No two people experience nature the same way. Different people notice different parts of the landscape – the blossoming flower, the hiding salamander, the changing light on fern fronds.
As part of a partnership between Metro and ROSE Community Development, a nonprofit that works to revitalize outer southeast Portland, a dozen youths ages 10 to 16 visited seven Metro destinations to learn about nature photography. The photographs here were taken by program participants from fall 2016 to summer 2017. Look through the lens of these students to see their view of nature.
Through the partnership, the students learned about the ecology of the different sites compared with their communities and tracked the changes from season to season. Students also gained experience in photography, photo editing and leadership.
The collaboration is through Metro’s Partners in Nature program, which works with culturally specific organizations to better connect historically marginalized groups with nature. Each collaboration is unique, and programming is co-created by the communitybased group and Metro staff to meet the needs of each community.
Learn more about Partners in Nature
Participants from ROSE Community Development: Front row (left to right): Adriana Flores, Luwam Solomon, Dessi Moody, Celia Mellow. Back row (left to right): Brittany Iredale, Ashe Mack, Ivan Manzo, Emanuel Manzo, Lily Sponsler. Photo by Mark Ellsworth
“My eyes see the beauty in everything.” This great horned owl was photographed at Raptor Road Trip on Sauvie Island in February. Through a partnership with ROSE Community Development, students took photos at several Metro sites. Photo by Dessi Moody.
Sword fern at Oxbow Regional Park. Photo by Josie Dawson
Sunlight illuminates the leaves on a tree at Lone Fir Cemetery. Photo by Emanuel Manzo
A quick flick of the camera upwards catches the start of a rain shower at Oxbow Regional Park. Photo by Josie Dawson
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Raindrops on plants at Canemah Bluff Nature Park. Photo by Ivan Manzo
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Black shoes contrast with green moss at Canemah Bluff Nature Park. Photo by Celia Mellow
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Bird houses are tucked away in the tall grass of the prairie at Cooper Mountain Nature Park. Photo by Mario Flores
After long winters, the beautiful colors of spring pop out at Lone Fir Cemetery, Portland’s second largest arboretum. Photo by Brittany Iredale
The light perfectly illuminates the group at Cooper Mountain Nature Park. Photo by Adriana Flores
Red-flowering currants are one of many native plants at Oxbow Regional Park. Photo by Ashe Mack
Trilliums are a native wildflower. This photo was taken at Canemah Bluff Nature Park at the beginning of wildflower season. Photo by Luwam Solomon
To view more photography from the students, visit the Lents Grown Story Yard, an outdoor public art installation by ROSE Community Development.
Where: 8801 SE Foster Road, Portland