I'm a neighborhood activist seeking to make living in downtown Portland even better than it already is. I've long lived by the slogan "Make where you live a Paradise!" and I'm also motivated because I want more people to feel attracted to urban living. I believe that walkable neighborhoods are primary solutions to mitigating and adapting to climate change.

I work with Portland Downtown Neighborhood Association to create a sense of community for downtown residents and I've been a member of its Land Use and Transportation Committee since 2009.
and active with Oregon Walks and the Congress for the New Urbanism.

I don't own a car so I walk or bike nearly everywhere I go and take transit to the rest. I do catch a carpool to the wilds on weekends. I have two gardens in my apartment building: one in Earth Boxes on my balcony and the other on my building's patio. And I have lots of indoor plants for air quality as well as aesthetic purposes.

Although I consider promoting walkable neighborhoods through my business, PlanGreen, my main activist work, I'm also involved in Sierra Club in trying to stop fossil fuel exports from the PNW as I believe we need to "keep it in the ground" and develop conservation and renewable energy. I lead interpretive tours for Sierra Club in order to give them a sense of awe in nature that is so important in resiliency. I also run the Portland Urban Planning and Architecture Book Club and I intend to get more active in the Community Land Trust movement here in Portland--having blogged about it for awhile. I'm very concerned about racial justice and achieving more diversity in Portland so I'm trying to support the efforts of The SOUL District.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm ONLY ABLE TO HOST PEOPLE--one at a time--WHO ARE COMING TO PORTLAND FOR A PROFESSIONAL OR COMMUNITY-ORIENTED CONFERENCE OR WORKSHOP. A single person coming for a protest/demonstration would also be most welcome. I do not check in with Couchsurfing on a regular basis because I am very busy trying to run my small consulting business, SO LAST MINUTE REQUESTS ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE SEEN IN TIME.

My apartment is in downtown Portland 2 blocks from the Art Museum and 3 from Portland 5 (performance venues) and from Oregon Historical Society (fabulous exhibits and talks). Its close to Portland State University, many hotels where small conferences are held, many restaurants and bars, grocery stores, bike stores and all modes of public transportation.

I have lots of plants--both indoor and outdoor as I have both an apartment balcony garden and a patio garden box. My indoor plants and air filters create good indoor air quality. I have a very comfortable camping air mattress that my guest can use--along with other gear like a sleeping bag and liner, or other bedding.

I have a bike in the garage and an extra bike helmet to share. Many places you'll want to go will be easily bikeable from here.

I operate my consulting business largely out of my one bedroom apartment, so my guest needs to be willing to adjust to my business schedule as my main office is in the same room that you will be sleeping in. There is a possibility that I can move to Centrl Office (co-work) for part of the time.

I don't know why I can't edit the "My Home" section, but I can take only 1 adult guest, non-smoking with no pets.

Interests

Racial and social justice, empowering people of color, ending suppression of their votes , achieving a more just economy, achieving a whole new system of land tenure--the Community Land Trust.

Walkable neighborhoods and all the components that make great ones; urban design; walking; cycling; photography; leading tours in nature and also in the city; gardening; yoga; natural therapies; tree planting; ivy removal; ecological restoration; advocacy around climate change; local investing.

• climate change
• natural medicine
• social change
• nature conservation
• walkable neighborhoods
• systemic change

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Folk, classical, contradance music, Native American flute music, indigenous music

Movies: Inequality for All; This Changes Everything; We're Not Broke; documentaries and other film festival type films with a message such as Belle and Sebastian

Books: On Fire: The Burning Case for the Green New Deal; The Case for the Green New Deal; Capital City: Gentrification and the Real Estate State; This Changes Everything; Walkable City; Tactical Urbanism; The Death and Life of Great American Cities; The Klamath Knot

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Last Sunday, May 15, 2016, I led a Sierra Club trip to a waterfall that made me (and other trip participants) feel like I'd died and gone to heaven. The Pacific dogwoods were at their peak and the creek was close to its most powerful over its 335 foot drop.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have a deep sense of wonder that I've cultivated over the years. So I have a wealth of knowledge to share about both the natural world and the built environment. I'd especially love to learn from guests who share those interests.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm happy to take you out for a meal--or cook one in your kitchen. I can share yoga, a walk or a bike ride with you.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States