Protecting Oregon's Environment for Future Generations

Bill Boggess has been working to protect the diverse landscapes and seascapes of Oregon for more than 25 years. When he moved to Corvallis in the mid-'90s to take a leadership position at the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University, he was drawn in large part by the beauty and diversity of Oregon's wild areas and landscapes. He intentionally adopted Oregon as his home and remains committed to protecting the health of its environment.

Bill has served on the board of Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) for 13 years and believes that supporting OEC provides a mechanism to turn his passion for Oregon into action now and in the future. Bill particularly admires OEC's track record of effective advocacy for Oregon's environment. It's meaningful to him that for more than 50 years, OEC has remained committed to finding shared and lasting solutions to Oregon's most pressing environmental issues.

Bill values that OEC's approach is nonpartisan and nonlitigious, and that the OEC staff works hard to bring people together to make progress. He especially appreciates OEC's intentionality in reaching out to rural Oregonians to build relationships, find common ground, forge partnerships and cooperatively construct solutions to environmental challenges such as climate change, water quality and use, and toxic chemicals.

The past year has been one of change for Bill, as he retired from OSU after 25 years and married his long-term partner, Leslie. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has given Bill and Leslie the opportunity to explore Oregon from the Coast to the Cascades to the high desert in their 2000 Eurovan camper. These transitions and travels have inspired Bill to reflect on Oregon's remarkable beauty and diversity, and to consider the things that are most meaningful to him.

"I adopted Oregon as my home 25 years ago, and I feel an obligation to protect its health and vitality for future generations. Having worked closely with the board and staff at OEC for many years, I believe there is no better group to support for that purpose. I am pleased to leave a planned gift to OEC, as I know it will help ensure that OEC remains an effective advocate for Oregon's environment for years to come. I want to make sure that OEC—and Oregon—will continue to thrive for the benefit of my children, their children and all children."

OEC is deeply appreciative of Bill's board leadership and service, his generous support and his commitment to leaving a planned gift to ensure a healthy environment in Oregon for future generations.

If you would like to remember OEC with a gift in your will or other estate plans, please contact Teke Dillender at 503-222-1963 x119 or teked@oeconline.org to learn more.