ABOUT US
People of Color Outdoors builds and deepens connections to nature for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) through intentional, repeated outdoor experiences, and equips youth and adults to grow into environmental leaders and stewards of the land.Â
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We at POCO believe that all people are at their best when they spend regular time in nature. We also believe that it's important for all people to feel welcome and included in a community. It can be challenging for BIPOC and White parents of BIPOC children in Oregon to find a caring community.Â
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Due to Oregon's legacy of exclusion due to race, BIPOC continue to be unwelcome in some natural spaces, even in 2026.
WHAT WE OFFER
POCO offers 60+ outings per year to:
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Help our members bond with natural areas and feel comfortable venturing out on their own, regardless of past experiences.
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Create a community that encourages people to connect and create true, lasting relationships.
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Help members learn leadership and outdoors skills that are new to them and will encourage them to continue to take risks and explore additional new skills.
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Offer members opportunities to find their "thing" or "place" - an activity or special place that will spark their desire to go beyond recreation and commit to volunteering, protecting, and caretaking those precious spaces.
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Offer environmental education and access to professionals in the environmental field that can act as a guide/mentor for those that want to work in the environmental field.
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Help to normalize BIPOC being seen in beautiful outdoor spaces all over Oregon.
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Develop a lifestyle of spending time in the outdoors to be healthier physically, mentally, spiritually, and relationally.
