Your Share - June 2011

In this issue:

• NW Natural gives back
• EarthShare's six new Board of Directors
• Summer Camps
• Summer Gardening Tips

EarthShare featured business partner: NW Natural

EarthShare member charity The Freshwater Trust extends a big thanks to NW Natural for its help on the Salmon River project. This spring, 70 NW Natural volunteers (pictured above) helped plant 140 Western Red Cedar trees along the Salmon River, one of the four main tributaries of the Sandy River. The trees will improve bank stability, and over the long term contribute large wood to the river. The tree plantings are an addition to a restoration project The Freshwater Trust completed this past summer.

NW Natural is also dividing up a $25,000 donation among four EarthShare Oregon members (1000 Friends of Oregon, NW Earth Institute, The Wetlands Conservancy, and Willamette Riverkeeper.) Every customer who either enrolls in paperless billing or is already enrolled can cast a vote for the nonprofit of their choice -- and the charities will split $25,000, with the percentage to each group hinging on the number of votes received. Voting is open until June 30th! 

EarthShare welcomes six new board members

Anguilla, Boardman, Davee, Fairbrother, McDowell and Molitor join EarthShare Oregon's Board of Directors.  Read bios>

Summer Camps

Parents, it's not too late to enroll your kids to summer camp. Several EarthShare groups have open slots throughout the summer.

	Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center operates a variety of summer programs designed to get students out in the wilderness, further connecting them to the natural world. Located in Jawbone Flats, students and adults enjoy the surrounding acient forest.
	Audubon Society of Portland Audubon Society of Portland offers nature-based  Summer Camps for children in 1st-12th grade. Audubon's goal is for kids to have a positive and engaging experience in nature so that it becomes somewhere that they are comfortable, that they love, and that they ultimately want to protect.
	Corvallis Environmental Center CEC offers summer camp at their SAGE Garden and Avery House Nature Center. At Sage Garden, summer camps are week-long learning adventures where kids will learn about their local ecosystems, where food comes from, and how to grow their own food! At the Avery House Nature Center, the week-long camps are an active, hands-on learning experience with games, hikes, nature-themed crafts, and time for writing, drawing, and playing with friends in the park! Students are split into small groups by age and interests.
	Tualatin Riverkeepers  Kayak the Tualatin River or explore Tualatin River's National Wildlife Refuge. Tualatin Riverkeepers Summer Camps focus on fostering a sense of awareness and love for the natural world.  Campers are encouraged to explore their natural instincts to learn and discover the natural world.

Summer Gardening Tips

EarthShare member charity Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides (NCAP) has a treasure trove of environmentally friendly gardening solutions.  From pesky aphids to yellow starthistle, NCAP has you covered. Check out their Home and Garden Toolbox before you head outside to your garden today.