September has arrived at a full sprint. Are you able to choose a few ways to take action this month? Maybe send an email, write a comment, invite a friend, show up in person, or all of the above! Here are some ways to get involved:

Sept 8 – It was powerful to see so many of us join together in Salem for the Data Center Moratorium Lobby Day & Rally! Over 170 of you showed up! Together, we’re making it clear that bold action against data centers is a political necessity – Governor Kotek even (finally) escalated her position on this at the rally yesterday by saying she supports a moratorium. Did you know that 75% of Americans oppose data center development? It’s time for the Oregon legislature to listen up!

Photo Credit: Eli Imadali, OPB 

Sept 12 – 13: Forest over Profits AND 350PDX Art Build

We are hosting a 2-day forest defense conference this weekend, including an Art Build Sunday (9/13) afternoon from 1–4 PM.  

Join forest defense advocates from across the PNW to build community, power, and momentum against the exploitation of forests and public lands for extractive logging, data center development, and mining. This event precedes the World Forestry Center’s annual forest commodity conference. We know that investing in the care of living forest ecosystems is an actual climate solution. So, join us! See website for details. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited, RSVP today!

Sept 13: Sunday Parkways in Downtown  

Join us downtown at Sunday Parkways from 11 AM – 4 PM. It’s the last Sunday Parkways of the summer and a fun event to get to talk to lots of Portlanders. 350PDX’s booth is in Pioneer Courthouse Square on the SW corner of 6th and Morrison – come find us!

Sept 13: Chasing Chimeras Film Screening

The Tomorrow Theater (3530 SE Division St.) is screening local filmmaker Barbara Bernstein’s film Chasing Chimeras: The Lure of Deceptive Climate Solutions. Learn why “renewable” fuels are not the answer. A panel discussion will follow the film. Get your tickets here. 7 PM.

Sept 16: No Secret Deals for Data Centers Resolution  

Final vote on this resolution will happen at Council, with another opportunity for public testimony. Submit written comments here, and come and help fill the room to show your support for this resolution from 6–9 PM.

Sept 17: CEI Hub Work Session

This is a long-awaited moment in our year-long policy process on this issue, where members of our coalition will be presenting to City Council about how to make the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub safer. Submit written comments now (we have talking points here) and come show up in red at City Hall to show your support. 2 – 5 PM

Sept 19: Peak bird migration begins

Learn about healthy nighttime urban ecosystems from our friends at the Bird Alliance of Oregon.

Sept 21: Comment deadline – Stop Repeal of the Roadless Rule.

One of the most successful forest safeguards of all time needs our voices! Comment through OregonWild.  Learn more at MoreThanJustParks. Since 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected nearly 2 million acres of Oregon’s forests and 45 million acres nationwide from destructive logging and development.

Sept 22: No Immunity for Big Oil Resolution

The City Life Committee of Portland City Council will hear a resolution saying we don’t want to let big oil companies off the hook for the damage they have caused to our climate and public health! Send a message to city council in support.

Sept 30: Rumble on the River: Protecting Our Region From Its Most Perilous Threats

Come and learn more about the CEI Hub, data centers, nuclear power, and the proposed refinery at Port Westward’s Columbia River Estuary. St. Luke Lutheran Church (4595 SW California St.) Doors & Info Tables 5:30 PM, Panel 6:30 PM.

All of September is STEPtember!

 It’s like Pedalpalooza for walking! Oregon Walks dedicates the month of September to promote walking as a fun, healthy, ubiquitous activity. Grab a friend, pick some events to attend, and let’s get to walking!

Candidate Forums:

Save the dates for our big Climate Justice Candidate Forums this October:

• District 4: Monday, October 5, 6 PM at First Unitarian
• District 3: Thursday, October 8, 6 PMat The Porch

Multnomah County has a new Climate Justice Plan!

August 27 the Board of Commissioners adopted the strategy to guide long-term community and local government action. Thanks to everyone who supported this epic project!

Forest Defense Team

Priority Tree Planting Areas Announced
If you have friends in the following low-canopy neighborhoods, let them know it’s time to sign up for PCEF-funded street trees: Argay, Centennial, Creston-Kenilworth, Cully, East Columbia, Foster Powell, Glenfair, Hayden Island, Hazelwood, Lents, Mill Park, Montavilla, Mt. Scott-Arleta, Parkrose, Parkrose Heights, Powellhurst-Gilbert, Russell, South Tabor, Sumner, Sunderland, and Wilkes.

