Overlooking the Rock River in Oregon has stood the Loredo Taft Field Campus. Norther Illinois University who ran the campus announced in 2024 they would be closing the campus.
Julie Bassett said she was standing in the Taft Cafeteria overlooking the river when she noticed an eagle. She stated it seemed as if Taft whispered to her, “Do not forget me”. This is when she began a grassroots group called Together for Taft.
During the most recent Oregon City Council meeting, Bassett came seeking city support.
Bassett spoke of re-imagining the campus and creating a nature based school environment. This would be for youth as well as adults.
Bassett described it as a way to educate the next generation of environmental leaders and to help the state gain its climate and conservation goals. Together for Taft is a group made up of citizens, educators, environmentalists and conservationists.
