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Learn More About SOLV
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FAQIf you cannot find an answer to your inquiry in our FAQs, please email info@solv.org or call 503.844.9571 or 800.333.7658. Thanks for your interest in SOLV and commitment to your community! History & General Information
Volunteering
Waste Recycling & Enforcement
Teachers & Students
Grants What does the name SOLV stand for? In 1969, Governor Tom McCall and other community leaders saw the need for community action to address growing litter and vandalism problems in the state. They established an organization called Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism, or SOLV. In recent years SOLV has expanded its focus. Today, SOLV is a non-profit organization that brings together government agencies, businesses and citizen volunteers in programs and projects that enhance the livability of Oregon. We have outgrown our acronym! Please refer to the organization simply as SOLV. Each year SOLV provides resources to communities throughout Oregon, focusing on litter cleanup, tree planting, and invasive removal projects. There are SOLV projects in every county in Oregon. SOLV creates an average of 50,000 volunteer opportunities across the state annually. For every $1.00 donated to SOLV each year since 1997, Oregon has received $10.46 in volunteer service. Where Does SOLV get its funding? We value every dollar donated to SOLV and pledge to use all contributions wisely to meet SOLV's mission: building community through volunteer action to preserve this treasure called Oregon. We receive our funding from a variety of sources including individual members. For more information please read our Annual Report. SOLV programs and activities are currently managed by 20 talented and dedicated staff members. We've come a long way since 1969, when SOLV was established by Tom McCall and other community leaders. Until 1990 SOLV was run and operated by volunteers. That year, SOLV hired its first part-time Executive Director, Jack McGowan. Jack led the organization for 18 years, employing a model that provides volunteer leadership around the state with the professional resources provided by the staff. Those volunteer leaders in turn oversee the on-the-ground activities of tens of thousands of volunteers each year. Who started the Beach Cleanup? Common items found on Oregon’s coast such as six-pack yokes, fishing line and netting entangle and kill hundreds of seabirds, fish and mammals each year. Litter fouls boat propellers, clogs engines and contributes to the degradation of our beaches. It also puts a damper on coastal tourism and the local economy. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) employee Judy Nielsen and Eleanor Dye of the Oregon Sanitary Service Institute (Now the Oregon Refuse & Recycling Association) decided to do something to rid the state’s beaches of litter. So in 1984 Oregon led the world with the first statewide volunteer coastal cleanup ever. These coastal cleanups are now spring and fall traditions for thousands of Oregonians. Between 1984 and 2006, more than 164,000 volunteers have picked up over 1,000 tons of beach and marine debris from the Oregon coast. Where can I find SOLV Adult and Youth Registration & Waiver Forms (English & Spanish versions)? You can complete a SOLV Waiver electronically when you register for a project online. If you need to print a paper waiver, please read our safety instructions and click Accept at the bottom of the page to find our general adult and youth waiver forms. By downloading, completing and signing the forms, you can participate in Express Check-in at events, avoiding potential check-in lines. How can I get involved to plant trees? We have a number of programs with a tree-planting focus. The tree planting season runs from the fall through the early spring months. Opportunities include:
You can also organize your own tree planting event or project through SOLV’s Project Oregon program! Project Oregon provides Oregonians with the materials they need and training, if necessary, to complete successful community projects whether they are small or large. Project Oregon is designed to support projects in four different ways: by providing planning assistance, project materials, small grants of up to $100, and recruitment and online registration for volunteers. Can I sign up my group for a SOLV project? Yes, we provide online registration for groups for all of our programs. Groups are always welcome at the Spring and Fall Beach Cleanups. A phone call to the event Zone Captain is requested for groups of 20 or more. If you are interested in organizing your own group project, check out our Oregon Adopt-A-River or Project Oregon programs. For a recommendation on a project for your group, please contact Brett at brett@solv.org or call 503.844.9571. Does SOLV offer volunteer opportunities for senior citizens? SOLV works to provide volunteer opportunities for everyone. If you are interested in a volunteer opportunity, please look at our calendar of events or call Brett Lyon at 503.844.9571 or email brett@solv.org. Does SOLV have volunteer opportunities throughout the year? Yes. SOLV