Model public land tree opportunity map released: Thrive East PDX used a PCEF mini-grant to hire a GIS student to create a StoryMap prioritizing 10 publicly-owned parcels ready for immediate street tree planting to shade popular pedestrian routes. Check it out!

The 350PDX Forest Defense Team meets every first and third Monday of the month. Join us.

Energy Justice Team

Next in person meeting, Sept 22nd, 6 – 8 PM at the 350PDX office. Get plugged in with the 350PDX campaign team that works on everything from fighting data centers, Zenith, and the CEI Hub to advocating for PCEF and transportation justice! RSVP to dineen@350pdx.org and cherice@350pdx.org.

Art Team 

Last month the Arts Team led an enthusiastic workshop at Oregon Wild’s Rabble Rouser on the powerful political activism of art and puppets.

Our next Art Build is Sunday, September 13, 1-4, at N 3639 Mississippi. We plan on beginning a few more puppets and going back to our roots making posters for demonstrations. Can you help us? It’s vital, fun, and sociable. RSVP to info@350PDX.org. 

Book Club

The 350PDX Book Club meets every month on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30PM. Every other month is in person and the others are virtual.

Reach out to books@350PDX.org with any questions or to join our list, and please RSVP so we can inform you of any meeting changes.

Join us on Wednesday, October 7 at 6:30PM for our next nonfiction in-person meeting. We’ll discuss Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Gardenby Camile D. Dungy, in which the poet and scholar recounts her seven-year odyssey to diversify her garden to reflect her heritage, expanding how we talk about the natural world and the environment.  RSVP at books@350PDX.org.

Save the date for our other upcoming discussions:

Wednesday, November 4 at 6:30PM (Google Meet) — Book to be selected in October

Milwaukie Advocates for Climate Justice

Do you live in Milwaukie and want to take action for climate justice with your neighbors? The Milwaukie Advocates for Climate is hosting their kick-off movie event on October 10th from 3:30-4:30, at the Ledding Library Community Room.

We will be watching the 350’s How to Reduce Fossil Fuels movie and having a facilitated conversation with the SW Neighborhood Team lead, Pat Kaczmarek.

Washington County Team

The 350PDX Washington County Team  always welcome newcomers to our events and to our (mostly) monthly online meetings (6:30 PM on the second Tuesday of the month). For the link, join us here or contact us at 350washco@gmail.com.

Southwest Team

The 350PDX Southwest Neighborhood Team includes neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Portland. We work together to raise awareness of the climate emergency. Our monthly meetings happen on the third Monday of the month. To get involved, please contact Pat Kaczmarek at patk5@msn.com.

Before closing our newsletter, a few reminders:

• Check out our Take Action page, which we update regularly. It includes actions that may not be in our newsletter.
• Join the 350PDX community Slack channel! This is a great way to stay connected on an ongoing basis. Contact to info@350pdx.org and we can add you.
•  350PDX is still searching for a wonderful, new home. Please reach out to info@350PDX.org if you have ideas for a space where we can have meetings, our arts team can create show-stopping puppets, and more!

Thank you for reading our monthly newsletter. We hope to see you soon!

With gratitude,

Cherice, Dineen, Jessica, Maeve, and Noelle

In this issue:

Calendar of events / Forest Defense Team / Energy Justice Team / Arts Team / Book Club / Washington County Team / 350PDX Reminders: seeking new digs + Take Action page + join our Slack!

With City Council elections coming up, attempts to divert Portland Clean Energy Benefits Fund dollars, and our Energy Justice team taking on building emissions and more, there’s a lot happening! So we’re starting this newsletter with a mini-calendar of upcoming events. Check out team news below for more events and actions.

Mark Your Calendars

• July 9 – Rumble on the River

Join us this Thursday for a Rumble on the River focused on the impacts of heat and what solutions (trees! shade!) are possible. We’ll also premier 350PDX’s new mini-documentary about shade equity; work that our coalition has been leading since 2022. Lineup: 5:00 PM tour of the new Bird Alliance site, 5:30 PM tabling, 6:30 PM panel.

