Outdoors

Life & Style Out on the water 'you're just another rower' (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU Multimedia Journalist / Travel & Outdoors Published: Apr 29, 2013 at 2:32 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 30, 2013 at 8:24 AM PDT

On Sunday, disabled veterans, and anyone else with a disability who wanted to try it out, got a chance to get on board a dragon boat, kayak or rower and give it a whirl.

Life & Style All done: See what's new and improved at the Oregon Coast Aquarium (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU Multimedia Journalist Published: Apr 27, 2013 at 5:56 PM PDT Last Updated: May 2, 2013 at 2:11 PM PDT

The seals and sea lions at the Oregon Coast Aquarium now have more room to play and one of the biggest gripes for visitors - not being able to see them very well - has been addressed.

Life & Style New zip line attraction coming to Skamania Lodge

By Patty Hastings, The Columbian Published: Apr 24, 2013 at 9:55 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 24, 2013 at 11:45 AM PDT

The Skamania Lodge at Stevenson is opening a zip line ride next week that gives visitors a thrilling two-hour tour through a canopy of Douglas fir trees.

Life & Style City considers $150 fine for people who don't clean up after their dog

By John Tierney, KATU.com Staff Published: Apr 23, 2013 at 3:54 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:54 PM PDT

Parks officials say they get more complaints about scooping and leash violations than any other type of illegal activity in city parks. To help cut down on people who don’t scoop dog poop, they want the ability to fine violators $150.

Life & Style Officials project largest fall chinook salmon run in years

By Associated Press Published: Apr 20, 2013 at 1:36 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 21, 2013 at 8:54 AM PDT

Fisheries officials are projecting the largest fall chinook salmon run since 2004 as part of the salmon seasons set for the Columbia River.

Life & Style No more gas masks on Earth Day, just a message

By KATU.com Staff and Associated Press Published: Apr 19, 2013 at 10:11 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:05 PM PDT

Monday is a work day for a lot of folks but it's also a day to appreciate the natural environment we live in and take some time to think about what we, as humans, can do to preserve it for future generations.

Life & Style Bird watching, wildlife refuge style (Photo Gallery)

By ZACH URNESS, Statesman Journal Published: Apr 20, 2013 at 8:00 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 20, 2013 at 10:13 AM PDT

While birds play the starring role, the refuges also feature wildflowers, roaming elk and trails to spectacular Willamette Valley views.

Life & Style Snowpacks across the state mostly below normal (Photo Gallery)

By Jeff Barnard, AP Environmental Writer Published: Apr 7, 2013 at 3:01 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 7, 2013 at 3:01 PM PDT

Oregon's tallest peak has raked enough moisture out of passing storms to claim the only normal snowpack in the state. But the farther a river basin is from Mount Hood, the worse summertime river flows look.

Life & Style Gun club, now bordered by urban sprawl, hits 100-year mark (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, Multimedia Journalist / Travel & Outdoors Published: Apr 5, 2013 at 11:27 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:31 PM PDT

Folks have been shooting clay targets at the Portland Gun Club for a very long time - 100 years to be exact.

Life & Style 'I have traveled with a rubber duck since I first left home at 17' (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU Multimedia Journalist Published: Mar 28, 2013 at 12:38 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 28, 2013 at 4:11 PM PDT

He's a grown man and he isn't ashamed to admit that his rubber ducky goes wherever he goes.

Life & Style Ore. Senate says 'yes' to banning gas-powered engines on Waldo Lake

By Associated Press Published: Mar 26, 2013 at 12:31 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 26, 2013 at 1:35 PM PDT

The Oregon Senate has voted 18-11 to approve a ban on gas-powered engines on Waldo Lake.

Life & Style County picks conservation plan over nudist legacy for land (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Ty Steele Published: Mar 22, 2013 at 12:07 PM PDT Last Updated: Mar 22, 2013 at 3:34 PM PDT

After rejecting a land management plan by a nudist group, the Lane County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously voted to endorse the bid of a local conservation group to buy a controversial parcel of county-owned floodplains.

Life & Style Epic hike from Mexico to Canada: 'I do like big adventures' (Photo Gallery)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU Multimedia Journalist Published: Mar 12, 2013 at 11:14 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM PDT

"Go for it and don't give up. It's probably the hardest thing you're going to do, but it just takes a lot of sheer will and discipline."

Life & Style Forest Service may let more wildfires burn

By JASON DEAREN Associated Press Published: Mar 8, 2013 at 9:38 AM PDT Last Updated: Mar 8, 2013 at 12:32 PM PDT

After coming in $400 million over budget following last year's busy fire season, the Forest Service is altering its approach and may let more fires burn instead of attacking every one.

Life & Style 'There's a situation - you've got a beaver walking down 14th Street' (Video)

By Shannon L. Cheesman, KATU Multimedia Journalist Published: Mar 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 2:00 PM PDT

A wayward beaver that seemed to have lost its way got a police escort late last night.