Couple Embraces Environmental Activism, Credits OEC

Growing up riding horses in the mountains and fishing the streams near Ukiah, Marilyn Cripe developed a relationship with nature from a young age. She shares that connection with her husband, Gene, with whom she still enjoys recreational activities in the wild area of northeast Oregon.

Gene and Marilyn loved the land but weren’t aware of environmental issues until the late 1960s when they noticed the land and waters they loved changing in “worrisome ways.” TV programs provided by the Cousteau Society and National Wildlife Federation helped them begin to understand why the forests needed to be protected from inappropriate logging. Marilyn says their real education started with the original Earth Day in 1970 and they were “born again as environmentalists.”

Around that time, advisory boards were beginning to accept women. Marilyn feels that she was lucky to be in the right place at the right time and was able to serve on the Umatilla National Forest Advisory Board. She was able to take time to be a wilderness advocate and environmental activist. Gene was kept busy running his business so he wasn’t able to participate as fully, but he shared Marilyn’s understanding of the need for advocacy work and supported her every step of the way.

Marilyn and Gene started going farther away from home for recreation activities and grew to love the pristine Minam River country.

“After learning of the United States Forest Service’s plan to log the area, we simply declared, ‘It can’t happen!’” Marilyn says.

They joined the local Save The Minam group and it quickly became necessary to seek state and federal environmental organizations’ guidance and assistance. That’s when they connected with Larry Williams, the first executive director of OEC, who became a mentor to Marilyn and Gene.

Marilyn and Gene support the Oregon Environmental Council because they appreciate the early guidance and mentorship they received when they were still new to environmental advocacy, and they appreciate the work OEC does bringing together a wide variety of stakeholders to achieve mutual goals.

“It’s amazing because everything is very complicated. The fact that OEC can cooperate with people is fabulous,” Marilyn says.

Marilyn also appreciates OEC monitoring state agencies and government as “that has always been beyond our capability,” she says. When asked what they hope their planned gift will accomplish for OEC Marilyn replied, “We want OEC to be there forever.” Gene added, “Thank you, OEC, for your commitment in protecting our environment and ensuring a healthy world for all!”

Now retired, Marilyn and Gene like to support environmental education and research, volunteering with a number of different groups including Wallowology Natural History Discovery Center in Joseph and Blue Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Pendleton. They also cooperated with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Oregon Department of Wildlife to reintroduce steelhead at their property on McKay Creek.

They also enjoy introducing young people to the environment. For more than 20 years, they have hosted an annual Watershed Field Day for local fifth graders on their property. Marilyn says getting 300 kids out there visiting different stations and learning about various aspects of watersheds is the greatest thing.

“It really opens their eyes and minds,” she says.

OEC is incredibly grateful to Gene and Marilyn for their long-term commitment to protecting Oregon’s environment by leaving a planned gift to fund thoughtful environmental advocacy for years to come. If you would like to remember OEC with a gift in your will or learn about establishing a charitable gift annuity, please contact Teke Dillender at 503-222-1963 x119 or teked@oeconline.org today.