Portland, OR. On March 6th, the local environmental nonprofit SOLVE kicked off its 50th Anniversary at Hotel deLuxe. Kris Carico, SOLVE’s recently promoted CEO, took time to thank Peter and Julie Stott, and SOLVE’s former Executive Director, Jack McGowan.
The event was co-hosted by Peter Stott and Dave Robertson. Special guests included Tad McCall (son of Tom McCall who founded SOLVE in 1969) and Jack and Jan McGowan (a well-loved pair that ran SOLVE for years) among other longtime supporters. Tad and Jack spoke passionately about the organization’s history and its importance. SOLVE organizes an average of 2-3 environmental projects per day across Oregon, resulting in hundreds of thousands of pounds of litter removed, thousands of acres of invasive species removed, and thousands of native trees and shrubs planted every year.
Tad McCall inspires the crowd as he describes growing up with Governor Tom and Audrey McCall, and their positive political and environmental influence.
March 2019 has been proclaimed SOLVE Month by Governor Kate Brown because of SOLVE’s significant contributions to Oregon over the past 50 years through extensive community engagement efforts that improve the state’s reputation as being environmentally responsible.
Our mission is simple: to bring Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship.
As SOLVE turns 50, we have a lot to celebrate. A half-century of bringing people together, from all walks of life and every corner of the state. Of getting people out and answering the call. Cleaning up our beaches, parks, neighborhoods and natural spaces. Reaching out, digging in and picking up. By restoring vitality, planting new beginnings and keeping invaders at bay. Developing diverse relationships. By partnering, collaborating and engaging. Honoring the pioneers of our past and building on their legacy. Together. With an unstoppable force of volunteers, thirty thousand strong and one hundred percent committed. We are individuals, businesses, neighbors, families and friends. These are our communities. Our unique places. Our rivers and streams, lakes and mountains, land and sea. Our pride and joy. It’s in our nature to protect it for generations to come. Together, we are taking care of Oregon.
Portland, OR. Thousands of local volunteers rolled up their sleeves to clean up trash and restore natural habitat in places like Cannon Beach on Saturday April 21st. Still more are expected to join in when the 48th annual Earth Day is officially commemorated, on Sunday April 22nd. The local nonprofit environmental organization, SOLVE has lead clean up efforts for the past 27 years and organizers say over that time more than 112,000 local volunteers have removed over 15 million pounds of litter and invasive plants from illegal dumpsites, neighborhoods, and natural areas as part of this global event.
You can still get involved with one of many Earth Day opportunities like “Pick up the Pearl” on Sunday, April 22nd from 12pm-5pm. Another option is trail beautification in Scappoose, or planting native species in Oregon City. Below is a list of some SOLVE volunteer options for Earth Day:
If you need inspiration, here’s a look at some of the good work done by volunteers on Saturay, April 21st.
Work is done at Willow Creek by Five Oaks-Triple Creek Neighbors and helpers from Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District.
Trimming branches at Willow Creek
Cleaning up in Forest Park
The big crew at Cannon Beach
The Beaverton Earth Day Mulching Event with Genentech and Beaverton City Government
The Beaverton Earth Day Mulching Event with Genentech and Beaverton City Government
South Waterfront volunteers receive instructions
Friends of Riverplace are busy
Friends of Riverplace haul trash away.
SOLVE expects to gather 47,000 pounds of trash thanks to the Earth Day 2018 efforts of over 5,000 local people.
From SOLVE:
Our Mission Is Simple.
SOLVE is a statewide, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to bring Oregonians together toimprove our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. We are dedicated to developing relationships among different groups, individuals, and businesses in pursuit of a common goal: to protect and preserve the places that make up our uniquely beautiful home. SOLVE mobilizes one of Oregon’s largest volunteer networks to clean up our beaches, parks, neighborhoods, and other natural spaces through litter cleanups, invasive plant removal, planting native trees and shrubs, and other environmental projects. We annually support nearly 30,000 volunteers in 900 projects throughout the state.
Originally called S.O.L.V. (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism), SOLVE was founded by Governor Tom McCall and other community leaders in 1969 to address the need for community action in our ever-growing state.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
