October 2015
This month we bring you many opportunities to pay it forward! Pull ivy, help teens write resumes, enter a photo contest and get involved with our wreath fundraiser. Read on!

Introducing Isopods
During our programs we love looking carefully on the ground, under leaves and in and around logs. Have you ever tried it? There is so much going on down there! Maybe you've seen one of these creatures:

They have many names: Pill-bug, roly-poly, potato bug, sow-bug and even wood lice. But what are they? These creatures are isopods. Iso means same or equal and pod means foot. Isopods have 14 legs that all look and function the same way. This distinguishes them from their crustacean cousins (like shrimp and crayfish!) that have legs that are modified to perform different functions, such as walking, feeding, feeling and grasping.

Like all crustaceans, isopods have a segmented outer shell (seven overlapping plates) that provides a measure of protection from the environment and predators. Here's another way they are like their aquatic relatives - rather than getting the oxygen they need to survive through lungs like most terrestrial organisms, isopods have gill-like structures located at the bases of their legs. That is why isopods must keep moist at all times—if they dry, they die.

If you are out looking for them try checking out areas near concrete - they need some grit to aid their digestion! We will be studying these small critters soon in our late fall classes of Lil Nature Kids and Lil Nature Families. We will be using one of our favorite books: I'm a Pill Bug by Yukihisa Tokuda.

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Fall Nature Classes for Kids and Families
Our second fall session of classes begins the week of October 12. We will be exploring isopods, scrub jays, animal homes and mushrooms!

See the schedule for Lil Nature Kids, Lil Nature Families and Nature Recess HERE! Remember, always join a waitlist if a class is full. If we have the staff we will open up more spots.

Help a young adult meet their career goals: Volunteer at a resume workshop!

Did you know that the environmental field is lagging far behind other career fields in diversifying its workforce? City Nature is taking steps to create a more diverse and inclusive environmental field with our young adult programs. The GRUNT and Youth Conservation Crew (YCC) programs strive to attract and train young adults from different backgrounds in the hopes that they will one day want to pursue environmentally-focused careers or life interests. 

An important part of our programs is the City Nature Internship experience. This November 30 to 40 alumni of GRUNT and YCC will attend resume workshops in order to obtain paid internships with Portland Parks & Recreation and our partners. These internships provide job skills training, career exploration and mentorship.

We need your help! Do you have editing skills?  Do you know your way around a well-crafted resume?  If so, please share your talents at one of our workshops:

Saturday, November 14, 21 or 28 from 11:30am – 2pm. A pizza lunch will be provided!

Contact kelly.rosteck@portlandoregon.gov if you are interested!

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Our Annual WREATH fundraiser is coming!

Our annual wreath fundraiser supports scholarships and tuition discounts for Summer Nature Day Camp and our Children's Nature Classes, where we strive to connect children to the natural beauty & ecology of Portland’s parks. At City Nature Environmental Education, we believe that connecting children to a park when they are young helps them care about parks as they get older.

YOU can help! Here's how to get involved:

1. Spread the word! Tell your friends about the sale - word of mouth is powerful! Share on Facebook, tweet and email to help make this the best year yet!
2. Volunteer to make wreaths Sunday, November 29 - Sunday, December 11 between the hours of 9:30am and 3:30pm. We suggest at least a 3 hr shift so you have time to learn the ropes! No experience necessary - we'll teach you! Contact Chrissy Larson or call 503-823-3601 to sign up. 
3. Register for a wreath making class and learn to make a hand-wrapped wreath from scratch! No experience necessary - all instruction & materials included. 
4. Make a tax-deductible credit card donation by calling the Environmental Education office at 503-823-3601 or mailing a check to the following address: Attn: Wreaths EE, 2909 SW 2nd Ave, Portland OR 97201. Cash donations must be made in person. We will provide you with a receipt. (Wreath sales are not tax-deductible.)
5. Buy a Winter Wreath at one of our wreath sale venues! 

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