• July 13-19 – PNW Climate Week 

Did you know that the only cross-region climate week in North America happens right here in the PNW?! This is a week of community-powered events happening across 7 cities in our region with the mission to transition to an equitable, climate-positive bioregion. The PNW Climate Week kickoff event happens at Lewis & Clark on Monday, July 13. Fall in Love with the Future. Empowering Local Climate Action: Education, Policy and Practice. 

• July 16 – Our Annual Shade Equity Lents to Laurelhurst Pedalpalooza Ride 350PDX is hosting as part of the PNW Climate Week! See Forest Defense Team below for details.

• August 29 – PCEF 82nd Ave Ride to Jade Night Market 4:30 PM, meet at Bird Alliance of Oregon (bike ride).

If you would like an accessible option for the biking or walking tours, email: info@350pdx.org

Forest Defense Team

The Forest Defense Team brings our beautiful state forests to the city. Stop by the Redwood at 7915 SE Stark in Montavilla to see our latest art installation!

Join us Thursday July 16 for our Annual Shade Equity Lents to Laurelhurst Pedalpalooza Ride! The Action Night will begin at 6:00 PM in the SE corner of Lents Park, near SE 92nd & Steele, with speakers, candidates, networking and refreshments, followed by a 7:00 PM ride. This will be our 5th annual ride focused on bringing joy, curiosity, and thoughtful attention to our urban canopy and its inequities which fall along lines of historical racism and income disparities. We will also celebrate all the newly-planted trees receiving establishment care as a result of community organizing. (Not prepared for a hot bike ride? Join us for the 6:00 – 7:00pm Action Night!)

Energy Justice Team

Our team works on a variety of important campaigns, from fighting data centers and transitioning the CEI Hub, to advocating for reducing emissions from our buildings and transportation, and defending PCEF. We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 6:00 PM. Reach out to Dineen and Cherice if you’d like to join the team: dineen@350pdx.org, cherice@350pdx.org.

Speak Up and Show Up to Reduce Emissions from Buildings

Did you know that buildings account for 53% of Portland’s greenhouse gas emissions? Portland is hoping to reduce building emissions through a new policy: Climate and Health Standards for Existing Buildings, which will be proposed this summer!

The policy is for large buildings (>20,000 square feet), and it lowers emissions while ensuring rents stay affordable through tenant protections. Methane “natural” gas lobbyists will likely oppose, so we need to show support!

Councilor Avalos is hosting a community workshop to learn about the policy and share your perspective:

• When: Tuesday, July 14, 6:00-8:00pm

• Where: East Portland Community Center, 740 SE 106th Ave

• RSVP link

Volunteer and Learn about Reducing Building Emissions

As part of learning more about building emissions reduction and to build community, the Energy Justice Team will be volunteering on a home energy retrofit project with Community Energy Project. It’s one step in the PCEF-funded Energy Friendly Homes project. The team would love for others to join the fun! If you are interested, learn more and sign up.

• When: Saturday, August 15, from 8:00am-12:30pm (includes lunch)

• Sign up here, space is limited so make sure to sign up soon!

Update: Ballot Measure to Divert 25% of PCEF to Police 

We’ve recently made progress on climate justice issues because of the ballot measure we helped pass—the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF). Now it’s facing its greatest threat yet: an effort by the Portland Police Association (PPA) and other wealthy special interests to raid PCEF. On Monday, after a signature gathering effort plagued by controversy, the PPA has turned in more than 62,000 signatures. The initiative is likely to qualify for the November ballot.

350PDX is part of a coalition fighting back, and we’ll need your help. Learn more at HandsOffPCEF.com and sign up to get involved!

Arts Team

Photo: John Mullen

Can you join us for the July 350PDX art build on Sunday, July 12, 1:00 – 4:00 PM, 3639 N Mississippi?

We have a gang of Billionaire puppets to create for rallies this fall, and we need to make inspirational screen printed posters, too.

Help us please! Strong climate justice work needs all levels of artists, from level 0 to level 10. Email Donna at murph1949@aol.com if you can make it on July 12!

Book Club

The 350PDX Book Club meets every month on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM. Every other month is in person and the others are virtual. Reach out to books@350PDX.org with any questions or to join our list, and please RSVP so we can inform you of any meeting changes.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, August 5, 6:30 PM for our next fiction in-person meeting. We’ll discuss Hum by Helen Phillips, an urgent and unflinching portrayal of a woman’s fight for her family’s security in a world shaped by global warming and rapid technological progress. This novel just won the 2026 Climate Fiction Prize. RSVP at books@350PDX.org.

