Fun Activities – June 13

Educational Activities for All Ages While Sheltering in Place

There is plenty to do during this time of physical distancing, from community science projects for all ages, to fun and engaging stories and videos for little children.

Check back each week for new resources!

A Blueprint Foundation student marvels at the size of a Salmonberry at Leach Botanical Garden

Blueprint Foundation student surveys macroinvertebrates in Johnson Creek at Leach Garden last fall

Learn about outdoor diversity and equity!

This week, we learn about and celebrate environmental justice and Black experience in nature

In Portland, The Blueprint Foundation “… aims to eliminate the opportunity gap for Black youth within the Portland Metropolitan Area. This is accomplished by engaging youth in culturally specific experiences that introduce them to, and prepare them for, family sustaining careers in disciplines where black-identified individuals are currently underrepresented.” In their Grounding Waters program, students learn about careers in environmental science while taking an active role in environmental stewardship.

Blueprint Foundation students, brother and sister, check out a crawdad

Where Black People
& Nature Meet

“It was a really tense time in Oakland, as it was in many cities around the country. The city was bracing for violence . . . Personally, I felt that I didn’t want to go out and be in the streets and be a part of that kind of response. But I knew that my work had to do something. I was walking to my car, feeling like I needed to get away from downtown. And then the answer came. And the answer was nature.”

-Rue Mapp, Founder and CEO of Outdoor Afro

Please check out her article “Doubling Down on Black Joy in Nature” in Bay Nature Magazine.

Fun Activities – May 9

There is plenty to do during this time of physical distancing, from community science projects for all ages, to fun and engaging stories and videos for little children.

Community Habitat Enhancement Project

“This area is toast!” A restoration expert’s reaction to Leach Garden’s eastern five acres sounds daunting but knowing that the magical beauty of Garden grew from the remains of a pig farm provides great hope and momentum.

Fun Activities – May 23

There is plenty to do during this time of physical distancing, from community science projects for all ages, to fun and engaging stories and videos for little children.

Weekly Learning – August 25

Portland State researchers have launched a website that pinpoints trees in Portland…

Lovely and Subtle Changes

I am so fortunate to have an intimate link with the elements of this garden, and to share them with others.