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Meetings and Events

Secretary Fagan, Goveror Kate Brown, Treasurer Tobias ReadThe Department of State Lands is committed to providing access to meaningful engagement in natural resource management decisions and education. We embrace diverse backgrounds and experiences, actively identifying and addressing inequities toward people and lands and engaging widely to provide inclusive public service and access to information. There are many ways you can get involved in decision-making on Oregon’s lands and waters where you live, work, learn, practice spirituality, and recreate. 

DSL opens comment periods on many of our responsibilities, as well holding meetings open to the community to attend. Some include allocated time in the agenda, while other meetings the entire time is dedicated to hearing community comment. 


The State Land Board oversees DSL and meets regularly to make decisions regarding school lands and Oregon-owned waterways, and to provide direction on Department operations. Anyone can attend these meetings (online or in-person), and there are opportunities to submit testimony in writing or verbally.

Learn more about upcoming and past State Land Board Meetings and how to provide testimony.​​​

Throughout each year, DSL proposes rules that determine how DSL and other state agencies operate, including how they interpret and implement state laws. Administrative rules can also describe agency practices and policies. The rulemaking process is designed so there are several opportunities for people or organizations to provide feedback on a proposed rule by holding informational meetings and public hearings, convening Rulemaking Advisory committees, and inviting public comment. 

See the status of active rulemaking and provide comments here.​​​

Projects in wetlands and rivers, streams, lakes, or other waters usually requires a removal-fill permit to protect the state’s water resources. Waterway use authorizations allow certain uses of Oregon’s publicly owned rivers, lakes, territorial sea, and other waterways while compensating Oregonians for usage of these public resources. Sometimes these projects require more opportunities for public participation, and a public meeting will be held to meet those needs and hear community concerns regarding permits and authorizations.

See the application status and materials, and provide comments here.​ 

Approximately 1.5 million acres of surface and subsurface lands across Oregon are managed by DSL, and the Department occasionally sells and exchanges that land for full market value to maximize revenue for the Common School Fund. Sometimes these require more opportunities for public participation, and a public meeting will be held to meet those needs and hear community concerns.

See the status of land transactions and provide comments here. ​

Attend a public meeting or meeting held by an advisory body, workgroup, or other committee
For all rulemakings and some wetland, waterways, and lands projects - the Department will most often hold meetings that begin with an information session, followed by public meeting time that is entirely dedicated to accepting comments from the community.

There are also different advisory bodies and workgroups for ongoing projects, all of which we hold open to the public and many of which reserve time for public comment. Examples include South Slough Management Commission and Ocean Science Trust Meetings, Elliott State Research Forest Advisory Board, and more.​

See our meetings calendar below for more information.

Giving spoken testimony
When called to speak by the meeting facilitator, we recommend beginning with addressing the board or commission (if applicable) and then introduce yourself before sharing your testimony. When you are finished, thank the facilitator or board and answer any questions. Keep your comments brief (the meeting facilitator will share your alloted time, typically three minutes in le​ngth or less), as your allotted time to speak may be limited. 

When joining on online public meeting, please mute yourself to avoid creating distracting background noise. ​You may have your camera on, but it is not required to participate. 

Accessibility accommodations
Need meeting assistance? If you need assistance to participate in a meeting due to a disability, please contact Arin Smith at 503-986-5224 or arin.n.smith@dsl.oregon.gov at least two working days prior to the meeting.​

Recent and Upcoming Meetings

Notices for upcoming meetings are sent to the DSL mailing lists, subscribe here. See recent notices and email announcements here.

Education Events

Through our South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, located in Coos Bay, we offer programming designed to connect all learners to our estuaries and coastal watersheds. Reducing or removing barriers to education supports all Oregonians, and most of this programming is free to attend!


​Community classes offer people of all ages and backgrounds with the opportunity to learn through activities like bird watching, kayaking along water trails, and nature-based crafts. For the adventurous, we offer guided hikes, paddle trips, and birding excursions around the area. Others may find inspiration helping wildlife by learning to build bi​rdhouses or bat boxes. ​

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Science camps invite kids and teens to peer closer into the natural world and learn about research and stewardship.​

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Field trips and school programs bring opportunities to learn about coastal systems to K-12 audiences. South Slough science educators can also visit your classroom to give engaging lessons on estuary habitats, watershed concepts, climate issues, careers, and research being conducted at the South Slough. ​
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The South Slough Reserve Coastal Training Program provides training and technical assistance to decision-makers in coastal/marine management and science fields. Workshops, site visits, classes, and other outreach focus on understanding the role of human activity in coastal environments, developing risk communication skills, and identifying useful tools and datasets. 

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South Slough Reserve also offers professional development opportunities for classroom teachers, pre-service teachers, and informal educators who work with pre-K-12 and college students. Workshops cover a range of issues in our estuaries and coastal watersheds such as climate change, invasive species, and habitat protection. 

​Volunteers help to enhance and expand the work of the Reserve, aiding it to achieve its mission. Whether it is one hour a week, one day a week, or just assisting with a one-time special project, the efforts of our volunteers help make this a special place. The Reserve’s internship program creates opportunities for interested college and high school students, as well as adults, to gain knowledge, skills, and work experience in the field of natural science.​


CONTACT

Cait McCusker, Community Engagement Specialist
cait.mccusker@dsl.oregon.gov
Deborah Rudd, Public Involvement Coordinator at South Slough Reserve
deborah.rudd@dsl.oregon.gov
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