What is The Intertwine?
The Intertwine is our region’s interconnected network of parks, trails, natural areas, waterways and working lands. It's Our Common Ground.
What is the vision for The Intertwine?
We envision an outstanding, multi-jurisdictional, interconnected system of neighborhood, community, and regional parks, natural areas, trails, open spaces, waterways, working lands, educational programming, and recreation opportunities distributed equitably throughout the region. This region-wide system is acknowledged and valued here and around the world as an essential element of the greater Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area’s economic success, human and ecological health, civic vitality, and overall quality of life. (This is the abbreviated form. The full vision is provided at the bottom of this page.)
What is The Intertwine Alliance?
The Intertwine Alliance is a coalition of more than 150 public, private and nonprofit organizations working together to fulfill our region’s vision for The Intertwine.
How is The Alliance organized?
The Intertwine Alliance is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that employs a small team (currently 3.8 FTE) housed in the David Evans and Associates building in Portland. The Alliance is governed by a board of directors elected by Alliance partners.
Why was The Intertwine Alliance formed?
The parks and conservation community found that all of our greatest achievements—whether launching a natural area acquisition initiative, completing a new trail, or opening a major new park—had one thing in common. Behind every major success stood a coalition of public, private and nonprofit organizations and leaders. Rather than put this coalition together every time we wanted to do something big, we decided to put it together, keep it together and keep doing big things.
Why become a partner in The Intertwine Alliance?
Becoming an Intertwine partner signifies that your organization is helping to achieve The Intertwine vision. There are also benefits to becoming a partner, including discounts on Alliance events and the right to add projects to The Intertwine Project Network.
How do I become an Intertwine Alliance Partner?
Intertwine Alliance partners sign a Declaration of Partnership where they agree to play a part in fulfilling the Intertwine vision. Alliance partners pay annual dues, which are set on a sliding scale. For organizations that primarily serve historically marginalized, under-served, or otherwise disadvantaged populations, partnership dues are optional.
How is The Intertwine Alliance funded?
The Alliance is funded primarily by its partners. The Alliance also receives some grant funding, which is often tied to specific deliverables, such as project or event management.
What is an Intertwine Project?
An Intertwine Project is an activity undertaken by three or more organizations that aligns with The Intertwine Alliance vision and values, AND one of the three participating organizations is an Intertwine partner that requests the activity be listed as an Intertwine Project.
What is The Intertwine Project Network?
The set of Intertwine Projects. The Intertwine Project Network is displayed on this website and shows the relationships between Intertwine Projects, the organizations working on those projects, and The Intertwine vision. We are showing our partners, our funders, our community, and the world how each partner and each project is a vital part of a broader effort to fulfill The Intertwine vision.
Why should I designate an Intertwine Project?
Designating your project part of The Intertwine Project Network conveys that your project is contributing to a broader community vision. The project is profiled on this website and is eligible for support, if desired, from The Intertwine Alliance staff.
What is the role of The Intertwine Alliance office and staff?
Alliance staff connect Intertwine Projects and Alliance partners with the resources they need to be successful. Alliance staff and board are also the keepers of the region’s vision for The Intertwine.
Are Intertwine Projects managed by The Intertwine Alliance?
Occasionally. Intertwine Projects are collaborative projects led by Alliance partners. In some cases, the partners may ask Alliance staff to provide project management.
Does The Alliance have its own projects?
Alliance staff supports projects that are proposed and led by Alliance partners. All Intertwine Alliance programs are for the purpose of connecting Alliance partners to the relationships and resources they need to succeed. In that sense, Alliance staff do not take on projects of their own.
What benefits do intertwine projects receive?
All Intertwine Projects are offered:
- A project profile on this website
- Inclusion in The Intertwine Project Network map (coming soon)
- Quarterly networking and technical assistance meetings for project leaders
- Support with social media and other communications
- Use of The Intertwine brand showing that the project is connected to the community’s broader vision
- Letters of support on request
- Connections to partners and resources
Additionally, projects may ask Alliance staff to help with project planning, project management, meeting space, meeting scheduling, communications, note taking, meeting facilitation, promotion at summits, training, connections to similar efforts around the U.S., referrals to potential grant sources, and grant-writing help. We do our best to provide, or help find, the resources needed to make Intertwine Projects successful, within the constraints of our limited resources.
