In this episode we hear insights and stories from Jennifer Rose Marie Serna, the matriarch of Wapato Island Farm. Better known as Jenny to family and friends, she is a mother, farmer, land activist, skill educator, and speaker who has tended  land on Sauvie Island for more than two decades. Jenny speaks about the journey that led her to this place, lessons learned from her elders, and maintaining a sense of reciprocity with the plants she tends to each day. We also hear original music from Sara Tone, a Portland-based musician, educator, and activist who shares her love songs for the Earth as a multi-instrumentalist. 

To share comments, feedback, or ideas for stories or musical collaboration, get in touch via email: [email protected].

Notes and Resources

Wapato Island Farm - Visit the Wapato Island Farm website to learn more about volunteer opportunities, offerings, and more.

Sara Tone - Hear more music from Portland musician Sara Tone and view her tour schedule.

When Maximo Castro first moved to Portland from Tennessee, he didn't even have a bike - but now he's a Bike Summer ride leader who heads out for group bike rides all year long. In this episode we talk about Bike Summer and how this three-month long festival on wheels has helped one ride leader find community, healing, and joy as an act of resistance. 

Notes and Resources:

Shift 2 Bikes Calendar: https://www.shift2bikes.org/bike-summer-calendar/

Portland Samba: https://www.portlandsamba.com/

What if you could grow your own food in someone else's yard? In Portland, you can. In this episode we talk with Dan Sloan, executive director of the Portland Food Forest initiative, about why he started an organization that aims to replace lawns with food-bearing ecosystems. We also meet Brian Allen, whose life changed after he moved into a home with a food forest in the backyard. And we hear an original song by Portland musician Ryan Kwan.

Notes and Resources:

Portland Food Forest Initiative: https://pdxfoodforest.org/

Ryan Kwan Band on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryankwanband/?hl=en

Isabel Gibson, a hard-working artist with a deep appreciation for pollinators, sets up at the Portland Winter Light Festival to display her unique art piece about pollinators and distribute free seed packets to festival goers. Features an original song by singer/songwriter Annie Vergnetti.

Notes and Resources:

Pollination Station Website: https://www.pollinationstation.net/
Portland Winter Light Festival Art Piece Description: https://pdxwlf.com/experience/the-pollination-station/
Pocket guide to identifying bees of Portland: https://xerces.org/publications/identification-monitoring-guides/pocket-guide-to-identifying-bees-of-portland
15 Butterflies and Moths to Expect in Portland: https://xerces.org/publications/identification-monitoring-guides/15-butterflies-and-moths-to-expect-in-portland