Intertwine July 2013 Newsletter
Dear Friends,

Basketball and Casablanca. Cricket and Bluegrass All Stars. Bocce and The Avengers. School may be out, but in parks from Clark to Clackamas counties, Intertwiners are still practicing their ABCs. With an abundance of sun, birds in the shade trees, and calendars packed with free events, this summer we're studying the subject of outdoor fun. Are you? Grab that No. 2 pencil and circle "yes."

 June call-out: June call-out: Put a petal on it! We've got 100 of these lovely sign wraps, ready to claim your trail post as an official par t of The Intertwine. Know a post that needs signing up? Contact Irene. 
 
Alliance Updates

99 partners appear on our wall! A favorite pastime at Intertwine HQ: celebrating the rapidly swelling ranks of The Intertwine Alliance. This past month alone, we welcomed a new sustaining partner, Trackers Earth; full partners Friends of Terwilliger, Gray Family Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve, Oregon State Parks Foundation, the Human Access Project, Columbia Springs, and Wilderness International Youth Conservation Corps; contributing partner Climate Solutions; and honorary partner Frank's Garage. Which amazing new partner will light our coalition scoreboard with triple digits?
 
Cheering from the stands. Over 60 of you filled KEEN HQ's wooden bleachers for a June 13th Partners Meeting. In case you missed it, highlights included:
  • Board elections (high five to our 2013-2014 team, and hearty pat on the back to outgoing members Roopal Patel, David Cohen, Michelle Healy, Geoff Roach, and Meryl Redisch);
  •  The release of a second Intertwine FM audio diary from Ketzel   Levine, and
  • Excellent networking over Sasquatch Brewing Company's donated keg of tasty suds.
Intertwine News

Going to bat for us. On June 5th -- World Environment Day -- Portland Mayor Charlie Hales became the first elected official to publicly accept The Intertwine's 2013 Our Common Ground Challenge. Seventeen elected leaders have since joined our circle of champions, committing to:
  • Increase the amount of stormwater managed by green infrastructure;
  • Establish a permanent funding source to protect our natural area investments; and
  • Develop a plan to increase canopy cover.
 
Using our Outside Voice. Elected leaders aren't the only ones speaking up. On June 13th, we launched our new blog, Outside Voice, to showcase opinionated guest writers like arborist Todd Prager, extreme kayaker Sam Drevo, and environmental educator Traci Price. This week, former NPS Deputy Director Mickey Fearn asks us: why does the environmental movement lack diversity?
 
Everyone at the picnic table. Mickey Fearn isn't alone in tackling the issue of social equity. Save the date for a special Intertwine event from 4:30-7 pm on July 17th, featuring a film double-header with the Cully Park Project and Chad Brown of Soul River -- followed by a moderated discussion with Mickey himself.

Team player. Ah, the power of partnerships! June 18th's Intertwine Conservation Education Summit drew over 100 educators for a day of song, celebration, and synergy. Intertwine Program Manager David Cohen was thrilled, watching "wheels turning with folks exploring ways they could potentially collaborate to improve their programs." 


Partner Updates

Summer School. We hope that all Alliance partners plan on acing that outdoor fun aptitude test. Your study guide? Portland Parks and Recreation's Summer Free For All event guide.

 Line FloatIntertwine overachievers. July is going to be a great month for extracurricular accomplishments, with Alliance partners aiming to set two world records.


Most people floating in a line. On July 5th, the Human Access Project hopes to count more than 543 inner-tubers holding hands in the Willamette -- thus deflating Viareggio, Italy's 2008 title.The Big Hug

Most people hugging trees in the same place. Meanwhile, Minnesotans might as well embrace the fact that on July 20th, Hoyt Arboretum will set a new standard for tree-hugging at summer's most lovable event.