OPRD release - SALEM – The Oregon Heritage Commission has released an update to the statewide Oregon Heritage Plan.  The statewide Oregon Heritage Plan is a call to action for heritage preservation efforts across the state to unite around common goals. The Oregon Heritage Commission invites individuals and organizations to discuss the goals and strategies in this Plan, consider how they align with organization missions and priorities, and join the Commission in this work.  The structure of the plan includes:  5 focus areas that guided its development and will serve as a lens for carrying out the goals and strategies:  Tribal engagement and relationship building; Healthy and thriving communities; Collaborations and partnerships; Ethical practices and accountability; Future thinking; 4 goals that identify long-term desired outcomes for heritage efforts across the state:  Engage More Voices - Engage excluded and marginalized voices to expand the narrative of history told and preserved in Oregon.  Increase Access to Heritage - Increase access to heritage resources for the communities you serve.  Build Heritage Networks - Work together at all levels to advocate for sustainable funding and to increase awareness of the value of heritage.  Develop Healthy Organizations - Apply practices and standards in sustainable, scalable, and ethical ways to increase organizational health.  Strategies for each goal that lay out a path forward for Oregon Heritage, state agencies and service organizations, and heritage organizations to achieve the goals.  “The Heritage Commission encourages the heritage preservation community, locally, regionally, and statewide, to consider this plan as a tool to help them in their work,” says Heritage Commission Coordinator, Katie Henry. “Each step forward will result in more stories told, more people served, and more sustainable heritage organizations.”  Oregon’s heritage preservation community is any individual, organization, or entity that understands the value of and works towards documenting, preserving, and sharing Oregon’s heritage resources. These resources include places, buildings, structures, archeological sites, archives, collections, traditional beliefs and practices, culturally significant natural resources, and much more. Those engaged in this work include but are not limited to Tribal, federal, state, and local governments; local landmark commissions; museums; archives; libraries; historical societies; educational institutions; advocacy groups; Oregon Main Street organizations; building, design, finance, and real estate professionals; and any other individuals and organizations engaged in this work.  Oregon Heritage conducted engagement with the public, heritage organizations, and other key parties to inform the Plan from August to November 2025. Engagement activities included a public survey, discussion groups, and a questionnaire for heritage groups. The 2024 Oregon Heritage Vitality Study also provided critical information to help inform the update to the Oregon Heritage Plan.  Access the Oregon Heritage Plan online at oregonheritage.org in English and Spanish. Printed copies can be requested by emailing [email protected] or calling 503-877-8834.