Columbia Insight’s mission is to inform and inspire readers with original, balanced journalism about environmental issues affecting the Pacific Northwest with a special focus on the Columbia River Basin.
We publish stories that highlight the connection between the environment and all the people who call this place home.
Columbia Insight is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Hood River, Oregon. Our nonprofit federal tax-exempt number is 82-4504894. We are an online, independent, fact-based environmental news publication.
We share new articles every week on our website, through social media and direct to our newsletter subscribers. Our content can also be freely redistributed.
Our Staff
Susan Hess
Publisher Emeritus
susanh@columbiainsight.org
Susan started Columbia Insight to create a place to talk about the variety of ecosystems of the Columbia River Basin: mountains, high desert plateaus, rivers, canyons, oak savannas, and lush valleys. She graduated with a bachelors in city planning and master’s degree in business. She’s a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and the Institute for Nonprofit News.
Matthew Latterell
Executive Director
matthew@columbiainsight.org
Prior to joining Columbia Insight as executive director in 2025, Matthew served as an executive director of the nonprofit NetCorps, worked in higher education and nonprofits directing IT services, co-owned restaurants for 12 years and served on the boards of numerous environmental and community-based organizations. He graduated From Drew University with a degree in sociology and earned a masters degree in environmental studies from the University of Oregon.
Chuck Thompson
Editor
chuck@columbiainsight.org
Columbia Insight editor Chuck Thompson is an award-winning author of six books. A former executive producer with CNN, he’s written for numerous national publications including Outside, New Republic, Salon, Atlantic, Popular Mechanics and others.
Nathan Gilles
Contributing Editor
Nathan is an award-winning journalist and science writer based in Vancouver, Washington. His writing has appeared in Sierra Magazine, Indian Country Today, The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post. Contact him at nathangilles.com.
Kendra Chamberlain
Contributing Editor
Kendra is a freelance journalist based in Eugene, Oregon, covering environment, energy and climate change. Her work has appeared in DeSmog Blog, High Country News, InvestigateWest and Ensia.
Nick Engelfried
Contributing Editor
Nick is a freelance journalist based in Bellingham, Washington, who writes about environmental issues, climate politics and grassroots movements. His work has appeared in Sierra Magazine, The Revelator, In These Times, 1889 Magazine and elsewhere.
Contact us: PO Box 1021, Hood River, OR 97031 | info@columbiainsight.org
