What’s next

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