Save the date for our other upcoming discussions:

• No meeting in July

• Wednesday, September 2 at 6:30 PM (Google Meet) – Book to be selected in August

• Wednesday, October 7 at 6:30 PM (In Person) – Book to be selected soon

Do you like to talk about books and climate justice? We are seeking volunteers to help facilitate! Contact books@350PDX.org to learn more.

Washington County Team

The Washington County Team is cohosting the Westside Sustainable Living Fair July 18, 9:00 – 1:00 PM, at the Hillsboro Saturday Market. Enjoy interactive exhibits, games, giveaways, prize drawings, and local resources focused on clean energy, electric vehicles, water conservation, urban forestry, waste reduction, watershed health, wildlife-friendly gardening, and more. The Fair is adjacent to the downtown Hillsboro Farmers Market which features fresh local produce and goods, prepared food, and sustainable products. Visit PGE’s Ride & Drive experience on 3rd Avenue between Main and Washington Streets in the Heritage Bank parking lot where you can learn about and test drive a number of electric vehicle options.

 

Hosted by the City of Hillsboro, Westside Planet Alliance, and 350 Washington County, with support from the Hillsboro Farmers’ Market and sponsorship from PGE.

Our next gathering will be in person for a summer picnic in conjunction with the July 18 event. See details on our Facebook page or check in with 350washco@gmail.com.We always welcome newcomers to our events and to our (mostly) monthly online meetings (6:30 PM on the second Tuesday of the month). For the link, join us here or contact us at 350washco@gmail.com

Before closing our newsletter, a few reminders:

•  350PDX is still searching for a wonderful, new home. Please reach out to info@350PDX.org if you have ideas for a space where we can have meetings and our arts team can create show-stopping puppets and more!
• Check out our Take Action page which we update regularly. It includes actions that may not be in our newsletter, such as the opportunity to comment on Multnomah County’s Draft Climate Justice Plan.
• If interested in joining the 350PDX community Slack channel, reach out to info@350pdx.org and we can add you to our community chat.

In this issue:

May Day / 350PDX needs a new home / May 21 action night: candidate meet & greet! / Support PCEF / Oppose federal bill to give immunity to Big Oil / Forest Defense team news / Arts team news / Volunteer spotlight / Book Club /Join the team & support 350PDX / Washington County team / SW team

Today is May Day! Join 350PDX and over 80 other organizations across Portland in a tremendous day of community power to show our unity.

When billionaires break every rule, it’s going to take more than a rally to stop them. Meet at the South Park Blocks at 12:00pm for a community tabling fair, rally at 1:00pm, and then we march at 3:30pm! Join the “Environmental Contingent” by meeting up at 2:45pm in front of the Portland Art Museum!! Look for the big banner that says “looters and polluters.” Sign up here for May Day event updates.

We’re looking for a new home! Our incredible workshop space in the Rebuilding Center is being sold and we have to be out by June. We’re continuing to search for new space in inner/central Portland (near transit) for office co-working, Action Nights, art builds, and a roost for our puppets and community gatherings. We’re on a nonprofit budget and love sharing space with aligned groups. Have a lead? We’d love to hear from you. Reply to this email or reach out to us at Jessicavaughan@350PDX.org.

May 21: Candidate Meet + Greet

We’re kicking off our 2026 Vote for Climate Justice campaign with an opportunity to meet District 3 and 4 candidates for City Council. At least a dozen candidates will be present. Show up to share how important climate justice issues are to voters!

Enjoy finger food and drinks, get to know candidates, ask about their climate priorities, and communicate your concerns and hopes. We’ll host a brief program where each candidate can share their climate policy ideas.

When: Thursday, May 21, 6:30–8:30pm

Where: First Unitarian, 1211 SW Main St

RSVP (helpful but not required)

Support PCEF, Trees, & a Healthy Climate in the City Budget

Mayor Wilson released a proposed budget last week and City Council is working on amendments.

Good news: thanks in part to your advocacy, the proposed budget includes two new staff members for the Sustainability Office, and does not currently include using PCEF for Moda Center renovations!

Bad news: the proposal suggests using Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) for things unrelated to climate, equity, and clean energy—such as crime prevention and houseless camp sweeps. The proposal also cuts PCEF-funded jobs that would develop an equitable tree canopy.

