On the Road in Oregon: A Day in the Life on "Twos" Day
On the Road in Oregon is an exciting blog series that takes you on a journey through the heart of Oregon's diverse communities. In this series, we're exploring the work of the Oregon Department of Energy's Community Navigator Program as its staff fosters connections and collaboration across the state. This month, two navigators hit the road on February 22 — 2/22, affectionately known as “Twos” Day — and share their experience in their own words.
Community Navigator Sarah Moehrke: Empowering Communities on the South Coast
Sarah’s makeshift office in the Port of Umpqua’s parking lot.
As the Community Navigator, a big part of my role is to be a welcoming front door to ODOE, with a strong focus on environmental justice communities. On 2/22, I spent the morning in Reedsport, a small city in coastal Douglas County. I was offered the opportunity to share information about ODOE and our programs that could be used by small municipalities at the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) Small Cities program’s regional meeting. This program, often a lifeline for smaller municipalities, focuses on bringing cities together, offering an opportunity for staff to learn from each other about infrastructure, enhancing services, and improving overall quality of life for residents.
During this meeting, City Councilors and members of city staff from three municipalities (Reedsport, Lakeside, and Gold Beach) engaged in conversations where I heard firsthand insights to the community’s needs and aspirations. By understanding their unique challenges and opportunities, I can better communicate tailored solutions and connect the cities with relevant resources.
In the afternoon, I was able to meet with the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI). This meeting’s main priority was to discuss their current ODOE Community Renewable Energy Grant Program grant of $1 million, which will support the construction of an energy resilience project that will build net-metered solar and battery storage projects that can act as microgrid systems to power tribal buildings during grid outages. In a conversation with Project Manager and Tribal member Tyler Slyter, I learned that his father, Doc Slyter, was CTCLUSI’s Chief (read about Chief Slyter’s incredible life and service on the Tribe’s website here and here following his passing in late 2023). Tyler had great ideas about opportunities available to partner with CTCLUSI to develop additional clean energy projects. Their ODOE grant gives the Tribe a low-risk opportunity to develop a solar project that will build energy resilience while also giving them a benchmark on how solar works on the southern Oregon Coast.
Though these meetings were different audiences, similar themes arose: the desire to care for people in the most sustainable way possible. It continues to inspire my work, where every voice is heard, and every need is met.
RARE MEMBER Alice Weston: Energizing Rural Organizations in Klamath County
Alice’s makeshift office in the Chiloquin Community Center’s parking lot.
While Sarah was traveling along the coast, I was visiting community partners and collaborators in Klamath County. I serve as the Rural Energy Coordinator through the Resource Assistance for Rural Environments (RARE) AmeriCorps program’s intergovernmental agreement with ODOE. My work focuses on outreach in Central and South-Central Oregon. On 2/22, I traveled from Bend to share information with Klamath County leaders and residents and learn more about the local community's energy needs.
My first stop was the Chiloquin Community Center to use their free community Wi-Fi to jump on a call with Energy Trust of Oregon about small businesses' energy incentive programs. If you are ever in Chiloquin, you must check out the community center! They have a great selection of local artist goods. We have also been speaking to them about their energy needs as an important community hub.
Next, I headed to the Klamath Tribes goos oLgi gowa Community Center to hear updates from the tribes’ housing Director Kenneth Ruthardt. This meeting was put together by the amazing team at Klamath & Lake Community Action Services (KLCAS) and by Nolan Cochran, a fellow RARE member. The meeting was a great gathering of community resource groups that shared about their work across Klamath County – and I learned so much and later connected with many potential energy partners.
To end the day, I met with Larry Holzgang, the Regional Development Officer for Business Oregon, who’s worked for Business Oregon for over 20 years. Larry is an incredible institutional resource for getting connected in the community, serving on numerous boards and committees. His connections with community members throughout the region will be invaluable as I continue to dive deeper in my relationships throughout the Klamath Basin.
I learned an incredible amount about Klamath and the surrounding community. I can’t wait to further build on the connections I made and learn more about ways ODOE can plug into the work already underway in the region.
Navigating toward a Brighter Future, One “twos”day at a Time
The Community Navigator Program site visits throughout Oregon on February 22 serve as a reminder of the power of collaboration. With boots on the ground and the desire to listen and learn from all the different organizations throughout the state, Sarah and Alice show that when it comes to community navigation, two people are better than one! Here’s to many more “Twos” days filled with collaboration, camaraderie, and countless opportunities to make a difference in our communities throughout the state.