Earth Month brought so many joyful moments\u2014from an\u00a0\u00a0Earth Day parade\u00a0<\/a>to a huge win for Forest Park to a\u00a0powerful exhibit by PNCA students<\/a>\u00a0showcasing outstanding\u00a0Stop Zenith<\/strong>\u00a0art. We are deeply grateful for these experiences.<\/p>\n We are also aware that we\u2019re living in a time that is incomprehensibly difficult for so many, and we find ourselves discussing how to balance that awareness with daily life. On\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a015, we\u2019ll gather for\u00a0Action Night<\/strong>. As part of our story-sharing activities, we\u2019ll reflect on how we\u2019re processing the current moment, hear how stories can supercharge our action, and share ways to help others and our planet. Join us!<\/p>\n Public hearing for Zenith\u2019s application for a new air quality permit, Monday,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a012<\/strong>\u00a0at 6:00 pm at University of Portland. More info below in our\u00a0Fossil Fuel Team\u00a0<\/em>update!<\/p>\n 350PDX Action Night: Stories, Actions and Belonging,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a015,<\/strong>\u00a06:00pm,\u00a0<\/strong>at 350PDX. Let\u2019s share about how we first gave thought to climate change and decided to do something. Let\u2019s discuss the urgency of now\u2013what\u2019s going on federally is huge and overwhelming. How can we can make a tangible impact in our local city government\u00a0<\/strong>and within our neighborhoods? These are just some of the questions we\u2019ll reflect upon. Join us!<\/p>\n \u201cKeep Oregon Nuclear-Free\u201d Day of Action,\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>May<\/span>\u00a019.<\/strong>\u00a0Join 350PDX and partner organizations who will be advocating to keep Oregon free of new nuclear power plants. Check out our\u00a0Climate Policy Team\u00a0<\/em>update below for RSVP & info!<\/p>\n City Council Climate Chats<\/strong>: Our next chat will be in District 3 with Councilor Angelita Morillo!\u00a0RSVP here<\/a>\u00a0for this event on\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a022 at 5:30pm.<\/strong><\/p>\n Next week is a huge moment for our team and our entire local movement to Stop Zenith. Monday,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a012 at 6:00pm is the only in-person public hearing that the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be holding during this current comment period on Zenith\u2019s application for a new air quality permit. We need to do everything we can to make sure this permit is DENIED, and one clear way we can do this is by filling the Buckley Center Auditorium at the University of Portland to show DEQ the force of our amazing movement.\u00a0RSVP here!<\/a> Wear red.\u00a0We\u2019ll have\u00a0pizza , a brief rally, and a chance to sign up to testify. The hearing begins at 6:30pm and goes until 9:00pm. DEQ will have a station for people to sign-up to provide a 2-minute testimony. For help with writing your testimony, refer to\u00a0these great talking points<\/a>\u00a0from our friends at Columbia Riverkeeper. (You\u2019re also more than welcome to join us, wear red, and be in the audience cheering others on as they testify!)<\/p>\n If you can\u2019t make it next Monday but still want to make your voice heard, there will be another option! DEQ is holding a virtual-only public hearing on Thursday,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a015 at 6:00pm.\u00a0RSVP for the virtual\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a015 session here<\/a>. You can also use this easy online form to send in an official public comment about this permit\u00a0HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our team in the news:<\/strong>\u00a0Catch us on the air on KBOO\u2019s Locus Focus! Last week, our Campaign Director Dineen Crowe was in conversation with Samantha Hernandez from Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility for \u201cZenith Energy\u2019s Tortured Tale in Portland.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n Join the team:\u00a0<\/strong>Our next meeting is on Tuesday,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a013, 5:30pm on Zoom. We will debrief and recap the public hearing happening the evening before and plan what\u2019s next. After that, we meet again on Tuesday,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a027, 5:30pm in person at 350PDX, 3639 Mississippi Ave. We\u2019d love for you to join us! Reach out to\u00a0dineen@350pdx.org<\/a>\u00a0to get plugged in.<\/p>\n The Forest Defense Team has been active this month on the city, state, and national levels! Team members rallied to stop PGE from clear-cutting 5 acres of Forest Park. (Thanks to the Arts Team for the awesome tree puppets that made the\u00a0front page of the Oregonian<\/a>!) Portland City Council voted 12-0 to take the first steps to block this project! The final vote is scheduled for\u00a0May<\/span>, so write your city councilors and urge them to protect Forest Park.<\/p>\n We have also been active in the state legislative session, opposing a bill that threatens to increase logging in state forestland at the expense of clean water and carbon sequestration. We urge you to reach out to your state legislators and ask them to oppose HB3103, which would increase logging in state forests in the coast range.<\/p>\n Finally we\u2019re joining in the national campaign to oppose Trump administration efforts to weaken the Endangered Species Act by reducing protections on valuable habitat. Comment on that proposal\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Get Connected:\u00a0<\/strong>Join the Forest Defense Team meetings on the first and third Monday of each month from 6:00-7:30 pm.\u00a0 Contact volunteer team leads Felice Kelly (felice.kelly@gmail.com<\/a>) or Tyler Gilmore (tyler@350pdx.org<\/a>) to get involved.<\/p>\n Thank you to our 2024\u20132025 climate policy and media assistants!<\/strong><\/p>\n This year, Reed College and University of Portland have had a partnership with us where we get to host work study students, and students get job experience and opportunities to use what they\u2019re learning in school. This year, we\u2019ve been joined by the following climate policy assistants: Andy Laurila (finance), Charlie Welling (divestment), Emma Niemela (buildings), Max Hanley (transportation), Natalie Severson (city), Santiago Nolasco Galicia (energy), and Sima Fasihi (CEI hub). Alex Silva joined us as a climate communications and media assistant. We want to take this opportunity to recognize what these folks are adding to the climate justice movement. They\u2019ve helped us track bills, serve on coalitions, plan lobby days, draft public testimony, pull off events, document events, and much more. Thank you all for the amazing work you\u2019ve done this year!<\/p>\n City Council Climate Chats:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Thank you to Councilors Avalos, Green, Dunphy, Kanal, Novick, and Pirtle-Guiney for meeting with us so far! We\u2019ve partnered with Oregon League of Conservation Voters to host City Council Climate Chats with constituents and city council members. By having a dozen or so constituents gathered with councilors, we\u2019ve been able to cover a lot of questions as well as dive more deeply into issues we care about, hear councilors\u2019 perspectives, and share our community\u2019s concerns and hopes.<\/p>\n RSVP here<\/a>\u00a0for our next chat: District 3 with Councilor Angelita Morillo!<\/strong>\u00a0If you are a D3 constituent and can\u2019t make it, fill out the form and we\u2019ll let you know about future events in your district.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not a D3 constituent, you can fill out the following forms and we\u2019ll let you know about future events happening in\u00a0District 1<\/a>,\u00a0District 2<\/a>, or\u00a0District 4<\/a>. (Not sure what Portland District you live in?\u00a0Here\u2019s a map<\/a>!)<\/p>\n \u201cKeep Oregon Nuclear-Free\u201d Day of Action\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a019<\/strong><\/p>\n Join 350PDX and partner organizations who will be advocating to keep Oregon free of new nuclear power plants, particularly until there is a plan to deal safely with the waste. The\u00a0\u201cKeep Oregon Nuclear-Free\u201d Day of Action<\/a>\u00a0will have both in-person and virtual options, so you can go to Salem for the full day, or sign up to attend a virtual meeting with your legislators.<\/p>\n Thirteen pro-nuclear bills were introduced this session, but only two are still active: HB 2038 and HB 2410. These bills divert funding from energy efficiency, renewable energy, and storage technologies that are safer, less expensive, and faster to deploy.<\/p>\n RSVP now<\/a>\u00a0for the Day of Action on Monday,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a019. For those who can make it to Salem, you will connect with fellow advocates over coffee, followed by a brief lobby training session to help you feel confident and prepared. Then, we\u2019ll head to the Capitol together for scheduled meetings with your legislators. For those joining virtually, a training will be provided, along with talking points for your meetings with legislators. After you register, you will receive more information about food, carpools, legislator meetings, and everything else you need to know to advocate about this important issue.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re not able to attend the Day of Action, you can let your legislators know you care about this by\u00a0sending this email<\/a>, urging them to oppose HB 2038 and 2410.<\/p>\n Climate Justice Lobby Day a Success!<\/strong><\/p>\n We held our first joint Climate Justice Lobby Day with 350 Eugene on April 29!\u00a0It was fun to get to advocate with another 350 group, share some statewide priorities, and connect with our friends in Eugene.\u00a0350PDX met with nineteen legislators from the Portland area, sharing our\u00a0priorities<\/a>\u00a0for this legislative session. Though there are many important matters before the legislature, our encouragement helps remind them to remain vigilant on the climate crisis. Together, we can build a more climate friendly transportation system, reduce building emissions, address climate risk in our public employee retirement portfolio, and increase energy affordability across the state.<\/p>\n Our 350PDX Book Club\u2019s book for June is\u00a0Climate Optimism: Celebrating Systemic Change Around the World by Zahra Biaban<\/strong>. We will meet on June 4, from 6:30-8:00pm at the 350PDX office, with potluck-style snacks and drinks.<\/p>\n Did you know the 350PDX Book Club is now meeting every month? We alternate between virtual and in-person meetings the first Wednesday of each month!\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>\u00a0to get on the mailing list,\u00a0check our website<\/a>\u00a0for updates on meeting times and book selections, and reach out to\u00a0books@350pdx.org<\/a>\u00a0with any questions!<\/p>\n 350PDX\u2019s Arts Team is finishing a busy month of parades, artbuilds, and fun. A couple of weeks ago, we marched through SE Portland in the\u00a0Earth Parade<\/a>.<\/p>\n This Saturday,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a010, we will bring our climate justice puppets to the St John\u2019s Parade. There\u2019s still time to volunteer to be a puppeteer for Saturday! We also need people with vehicles to load up a few puppets that morning from 350PDX (3639 Mississippi Ave) and take them to N Lombard, then bring them back again. Can you help? Please let Donna (murph1949@aol.com<\/a>) know.<\/p>\n Important:<\/strong>\u00a0there is no artbuild this month<\/strong>\u00a0(May<\/span>).<\/strong>\u00a0We\u2019re all worn out, plus it\u2019s Mother\u2019s Day\u2013a holiday also know as Mother\u2019s Peace Day established by Julia Ward Howe, and we can celebrate that!<\/p>\n Our next Artbuild is June 8, 1:00-4:00pm,<\/strong>\u00a03639 N Mississippi. We\u2019ll finish puppets, begin puppets, and do a deep clean and reorganization of our art space. If you can join in the fun, please let Donna know. We\u2019d love to see you there.<\/p>\n Our next\u00a0online<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0meeting will take place at 6:30pm on Tuesday,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a013. For the link, reach out to\u00a0debbygactivism@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll share information on Washington County campaigns, as well as policy work we\u2019ve been accomplishing in this busy legislative session.\u00a0We\u2019re taking on a big new project to put on an Electrification and Sustainability Fair in Hillsboro in August;\u00a0<\/strong>lots of planning is happening in partnership with the City of Hillsboro and with local allies.<\/p>\n Our general activities include: connecting with the Beaverton and the Tigard Climate Action teams, stewarding our Pollinator Garden at Bagley Park in Hillsboro, and more! We always welcome newcomers to our events and to our monthly online meetings (6:30pm on the second Tuesday of the month).