***Media Advisory – All Media Are Invited***
What: Waterway Cleanup Series Wrap-Up event at High Rocks Park
When: Thursday, September 28, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Where: 77 82nd Drive Gladstone, OR 97027 | Map Link
Event Description: SOLVE will be hosting the wrap-up event of the Waterway Cleanup Series in partnership with Clackamas Water Environment Services. The series ran from May through September as part of SOLVE’s ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Oregon’s waterways across the state. This event along the Clackamas River will be wrapping up the series of 73 cleanups along waterways, lakes, and recreation areas, including the Willamette and Columbia River, Tualatin River, Clackamas and Breitenbush River, Salmon River, 3-Creeks Natural Area, and Little Lava Lake throughout the summer.
Why: Oregon is known for its beautiful rivers. Unfortunately, our waterways continue to be degraded by litter either disposed of directly into rivers or by runoff from developed areas. The need to clean up our rivers has never been greater. SOLVE is providing an opportunity for volunteers to come together for the final event of this summer-long initiative to remove litter from our rivers, streams, and creeks. People of all ages will be taking meaningful action to ensure that our communities enjoy the benefits of safe, healthy water for generations to come.
Media Crews: Arrive by 9:45 AM on the pedestrian bridge crossing the Clackamas River located right next to the DMV to see approximately 50 volunteers of all ages checking in, collecting their cleanup supplies, receiving a safety speech and event debrief, and then heading out in groups to pick up litter along the Clackamas River.
This event will have plenty of visuals of volunteers picking up litter along the riverbanks, making for great community packages, VOs and VOSOTS.
Available interviewees will include:
- Kris Carico, Chief Executive Officer, SOLVE
- Greg Geist, Director, Clackamas Water Environment Services
Visit the Waterway Cleanup Series webpage on the SOLVE website for more information.
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About SOLVE:
SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. You can follow SOLVE on Instagram at @SOLVEinOregon, Facebook at @SOLVEOregon, or at www.solveoregon.org.
About Clackamas Water Environment Services
Clackamas Water Environment Services produces clean water, protects water quality, and recovers renewable resources. We do this by providing wastewater services, stormwater management, and environmental education. It's our job to protect public health and support the vitality of our communities, natural environment, and economy. Learn more at: https://www.clackamas.us/wes.
What: Portland Business District Cleanup & Tree Well Groundbreaking Old Town/Chinatown
When: Wednesday, September 20, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
Where: Outside Lan Su Chinese Garden Administrative Office, 220 NW 2nd Avenue Portland, 97209 | Map Link
Event Description: SOLVE will be hosting a neighborhood volunteer trash cleanup event focusing on the Portland Oldtown/Chinatown business district, sponsored by Gevurtz Menashe, and Society Hotel. In addition to removing litter from the local streets and business fronts, SOLVE is partnering with the city to improve various tree wells in Old Town, leveling the wells prior to a permanent resin and cobblestone material being laid down to help with water retention and prevent trash from getting mixed into the soil. A ‘Tree Well team’ option will be available at check-in and will walk together to the Society Hotel (just a few blocks away) where the ‘Tree Well Project’ will begin.
Why: Litter is a serious threat to both Portland’s economy and environment. We want to leave our city streets and neighborhoods looking clean to protect local plants and wildlife from the harmful effects of trash. SOLVE’s mission is to create opportunities for individuals and businesses to give back to their community. Volunteer opportunities like this play a critical role in maintaining the beauty and integrity of our city. This project will have long-lasting effects for this area, and especially for trees in Old Town.
Media Crews: Arrive by 8:45 AM outside the Lan Su Chinese Garden Administrative Office to see approximately 60 volunteers of all ages checking in, collecting their cleanup supplies, receiving a safety speech and event debrief, and then heading out in groups to pick up litter in the surrounding area.
This event will have plenty of visuals of volunteers picking up litter and preparing tree wells, making for great community packages, VOs and VOSOTS.
Available interviewees will include:
- Kris Carico, Chief Executive Officer, SOLVE
- Josh Keller, Development Director, SOLVE
- Jonathan Cohen, Project Manager Old Town Community Association
Visit the Portland Business District Cleanup webpage on the SOLVE website for more information.
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About SOLVE:
SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. You can follow SOLVE on Instagram at @SOLVEinOregon, Facebook at @SOLVEOregon, or at www.solveoregon.org.
Portland, Ore., September 18, 2023 – From September 9 through September 17, families, neighbors, community organizations, and individual nature enthusiasts across Oregon joined the 2023 SOLVE Beach & Riverside Cleanup in partnership with Subaru of Portland. More than 1,500 volunteers came together to clean up litter and debris, remove invasive plant species, and restore natural habitats across Oregon's beaches, waterways, and neighborhoods.
