Oregon Wild, the state’s most esteemed environmental ninja and wilderness protector since 1974, will celebrate its 40th birthday with a ‘Call of the Wild’ benefit party at the Leftbank Annex on October 17.

The celebration will feature camping-style foods, outdoor-themed cocktails, and a special Oregon Wild beer brewed by Migration Brewing to honor the organization’s accomplishments. 

Development director Jonathan Jelen says this year will be the biggest and the best event so far. “We are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the federal Wilderness Act of 1964,” says Jelen, “which has helped us protect the most beautiful areas of Oregon including wildlands, wildlife, and waters for future generations.”

Indeed, the statewide conservation group has worked to permanently protect over 2 million acres of Oregon wilderness in places such as, Mt. Hood, Opal Creek, Three Sisters, Crater Lake, Devils Staircase, and even parts of the Willamette River.

Oregon Wild has also prevented dam construction harmful to salmon runs in several river systems including the Rogue and Klamath Rivers in the late ‘80s and ongoing, and were instrumental in the Bull Run and Sandy Watershed Acts from 1996 to 2001, which increased protection of clean drinking water for over one-quarter of Oregonians.

In the wildlife kingdom, Oregon Wild is a state leader in increasing advocacy and conservation for Oregon’s gray wolves, which were eradicated in the ‘40s via lethal removal. Jelen says there are now approximately 64 wolves with pups joining the pack every spring, all due to Oregon Wild’s legal fortitude on wolf recovery.

The list of protection accomplishments really goes on for Oregon Wild, and the celebration is well deserved.

The ‘Call of the Wild’ benefit party will have live-music, an outdoor photo contest, and a silent auction including four-day rafting trips on the Rogue and Middle Owyhee Rivers, a two-night stay at the Timberline Lodge, and even an overnight tree climb in one of Oregon's old-growth forests, plus a heap of outdoor gear goodies.

To RSVP and reserve your tickets ($40) or become a Tent Sponsor ($400 for 10 tickets and special benefits) visit oregonwild.org/callofthewild