Now that we have the proposed budget, it’s time to speak up! Talking points and prewritten email for City Council here!

Oppose federal bill: immunity to big oil companies

After months of fossil fuel industry lobbying, federal legislation was introduced in April to give fossil fuel companies total legal immunity from laws or lawsuits that could hold them accountable for fueling the climate crisis and lying about it. This means we couldn’t pass bills like the Make Polluters Pay legislation, which we worked on this past year. Write your members of Congress today demanding that they reject efforts to shield the fossil fuel industry, and make them accountable for their role in the climate crisis. Learn more here. You can also sign this petition.

Forest Defense Team

Stop by the Forest Defense Team’s latest art installation at Costello’s Cafe and Bakery! Members will be there to connect on Saturday, May 9th at 2PM. 2222 NE Broadway.

Join Forest Defense Team members in writing to keep more than 2 million acres of Oregon’s National Forest lands wild. The Trump Administration is proposing to open ecologically intact areas to road-building and logging. Learn more about the Roadless Rule and submit your own comment here.

Our team meets every other Monday, alternating between in-person and online meetings. Please contact tyler@350pdx.org for more information.

Arts Team

Thank you for joining us at Sunnyside Environmental School for the 5th Annual Earth Day Celebration! We had a wonderful, joyous time with you all.

Making its first appearance—and the last puppet to emerge from our already missed wonderful work space—is Crow. Crow strutted through SE Portland, and gave voice to silent animals needing humans to give them more respect. For Crow that means a clean environment, more urban trees, and shade equity. More Earth Day photos and video here!

No Artbuild for May! We’re worn out, plus our Second Sunday spot is on the Mothers Day for Peace, named by Julia Ward Howe, so we’ll be home celebrating.

We’re all moving soon, and we hope to see more Art Teamsters with more ideas in June, in a workshop yet to be determined! See you then!

Donna, Lauren, Dannika, Allison

 

Volunteer Spotlight

Arthi Vijaykumar

Arthi came to 350PDX in 2024, looking to combat their climate anxiety with action. They were a semiconductor engineer and felt that working on corporate sustainability interventions alone could not address the severity of the climate crisis today. They were drawn to the Fossil Fuel Resistance team because they wanted to stand up directly to the corporations that got us all into this mess.

Over the past couple years, Arthi has been active in the Stop Zenith and CEI Hub campaigns. They have also been representing 350PDX in a larger state-level campaign to stop data centers. They appreciate how 350PDX gives volunteer organizers ample opportunities and support to follow their passions. Working with 350PDX has taught them so much about movement building, local policy and the environment, and they are grateful to be able to share this space with like-minded community members.

Outside of 350PDX, Arthi loves doing anything outdoorsy, reading books and cooking vegan food. They will be moving to Vancouver, B.C. in August to pursue a graduate research program in interdisciplinary resource and environmental studies. This career change was undoubtedly spurred by their experience organizing with 350PDX.

Book Club

The 350PDX Book Club meets every month on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm. Every other month is in person and the others are virtual. Reach out to books@350PDX.org with any questions or to join our list, and please RSVP so we can inform you of any meeting changes.

Join us on Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30pm for our next non-fiction in-person meeting. We’ll discuss Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future by Gloria Dickie, a global exploration of the eight remaining species of bears―and the dangers they face. We are still picking a location for this gathering, so be sure to RSVP at books@350PDX.org so we can keep you updated!

Save the date for our other upcoming discussions:

• Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30pm (Google Meet) – Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity’s Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism by Vanessa Machado De Oliveira

• Wednesday, July 1 at 6:30pm (Google Meet) – Book to be selected in June

• Wednesday, August 5 at 6:30pm (In Person) – Book to be selected soon

Do you like to talk about books and climate justice? We are seeking volunteers to help facilitate! Contact books@350PDX.org to learn more.

Join the team & support 350PDX

Don’t miss out: there’s still time to get one of our coveted “another world is possible” tote bags and win cool prizes by becoming a 350PDX Monthly Donor(or increasing your current monthly donation)! You get a tote bag by setting up (or increasing) a monthly donation of any amount. Monthly, ongoing gifts from members of our community are the most important ways to support our local climate justice work. Please consider joining us by becoming a monthly donor this spring – we are so grateful!