At over 70 event sites spanning from the Oregon Coast to Portland, through the Willamette Valley, as well as Central and Southern Oregon, volunteers picked up an estimate of 20,000 pounds of litter and marine debris while wrapping up summer under blue skies. Since the event’s inception in 1986, more than 2.5 million pounds of litter and marine debris have been collected across Oregon.
“This year, it is not only about the numbers though”, says Kris Carico, SOLVE CEO. “We are truly impressed with the caliber of events. The event organizers have excelled in uniting their communities, creating days filled with family enjoyment, educational components, and meaningful activities. For example, an environmental justice-focused children’s entertainment group (Your Song My Song) organized a family event with live music at the Central Coast of Oregon with their local art foundation followed by a joint beach cleanup. And the North Coast Communities for Watershed Protection celebrated the opening of their Astoria chapter with the screening of “Last of the ancient rainforests” documentary and an open discussion before their beach cleanup event.”
During 25 restoration events SOLVE volunteers removed invasives such as English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry. During a habitat restoration in West Linn, 50 volunteers including Portland Thorns players filled a 30 cubic yard drop-box with invasive species. Neighbors came together to pull weeds and mulch their community parks. We had youth groups and girl scouts getting outside, as well as students developing an Eco Student Field Study Restoration Site together with their teachers. These are only a few examples of creative events that were organized by engaged event leaders who made a huge impact on the environment and their local communities.
The Beach & Riverside Cleanup has become an annual tradition to clean waterways from source to sea and create a sense of environmental stewardship. This is especially important as approximately 80% of all marine debris on the beaches and in the ocean comes from inland sources, such as rivers and street drains. With the rainy season approaching, litter can easily make its way to our sewer system, then to the Willamette, and ultimately end up in the Pacific Ocean, where fragile ecosystems exist.
This makes the annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup not only a cherished, but highly impactful group effort and the reason why SOLVE proudly joins forces with the Ocean Conservancy Group to contribute to a global endeavor aimed at preserving our coastlines on September 16th, International Coastal Cleanup Day.
In addition to providing over 1,500 volunteers with supplies and 72 event leaders with organizational support from registration to disposal, SOLVE’s entire staff was out as well to lead events and support our local communities.
SOLVE supports volunteer projects year-round. This year's Beach & Riverside Cleanup was in partnership with Subaru of Portland. Additional support from OnPoint Community Credit Union, Bamboo Sushi, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Metro, BottleDrop, Knife River, KOIN, Fred Meyer, Chevron, Clean Water Services, Tillamook County Creamery Association, US Bank, and Tektronix made this Oregon tradition possible in 2023.
About SOLVE
SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.
***Media Advisory - All Media Are Invited***
What: SOLVE’s Beach & Riverside Cleanup at Central Eastside Portland
When: Saturday, September 16, 2023, from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
We ask that media arrives by 9:30 AM, volunteers will start arriving after 9:45 AM.
Where: 1600 SE 2nd Ave, Portland, OR 97214 (Map Link)
We will be meeting in the west parking lot of the Nova Building on SE Clay and 2nd Avenue.
Why: SOLVE is hosting the 2023 Beach & Riverside Cleanup in partnership with Subaru of Portland. With the first Beach & Riverside Cleanup taking place in 1986, this year’s projects mark decades of stewardship of Oregon’s waterways from source to sea! Over 70 projects are taking place across the state of Oregon, with the main events culminating on Saturday, September 16th. SOLVE is supporting several projects statewide and is inviting media to the Portland Central Eastside Event.
The goal for the Beach & Riverside Cleanup is to prevent trash from inland sources such as rivers and streets from reaching our beaches and the ocean. This event will bring families and individuals together for a joint group effort to clean up Portland’s Central Eastside along the Willamette River.
The media should arrive at the Central Eastside Cleanup project by 9:30 am.
Available Interviews Include:
- Kris Carico, CEO, SOLVE
- Josh Keller, Development Director, SOLVE
- Emily Prager, Community Engagement, Subaru of Portland
- Jay Frank, NW Region Communications Manager, Knife River
For more event details please check the event page:
SOLVE | Central Eastside Beach & Riverside Cleanup with Subaru of Portland (solveoregon.org)
See attached photos of previous similar events.
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About SOLVE
SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information.
SOLVE's Beach & Riverside Cleanup is in partnership with Subaru of Portland, with additional support from OnPoint Community Credit Union, Bamboo Sushi, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Metro, BottleDrop, Knife River, KOIN, Fred Meyer, Chevron, Clean Water Services, Tillamook County Creamery Association, US Bank, and Tektronix.