<\/p>\n Our team includes neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Portland. We work together to raise awareness of the climate emergency.<\/p>\n Our street corner demonstrations continue weekly in\u00a0May<\/span>, every Friday from 4:00-5:00pm at SW Capitol\u00a0 Highway & SW Sunset. We reach hundreds of commuters with our climate action signs in a highly visible location. Street parking is available, or reach us via bus or bike, we have extra signs to share!<\/p>\n Our outreach efforts extend beyond the street corner. We will be tabling at SW Sunday Parkways on\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a018 and distributing Climate Action Now yard signs.\u00a0To volunteer with us at SW Sunday Parkways, please contact Pat Kaczmarek at\u00a0patk5@msn.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n GET CONNECTED:\u00a0<\/strong>Join our monthly Zoom meeting on Monday,\u00a0May<\/span>\u00a019th, from 6:30-8:00pm. To get involved, please contact Pat Kaczmarek at\u00a0patk5@msn.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Thank you for reading our monthly\u00a0newsletter<\/span>, and for being part of the 350PDX community.<\/p>\n With gratitude,<\/p>\n Cherice, Dineen, Irene, Jessica, Katie<\/em><\/p>\n Check us out on XRAY FM\u2019s\u00a0The Commons<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n
Upcoming Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Team News<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Fossil Fuel Resistance Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2025_05_12%20Stop%20Zenith%20DEQ%20Hearing(2).jpg\"](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NalzLsMyopQ-iDuprF1Tu0_TE12xV6kOGUGAPdS6m2aZR0L-VonhjwG7vfv92nDV6vFM72-tIDyFRbyt59TVsw_uR0L8Fn95NDYBzsRssw-fJv1mzU9jAgGBJDxOghyOk7ToJssLDnVvjdkgIh0BwMrbqymMDjSMZKOm9A5AXtN-xc=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/350pdx.app.neoncrm.com\/neon\/resource\/350pdx\/images\/2025_05_12%20Stop%20Zenith%20DEQ%20Hearing(2).jpg\")
<\/figure>\nForest Defense Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"DSC00720Alt.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYJvC1Lfg_VvJNsleTb28wNBKrPRUF2aFjvUa6ZUyCdLK2RmQFCA109ccti82N88xwWV91tvxJAYoHZzGRCP_xoB2t09COhr5rwlQKLrEKHSSpb0AcQo0K-KwFIoh7n5Q=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/350pdx.app.neoncrm.com\/neon\/resource\/350pdx\/images\/DSC00720Alt.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nClimate Policy Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"smnr%20day%20of%20action%203.png\"](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NaoraTMMuw0MU_jpP-LHWXMmSCf36ucXFCquv9sxJpdwryHKlps8ot5WZfsKftXHSC0C58EMSFZcG1AxVDFIy34nK4fDMX0LNUU0CD-8FUFfUlekStM7s9IkTmLLK3oc4CbbrngFPnRH7xgyJJJ21Rg=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/350pdx.app.neoncrm.com\/neon\/resource\/350pdx\/images\/smnr%20day%20of%20action%203.png\")
<\/figure>\n![\"2025%20Lobby%20dayIMG_5956.png\"](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NZEiUjPjFJ3GY32iEe1dQzVvTwXYEIvNTNLQrQL7VxkhrUHc5RuJv1dPtGvlV122jZKc8YsRSeghW2PEEsco4KbMJ2O8kFnHIrdRFC3otgjxKtpb72ZNXWA7rU6PPM4V9xaFroudxcDsl9-lLsrIw=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/350pdx.app.neoncrm.com\/neon\/resource\/350pdx\/images\/2025%20Lobby%20dayIMG_5956.png\")
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Community Development<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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The Arts Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"DSC01118%20name.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYvy0CHzL2Z0V5-chr6EbOPHxhNyYHC4u2CmOBOOO0J47zEGqqYPjFS36x31f9Z6lTWliJRY_6jdoW-dRcX-YgsgzTVn0In00qElc0WFCACjj1BqIVbCJdoSFzlWr4UrBRbUyE=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/350pdx.app.neoncrm.com\/neon\/resource\/350pdx\/images\/DSC01118%20name.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"DSC00993.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NZBboOHUXzuGJugnqFE86Te2H4fb5c005Xy3GY02VhoVLMXnPdwjavlxoRtrJ9m4m_nxOcX5pfeCXmhPWDW-X87yWYF0xyyzvIhy8v4M7v-33emalnaoySOsMzBCA=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/350pdx.app.neoncrm.com\/neon\/resource\/350pdx\/images\/DSC00993.jpg\")
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350 Washington County Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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SW Neighborhood Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n