Reel provocative. Please join us for
"A River Between Us," the second installment of the
Our Common Ground Film Series, on
Wednesday, Jan. 13. A documentary about the bitter, century-old battle over water rights in the Klamath Basin, the film explores the reparations needed to build a compromise between 42 diverse, sometimes adversial, groups. But where this feel-good story leaves off, the controversy continues, with the agreement itself having created major divisions and ongoing battles, and in danger of falling part at a critical end-of-year deadline. Ultimately, the film shares some important lessons about viewing our shared connection to place through a different lens, and how the work ahead must be based in finding common ground. Doors at the cozy Mission Theater & Pub open at 5 p.m.; the film starts at 6. Stick around after for a pint with friends old and new. The event is free and open to the public. See you there.
New partner flurry. Please join us in welcoming a lively and diverse bunch of new partners to The Alliance this month:
Vive NW;
Oregon Equestrian Trails;
Wisdom of the Elders, Inc.; and
Hike it Baby. We're delighted and honored to collaborate with you all.
Seeking our new team member. While we haven't filled the position yet, we've received lots of great resumes for the office and projects manager job. (For those who haven't heard, Kevin Le left in late December to manage events at EcoDistricts. We'll miss him, and wish him much success and happiness.) We've scheduled a couple of interviews with candidates we're excited to meet, and will keep you posted.
Power to your project. Our first gathering of current, prospective and just-curious-about-the-whole-thing Intertwine Project leaders is coming up on Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the David Evans & Associates building (home to The Intertwine Alliance). Want to find out what Intertwine Projects are all about, and how you might get involved? It's not to late to join this merry crowd (about 30 so far) for conversation and lunch. RSVP to tara@theintertwine.org by Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 5 p.m.
Three cheers for conservation. A reminder that the inaugural Quarterly Conservation Forum is set for
Thursday, Jan. 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the David Evans & Associates building. The series is the brainchild of The Intertwine Alliance Regional Conservation Steering Committee, which has been hard at work thinking up ways to advance implementation of the
Regional Conservation Strategy. We'll focus on a single theme each time, with the first being POLLINATORS. All conservation practitioners are encouraged to show up to exchange information, ideas, organizational priorities and work plans.
Read more and RSVP by Thursday, Jan. 14.
Spring summits. Ladies and gentleman, you heard it here first: The Intertwine Alliance will
not hold a spring summit this year. Instead, we'll have three of them! Intertwine West, Intertwine East and Intertwine South regional summits will soon be scheduled for April, enabling partners to convene closer to the places they work and to address issues in a localized way. (Intertwine North is ahead of the curve, with Clark County having already begun regular regional gatherings.) Please stay tuned for dates and more information. Questions? Email Program Manager David Cohen at david@theintertwine.org.
Get smarter. The 15th Annual
New Partners for Smart Growth Conference, the nation's largest smart growth and sustainability event, is happening
Feb. 11-13 in downtown Portland. The theme "Practical Tools and Innovative Strategies for Creating Great Communities" underscores this year's stronger emphasis on implementation.
Register by Jan. 21.
Excellent adventure. Environmental educators, administrators and program developers, you're invited to
"Guidelines for Excellence Workshop: Non-Formal Education Programs" at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge on
Friday, Jan. 15. The one-day workshop will introduce the newest publication in the
National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education series, a set of recommendations for high-quality, non-formal environmental education programs. Cost is $35. Register to jmendenhall@friendsoftualatinrefuge.org or 503-625-5944.
Advisory committee needed. Urban Nature Partners PDX is a young nonprofit that matches underserved youth with outdoor mentors, offers family-inclusive outdoor outings, and more. Headed into its third year, the program is seeking a small cadre of volunteers passionate about nature, youth and social justice to serve on a new working advisory committee. If you have 5 to 20 hours per month; possess skills in fundraising, financial management, publicity, data management, legal issues, or other related nonprofit management knowledge; and especially if you're an adult from a diverse background, check out the
program and contact Founder/Director Kristin Bowling at urbannaturepartnerspdx@gmail.com.
Just one, but it's a doozy. In December's
Outside Voice, Bicycle Transportation Alliance Executive Director Rob Sadowsky wrote about the equity work his organization took on last year -- and the profound impact it's had at every level. Be inspired and challenged
here. It's a new year, folks, with a fresh opportunity to submit your stories to the blog. Email tara@theintertwine.org with your idea, or sign up to receive
email notifications.
Funding Opportunities
Trail development. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is launching the Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund with up to $85,000 per year for local and regional trail development and improvement. Through the new program, RTC will help organizations close gaps in trail systems, build capacity, and complete projects promising long-term positive impact. Preference will be given to projects supporting RTC’s mission of transforming unused rail corridors into vibrant public places, but all multi-use trail projects are eligible. Learn more and apply
here by
Jan. 31.
Getting kids outside. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office is accepting
No Child Left Inside grant applications through
Feb. 16. The program provides money for outdoor environmental, ecological, agricultural, or other natural resource-based education and recreation programs serving youth.
Last call for conservation ed. Have an idea for connecting people with nature? A
conservation education grant from Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods could help your program grow with awards up to $30,000. A wide variety of projects can fit the bill, such as nature education for school-aged children, job training or internships for nature-based careers, or capacity building for groups connecting communities to nearby natural areas. Apply by
Jan. 26. Questions? Contact Grants Coordinator Crista Gardner at crista.gardner@oregonmetro.gov.
WA schoolyards. Friends and partners in Clark County
: Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools proposals are due
Feb. 19. Supporting Washington’s Healthiest Next Generation Initiative, grants fund renovations to existing buildings, site improvements, and the purchase and installation of equipment. Applications are submitted by school district, with a minimum request of $2,500. Awards are limited to $200,000 per district. Learn more and apply
here.
Mark your Calendar
Highlights of the month ahead. See the event calendar for more.
Free movies & pizza! The
Vancouver Watersheds Alliance annual food-and-film series kicks off its
2016 season with "The True Cost," a documentary exploring the global fashion industry's human and environmental impact, on
Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 6 p.m. Enjoy the flick with a slice of pizza at the Vancouver Community Library.
Be the change. Join Jeanne and Dick Roy, cofounders of the
Center for Earth Leadership, for a discussion about becoming agents of climate change on
Monday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. The Roys will describe their
Climate Agent of Change Leadership Training, a free six-session workshop beginning in late February. Informational session attendees will be given priority in workshop registration. Full info
here. RSVP to marnie@earthleaders.org.