How do I get a project included in The Intertwine Project Network?
Fill out a simple form providing us with the information we need to support and promote your project. While any organization may participate in Intertwine Projects, only Intertwine partners may add projects to the Intertwine Project Network.
What does The Intertwine logo stand for?
The Intertwine logo is a symbolic representation of The Intertwine, our region’s interconnected system of parks, trails and natural areas. In that context, it is included in the new trail signs being installed region-wide. A version of the logo is also being used in association with Intertwine Projects to indicate that they are a recognized element of a broader community vision.
What are The Intertwine Alliance Focus Areas?
Alliance partners work on a wide array of projects that, taken collectively, are advancing the vision for The Intertwine. Projects loosely fall into one or more of eleven categories.
- Diversity, equity and inclusion*. Projects that help the parks and conservation sector to become more diverse and that address inequities in how the benefits of parks, trails, and natural areas and associated programming are distributed and accessed.
- Regional system*. Projects that help protect and enhance our network of parks, trails and natural areas.
- Conservation*. Efforts to protect and restore natural areas and promote biodiversity.
- Health and nature*. Using nature to achieve greater health for our region’s residents.
- Engagement*. Projects that get people outdoors and encourage people to value nature.
- Youth engagement. Work to engage youth with nature.
- Ecosystem services. Work that increases the value of services (for example, clean air, waste decomposition, pollination) that nature provides to our community, or increases understanding about that value.
- Economic Development. Using our investments in nature to create jobs and increase incomes.
- Urban Forestry. Efforts to expand and protect the region’s tree canopy.
- Active Transportation. Expanding opportunities and encouraging travel by bike, transit and foot.
- Conservation Education. Creating lifelong opportunities for people to learn about nature.
* Identified by The Intertwine Alliance board as priorities.
Vision for The Intertwine (full version)
We envision an exceptional multi-jurisdictional, interconnected system of neighborhood, community and regional parks, natural areas, trails, open spaces, waterways and working lands, educational programming and recreation opportunities distributed equitably throughout the region. This region-wide system is acknowledged and valued here and around the world as an essential element of the greater Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area’s economic success, human and ecological health, civic vitality, and overall quality of life.
As the region grows and develops, this region-wide system also expands, diversifies, and matures to meet the needs of a growing and changing population. All residents, including low income and communities of color, live and work near and have access to nature, areas for recreation and leisure, and public spaces that bring people together and connect them to their community.
This region-wide system of parks, natural areas, trails, open spaces, waterways, working lands and recreation opportunities:
- Drives the region’s economy and tourist trade and strengthens the economic self-determination of our communities
- Preserves significant natural areas for wildlife habitat and public use
- Enhances the region’s air and water quality
- Promotes citizens’ health, fitness and personal well-being
- Connects the region’s communities with trails, greenways, transit, and other facilities involving walking and biking
- Provides sense of place
- Builds and restores social cohesion, the relationships among governments, communities, neighborhoods and residents
- Is accessible to all members of our community
- Supports an ecologically sustainable metropolitan area
- Supports lifelong learning about and stewardship of nature
- Provides food and medicinals that enhance health and well-being
- Helps us understand and adapt to climate change
- Is a legacy for generations to come
There is a powerful, shared ethic that a region-wide system is essential. There is widespread recognition of the system’s multiple benefits to the community, particularly its most vulnerable residents. To use an indigenous lens, the system helps bring mind, body, spirit and social contexts into balance, helping to achieve wellness for people, the community, and the Earth. Tools for its support are well established, including partnerships, policies and funding. Individuals and organizations from all parts of the region appreciate and champion the system through education, advocacy, and stewardship.