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Opportunity Details

TeamWorks: Support Local Animals and Their Habitats (age 18+) *Hands On*

Join a TeamWorks team of volunteers for a series of done-in-a-day projects led by a Hands On Greater Portland TeamWorks Leader. TeamWorks offers volunteers the opportunity to make a slightly longer-term commitment to volunteering, delve into a topic or issue-area, and get to know other volunteers in the process.

Animals impact our lives every day; from the earthworms that help our food grow to the dogs and cats that brighten our day to the crows that help keep our city clean. This TeamWorks team will take a closer look at some of these relationships and expand our perspective on how animals impact our lives and how we impact theirs.

During this project we will get to socialize with shelter animals at the Oregon Humane Society, get our hands dirty at Zenger Farms, help maintain natural habitat with the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, expand our animal knowledge at a documentary screening, tour the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus and lend a hand at Green Acres Farm Sanctuary. Throughout the team we will take time discuss how the projects are impacting the lives of animals and how it might be changing our perspective on our relationships with the animals around us and the habitats in which we coexist.

Whether you are already an ardent fan of animals big and small, or looking to learn more about how you can support our many two, four, eight -- or zero! --legged friends, this fun summer TeamWorks team will help you connect with the many different kids of animals -- and animal-supporters -- that call our region home.

Signing up for the FIRST session will sign you up for the entire TeamWorks. Commitment to every project in the series is important, so please carefully check the schedule below before signing up! If you know in advance you'd have to miss one of the projects, let us know and you may still be eligible to join the team. Questions can be directed to Melia Tichenor,melia@handsonportland.org or 503.200.3370.

Team Schedule:

Session 1:
Saturday, June 13, 9:45am - 1:15pm
TeamWorks Kick-off: Socialize with Cats and Dogs
@ the Oregon Humane Society, NE Portland

What better way to kick off a TeamWorks team about animals than to hang out with dogs and cats at the Oregon Humane Society? We'll meet up with our group in the front lobby of the Humane Society and start out with a 45 minute training/tour that includes information on the shelter and animal handling skills. Then we'll move on to our volunteer session that includes socializing with the dogs in our outside yards (bring a coat if the weather is not good) and visiting time in colony rooms with the cats. Our volunteer session will help us give the animals the attention they crave and help them develop the social skills they need to find new homes. Due to the nature of the work, all volunteers must be able to squat, stand, bend, lift and twist for long periods of time. 

For the safety reasons, all participants must wear long pants and non-slip, closed toed shoes (tennis shoes, boots, etc.) when volunteering at the shelterHanging jewelry is not allowed and facial piercing must be removed or covered with a band-aid.  Those not dressed appropriately cannot participate, so please come prepared!  Also, we may be working with very jumpy dogs that may soil your clothing, so choose your attire accordingly.

After the project, our TeamWorks crew will at a nearby lunch spot to grab a bite, get to know one another, and explore our reasons for coming together on this team.

Session 2:
Friday, June 19, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
(Project 2pm-4pm; farm tour and discussion 4pm-5pm)
Get Your Hands Dirty at Zenger Farm
@ Zenger Farm, SE Portland

Come out and get your hands dirty at Zenger Farm! For our second session, we'll learn more about this nonprofit and working urban farm promoting: sustainable food practices, youth education, environmental stewardship, and community and economic development. We will be completing an assortment of tasks that will contribute to the maintenance of a working urban farm and youth garden. Zenger Farm currently brings over 6000 people a year to the farm, including international visitors, community members and students of all ages. Our programs provide hands-on opportunities in Youth and Adult Education, Sustainable Urban Agriculture, Environmental Stewardship, and Green Economic Development. 

After the work party, we'll take a tour of the farm to learn more about how it supports three types of livestock (see if you can guess what they are!) and a nearby wetland that is home to a wide variety of native animals. 

Session 3:
Friday, June 26, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Protect the Columbia Slough Watershed! Mulching Project
@Columbia Slough, NE Portland

Known as Big Four Corners, we'll be helping support one of the most spectacular natural areas of the Columbia Slough. This two-mile stretch of the watershed is edged by cottonwood forests and wetland meadows, frequented by many kinds of birds, and culminates at Fairview Lake, whose shores are ringed by large homes -- where nature meets urban!

Our group will mulch along airport way between 158th and 185th, to help improve watershed health. Caring for our native plant community takes team work and the native bugs, birds, fish, mammals and other Slough fauna will thank us for it! As we work, we will learn more about the many species that call the slough home -- and how important watershed health is to maintaining wild animal livelihood.

Session 4:
Tuesday, June 30, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Animals in the City Documentary Night!
@Downtown location

Let's meet up as a team over dinner and learn more about how animals have adapted to our growing human sprawl -- sometimes in some incredible ways! From pigeons to racoons to crows, you may learn some interesting facts (and perhaps a newfound respect) for these animals that have come to call our cities home just as much as we have. Potluck items encouraged -- and pizza may be provided (stay tuned!). 

*Optional* Session 5:
DATE TBD, Weekday afternoon between July 6-9
Guide Dogs for the Blind Campus Tour
@Guide Dogs campus in Boring, OR

The question is not just how we can help animals, but how they can also help us humans! Guide Dogs for the Blind is more than an industry-leading guide dog school; they are a passionate community that serves the visually impaired. With exceptional client services and a robust network of trainers, puppy raisers, donors and volunteers, they prepare highly qualified guide dogs to serve and empower individuals who are blind or have low vision. All of their services are provided free of charge.

We are hoping to solidify a date to tour their campus in Boring, Oregon on a weekday afternoon during the week of July 6th. Stay tuned on the date!

Session 6:
Saturday, July 11, 10:00am - 1:30pm 
Green Acres Farm Sanctuary Workparty

Green Acres Santuary, Silverton, OR -- Carpooling options available!

Our final TeamWorks event will take us to Green Acres Farm Sanctuary, which works to provide shelter, care and board to over 125 abused, abandoned, and unwanted farm animals. Green Acres Farm looks to inspire change through creating a place where members of the public can have positive interaction with farm animals by providing for their care and the animals can, in turn, educate them about the sometimes abusive use of farmed animals. Our group will tour the sanctuary and then help out on a variety of workparty projects that will be determined closer to the day of the event.

After the workparty, we will round up for a picnic at the sanctuary, during which wrap-up our TeamWorks experience, exploring what we've learned and how we can stay involved and continue to help support the many animals that call our region home. 

Click "Sign Up" below to reserve your spot on the team! Need help signing up? Call 503-200-3355.

The opportunity date and time you are looking for is no longer available.
Sports & Recreation, Children & Youth Education
Families, Low-income Communities, Immigrants, Refugees or Ethnic Groups
Fundraising & Campaigning,Gardening/Planting,Mentoring/Youth Development,Sports & Recreation

Age Minimum (with Adult): 14+, Minimum Age:18+

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