Forest Park Conservancy

The Forest Park Conservancy is a community-supported organization whose mission is to protect and restore the ecological health of Forest Park, maintain and enhance the park's extensive trails network, promote equitable access, and inspire diverse community appreciation and stewardship of this iconic urban forest for generations to come.

Forest Park Conservancy, as a steward of a public land will be more successful and Forest Park will be better protected if the FPC organizational culture including leadership, staff and volunteers come from "all walks of life". FPC has a responsibility to deepen its understanding of inclusiveness in all its forms. We recognize the impacts of discrimination based on race, class, gender, disability, sexual orientation, culture, religion and ethnicity (this is not a complete list). Ultimately, we aim to create an organization where individuals can bring their whole selves to their interactions with FPC, whether in leadership, partnership, volunteer or donor capacity, or as a park user. This emphasis on authentic relationships will build trust and increase the diversity of the community dedicated to ensuring a resilient Forest Park.

We aim to create an organization where individuals can bring their whole selves to their interactions with FPC, including in positions of leadership, as partners, volunteers, donors, and park users. We believe wholeheartedly that this endeavor will benefit not only the resiliency of our organization but also the well-being of our community.

As a steward of public land, we know:

Social inequities of many kinds negatively impact our community's ability to feel safe and enjoy the outdoors in whatever way is meaningful to them.
We have a lot to learn, and a responsibility to deepen our understanding of systems of oppression in order to work against them.
Engaging with this work requires a cultural shift toward inclusion, which will show up in everything we do.
We are on the journey of taking a closer look at our work through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and have joined a thriving movement of land stewards recognizing our place in co-creating a more just and equitable world.

Green Jobs Training & Internship Program

Along with other partner organizations, we saw a need to provide alternative access points for young people to careers in the environmental field. To address this while also meeting the goals outlined in the Greater Forest Park Conservation Initiative, FPC leads the Green Jobs Training and Internship Program in partnership with The Blueprint Foundation, Wisdom of the Elders, Ecotrust, Columbia Land Trust, and West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District.

Interns are placed with FPC and other partners and work on multiple projects and with many professionals in the natural resources field. We support the interns by doing our best to match projects with their interests, with the goal that they finish out their year with us with a strong professional network and experience that will support their future success.

The Green Jobs Training and Internship Program provides BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and young adults with relevant hands-on professional experience and support to pursue a career in the conservation and natural resources field.

Forest Park Conservancy has partnered with The Blueprint Foundation, Wisdom of the Elders, Ecotrust, Columbia Land Trust, and West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District in hosting interns for a 12-month period, providing continuous support and mentorship.

The Internship allows participants to gain hands-on experience in fieldwork and shadow experienced professionals while earning a living wage and developing a professional network.

Participants also receive multiple training opportunities to obtain technical and project-based skills in topics applicable for a successful career in the environmental sector and personal and professional development. FPC and our partners are committed to supporting the interns during the program and after its completion, including flexibility in work schedule, transportation assistance, and connection to destination employers.

Testimonials

"This treasure in our community is my favorite thing. The ability to dive into nature is so exciting. It provides a brain break for me. Mentally it is so therapeutic." --Ashley Light, FPC Member and Forest Park frequenter