Celebrating 50 years of the endangered species act
Portland, OREGON
Natures Kaleidoscope by Jeremy Nichols.
A new mural titled Nature's Kaleidoscope was recently unveiled in Portland, Oregon’s historic Pearl District. The mural features imperiled species of the Pacific Northwest to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This bedrock environmental law has prevented the extinction of 99% of listed species. Oregon Wild and Portland Street Art Alliance teamed up to create this stunning mural.
“The Endangered Species Act protects creatures great and small. While it’s true iconic species like the humpback whale, peregrine falcon, and bald eagle have been brought back from the brink of extinction, many smaller or lesser-known species benefit too. When we safeguard biodiversity as a whole we invest in our future, as human health is directly connected to the health of the environment around us.” – Alijana Fisher, Wildlife and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Associate for Oregon Wild.
The mural was designed and painted by local artist Jeremy Nichols. It features the gray wolf, northern spotted owl, coho salmon, western painted turtle, monarch butterfly, Oregon silverspot butterfly, Gentner's fritillary, rough popcorn flower, and Howell's spectacular thelypody.
“We are honored to have the opportunity to work with Oregon Wild, Killian Pacific, and local artist Jeremy Nichols on this mural. This new piece of public art honors the tapestry of life that thrives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest. We are proud to call Oregon home, and want to help conserve and protect our unique biodiversity for generations to come.” – Tiffany Conklin, Executive Director, Portland Street Art Alliance
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jeremy Nichols was born in Japan in 1982. He grew up in Columbus,Ohio where he graduated from OSU with a BFA in primtmaking. He is currently working out of Portland, Oregon.
His work tends to focus on the energy, movement, balance, and harmony of the chaos around us. From urban growth and development, to the forward push to preserve the nature around us. He tries to visually show a juxtaposition of these opposing forces by layering elements of graphic design and nature, in order to create an environment that seems familiar, yet unfamiliar. He wants the viewer to take their own visual journey through the details and to question and appreciate the environment that surrounds them.
Artist Jeremy Nichols working on the new mural Nature’s Kaleidoscope in NW Portland.
Mural Unveling
Left to Right: Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, Artist Jeremy Nichols Grand Ronde Tribal Council Member Kathleen George, Metro Council President Lynn Peterson, and Alijana Fisher Wildlife and Equity Diversity and Inclusion Associate for Oregon Wild.
A public unveiling ceremony and press conference took place on Thursday August 3 2023. Keynote speakers included Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici Grand Ronde Tribal Council Member Kathleen George and Metro Council President Lynn Peterson.
"The Endangered Species Act has been very successful. I want to celebrate the first 50 years, but not give up on the fight to continue it and protect it. We do not need to limit our ambition to minimizing losses, we can aspire to a future and an America that is more beautiful and cleaner, and safer than it is today." – Suzanne Bonamici, Congresswoman
""How we value and live with any other creature is based on how we see that being. Our elders tell us that as modern tribal members, we always have to remember that we walk in two worlds. I think that they’re right and that these two different worlds can speak directly to why we have endangered species and why we so need the Endangered Species Act." – Kathleen George, Grand Ronde Tribal Councilwoman
"The Oregon Zoo for the past 25 years has teamed up with agencies and tribes, non-profits in our community to restore wildlife here in the PNW. Together we have prevented the extinction of the Oregon silverspot butterfly, that Jeremy depicted so beautifully, tripled the range of the northwestern pond turtle in Washington state, and were the first in the world to breed the pygmy rabbits from extinction. These things aren't easy, that’s why we’ve teamed up." – Lynn Peterson Metro Council President
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Photography: Sara Sjol for Portland Street Art Alliance