Successful movements require a threshold of change agents who live and work within
the context where the change is to occur. The green movement of Portland has yet to
meet this threshold, due to the disenfranchisement of residents from lower-
socioeconomic status, racial/ethnic minority, LGBTQ2IA+, and disabled communities.
We firmly believe that we need people from the most vulnerable communities to not
only become knowledgeable about the environment, environmental degradation, and
solutions, but to also develop a visceral connection to nature – Connections that lead to
increases in nature-based activities, informed advocacy, and life-long stewardship,
including stewardship performed through careers in the green sector.
Blueprint programming is intended to engage Black identified community members of
various intersectional identities in nature-based activities that foster a realization that
the environment is an extension of themselves – As much a part of their wellbeing as
eating or breathing or meditating because it is.
Believing so is the reclamation of our ancestral history of reciprocity – of being one with
the earth rather than an owner of it.
Reconnecting our people to the environment requires:
- Physically engaging them in culturally relevant activities that build neural associations with green spaces.
- Culturally responsive education about what they are seeing and experiencing.
- Empowerment to take an active role in intersectional environmentalism.
Once we have these connections made in our brains, we will forever have the urge to
advocate for and steward the environment just as we advocate for and protect
ourselves. But it starts with multigenerational for-us-by-us programming. Consequently,
we partner with organizations that share our belief that access to culturally- nature-
based activities and training fosters stewardship and conservation ethics in people.