People of Color Outdoors

Mission

POCO helps Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and White parents of BIPOC 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

The founder of POCO experienced being racially harassed on a trail in Portland, and learned that her experience wasn't unique to BIPOC in Oregon. She eventually started POCO in order to help BIPOC and White parents of BIPOC children to enjoy a sense of safety, belonging, joy, and community in the outdoors.

Quote

"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. At POCO, we are dedicated to collaborating with various groups and individuals across the state to showcase Oregon's beauty, provide a supportive community, and enhance the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of individuals of all ages. In 2024, POCO provided over 65 such outings.

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.