Oregonians have long struggled to balance cultural, political, and values-based differences tied to our use of land and resources. As we enter an age of accelerating environmental change and scarcity, it is important to understand what drives these differences. In this conversation we will explore our attitudes and assumptions about the purpose of the environment in our lives and how those attitudes and assumptions shape our perception of environmental issues and policies.

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Ruby McConnell is a registered geologist, outdoor adventuress, and environmental philosopher who publishes work about place and earth science with a particular emphasis on the intersection of the environment and human experience. She is the author of the outdoor skill and adventure guide books A Woman's Guide to the Wild and A Girl’s Guides to the Wild. Her essay collection, Ground Truth: A Geological Survey of a Life, was a finalist for the 2020 Oregon Book Awards. Ruby believes that positive outdoor experiences are the key to healthy living and protecting the environment. You can almost always find her in the woods.