People of Color Outdoors

Mission

POCO helps People of Color (POC), and White parents of POC children experience joy, restoration, safety, and reconnection with nature by providing frequent outings into natural spaces, environmental caretaking opportunities, environmental education, outdoors skills, and a  welcoming, caring community.

Bottom Line for Portland

Most BIPOC and White parents of BIPOC children in Oregon have either directly experienced racism in the outdoors or know someone that has. As a result, many are reluctant to spend time in nature. We at POCO believe that all human beings are at their best when they spend regular time in nature. We also believe that it's important for all humans to belong to a caring community. POCO offers 60+ outings most years to fulfill our mission and our purpose, which is to:

1. 1. Help our members to bond with natural areas and become confident to venture out independently, in spite of past experiences.
2. 2. Create a community that gives people a way to connect and create lasting relationships.
3. 3. Help members to learn outdoors skills that are new to them and will encourage them to continue to take risks and explore acquiring additional skills.
4. 4. Give members opportunities to find their "thing" or "place" - an activity or special place that will spark their desire to go beyond recreation and commit to volunteering, protecting, and being caretakers of natural areas.
5. 5. Offer environmental education and access to professionals in the environmental field and seek out environmental careers.
6. 6. Help to normalize BIPOC being seen in beautiful outdoor spaces all over Oregon.
7. 7. Support families and individuals as they make spending time outdoors a part of their lifestyle and become physically, mentally, spiritually, and relationally healthier.
8. 8. Acquire a natural outdoors space that will provide a sanctuary for wildlife, outdoors activities, retreats, teaching, restoration, and more, to community members.

Quote

POCO believes that we are all connected, regardless of differences. We are ALL needed to assist our earth and each other with healing.

"If we are not ALL here

NONE of us have arrived"

- Steven Charleston, Spirit Wheel, Meditations from an Indigenous Elder

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

It's essential for everyone to have a sense of belonging in a welcoming and safe community, especially in a world that can be unfriendly. Will you help POCO? We are working for equity with only volunteers. Your contributions are critical for us to move forward. In 2024, POCO has provided over 65 such outings. Please help. Thank you!

Incentives

• Every contributor will receive a 20% off voucher for a beer at Gorges Beer from Jan, 2025 - March, 2025. 

• Pamela Slaughter or another POCO leader will lead a private nature education walk at one of several locations in Portland for your group of to 10 individuals, to the first 20 contributors of $1000 + 

• Every donor that contributes at least $25 will receive a hand-made, frame-worthy quilling card as a thank you gift.

• Columbia Sportswear will offer the first 250 donors that contribute $50 or more an opportunity to shop at the Columbia Sportswear Employees Store, where bargains on high-quality sportswear can be had! 

Partner(s)

Quilling Card is the card company we've chosen for our thank you cards to donors, and they gave us a discounted price to support our efforts. 

Open Signal is providing POCO with a marketing video at no cost.

Friends of Columbia Gorge and POCO will host an event together.

Portland Parks Foundation and POCO will host an event together.