Published Work - Skyla Patton

Oregon Journalism Lab • 15th April 2022

Taking A Trip Without Leaving Your Front Door

Throughout the pandemic, I had a lot of free time. A lot of us did. And thus, we began to seek out things to occupy that free space. For me, it was rekindling my long lost relationship with books. A study produced by Global English Editing, an online proofreading service, found that Americans alone read recreationally (as in, not for academia or work purposes) 35% more in 2020 than previous years, and 25% more than that in 2021.

Oregon Journalism Lab • 29th April 2022

LEAVE NO TRACE

Federal data from the National Park Service show attendance increases of up to 40% from 2020 to late 2021, with Oregon national parks and recreation areas logging thousands of visitors in January 2022; Crater Lake National Park recorded over 35,000 recreation hours from visitors in Feb. 2022 alone. This influx of traveling populations can help stimulate local economies, but can also take a serious toll on preserved natural spaces.

Oregon Journalism Lab • 7th January 2022

Beryl Dillman's Legacy of Love

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?Beryl Dillman, who recently celebrated his 103rd birthday in Oct., knows exactly where he wants to go, and he’s hoping to make it there sooner rather than later.

Salem Statesman Journal • 29th July 2022

Foraging Forecast: A guide to August mushroom hunting in Oregon

Here's what (and where!) to look for while mushroom hunting as we head into late Oregon summer, featuring foraging advice from myco-educator Yellow Elanor.

Salem Statesman Journal • 17th August 2022

14 things to do in SW Oregon's Illinois Valley, from swimming holes to marble caves

My family moved to the Illinois Valley in Oregon's southwest corner when I was just a few years old, where my conscious memories begin and my formative years flew by. Growing up in one of Oregon’s most lush and simultaneously rugged areas, the same valley where my mother spent her own childhood, I find myself often thinking about the river valleys and mountains of home no matter how far I travel today.

Salem Statesman Journal • 19th September 2022

Hunting for gold: The art of finding Oregon’s prolific, and delicious, golden chanterelle

In 1999, the Pacific golden chanterelle was declared Oregon's official state mushroom, making Oregon one of only two states that has an official mushroom (spoiler: the other state is Minnesota, who championed the morel).

Salem Statesman Journal • 2nd September 2022

'Elemental' film features Santiam Canyon fires, looks to shift relationship with wildfire

A new documentary released this year, "Elemental" explores humanity's current relationship with wildfire, offering a hopeful look into how to better prepare for and live with such a powerful force as it becomes more common.

Salem Statesman Journal • 30th September 2022

Oregon’s Snow Camp Lookout offers meditative views, smoky skies

There is nothing quite like the joy of rising with the sun as it first breaches the horizon, announcing the start of another day, and then watching that same sun crest over your head only to melt into the ocean a few hours later, painting the sky red and pink.