manages a wide range of programs throughout the year, which encourage and support volunteerism all over our State. You can volunteer for a single day event such as a Beach Cleanup, or make a longer commitment and volunteer through programs like Oregon Adopt-A-River. We encourage you to sign up for our free monthly e-Updates located on the SOLV homepage, which list upcoming volunteer opportunities. Here is what is happening this month. There are also Volunteer Action Training and Stream Team Captain Training opportunities for those interested in organizing and leading their own projects. SOLV encourages everyone to volunteer! Our projects bring together people of all ages, from all ethnic, social, economic and geographic areas to enhance our communities, and natural areas, and to build a sense of community that unites us all as Oregonians. SOLV has opportunities for nearly everybody. Here is just a small sample of some the groups we work with: families, Americorps members, students, civic groups, businesses, faith-based organizations, government agencies and citizens who need to fulfill community service hours. How can I create my own volunteer project? You can organize your own project at any time as a SOLV Project Coordinator through these programs: Our comprehensive Volunteer Action Training is provided free of charge if you agree to coordinate a SOLV project in your community within a year. Or attend for a fee of $75. How can I become a Site Coordinator for an existing volunteer program? Many of our projects are led by volunteer Site Coordinators. If you’d like to take charge, please contact these Program Coordinators for information on duties involved. Use the email button or call us at 503.844.9571 or toll free 800.333.7658(SOLV). Click each link for more information on the programs.
Does SOLV offer financial support for cleanup and restoration projects? SOLV offers small grant funds through our Project Oregon program. Project Oregon offers Oregon citizens the planning support and resources needed to organize and carry out a litter cleanup, tree planting, invasive removal, or restoration site maintenance and monitoring project. SOLV provides active staff assistance, small grants, and limited help with planning, organizing, and recruiting volunteers, project materials, and recognition. When available, SOLV provides grants of up to $100 for on-the-ground project expenses such as disposal fees, supplies, equipment rental, gloves, safety vests, plants and planting supplies, and recycling and trash receptacles. Applications are accepted at any time. Other programs offer a combination of funding and group services, such as dumpsters or port-o-lets to help offset costs. How can I get involved on a watershed restoration project? SOLV offers a variety of watershed opportunities.
How can I get volunteer leadership training? Improve your volunteer leadership and community project managment skills! Our comprehensive Volunteer Action Training is provided free of charge for those who agree to coordinate a SOLV project in their communities within one year of completing the training (fee-based training is also available with no project requirement). Otherwise, trainings are offered for $75 per person. If you don’t find a scheduled opportunity in your community, contact Sara Ryan sara@solv.org. We may be able to schedule a special opportunity for a group in your area. Become a Stream Team Captain on the Lower Willamette River. How can I complete my Eagle Scout project with SOLV? Our Team Up for Watershed Health program is a great way to give back to your community while completing your Eagle Scout project in the Portland Metro area. How do I file a traffic littering complaint? Did you see someone throwing litter out their window? Write down the license plate number, date, time, location of the event, male/female driver and file a traffic complaint. Typical traffic littering complaints are directed to an Oregon County or City authority. Does Oregon have a Litter Control Hotline? No. Unlike Washington, Oregon does not have a statewide litter control hotline. You can instead file a formal complaint to your County or City authorities. Where can I get rid of my old refrigerator, tires and other hard-to-dispose of items? This depends on what county you live in. Please refer to our Waste Enforcement Resources page. Does SOLV clean up illegal dumpsites? SOLV partners with neighbors, property owners, businesses, recreation advocates, civic, nonprofit, faith-based, community organizations and groups, and government agencies to remove waste and restore illegal dumpsites to their natural state throughout Oregon. Illegal dumping is a serious problem that threatens the health of our watersheds, natural areas and communities. Illegal dumpsites are expensive to clean up and damaged watersheds are difficult to restore. Wildlife such as deer and other large mammals can be restricted from accessing necessary water sources and can become trapped and entangled in debris. SOLV supports the cleanup of illegal dumpsites throughout the state of Oregon through our Project Oregon and SOLV IT programs. SOLV IT has dramatically reduced the number of illegal dumpsites in the greater