event

Bark’s Community Confluence Conference

Let’s come together for Bark’s first annual Community Confluence Conference!

Formerly ‘People’s Forest Forum,’ Bark is expanding its view to include more than just the trees.  We are hosting a conference at Left Bank Annex from 2-8 pm on Saturday, December 14^th. This event will have two keynotes, three panels, silent auction, food and over a dozen local like-minded organizations to get involved with. Finally, the conference will culminate in a dance party to support Bark and our non-profit allies. Participants in the Give!Guide that have donated to any of the groups (including Bark) attending will get free admission to the DoGoodGetDown dance portion of the event!

Currently joining us: Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts, Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Crag Law Center, 1,000 Friends, Silvix Resources, Oregon Wild, 350 PDX, PNW Forest Climate Alliance and more.

The theme for this year’s event is Tools for Change. What kinds of things should the modern environmentalist or budding environmental justice advocate know about engaging with nature and policy alike?

We will be focused on the following topics and more:  

• What tools can help us interact with nature?
• How are things connected to us? Why should we care?
• What role does environmental justice play within Mt. Hood’s ecology? 
• What resources can help us ensure nature for future generations?

After a brief opening from our Executive Director, Rich Walzack, our opening keynote will begin with a message to inspire action from former Bark attorney and current climate rockstar Brenna Bell at 350 PDX. There will also be three panels of discussion:

Beavers as Climate Activists led by Bark’s Meg Waller, Restoration Manager and Beaver/Wetland Extraordinaire, featuring:

• Shea Fuller, The Wetlands Conservancy
• Jeff Goldberg, USFS Westzone Wildlife Biologist
• Special Guest Third (TBA)

Forests: Flames for Change led by Bark’s Jordan Latter, Forest Watch Coordinator

• Andrew Spaeth, Facilitator of Eastzone Forest Collaboratives
• Simone Cordery-Cotter, Fire Risk Reduction Specialist
• Max Oakes, Biologist with Confederation Tribes of Warm Springs

Environmental Justice led by Bark’s Jade Hagan, Director of Community Engagement and Communications

• Ameyalli Mañon-Ferguson, Cultural Ecologist Parrot Creek
• David Osborn, PSU Capstone Instructor
• Madison Fowler, UO Environmental Studies Northwest Forest Plan Just Futures

We will end with a keynote from Susan Jane Brown, Silvix Resources to summarize our collective goals and encourage collaboration before we announce silent auction winners and start the DoGoodGetDown event.

During the party, there will also be henna by Sparka Studios and massages by Healing Journey!

Tickets for the Community Confluence Conference are a sliding scale starting at $10. Buy a ticket for the Confluence Conference and automatically get into the DoGoodGetDown dance party! If you bring proof of donation to participating Give!Guide organizations, you get free admission to only the dance part of the event. The more is given in ticket sales, the better event we can ensure!

Silent Auction will have items and experiences from a variety of local vendors like Little Gold Fox Designs, Kelli MacConnell Art, Lemelson Vineyard, Penfelt Studios, Indigo Traders, Gemm Soaps, as well as Titos Vodka, Seisuke Knives, Patagonia and more!

Some fantastic folks have also donated alcohol to help us defray the cost of our event, including Stone Barn Brandyworks, New Deal Distillery, and Lemelson Vineyard.