How Water Shapes a Life with Frances Oyung | Go Wildly Podcast

🎙 Go Wildly Podcast — Episode 25: Frances Oyung | How Water Shapes a Life🌲 About This EpisodeOn this episode, we float the Rogue with Frances Oyung — longtime conservation advocate and retiring Rogue Riverkeeper Program Manager with the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center.Frances’ life has revolved around snow, rivers, and wild places since the start. Even after moving to Oakland, California, skiing, camping, and exploring the Sierra Nevada remained central to her identity.As a teenager, she discovered whitewater boating on the Stanislaus River. When the canyon was flooded by the New Melones Dam construction in the late 1970s, it ignited a lifelong commitment to protecting rivers.Frances went on to study Environmental Studies at University of California, Santa Cruz, and built a career rooted in environmental education, river stewardship, and public lands conservation.After years of seasonal outdoor work — rafting, teaching field courses, working in parks, and even serving as an “owl hooter” for the Bureau of Land Management — she settled in Southern Oregon in 1992. She is soon to be retiring from her role as Program Manager with Rogue Riverkeeper where she's been working to protect water quality, fish habitat, and community access to rivers throughout the Rogue Basin.In this episode we talk about:• Jackson County drinking water and wastewater systems• The history of sewage and water management in Southern Oregon• Owl surveys with the BLM• Careers in outdoor and environmental work• How people build community in the Rogue Valley• The importance of land use and waterfront stewardship• Helping kids connect with nature• Protecting waterways where you live• Frances’ journey from dirtbag river guide to rooted community advocate👂🏽We also discuss organizations working in water and rivers including:• Rogue Riverkeeper: www.rogueriverkeeper.org• Medford Water Commission: www.medfordwater.org• Freshwater Trust: www.thefreshwatertrust.org• Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries: www.oregon.gov/dogami/pages/default.aspxAlong the way, we watch a Great Blue Heron rookery, talk about recreating responsibly, and explore how everyday people can help protect the places they love.🌿About Go Wildly PodcastGo Wildly is a storytelling podcast based in Southern Oregon exploring outdoor culture, adventure, and the people whose lives are shaped by wild places. Each episode features guides, scientists, artists, and everyday locals who are building meaningful lives connected to the outdoors.Real people. Real stories. Wild places.If you love outdoor podcasts, rivers, community, or understanding the landscapes you move through — you’re in the right place.🎧 Follow Go WildlyYouTube: @gowildlypodcast Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/spotifygowildlypodcastInstagram: @gowildlypodcast Website: https://www.gowildlypodcast.comContact: [email protected]🛠 CreditsHosted, Edited & Produced by Go Wildly PodcastTheme Music: “Rainmaker” by Jared MastersKeywordsGo Wildly Podcast, Southern Oregon podcast, outdoor podcast, river guide life, Rogue River rafting, whitewater rafting podcast, rafting culture, outdoor adventure podcast, inclusive outdoor culture, Oregon rivers, Idaho rivers, Rogue Valley podcast, wilderness storytelling podcast, place-based podcast, Rogue River, Rogue River Oregon, Southern Oregon rivers, river conservation, riverkeeper, water conservation, Rogue Valley Oregon, whitewater history, environmental careers, river protection, outdoor jobs Oregon, water quality, freshwater conservation, environmental education, Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center, river advocacy, owl hooters