Sign Up for Youth-Led Nature Hikes
The outdoors have not always felt like a safe place for Black/brown people in Oregon, in spite of our long history and ties to nature. The Portland NAACP Environmental Justice (EJ) Committee partnered with Metro to train youth leaders, who will lead nature excursions this summer at Metro parks, on July 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and August 2 and 3. We hope these tours will help start conversations on environmental work and the intersectionality of racial social justice, while also advocating for getting more BIPOC community members in nature.
Out of over 60 applicants, ten youth leaders were selected. They participated in a three-day on-site training with Metro educators. The second part of their program is to lead nature excursions and practice their leadership skills. We are inviting the community, particularly families and children (ages 6 & up) to join our youth leaders this summer.
Sign up for our youth led nature hikes!
Email environmentaljustice@pdxnaacp.org for questions.
Locations & Dates
Meet at each Metro park at 9 am. Each tour will last approximately 2 hours. Masks required unless 6 feet apart, per Metro COVID protocol. We are asking people to transport themselves to these spots as COVID regulations are still in effect.
Scouters Mountain
SE Boy Scout Lodge Rd &, SE 147th Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97086 - Meet in the lower parking lot. Directions.
July 7, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)
July 8, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)
July 9, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)
July 15, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)
August 2, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)
August 3, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)
Smith and Bybee Wetland
5300 N Marine Dr, Portland, OR 97203. Meet in the parking lot/shelter. Directions.
July 6, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)
July 10, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)
Oxbow Regional Park
3010 SE Oxbow Pkwy, Gresham, OR 97080. Directions. Meeting Instructions: Bypass pay station (we will provide parking passes when we meet), drive about 2 miles and turn left at the Alder Shelter sign (you will see a large shelter and a grass field). There will be a gravel parking lot that you can park in. NOTE: There is no cell service at this park. This tour is the most challenging out of the three, but also includes a river / beach.
July 7, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)
July 16, 2021 (9–11 a.m.)