Zach Urness
Scio
Summary
Award-winning reporter, editor and leader with proven track record of building teams and creating content that informs and inspires people across Oregon and beyond.
Expertise in working with diverse groups and a deep understanding of the history and challenges facing the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Outdoors Editor
USA Today / Salem Statesman Journal / Eugene Register-Guard
08.2012 - Current
- Write news, features and enterprise about Oregon’s environment and outdoors for the Salem Statesman Journal, Eugene Register-Guard and USA Today.
- Manage and edit 2-3 reporting interns per summer, 3-4 freelancers and staff photographers.
- One of Oregon’s most trusted and read outdoors news sources.
- Robust social media presence with over 14,000 followers. Newsletter with 3,000 subscribers.
- Do interviews with local, statewide and national media seeking expertise on topics related to Oregon’s outdoors.
- Give frequent presentations to clubs and groups around Oregon about reporting and books. Collaborate with outdoor recreation user groups on stories, promotion and projects.
Host and Creator
Explore Oregon Podcast
01.2018 - Current
- Write, host, edit and produce award-winning podcast that centers on Oregon’s outdoor scene. Combines travel, history, news and interviews on Oregon’s most interesting people and places.
- Podcast interviews include U.S. senators and Oregon agency directors, along with mushroom hunters, guidebook authors and raft guides.
- 200 episodes, 80% completion rate and average 10,000-15,000 unique listeners per month.
- Three podcast sponsors fund outdoor journalism internship at the Statesman Journal.
Author
- Co-author “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon,” published 2018 by Mountaineers Books.
- Co-author “Hiking Southern Oregon,” published 2014 by Falcon Guides.
Oregon Field Guide / OPB Contributor
Oregon Public Broadcasting
- Produced episodes for the television show Oregon Field Guide and frequently appeared as guest on Oregon Public Broadcasting programs.
Drone Pilot
- Part 107 certified drone operator’s license (currently lapsed). I have flown a number of photography flights for USA Today Network and the Statesman Journal.
Freelance contributor
Eugene Register-Guard / The Oregonian
09.2010 - 08.2012
- Contributed one feature story to the outdoors section of the Eugene Register-Guard each month and wrote for The Oregonian/OregonLive on semi-regular occasions.
Sports Reporter and Outdoors Writer
Grants Pass Daily Courier
12.2007 - 08.2012
- Outdoors and sports writer that produced outdoor columns and videos while covering high school and college sports.
- Created and maintained content for the website “Zach’s Adventures.” Focused on outdoor recreation and environmental issues in Southern Oregon.
Reporter / photographer
Lake County Leader
11.2006 - 12.2007
- General assignment reporter in northwest Montana.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, Pre-Law / Environmental Studies
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, Minn.01.2006
High School Diploma - undefined
St. Louis Park High School
St. Louis Park, Minn.01.2002
Skills
- 30x award-winning writer, editor, videographer and podcaster
- Deep understanding of Oregon's outdoor recreation community and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
- Experience building and maintaining relationships with wide variety of people, from US Senators and agency leaders to local raft guides and anglers
- Experience building a strong team and training, assigning and evaluating work of others
- Experience using technology to create compelling and informative content
- Expert in media relations and strong public speaker
- Knowledge of how to effectively communicate with government officials and the media
- Detailed fact-checker and zealot for accuracy
Awards
National Awards
2020: Best of Gannett, Labor Day Fires coverage, 1st place
2019: Philip Meyer Award for investigative journalism, 2ndplace, “Ahead of the Fire”
SPJ Northwest Excellence in Journalism
2024: Environment & Natural Disaster Reporting. 2nd place
2020: Best audio series 2nd place
2015: Best columns, 1st place
Lifestyles Reporting, 1st place
Short General Feature Story, 2nd place
2011: Best Sports / Outdoors Columns, 3rd place
2010: Best Sports / Outdoors Columns, 2nd place
2009: Best Lifestyles Reporting, 3rd place
Oregon Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest
2023: Best local column, 1st place
2021: Best Lifestyle Coverage, 1st place
2020: Best Enterprise Reporting, 3rd place
2019: Best Enterprise reporting, 1st place; Best local column, 2ndplace
2018: Best local column, 1st place
2016: Best Writing, 1st place; Best Story of the Year, 2nd place
Best Web Project, 2nd place
Best multimedia element, 2nd place
2015: Best Lifestyle Coverage, 2nd
Place; Best Web Project, 2nd place
2014: Best Spot News, 1st place
2013: Best Writing, 2nd place
Best Local Column, 2nd place
2012:Best Sports Story, 1st place
Best Local Column, 3rd place
2011: Best Local Column, 3rd place
2010: Best Sports Story, 1st place
2009: Best Sports Page, 2nd place
Best Sports Story, 3rd place
Montana Better Newspaper Contest
2007: Seven awards won in MNA contest
Timeline
Host and Creator
Explore Oregon Podcast
01.2018 - Current
Outdoors Editor
USA Today / Salem Statesman Journal / Eugene Register-Guard
08.2012 - Current
Freelance contributor
Eugene Register-Guard / The Oregonian
09.2010 - 08.2012
Sports Reporter and Outdoors Writer
Grants Pass Daily Courier
12.2007 - 08.2012
Reporter / photographer
Lake County Leader
11.2006 - 12.2007
High School Diploma - undefined
St. Louis Park High School
Author
Oregon Field Guide / OPB Contributor
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Drone Pilot
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature, Pre-Law / Environmental Studies
University of St. Thomas