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Explore the Intertwine

August 2016 Newsletter

 
The Intertwine Alliance is a coalition of 150+ public, private and nonprofit organizations working to integrate nature more deeply into the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region. Interested in joining us? Here's how.
A summit to remember. Save the date! On Tuesday, Oct. 18, The Intertwine Alliance will host its annual Fall Summit at the Oregon Zoo. Like many of our gatherings, this one will include a few unique twists. For one thing, we're adding a lunch session to celebrate the 2016 Force of Nature Awards. (Nomination forms will be sent to your in-box soon!) The afternoon will be lively with educational breakout sessions and the always-popular social hour. Many more details to be revealed in the coming weeks and months; watch for an email invitation in the next week or so. We look forward to spending the day with old friends and new.

Washington County, you're up! Our first round of Intertwine Alliance County Summits reaches its grand finale on Monday, Oct. 3, with Investing in Nature for Healthier Communities from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Portland Community College Rock Creek Campus. The Washington County Summit will examine the many angles that nature plays in keeping our communities thriving. Find out about the range of efforts in the county already supporting this vision, along with ways to connect your organization and programs. Invitations and registration info coming soon. For those of you inspired by the summits held in Clackamas, Clark and East Multnomah counties in May and June, keep an eye out for follow-ups we're scheduling for this fall. The Clark County Nature Network is also planning a youth engagement event.

Our expanding coalition. The summer has brought a slew of new partners -- and we're celebrating! Please join us in welcoming the following organizations to The Intertwine Alliance: Milagro has provided extraordinary Latino theatre, culture and arts education for the enrichment of all communities since 1985. Clark Public Utilities' StreamTeam is a volunteer-driven stream restoration program, with more than 1,000 team members donating over 3,500 hours each year to save salmon. And Valley View Riders, founded in 1969, devotes itself to recreational horseback riding and equine education.

Talk of the town. We also can't wait to tell you about this fantastic bunch of recently submitted Intertwine Projects:
  • Milagro's El Payaso is a bilingual play focused on the work of Ben Linder, an environmental engineer and clown, who died while bringing electricity to rural villages in Nicaragua. Milagro and its partners hope that the play, in combination with an environmental curriculum for schools they are developing, will inspire a new generation to give back to their community and the environment.
     
  • The partners of Adult Conservation Educators Northwest (ACE NW) -- including  Metro, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and Clean Water Services -- work strategically to cultivate adult land stewards. The group leverages its collective resources to reach a wider, more diverse audience and foster lasting behavior change and vibrant communities. 
     
  • Tualatin Riverkeepers is working with the Washington County Visitors Association, Metro and a number of city governments to submit an application to the Secretary of the Interior declaring the Tualatin River a National Water Trail
     
  • With the Regional Trails Signs project, Metro and local agency partners have for several years been installing new wayfinding and directional signs along many of The Intertwine's premier regional trails. Regional trails typically cross jurisdictional boundaries and are managed by multiple agencies, potentially leading to a confusing mix of sign systems. This project provides a single, uniform sign standard, improving visitor experience and awareness of The Intertwine.
Interested in joining the project network and getting support for your work? Here's how. 

Launching the levy. The Protect Our Natural Areas Campaign kick-off last Thursday at The Intertwine Alliance was lively and inspired. Metro counselors, environmental leaders, social justice advocates and many others got together in support of a YES vote for the Metro levy this November. We socialized, noshed, were inspired by speakers like Self Enhancement Inc.'s Gerald Deloney and Metro Council President Tom Hughes, and took fun photos -- like this one starring Metro Councilor Kathryn Harrington and Verde's Tony DeFalco. (See the full gallery here.) Interested in getting involved with the campaign? Please contact Aaron Brown at info@protectournaturalareas.com.

Your favorite day in nature. Development of the Daycation mobile app is in full swing, with testing and improvements rolling out over the next few months. As we submit the app to the Apple Store so that it can go live, here's a little something you can do: Send us your favorite Daycation! What do you like to do in The Intertwine? What's your most memorable day spent in urban nature? The Daycation Creation Station makes it easy to share your excursion. Please contact Tara at tara@theintertwine.org with any questions or ideas.

Get Outside. Admittedly, the blog has been a little quiet the past month -- but that always happens when Intertwine partners head outdoors to take full advantage of the long, warm days. (We consider this a good thing.) The lull gave us a chance to reprint this fantastic Metro round-up of Portland-area bicycling advances. Outside Voice showcases the ideas, opinions, concerns and projects of Alliance partners. We want to hear from you! Please direct your ideas or submissions to tara@theintertwine.org. You can also sign up to receive blog posts by email.

Other headlines from around The Intertwine:
  • The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge want to know what you imagine for a new Community & Nature Center at Ridgefield. Share your ideas at a public meeting on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. 
     
  • Early bird registration for this year's Environmental Education Association of Oregon (EEAO) conference is open through Aug. 15. The big event is Sept. 28-30 in Sisters, Oregon.
     
  • Applications for Metro’s Regional Travel Options grants are due Sept. 23. The program funds projects that create safe, vibrant and livable communities by increasing the use and understanding of travel options.

 

Mark your Calendar
Highlights of the month ahead. See the Intertwine event calendar for more.

  • Be transported. On Saturday, Aug. 13, the Port of Portland opens up Terminal 2 to the public for Seaport Celebration. Explore The Intertwine's very own working harbor by jumping on a jet boat ride, or throw on a helmet and try your hand at welding. There'll be interactive booths, live music and food. Admission and parking are free. Register here.
     
  • Join the youth revolution. Momentum Alliance is holding a repeat performance of last year's Momentum Convention, a celebratory evening bringing experienced community leaders and emerging young leaders together to share stories, create connections and demonstrate equity. It's Saturday, Aug. 27, at PSU's Smith Ballroom. Tickets available in various price points, free for participants under age 24. Register or get more info here.
     
  • Rose-colored glasses. Friends of Peninsula Park Rose Garden hosts Art in the Rose Garden on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Celebrate roses, the arts and community at this free event featuring works for sale by Pacific Northwest artists.
     
  • Trash talk. Join the Johnson Creek Watershed Council on Saturday, Aug. 27,  for one of the most challenging and rewarding community work events of the year, the Johnson Creek Clean Up. Last year, more than 160 people removed 3.5 tons of trash  in just one day. This year's clean up will be followed by a community barbecue, raffle and award ceremony. The first 100 people to sign up receive a free t-shirt. Register and get more info here.
Explore the Intertwine
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