Summer is here, and with it comes more opportunities to enjoy the PNW’s beaches, parks, and rivers. However, the increased outdoor activity also leads to more litter and strain on the environment. To combat this, SOLVE is launching its Summer with SOLVE campaign, designed to take action, connect communities, and celebrate the beauty of our region through environmental action.
“Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors, but it's also a time to ensure these spaces remain clean and sustainable for future generations,” said Kris Carico, CEO of SOLVE. “Together, we can create cleaner, more inviting spaces that reflect our pride in our region and our commitment to caring for the environment. By working together, we can make a significant impact and inspire others to join in the effort to protect our natural spaces that we love to enjoy, especially during summer.”
SOLVE kicked off summer with Pick It Up, Portland!, a citywide celebration on World Environment Day, June 5. The event focused on four different locations across Portland: Market Street Downtown, Holladay Park, Sellwood Riverfront Park, and Eastbank Esplanade. This was the first of many volunteer opportunities offered by SOLVE this summer, with more projects planned throughout the season, including the ongoing Waterway Cleanup Series, protecting the health of local rivers, streams and creeks.
What You’ll See This Summer
As outdoor recreation increases, SOLVE volunteers will:
- Remove litter from parks, neighborhoods, beaches, and riverbanks
- Maintain recreation sites and public green spaces
- Mulch around native trees and shrubs
- Remove invasive plant species that thrive in summer months like Japanese knotweed, Himalayan blackberry, and Scotch broom
Key Summer Events:
- Afterglow: Post-4th Cleanups (July 5-6): Volunteers will tackle the debris left behind from holiday celebrations to help restore outdoor spaces and shorelines.
- Willamette River Cleanup (August 9): A focused cleanup of the Willamette River, combating litter both on the water and along the riverbanks.
- Waterway Cleanup Series (ongoing through September): A series of cleanup efforts dedicated to preserving Oregon’s rivers and streams during the peak outdoor season.
- Monthly Detrash Portland Events: Community cleanups in Portland's business districts, focusing on revitalizing key areas in the city.
Looking ahead, SOLVE is also preparing for its annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup, September 20-28, part of the global International Coastal Cleanup, World Rivers Day and National Public Lands Day initiatives.
Join Summer with SOLVE
This summer, SOLVE invites you to take part in protecting and preserving the natural spaces that make our region special. Whether you're volunteering at a cleanup event, leading your own group, or taking on a DIY project, there’s a way for everyone to get involved.
Try the Trash Bag Challenge—pick up a bag of litter, then challenge friends or coworkers to do the same. Pass the bag, spread the impact, and inspire others to take action.
Every effort counts. Together, we can keep our neighborhoods, parks, and waterways clean and beautiful for generations to come.
For more information about Summer with SOLVE and how to get involved, visit solveoregon.org/seasons or follow us on social media.
Source: SOLVE