Hungry for another great way to support 350PDX? You’re in luck – your favorite cornmeal crust pizza, Dove Vivi, is partnering with 350PDX again this year. Every Tuesday in May you can dine in or get take out from Dove Vivi and 10% of their proceeds will go towards our work. A true win-win! 

Washington County Team

Our next gathering will be our regular monthly online meetup at 6:30pm on Tuesday, May 12. In April we hosted Robin Straughn, Sustainability & Resiliency Manager for the City of Hillsboro. She walked attendees through the recently approved Climate Action Plan for Hillsboro and answered questions. We are partnering with the City of Hillsboro to plan a second Electrification and Sustainability Fair in downtown Hillsboro on Saturday July 18, so please mark your calendars now!

We always welcome newcomers to our events and to our monthly online meetings (6:30pm on the second Tuesday of the month). For the link, join us here or contact us at 350washco@gmail.com.

Southwest Neighborhood Team

Sign up to volunteer at our kiosk at SW Sunday Parkways on Sunday, May 17. We have two hour shifts during this all day event (11:00am to 4:00pm). Come out and talk with your neighbors, and help distribute our Climate Action Now yard signs. Volunteer sign up here.

Our street corner demonstrations continue weekly in May, every Friday from 3:00-4:00 pm at SW Garden Home & SW Oleson Rd. Street parking is available or reach us via bus or bike. We have extra signs to share! Join our monthly Zoom meeting on Monday, May 18th, from 6:30-7:30 pm. To get involved, please contact Pat Kaczmarek at patk5@msn.com.

It’s March, and we want to pause and acknowledge that there are numerous and immense tragedies happening locally and globally.

We also want to share some sorely needed positive news. Yesterday, the Oregon Senate passed HB 4134, the “1.25% for Wildlife” bill. “This landmark legislation is a labor of over a decade, and its success positions Oregon as a national leader in addressing species and habitat decline,” said Sristi Kamal, Deputy Director at Western Environmental Law Center.

Thank you to all who helped make this happen.

Before jumping into policy and team updates, we do have some sad news about our workshop space in the Rebuilding Center. After making it our home for the last 5 years, we just learned that the building is being sold and we will have to leave by June. We’re so grateful for the many, many, many amazing art builds, Action Nights, meetings, and parties we had in this space, and are now onto our next chapter. We’re looking for a new space in inner/central Portland (near transit) for Action Nights, art builds, a roost for our puppets and community gatherings.We’re on a nonprofit budget and love sharing space with aligned groups.

Have a lead? We’d love to hear from you. Reply to this email or reach out to us at Jessicavaughan@350PDX.org. Let’s build our next home for climate justice!

Climate Justice Policy

No Immunity for Big Oil Petition 

While we’re working with the Make Polluters Pay campaign to pass a Climate Resilience Superfund bill here in Oregon, some Big Oil lobbyists and members of Congress are trying to preempt these efforts and give fossil fuel companies total legal immunity from any laws or lawsuits that could hold them accountable for their role in the climate crisis.

The American Petroleum Institute — the largest oil and gas trade lobbying group in the U.S. — has announced that stopping state climate lawsuits and climate superfund laws is one of their top legislative priorities in 2026.

Sign this petition to tell our Oregon Congresspeople to protect our right to hold fossil fuel companies accountable!

Final Week of the Legislative Session

We’ve been keeping you updated with weekly emails about actions you can take in Oregon’s short legislative session. We’ll send out an end-of-session wrap up email next week. For now, check out our 2026 State Policy Priorities page to see what you can do to encourage positive climate bills this session.

Some PCEF Threats Thwarted…for Now

We can celebrate this month because PCEF supporters won a lawsuit, and Portland City Council approved community-driven PCEF funding choices! Should PCEF funds be used for Moda Center renovations? Not really, but that’s something we may have to address. Read more here!

Forest Defense Team

Coffee + Public Engagement Art

The Forest Defense Team has created an art exhibit of gorgeous state forest photos that can travel to coffee houses. To see the first installation, stop by Rose City Coffee Company (3370 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202). The goal is to raise public awareness and remove timber companies’ social license to clearcut 100-year old state-managed forests – critical for habitat, carbon management, and human health. Visit the exhibit and tell your friends!  About the exhibit: photos were taken by 350PDX Arts Team volunteer Zoe Foxe on 2025 in the Clatsop State Forest near Astoria. Volunteers thrifted frames, and drafted prose to accompany the pieces. If you have an idea of where this exhibit should travel next, reach out to Tyler@350pdx.org

Interested in learning more about the clear cutting done on state forest land? Join the Forest Defense team on Sunday, March 22nd at 9:00am for an easy 1 mile walk through the mature forest on Powell Butte. This is a mostly flat trail, suitable for kids or those less keen for a hike. Meet at the Powell Butte Trailhead for the Dogwood and Huckleberry trail near SE Gladstone Street and SE 148th Avenue. More info on the 350PDX calendar.

