The Back 5 restoration project continues to grow through the leadership, knowledge, and commitment of many partners.
In this video, Flores, Back 5 Education and Ecology Manager, describes the ongoing work that brings this landscape back to health and strengthens community connections.
Wisdom of the Elders is grateful to collaborate with the organizations, students, and volunteers who contribute their time and knowledge to this site. The Back 5 serves as a place where Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and community-based conservation come together.
Through hands-on restoration, invasive species removal, native planting, wildlife surveys, and environmental education, the project supports both ecological resilience and community well-being.
This work is significant in an area of Portland that has experienced limited access to natural spaces and environmental resources. Our partners and participants help build a model of restoration rooted in reciprocity, cultural respect, and shared stewardship. The progress at the Back 5 reflects what is possible when many perspectives, generations, and communities work together to care for the land.
We sincerely thank every partner, volunteer, student group, and community member who continues to support this work. Your contributions make the restoration of the Back 5 possible and ensure that it remains a place for learning, connection, and healing. Community support plays an important role in making work like this possible. We are proud to participate once again in Willamette Week’s Give!Guide.
As part of this year’s campaign, we are raising funds specifically for our ITEK Internship; our Seeds of Resiliency project, which maintains a seed bank of native plants stewarded for the Indigenous community; the Indigenous Archive Initiative; the Indigenous Storytellers Association; and general operating expenses, including staff salaries.
These contributions help sustain programs that uplift cultural education, ecological restoration, and collaborative stewardship. |
