AANR-NW Beach Volunteers win
Alonzo Stephens Government Affairs Award 2018
This year, the AANR-NW beach volunteers were awarded the Alonzo Stephens Government Affairs Award.
The nomination for this award stated:
Over fifteen years volunteers have built up and maintained a positive relationship with the Oregon State Parks Department, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and SOLVE. SOLVE is a statewide, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to bring Oregonians together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. We are dedicated to developing relationships among different groups, individuals, and businesses in pursuit of a common goal: to protect and preserve the places that make up our uniquely beautiful home. SOLVE mobilizes one of Oregon’s largest volunteer networks to clean up our beaches, parks, neighborhoods, and other natural spaces through litter cleanups, invasive plant removal, planting native trees and shrubs, and other environmental projects. We annually support nearly 30,000 volunteers in 900 projects throughout the state.
It would be impossible to nominate one person or even a handful for this award. So many have contributed to the success and longevity.
Accomplishments include-
Officially hold the Oregon State Park adoption at Rooster Rock State Park since 2003. This requires two beach cleanups every year to maintain the adoption contract.
Officially adopted Sauvie Island (Collins) Nude Beach and Rooster Rock State Park with the SOLVE adopt a river program. This adoption requires two cleanups a year to maintain.
Contributed over $300 to finance a welcome bench built by a Multnomah County Sheriff and chair of Friends of the Gorge who later became a member of AANR and Sun Meadow Resort.
Contributed over $400 to finance additional signage over the years.
Attended the Oregon State Parks Volunteer Appreciation potluck at Rooster Rock and shared AANR highlights.
Presented a discussion about appropriate behaviors to camp hosts and park employees.
solveoregon.org used our work at Rooster Rock for their national ad campaign one year.
A group of AANR members attended the SOLVE volunteer appreciation events.
Oregon Parks and Recreation District Manager Kevin Price attended a Fall Board Meeting at the Willamettans to thank volunteers for their commitment and volunteerism.
SOLVE sent an employee to speak at two regional meetings concerning the Adopt-A-River program.
SOLVE used our ‘nude but not nude” photo on their website after a state wide cleanup.
Oregon Fish and Wildlife Sheriff attended and spoke at a regional meeting held at the Willamettans.
2004 AANR Adopt-A-Park signage was installed at Rooster Rock State Park.
2008-Participated in a meeting to strategize a plan to address public indecency at Rooster Rock. This meeting was held at a local fire hall. Those in attendance included Oregon State Parks Dept., Oregon State Police, Multnomah Sheriff’s, Friends of the Gorge, District Attorney, and members of AANR.
2009-A suggestion that a beach card with information would be a valuable tool motivated Park Rangers and local GAT volunteers to create one.
2009-Beach cards are printed and Park Rangers began handing them out in the summer. Several thousands of cards have been financed by AANR-NW members.
AANR-NW secured Thousands of tree saplings from Lava Nursery in Hood River to supply Rooster Rock tree planting events. Members also participated in the tree planting events.
AANR-NW has supplied to many AANR dogs (hot dogs) to count, condiments and bottle water over the past 15 years. Dues paying make these beach meals happen.
Beach Volunteers-
Removed invasive species
Built trails
Maintained trails
Litter removal
Sand removal
Planted trees
Passed out beach cards
Worked the information table during events
Park Ranger Supervisor, West Gorge MU., Glenn Littrell said “no specific number count is taken of those visiting the nude beach in the summer but he knows it is hundreds.” That means that hundreds of visitors view that AANR adoption signage. American Association for Nude Recreation is spelled out and the acronym is not used on the signage.
AANR-NW affiliated clubs and resorts have donated cash, raffle prizes, free resort and camping passes, t-shirts, prepared free meals for volunteers, published beach events in their newsletters and much much more.
Now, you too can be an AANR-NW Beach Volunteer
Saturday, August 25 at 10:00 a.m. at Rooster Rock State Park. This is a clothing optional event, if you are cleaning in the nude area. It is highly suggested that you wear foot coverings and sun screen. Hats are also recommended if it is very bright. Bring work gloves if you have them. All tools and clean-up bags will be furnished. We will be working with the Rooster Rock park staff. The Park Ranger Supervisor will have a list of projects that includes light to heavy work. On-line sign-up is here: https://www.solveoregon.org/opportunity/a0C1I00000F0AHf
Volunteers do not have to pay the day use fee. Tell the person in the registration booth that you are there for the clean-up. When registering, you may receive a card to put in your window. Meet at the east end of the parking lot near the restrooms. The clean-up should not last longer than around three hours, and will be followed by a hot dog barbeque. AANR-NW will provide cold water, sugar free lemonade, hot dogs, buns and trimmings and some other snacks. Please do not leave any items of value visible in your car. The only restrooms accessible from the nude beach are located near the parking area. The Columbia Gorge Express bus ($5 round trip) goes from the Gateway Transit Center to Rooster Rock and on to Multnomah Falls. Details at: http://columbiagorgeexpress.com/
Sunday, August 26 – Sauvie Island-Collins Beach – clean-up at 1:00 p.m. – A parking pass is usually required and can be purchased at the store or deli after crossing the bridge to the island. SOLVE has been able to get us some free day-of-event passes for those that volunteer. Contact the public lands coordinator for info below. Restrooms are close and located in the parking area. We will concentrate our efforts on the gravel road parking area and litter sweeps of the beach area. Meet on the beach near the third beach opening. Those cleaning the parking area must remain clothed. A hot dog barbeque and potluck will be held at around 3:30 p.m. Contact publiclands@aanr-nw.org for an e-mailed Collins beach parking pass or further details on these events . Be sure to bring gardening work gloves (if you have them) , a hat and sunscreen and perhaps a water bottle. As mentioned, we will have cold water and sugar free lemonade. On-line sign-up is here: https://www.solveoregon.org/opportunity/a0C1I00000F0AHp
Volunteers will be given a free t-shirt each day they volunteer. One free visitor’s pass to The Willamettans nudist resort will be given out to each volunteer. The certificate entitles each volunteer to three free days and two nights on any campsite or rv site. Only one of these will be given out to each volunteer over the weekend.