It's Your Oregon: Peter Spendelow

Peter Spendelow has a Doctorate in Zoology from UW and currently resides in Portland, OR. Peter worked as a recycling/solid waste specialist for the Department of Environmental Quality for 23 years, and he is now the president of Northwest VEG.

Peter describes Northwest VEG as an organization that “promotes people moving to a plant-based diet to reduce their impact on the environment, to eat healthier food, and to avoid killing or harming animals.” Northwest VEG provides informational and social events to help people make changes towards a plant-based diet, such as monthly potlucks with speakers, monthly dine-outs, the Master Vegetarian Program and other classes, and the annual VegFest. Northwest VEG and the Oregon Environmental Council have a history of collaboration. They have worked together sharing information on the food system’s contribution to greenhouse gasses and promoting knowledge about global warming.

In his day-to-day life, Peter protects the environment by biking almost everywhere, recycling, and avoiding the use of pesticides. He is interested in the effects that our food choices have on the environment, and for him the best part of being vegan is the knowledge that he is doing his best to reduce the impacts of his diet on the environment, people, and animals. Peter enjoys spending time bird watching, and he likes visiting Malheur National Wildlife Reservation.