Regional career socials aim to grow Northeast Oregon’s natural resources workforce
By Garrett Christensen on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – (Release from Wallowa Resources) Communities across Northeast Oregon are facing a growing need for skilled workers in natural resource fields, from forestry and fire to fisheries, agriculture, and watershed management. In response, a series of Natural Resources Career Pathways Socials will be held January 27-29 in Baker, Union, Umatilla, and Wallowa Counties to help introduce more people to the wide range of careers that support the region’s land, water, and working landscapes.
Rather than functioning as a traditional job fair, these events are designed to spark interest, increase awareness, and expand the pipeline of future Northeast Oregon natural resource professionals. The focus is on helping community members understand what careers exist, how people get started, and how skills from other fields can transfer into natural resource work.
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with professionals working in forestry, fire, fisheries, agriculture, conservation, environmental education, and many other related disciplines. Conversations will center on career pathways, training and certification options, and the many roles–both in the field and behind the scenes–that are essential to sustaining natural resource work in Northeast Oregon.
“Many people don’t realize how diverse today’s natural resource careers are, or that there are many ways to enter the field,” said Jacob Losby, Workforce Development Coordinator for Wallowa Resources. “With a growing workforce shortage, it’s important to reach students, career changers, and community members who may already have the skills that are highly relevant to this work. We want to help introduce the next generation of Northeast Oregon land stewards to the rewarding and important opportunities in our region and ensure that our communities can sustain the traditions of working landscapes.”
Each event will also include resume and transferable skills support, helping students and mid-career professionals identify how their experience–whether in business, technology, education, or the trades–can translate into natural resource careers. This approach is intended to lower barriers for those who may not have a traditional resource background, but are interested in purpose-driven, locally based work.
These events are open to all community members, including high school students, college students, young adults, and individuals considering a career change. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
Event Schedule:
Baker County: Tuesday, January 27 | 5:00-8:00 PM – Baker County Event Center
Union County: Wednesday, January 28 | 5:00-8:00 PM – La Grande WorkSource Center
Umatilla County: Wednesday, January 28 | 5:00-8:00 PM – Pendleton WorkSource Center
Wallowa County: Thursday, January 29 | 5:00-8:00 PM – Wallowa County ESD Building
Specific locations, partner participation, and optional registration links are available through the Northern Blues Restoration Partnership events page.
These Pathways Career Socials are part of a broader regional effort to strengthen the natural resources workforce by building awareness, expanding access, and helping more people see themselves in careers that care for Northeast Oregon’s landscapes and communities.
This event was made possible through grants and partnerships with the USDA Forest Service.
For more information, visit https://www.northernblues.org/events
