Dec 2013 Newsletter

Alliance Updates

Getting active on transportation. Attend The Intertwine Alliance's Regional Active Transportation Forum on Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 1 to 5 p.m. We're excited to dive deeper into our region’s most pressing active transportation issues, and look forward to ongoing discussions on these topics. The forum will focus on the importance of walking and bicycling projects, and their role in supporting larger regional strategies. Contribute to a discussion that could guide and influence future investments in transportation. "How We Get There Matters" will take place at Portland State University's Native American Cultural Center in downtown Portland. Sponsored by Metro, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, and Portland State University's Initiative for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation, the event is FREE and open to Intertwine Alliance partners and the public. Read more, or register today.

Cohort for change. The Intertwine Alliance is launching its equity and inclusion strategy this year. One element of the strategy is to provide support to interested Intertwine Alliance partners through an equity and Professor Ann Curry-Stevens

inclusion cohort. Starting in February, a pilot group of 10 partner organizations will meet once a month for 8 months to assess their organizations and apply an equity lens to organizational policies, programs and practices. The program will be facilitated by PSU Professor Ann Curry-Stevens and the Coalition of Communities of Color, who will help create a supportive learning community. Interested? Meet the facilitators at an information session on January 12 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Room 622 of PSU's Academic and Student Recreation Center, 1800 SW 6th Ave. Applications available at the information session, or get one from Kevin at kevin@theintertwine.org. Learn more about the cohort here.

Strengthening our core. Want to get involved with The Intertwine Alliance’s work? Consider our Core Group, the advisory team that supports staff by helping shape our current thinking, developing new ideas, connecting us with partners, and giving feedback on a range of Alliance efforts. Are you a strategic thinker good at blending big-picture brainstorming with on-the-ground action? If so, we need you! The group meets once a month, currently on the fourth Wednesday. Please email Program Manager David Cohen at david@theintertwine.org if you’re interested.

Southwest style. A hearty welcome to new Intertwine Alliance partner Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc. A nonprofit coalition of 17 neighborhood and three business associations in southwest Portland, SWNI empowers citizen action to improve and maintain the livability of neighborhoods. Welcome to the Alliance! Curious about becoming a partner organization? Here's how.

Intertwine News

Funding alert! The Community Watershed Stewardship Program is accepting Stewardship Grant pre-applications through Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. A partnership between the City of Portland Environmental Services and Portland State University, CWSP helps Portlanders improve their neighborhoods and communities while boosting watershed health. Grants of up to $10,000 are awarded for projects focused on:

CWSP Stewardship Grants

-- Neighborhood safety, health and livability
-- Youth leadership and skills development
-- Community gardens and greenspaces
-- Art and education
-- Clean-up and restoration
-- Stormwater management

A grant review committee will invite selected applicants to submit full proposals in April. Click for more information or a pre-application form.

Epicenter of happy trails. Registration has begun for the May 17-20 International Trails Symposium, taking place right here in Portland! Save up to $120 by registering before March 20. American Trails holds the symposium every two years for trail and greenway advocates, managers, planners, users, and tourism and business interests. The Intertwine Alliance will organize volunteers for the event; stay tuned for more info. This year's theme is "Solutions for Success," with a focus on tackling tough issues in trail design, technology, sustainability, management, advocacy and health.

Big brains under the blue sky. The Oregon Outdoor Education Coalition Institute continues a series of six regional discussions about outdoor education, and how it can better serve the needs of our communities, with a gathering on Wed., Jan. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Metro Council Chamber. Oregon’s outdoor school programs have a rich history dating back to the late 1950s, but today less than half of Oregon students participate in the program. Here's a chance to shape outdoor education's future; register here.

AmeriCorps and justice for all. Have a compelling environmental project idea? Does it incorporate equity and social justice? Could an 11-month AmeriCorps Member help you? If so, consider this: Confluence AmeriCorps' fifth annual request for proposals begins Jan. 29. Each year, Confluence Environmental Center partners with nonprofits, schools and government agencies to create 20 full-time AmeriCorps positions in the Portland area. Information sessions are scheduled for Feb. 5 and Feb. 12 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at TaborSpace. Proposals due March 19. Click for more information.

Final reminder. The deadline for Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods grants is Jan. 13. Small grants up to $25,000 and large grants up to $100,000 are available for a wide variety of projects, such as nature education for children, job training for nature-based careers, and building capacity for groups to connect communities to nature. For more info, contact Crista.Gardner@oregonmetro.gov.

Best in the land. Another reminder that the Oregon Department of State Lands is accepting nominations for State Land Board Awards, recognizing efforts promoting responsible, sustainable stewardship of state resources, through Feb. 20. Categories are: Wetland Project, Stream Project and Partnership. Previous winners have been located throughout Oregon and have included dam removals, fish habitat improvement and farmland restoration. The Partnership Award honors organizations that advance the Department of State Lands' work through volunteer efforts. Click here for nomination forms.

Wrapping up a fantastic year. In 2014's final Outside Voice blog post, Intertwine Alliance Executive Director Mike Wetter ponders the importance of passing the podium from the "geezers" to today's youth leaders. Also, in case you missed it, Metro's Mark Davison and GreenWork's Robin Craig contributed a thought-provoking piece about "food parks," a centuries-old tradition in Europe gaining ground right here in The Intertwine.

Your public broadcast system. Have something to spread far and wide throughout The Intertwine? Consider writing for the Outside Voice blog. With a new post every other week, Outside Voice showcases the diverse stories, opinions and expertise of Intertwine partners and friends. Anything of interest to parks, trails and natural area enthusiasts is good fodder. Email blog editor Tara Wilkinson -- tara@theintertwine.org -- for submission guidelines.

Partner Happenings

Training season. Learn how to plan and implement your own environmental community project, the ins and outs of watershed basics, and more with SOLVE training sessions throughout the month of January. Have a specific project in mind? Applications are being accepted now through Feb. 2 for SOLVE IT, "Oregon’s Largest Earth Day Event," happening April 18. SOLVE provides supplies, project support and training to every volunteer leader. For more details, visit www.solveoregon.org, or contact SOLVE at 503-844-9571 or info@solveoregon.org.

Bluffs & canyons & more. Take a trip Jan. 15 and Jan. 17 through the geologic history of the Metro region. This two-part class led by Metro naturalists begins with an evening of maps and stories illustrating basic regional geology. Then take a day-long journey through Metro natural areas and parks for a hands-on investigation of local geologic features. Cost $50. Suitable for ages 15 and up. Read more or register.

Leading the way. Three-day workshop the "Art of Participatory Leadership: An Art of Hosting Intensive" is set for Feb. 11-13 at the Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. The Art of Hosting was born out of the field of large-group facilitation, where self-organization and “a leader in every seat” are organizing principles. The workshop will focus on processes, tools and engagement strategies to bring out the best in communities and foster deeper collaboration. Read more and register.

For more upcoming events, see the Intertwine Alliance partner calendar.