Fossil Fuel Resistance Team

Our next meeting is in person at the 350PDX office on Tuesday, March 10 at 5:30pm. Join us to learn about our campaigns to fight for a drawdown of fuels at the CEI Hub and to fight the expansion of energy-hungry data centers. RSVP to the meeting by emailing Dineen: dineen@350pdx.org.

Rumble on the River: Rigged for Ruin – Methane: An Accelerating Threat to Health and Climate

The 29th Rumble on the River community forum is happening on Tuesday, March 24 at the Portland Association of Teachers Office (345 NE 8th Ave).

For the past two decades, communities in the Northwest have defeated fracked gas export terminals. Despite these successes, the “natural” gas industry continues to push their product. Come learn about methane’s many harms and alternatives to its use.

Doors and Info Tables at 5:30pm, Panel at 6:30pm. No need to RSVP, just come and join us!

Earth Day Celebration! 

Save the date for Portland’s cornerstone celebration of planet earth: the Earth Day Celebration and Parade! Saturday, April 25  at Sunnyside Environmental School.

Join 350PDX, Making Earth Cool, Sunnyside Environmental School, SOLVE, and others for a vibrant, inclusive, and impactful day. We will begin with a gathering on the grounds of Sunnyside Environmental School for music, speakers, tabling, action stations, face painting, and a costume competition!  Then we parade: a colorful procession winding through the Sunnyside neighborhood, featuring giant puppets, marching bands, singing, and dancing. Sign up to volunteer to help make this event another huge success!

Arts Team

photo: Irene Tejaratchi Hess

On February 17, the 350PDX Arts Team, Puppets for Climate Justice, and 50 wonderful puppeteers took to the streets to parade for climate justice and awareness in North Portland’s Mardi Gras parade. See pictures and video here!  The crowd cheered on our heron, beavers, butterflies, salmon, new spotted owls, and a giant white owl. Our trees danced and the river puppet zigzagged in an epic celebration of our Earth.

And there will be more, of course. If you come to our Sunday Art Build on March 8, 1:00-4:00pm, you can see how we can use art to create awareness of climate issues. We’ll finish some puppets, do maintenance on others, and begin new important projects for the Earth Day parade on April 27.

Please let Donna know if you can attend Sunday’s Art Build: Murph1949@aol.com

Book Club

The 350PDX Book Club meets every month on the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30pm. Every other month is in person and the others are virtual. Reach out to books@350PDX.org with any questions or to join our list, and please RSVP so we can inform you of any meeting changes! Note: We are not meeting in March. See you in April! Details below.

Join our next gathering on Wednesday, April 1 at 6:30pm at the 350PDX Office. We’ll discuss Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver.

Save the date for our next meetings:Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30pm (Virtual) – Book to be selected in April

• Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30pm (350PDX Office) – Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future by Gloria Dickie

• Wednesday, July 1 at 6:30pm (Virtual) – Book to be selected in June

350PDX Washington County Team

Our next gathering will be our regular monthly online meetup at 6:30pm on Tuesday, March 10. We’ll be reporting on bills in the 2026 Oregon Legislature and are in conversation with the City of Hillsboro with regard to putting on a second Electrification and Sustainability Fair in Hillsboro/Washington County in July.

We always welcome newcomers to our events and to our monthly online meetings (6:30pm on the second Tuesday of the month). For the link, join us here or contact us at 350washco@gmail.com.

Some Extra Cheer! 

Celebrate: heat pumps in new homes!

Thanks in part to our advocacy in 2023 with the Building Resilience coalition, the building code was just upgraded to require heat pumps for heating and cooling in all new homes in Oregon. We’re making a difference together! Read more!

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Thank you for reading our monthly newsletter. We hope to see you soon!

With gratitude,

Cherice, Dineen, Irene, Jessica, and Noelle

p.s. If you couldn’t make it to last week’s Action Night: The Dangers of Tear Gas, you can read about it here!

