Our LWSBR Experience
Whole Systems Living in the Columbia River Gorge: Portland State University's Capstone Class of 2018
Sixteen students from Portland State Students spent the entirety of summer term researching the ways in which the Reserve presents itself to the world. Unbeknownst to the group, their experience living and working on the LWSBR transcended into much more than a class project, and instead became an opportunity for the inception of a new community, a familiarization of the flora and fauna in their own backyards, and the open access to their innate sense of curiosity.
What lessons will you take with you?
"The most meaningful concept is gratefulness. Saying what you are thankful for out loud."
-Megan Moser, Community Development Major and lover of the outdoors
"The power of the moments we spent together between learning and work were the strongest as we were able to exchange the energy that the land provides and what we created together."
-Olive Altieri, Biology Major and advocate for the power of plants and community
"Weeds are more useful than I have been lead to believe."
-Ronnie Andersen, Biology Major and fence builder extraordinnaire
"The experience was a wonderful way for classmates to come together as a community and work together to create projects we are passionate about ... We all grew to love this land."
-Brittney Campos, Environmental Studies Major and passionate about getting to know the Columbia River Gorge, her 'biodiverse backyard'
"I will do my part by living in a full circle way in harmony with Earth. I feel better equipped to care more about the nourishment of my body. I want to try and change the world."
-Amelia Schall, Biology Major and supporter of native plant health and plant medicine
"Learning how to manage a place like [the LWSBR] and seeing the time and hard work that goes into it is eye opening and makes you want to accomplish something so meaningful and do things with great intentions."
-Josue Anes-Paz, Social Science Major, world traveller willing to transcend his comfort zone
"Hard work, knowledge of plant life, how to repurpose and incorporate everything"
-Robert Vital, Applied Linguistics Major, passionate about fermentation and self-sustenance
What skills did you learn?
"Learning about different plants and their uses; I would like to start gardening and using more herbal medicine."
-Adeline Orozco, Science Major, interested in bioregionalism and self-sustainability
"Native plant identification; I hope to own a self sustaining property some day."
-Stephanie Doshier, Graphic Design Major, curious about the balance between farm and forest
"When it comes to projects like fixing or building something, I usually expect it to be too complicated for me. Now I feel confident that I could figure it out and successfully complete the task."
-Kelley Herbel, Environmental Studies Major, dog lover, and curious city girl
"Creating community with a group"
-Ronnie Andersen, fence building extraordinaire
"Disconnecting from technology, connecting with nature, a sense of teamwork"
-Tanner Jones, Graphic Design Major, lover of farming and the outdoors
"The most delicious method of picking cherries: eating as many as you put in the basket"
-Emily Waters, Science and Environmental Studies Major and supporter of environmental justice and the voice of the environment through policy
What is one moment you will always remember?
"In the garden and next to it, full of life, bugs, earth, and herb smells. The sun was strong. We found little beetle grubs dancing under the dirt."
-Olive, Biology Major, insect scientist, and advocate for the power of plants and community
"Walking down the road. Greens of the woods. Sounds of the goat hooves and calls of the goats. The smell of fresh air in the breeze."
-Tanner Jones, Graphic Design Major, lover of farming and the outdoors
"Seeing something so whole, not like an agricultural farm, but a sustainable whole system approach."
-Josue Anes-Paz, Social Science Major, world traveller willing to transcend his comfort zone
"Watching the lavender bushes sway back and forth with the weight of the happiest pollinators I have ever seen"
-Emily Waters, Science and Environmental Studies Major and supporter of environmental justice and the voice of the environment through policy
"The plant walk and learning about edible plants - beauty everywhere, lots of flying bugs, and green lush land"
-Robert Vital, Applied Linguistics Major, passionate about fermentation and self-sustenance
"Sitting on the road watching the stars with my classmates, waiting to see a shooting star."
-Vondra Cael, adventurer and goat lover
"Around the table after dinner in the evenings, getting to know and working with people from all walks of life"
-Stephanie Doshier, Graphic Design Major, curious about the balance between farm and forest