Megan Blackburn

Megan Blackburn is the latest individual to be featured in The Eagle's Community Member Spotlight. She has lived in Wahkiakum County for 11 years and is a very active community member. Growing up with parents in the military, Megan moved around regularly, never really putting down roots. As an adult, Megan lived in New York for a while, getting by as a musician and trying not to get lost in the hustle and bustle. When she became tired of the big city life, Megan sold almost everything she owned, packed what was left, and lived in a van for the next two years, traveling to different rock-climbing destinations throughout the country. After an injury, she slowed down her rock climbing and, through a program that connects farmers and landowners with workers, came to work on Erik Friend's land. After a date to the farmers market and a walk around town, Megan knew she was where she was supposed to be, "This is a rad community! It's a nice mixed bag...everyone's got really cool stories." Erik and Megan have been together ever since and now have three children, Birdie, Everwild, and Andromeda.

Megan and Erik live off-grid on their property, with chickens and a garden they work daily to maintain. Still, Megan begins her day the same way as most: with a cup of coffee. Being off-grid adds a few extra steps to the brewing process, but being able to enjoy the morning in the outdoor kitchen adds a sweetness that makes the extra effort worthwhile. If the calendar is empty that day, she likes to see what the day will bring. Sometimes the day brings in a call for a small animal rescue or perhaps a possum was hit on the road Megan will be the one to go see if the animal is alive or young. She works with WAAG as well, answering the call when any small wildlife is in need of rescuing. Regardless of the day's plans, she likes to let her kids set the tone for each day with their questions, "If they have questions that's an opportunity to dive into something," says Megan, "Like Why does Saturn have rings?" or... "what's 100 trillion million?" Any opportunity to teach the kids something we dive into and it becomes the theme of the day." Megan tries to link the things they learn or experience throughout the day back to the very questions that set the day's theme.

The Town of Cathlamet had plans in the works this summer to cut down the beloved tree that overlooks the footbridge at Strong Park, a plan that Megan, and many other community members have been outspoken against from the start. "That's not replaceable you can't just plant another tree. It took over 100 years to grow," says Megan, "It's been here since before this town even became a town. It's been looking at that river, watching this shoreline longer than any of us let it stay there." The Town's plans came to a halt after Megan uncovered that the property the tree sits upon is actually owned by the Wahkiakum Museum and not the Town. "I'm just a regular person, I just care. Any research I've done is from just a regular person's standpoint...I want to work with [the Town council], I don't want to come across like I'm battling them." She stresses that the community needs to come together to solve these problems and that it's crucial to have a community-wide discussion before such big decisions are made.

When she isn't advocating for centuries-old trees, Megan is looking for opportunities to lend a helping hand, "I check Cathlamet Area News [on Facebook] because that seems to be where a lot of people post that they need something." Whether it's a need, an injured animal, or someone just needing computer help, Megan finds out where she and Eric can help or where she can direct people to get what they need "I really like putting people together who can help each other it might be my superpower." Megan makes it a point of collecting contacts, making notes of what she knows them for and looks for opportunities to connect people. Megan is always looking for ways to better herself so that she can be there for her family and so she can be of better service to others. Between connecting people and filling needs, to taking a wilderness first aid course, Megan wants to be ready to help in any situation she can.

When asked what she'd like to see more of in the community, Megan said "I already see community members helping each other and I think that's good and I think we should keep that going, but more involvement of younger people helping each other out. If you want something to change... you need to just do it." Megan also mentioned that she'd love to see a renewed liveliness and more people just walking around downtown, enjoying the community and connecting with each other.