It’s 2026, and we’re looking forward to a year of gathering in community, taking action, and creating joy in the climate justice movement.

Now, let’s dive into news, actions, and team updates!

Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub Policy Project

On December 16, Portlanders showed up with amazing energy, creativity, and powerful testimony for the CEI Hub Policy Project rally and hearing at the Planning Commission. Thank you to everyone who attended, sent in comments, and helped make the rally fun and informative! To learn more about the CEI Hub, click here.

Next steps: From January 13–23, the Planning Commission will be opening up the comment period again. Send in a comment or add to what you’ve already said! This talking points document includes info and links to submit comments.

Forest Defense

The Forest Defense Team enjoyed a break between December’s atmospheric rivers to visit the Middle Big Noise Creek area in the Clatsop State Forest east of Astoria. This forest, with many trees exceeding 50 inches in diameter, is an example of complex North Coast forest habitat that the Board of Forestry and the Oregon legislature pledged to preserve over a decade ago. Like so many forests of its kind, Middle Big Noise is slated for clear cutting.

Join other Oregonians in helping the Oregon Department of Forestry align agency actions with its pledge to protect the remaining 14% of these legacy forests. Public comment will be accepted through January 31 on a draft Forest Management Plan. For info about January public hearings and a comment portal through Bird Alliance click here.

In coming months, the Forest Defense Team is planning to host several state forest tours to help people in the Metro area connect with these places of beauty and rich habitat that serve as critical carbon sinks, so rare in the western United States.  Reach out to Tyler@350pdx.org to join an upcoming Monday evening meeting.

Make Polluters Pay (MPP)

During Oregon’s legislative session, 350PDX will focus on the Oregon Make Polluters Pay coalition, advocating for the Climate Resilience Superfund bill, which would make multinational fossil fuel corporations pay for climate damages they’ve caused in Oregon. To learn more about MPP, click here.

On January 22, we’re excited to host a MPP Action Night as part of a National Week of Action! Join us on January 22 at the 350PDX workshop (3639 N Mississippi Ave) and get involved with this exciting movement! Please note, our new Action Night time: 6:30–8:30pm.

Other ways to take action:

• Sign the Oregon Make Polluters Pay petition

• 1/27: Attend a virtual Storytelling Training on the MPP Oregon bill. To register, click here.

• 2/16: Oregon Make Polluters Pay Advocacy Day in Salem. More info soon!

Speak Up for Justice, Trees, and a Thriving Climate-Friendly Economy: Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) Hearing

On Tuesday, January 13, 4:00–8:00pm, join us at the Planning Commission (1900 SW Fourth Ave, Portland) for a hearing on the EOA. We recognize many are still working at 4:00pm, so please come when you’re available. This policy impacts many of the areas we work on relating to equity, public health, ecosystem health, and climate impacts from all of these. You can attend the hearing virtually or in person. To learn more about the EOA, sign up to give testimony, or submit written comments, click here. Later this week, we’ll be sending an email with suggested talking points!

Team Updates

Arts Team

Trees, mushrooms, beavers, and the Sun showed up last month at the CEI Hub rally and hearing!

Coming up – we have an artbuild to prepare for February’s Mississippi Street Mardi Gras parade, and you are invited!

Join us on Sunday, January 11, 1:00-4:00pm at 350PDX’s workspace (3639 N. Mississippi). We’ll be making mushrooms and owl puppets to swoosh over the parade crowds. The Mississippi Street Mardi Gras is a wonderful way to spread the word about climate in a fantastic, joyful way. It also draws in more climate work supporters and puppet makers. Can you join in the fun by being a puppeteer that night? (February 17, 5:00pm-7:00pm, a one mile march down N. Mississippi that ends near 350PDX.)

If you can puppeteer or if you will join Sunday’s artbuild, please let Donna know! Email: murph1949@aol.com

Book Club

Join our next gathering on Wednesday, January 7 at 6:30pm on Google Meet. We’ll discuss A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, a cozy and short novella about a robot and a monk exploring the question, “What do people need?”

Save the date for our next meetings:

• Wednesday, February 4 at 6:30pm (350PDX Offices) – The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis by Osprey Orielle Lake

• Wednesday, March 4 at 6:30pm (Google Meet) – Book to be selected in February

Reach out to books@350PDX.org with any questions, RSVPs, or to join our list. See you soon!