From the
people, for
the planet
Local environmentalist
featured in new book
BY KATHERINE LACAZE
In the process of writing her book, “A
Generous Nature: Lives Transformed by
Oregon,” Portland-based writer Marcy Cot-
trell Houle traveled across the state to meet
with conservationists and activists, includ-
ing North Coast Land Conservancy founder
Neal Maine.
What struck her the most, she said, was
discovering that among the people she
interviewed — including the 21 profiled in
the book — there was a wide array of life-
styles, ethnicities, religions, political views,
occupations and geographical locations
represented.
“Yet their values were really similar in
how they cared for humanity and the beauty
of Oregon and wanted to give something
back,” said Houle, a fifth-generation Orego-
nian who was born in the former commu-
nity of Zena near Salem.
At the core
Houle’s idea for her book, published in
November, was cultivated through her own
love of environmental science, wildlife
biology and conservation.
Serving with the Oregon Parks Foun-
dation, she heard stories about individuals
who contributed to creating and preserving
Oregon’s parks and natural places, from the
Columbia River Gorge Natural Scenic Area
to Portland’s Forest Park and 363 miles of
public beach. When she searched for them
online, however, she came up with nothing.
“These things were really big deals, but
they were at risk of being forgotten,” she
said.
Houle worried that without understand-
ing the patience, perseverance, and vision
that contributed to preserving Oregon’s nat-
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Marcy Cottrell Houle is the author of ‘A Generous Nature: Lives Transformed by Oregon,’ a book that profiles 21 activists and conservationists
who contributed to preserving and protecting Oregon’s natural resources.