Portland Metro area. Over the 17-year history of this Earth Day event, volunteers have removed more than 12 million pounds of debris from illegal dumpsites, neighborhoods and natural areas and over 41,000 illegally dumped tires have been recycled. Although there are many success stories of horrendous dumpsites that have been cleaned up in communities throughout Oregon, there is still much more work that needs to be done. Household garbage and construction waste continues to litter our magnificent forests, rivers, streams, beaches and desert lands. Public awareness and volunteer action are the best ways to combat this important issue. Who do I call to report an illegal dumpsite? Illegal and unsightly dumpsites are a major ongoing issue in many Oregon counties. Over the years, SOLV has helped clean up thousands of tons of debris left in our environment. Fortunately, there are many organizations and agencies focusing on this problem. SOLV, in partnership with citizen volunteers, government agencies and private companies, is committed to finding solutions through education and cleanups. Please refer to our Waste Enforcement Resources page for reporting options If the illegal dumpsite is on public property, SOLV supports citizens taking personal responsibility by coordinating a cleanup project or event. SOLV operates a program called Project Oregon which is designed for groups or individuals who organize their own cleanup or enhancement project. SOLV has free materials, including trash bags, and can offer small grants, up to $100, to offset certain project expenses. This could include renting a drop box, hauling, or disposal fees. A great Project Planning & Reference Guide is available to project coordinators. If you are interested in organizing a cleanup project, please determine if the illegal dumpsite is on County, City, State Forest or Park land and fill out our Project Oregon application online. How can I involve my school in a project? Whether at your school, or in the community, our K-16 Education program successfully involves students in community service projects. Our emphasis on service-learning – a teaching and learning strategy integrating service to the community with classroom study – enables students (and teachers) to satisfy state educational standards while meeting real community needs. We offer free curriculum, project planning assistance (including small reimbursement grants), and in-service training and consultation for teachers. Schools may participate in a single event, multiple events throughout the school year, or as an ongoing program. Schools may also choose to integrate SOLV service-learning curricula into their participation in SOLV programs and events. All programs and materials are endorsed by the Oregon Department of Education as an engaging way for students to meet required curricular standards. For additional information, we invite you to contact Quintin Bauer, our Education Coordinator, at quintin@solv.org, 503.844.9571 x321, or 800.333.7658. Can SOLV help Oregon high school students meet the new graduation requirements? Yes. Oregon has new high school graduation requirements. All graduating seniors must demonstrate certain qualifications to receive their high school diploma. Contact Quintin Bauer, SOLV’s Education Coordinator, at 503.844.9571 ext. 321 or at quintin@solv.org for more information to help you meet your requirements. Please also see below, under "Senior Projects". Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that intentionally integrates meaningful service to the community, with school-based or school-required academic learning goals. Since 1999 SOLV has been working to develop a series of K-12 programs and curricular materials to support Oregon schools in service-learning. SOLV has a formal partnership with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). We offer a variety of opportunities for students to meet the CIM content-related standards in 11 ODE-identified subject areas, and the Career-Related Learning Standards. SOLV service-learning opportunities can be implemented with participation in even just a single event, multiple events throughout the school year or as an ongoing program. SOLV offers the following service-learning resources:
I want my class to be involved in community service – but I don’t think I want to link it to my curriculum at this time. Can SOLV help me? SOLV offers Oregon teachers and youth a number of pre-organized one-day opportunities to join in cleanup and restoration events around the state. Students are invited to sign on as a class, a club, a group of friends, or to participate in these activities with their families. SOLV provides documentation for students who need a record of their service hours:
How can students, youth and teachers get involved with SOLV Watershed Restoration Programs? SOLV’s Team Up and Tree for All programs offer a number of ways for students and youth to get involved with watershed restoration:
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® 2007 SOLV | 5193 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite B, Hillsboro, OR 97124 | 503.844.9571 / 800.333.SOLV (7658) |
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