I’m Elise Herron, a Portland, Oregon-based writer. My writing focuses on environmental and social justice.
Writing clips
6 Photographers on How They Shoot Rivers
Western Rivers Conservancy, Oct 2025
As part of an ongoing series of innovative ways to connect with rivers and become inspired to support the work of Western Rivers Conservancy, I asked six nature photographers for their tips on capturing rivers. The piece appeared alongside a collection of my writing in the organization’s Eddied Out series.
Racist Housing Policies Have Created Dangerous ‘Heat Islands’ in Cities
Vice, April 2020
For Vice’s Tipping Point—a series focused on environmental justice stories—I wrote about how historically redlined neighborhoods experience significantly higher temperatures than their non-redlined counterparts. I spoke with researchers, activists and people experiencing extreme heat firsthand to show how climate change hits communities of color hardest.
Oregon Women Are Inventing Better Orgasms
Willamette Week, July 24, 2019
I wrote about the entrepreneurs proving that some niche markets might not be so niche after all—they just serve populations that have never been taken seriously.
This Trippy Oregon Theme Park Is Like A Psychedelic Disneyland
Thrillist, May 2020
A peculiar amusement park in the tiny town of Turner, Oregon caters mostly to children. But, I wrote about how it has become a low-key psychedelic playground for adults.
Coronavirus Has Devastated Portland’s Queer-Owned Businesses
Portland Monthly Magazine, June 2020 issue
While retailers everywhere struggled through coronavirus shut-downs, inequitable access to funds made weathering the COVID-19 fallout significantly more difficult for queer- and minority-owned businesses. I wrote about the specific impact on Portland businesses, and ways to help.
Recommendations
“In my mind, the ideal journalist is a person who understands why a story is newsworthy and can efficiently find and weave together facts, quotes and context. That, in a nutshell, is Elise. She is a team player, a professional and a delight to be around.”
— Nigel Jaquiss, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter
“Elise has an impressive ability to handle multiple projects, navigate working with many different personalities, and find solutions to problems when there is no roadmap. I hope to get the chance to work with Elise again.”
— Anna Zusman, Strategy Director