the problem:
Portland Organic Productions is working hard to solve problems facing community livability and sustainability. Portland Organic Productions is striving to maintain and promote a statewide sustainable communities growth through revitalization and preservation of our natural and rural areas. In keeping within the mission of the organization to promote healthy business communities, create a vibrant and diverse business districts, create sustainable and livable communities, increase social awareness of the environment and livability, encourage residents to shop local, and increase the spirit of community. Promoting economic and social common good in Portland, to create a once monthly revitalization and beautification event though out the Portland business districts, river fronts and neglected properties to cleanup litter, graffiti, and invasive plants, to install murals, to install rainwater gardens in public spaces, and water ways. This project is designed to make a direct impact on all Portland communities by helping to maintain a clean and safe space for commerce and community life.
vital stats:
people impacted:
34,198
people involved:
600
why it's important:
"I used to spend hours walking along the river bank in Cathedral Park picking up trash with a baby (Thor Foss). As a nanny and a mother I found it very rewarding, however, daunting. I had been longing to make this World a better place and create a positive global shift. My hope is that my son, whom I gave up adoption because of my young age, would be impacted by all my love and dedication to the good of humanity. I knew I could not do this alone...."
the plan of action:
The first step of action I took was going to a community meeting and complaining about the issue. I went to a Cathedral Park Neighborhood Association meeting and voiced my opinion. I was very passionate and disturbed by the abundance of litter along the river bank. when I asked the group who was in charge of the litter removal along the Willamette River the group responded in unison "You are." After just a moment of thinking about it I responded "Yes I am!"
The second step I took was working with local neighborhood activist seeking advice for sponsorship, policies and regulations (for Parks & Recreation and Sound permitting)to get this work done. I gained sponsorship though SOLVE and Metro during this first clean up. It took two months for me to plan the first clean up.
For the first year I spend around 1,000 of my own money to get things like: dumpster retails, permitting, electricity use and food and water bottles.
During the 2nd year I have spend only a few 100 dollars thanks to a sponsorship though Gunderson (a local industrial Superfund site contributor) and they started paying for the dumpster rental and food on occasion. Some local vendors started donating food upon my request.
PDXOP went about this mission by creating the Cathedral Park Clean UP (CPCU) events. These events have occurred consecutively every other month since inception. In the last two years PDXOP's events have removed over ten thousand pounds of trash, including tires, syringes, and glass off theriverside park. PDXOP has made a direct impact upon the beauty, health, safety, vitality,and preservation of St. Johns.
Now in the third year we are looking to expand the efforts of PDXOP outside of Cathedral Park and into the St. Johns business and residential district.
PDXOP has current plans to do a monthly revitalization and beautification event in the St. John's business district to cleanup litter, graffiti, and invasive plants, to install murals, to install rainwater gardensin public spaces, as well as Cathedral Park Clean Up events along the Willamette River.
how you can get involved:
We need help covering cost of supplies like: shovels, reusable waterproof gardening gloves, wheel barrels, web design and maintenance, exterior paints, paint brushes, artists time for painting murals, office space, native non-invasive rain water plants, and promotional materials.
project updates:
