News

Keep up with our latest news and community shares on our Facebook page and our Instagram.

Learn more about our program in this  KBOO radio interview from 4/10/19 with former Development Coordinator Dasha Foerster and Director Kristin Bowling.

April 2023:
Join us for our 3rd annual Earth Day Cleanup at Rocky Butte on April 21st! We’ll be cleaning up trash, pulling invasive ivy, replanting native species, and removing graffiti from the climbing walls from 2-7pm. Find more details and RSVP here: tinyurl.com/unpcleanup.  Folks who make a donation before Earth Day, or who volunteer at our event, will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win some brand new outdoor gear.


March 2023: Come join our team of amazing volunteers and staff!

Our 11th outdoor mentor cohort recruitment season is open March 1st – May 15th 2023!
Read the updated position description HERE, and learn more about eligibility and the application process HERE. If you’re interested in learning more or applying, email Director Kristin Bowling at urbannaturepartnerspdx@gmail.com, or call 541-281-7162.

Have a passion for community based fundraising and want to be compensated for your talents? Check out and apply for our part-time Development Coordinator contract position, slated to begin in May

Interested in contributing your talents behind the scenes to a grassroots, growing nonprofit that’s dedicated to youth empowerment and social and environmental justice, on a nonhierarchical and fun team where you can build your skills?
Consider applying to our Board of Directors– we’re accepting new members in spring 2023.  Get all the details HERE. If you have more questions or are ready to apply, contact Co-President Jon Williams at jonathan.p.h.williams@gmail.com, or 971-409-2075.


August 2022:
We’re thrilled about moving to our new office space in the Lents neighborhood, closer to the families we are serving more and more in East Portland. Come say hi at 9201 SE Foster Ave. in the Upper Ten offices, and share a coffee or slice of pizza with us from one of our fabulous community businesses.

 


https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unp-summer-benefit-tickets-159705303863July 2021:
In-person fundraisers are baaaaack! Come celebrate with us outdoors on the Rooftop Terrace at Ecotrust on FRIDAY, JUNE 30th. Reserve your tickets today!



 

 

February-March 2021: WE’RE HIRING!
We’re seeking a part-time Contract Development Coordinator to start in March, and keep our unrestricted fundraising streams flowing and growing. Learn more and apply HERE.
We’re also hiring a part-time Bicultural/Bilingual Spanish Program Assistant to start in April, and keep strengthening our relationships and cultural responsiveness with the many Latinx families we serve. Learn more and apply HERE.


Summer 2020:
Now more than ever, Black Lives Matter, deep relationships matter, access to the healing power of nature matters, and building community through racial, cultural, and youth equity matters! Read a special message from UNP Director Kristin Bowling HERE.



Summer 2020:
We’re thrilled to announce the our growing program has received grant support from the East Portland Action Plan to implement our long-anticipated expansion to serve youth and families in East Portland, as well as ongoing grant support from the Collins Foundation, Portland Parks Foundation, and the Oregon Community Foundation’s COVID grant program. We’re humbled to have so many funders invest in our program during these trying times. Thank you! 

 

 

Spring 2019:
After 5 years, UNP-PDX is
finally an independent 501(c)(3), residing in a permanent office space at 2937 NE Glisan! Huge thanks to our first Board of Directors and Advisory Committee that helped make it happen. We’re also grateful to the Collins Foundation and Metro’s North Portland Community Works Vanport Legacy grant program for providing funds for our transition costs, and to the Fully company for donating our awesome ergonomic desks and chairs.

 

 

 

September 10, 2017:
We’re finishing up our first year of partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters in the Outdoor Explorers Program! Please enjoy this video of our May trip to Ape Caves.

 

 

 

 

August 25, 2017:
UNP-PDX intern and Administrative Committee volunteer Danielle Jones shares her experience building equity outdoors with youth in the Intertwine’s Outside Voice: In Awe of Nature.

 

 

May 1, 2017:
UNP is proud to be one of the youth partners helping the Intertwine design Daycations– awesome outdoor day trips you can take in the Portland metro area, which is our specialty. Check it out HERE.

 

 

 

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May 10th, 2016:
A huge thank you to East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District for a second Partners in Conservation Grant, and to the Gray Family Foundation for a second Community Field Trips grant.  Thanks to ongoing support from these two funders, we’ll be able to provide more awesome group activities, summer camp scholarships, and outdoor gear to our youth and families, as well as great training and support for our mentors, into summer 2017. Thanks so much for investing in our future!

 

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February 8, 2016:
We’re so excited to have 7 inaugural members of our new Administrative Committee
on board to help support and guide the future of UNP-PDX! We’re still in need of 2 experienced volunteers to help us with Fundraising. Apply, or send our info to someone you know, here.

 

 

October 12, 2015:
Our first BENEFIT DINNER & CELEBRATION on OCTOBER 11 at TaborSpace was a smashing success! Thanks to generous donors, our youth, families, and mentors enjoyed an evening of awesome food and live music alongside UNP supporters, and we raised over $2,100.  Thanks so much to our tireless volunteers who made it happen!