Adieu, 2013. You've been a good year for The Intertwine. Our coalition has grown, and with it, our collective power to achieve good things.
Now, bundled in our December woolens, we watch morning frost sparkle on autumn's fallen leaves and turn our thoughts to the future. What will the New Year bring?
We asked our nonprofit partners to share their organization's top wish for 2014. Here's what you had to say:
“Finish all the gaps in the 40 Mile Loop (Bridgeton Gap, I-205, Marine Drive Gap, Fairview Gap, Troutdale to Springwater Gap, Sellwood Gap, North Portland Greenway Gap, St. Johns Landfill to Portland Road).” 40 Mile Loop Land Trust
A Feb. 2013 planting on Elrod Drive: CSWC and the Port of Portland.
“1,000 native trees and shrubs planted by students and community volunteers to enhance the Columbia Slough Watershed.” Columbia Slough Watershed Council
“More awesome community greenspaces (Support our work and help us find new project sites).” Depave
“Preserve and restore the 10-acre Woods (part of the Baltimore Woods corridor, a white oak woodland threatened with development).” Friends of Baltimore Woods
“An updated parks plan with provisions for lots of greenspaces, natural areas, trails, and plenty of funding.” Friends of Clark County
Artist's spill in a St. John's parking lot. With Depave and Friends of Baltimore Woods.
“Funding for a full week of Outdoor School for all students in the region.” Friends of Outdoor School
"For everyone in The Intertwine to spend 30 seconds looking up at a tree and experiencing the wonder of nature. And then coming out with us to plant a young tree that someone else will wonder at in the future." Friends of Trees
“Funding for a park with native vegetation, rather than the proposed McDonald's in East Portland's Mill Park Neighborhood.” Groundwork Portland (Contact Cassie)
“Complete the match for our Metro grant with $1,000,000 (due by mid-2015).” Neighbors for a Livable West Linn
SW Trails by Trail, Tram, Trolley & Train.
“A collective shift from me to we." Northwest Earth Institute
"Establish a project team with Metro Regional Government to build a bike and pedestrian trail system in Newell Creek Canyon by 2016.” Oregon City Trail Alliance
"Mindful stewardship of the natural world.” Portland Garden Club
"Funding for the Slavin Road connection to the Red Electric Trail (to connect Hillsdale with the Hooley Gibbs Street Bridge and the Willamette River).” SW Trails PDX
“A parking lot with 80 percent tree canopy coverage and no stormwater runoff.” Tualatin Riverkeepers
“A draft cleanup plan for the Portland Harbor stretch of the Willamette." Willamette Riverkeeper