Friends of Tryon Creek

Mission

Friends of Tryon Creek's mission, in partnership with Oregon State Parks, is to inspire every community to identify, cultivate or reclaim their relationship with nature in this cherished urban forest.

Bottom Line for Portland

We tend the land, teach youth and adults, and make Tryon Creek State Natural Area a place where EVERYONE can find or build their connection to nature.

In 2025, Friends of Tryon Creek continues to nurture the longest-running Nature Day Camp in the region—now expanded with our new Education Pavilion, a year-round hub for outdoor learning and community gatherings. Thousands of youth experience the magic of the forest through camps and field trips, including free camp opportunities designed for BIPOC youth.

We engage hundreds of volunteers who care for trails, restore habitat, and warmly welcome visitors to this urban forest. Together, we celebrate nature and culture through free community events like the Trillium Festival and Indigenous Culture Day.

And our impact reaches far beyond these 660 acres—as more people discover their relationship with nature here, we are shaping the future of an equitable environmental movement and redefining how communities connect with public lands.

Quote

“The time I’ve spent in the forest, I’ve always been taught to leave no trace; it leaves you with a sense that you’re destructive and to be really careful where you tread because we don’t belong out here. This is where the animals and plants live; it’s not the human world, but, through this program, I’ve been able to shed that and start to see that we really have a place out here in a role of continuous tending of the land.” - Jakob Foley, Green Leader Workforce Development Intern

Incentives

Your donation at any level makes you a member of Friends of Tryon Creek, so you'll get invitations to members-only night hikes and events, a discount at our Nature Store, and more! 

All donors get exclusive access to our newest Tryon gear release from Patchmarks via our web store and a $5 credit for a free patch or sticker, or a discount on another item.

New donors get a Friends of Tryon Creek sticker. 

Partner(s)

Patchmarks makes fun gear for Friends of Tryon Creek and Tryon Creek State Natural Area including beanies, hats, patches and stickers, we're partnering on some brand-new items for incentives.

We are cross-promoting on social media with Respond to Racism and Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts.