Learn about the ‘next adventure’ in store for Daniel Newberry’s career …
Out working at a cleanup site back at the 2016 Johnson Creek Watershed Council “Watershed Wide Event” was Executive Director Daniel Newberry. East Portland News archive image
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
On his last day with the Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC), Executive Director Daniel Newberry was packing up personal items in his office in the Woodstock neighborhood, on October 25.
“I started early in 2015, so it’s been almost ten years that I’ve been with this organization,” reflected Newberry.
On his last day with the JCWC, here’s Daniel Newberry in his office, reflecting on this time with the organization.
“What have I learned in my time here?” Newberry repeated our question as he considered his reply. “One of the things that stands out how much more you can get done, when you’re working together as a community. Last year we had 1,800 volunteers sign-ups.
“Volunteer service is the model that we use as an environmental non-profit organization,” Newberry remarked to East Portland News.
During the COVID-19 epidemic, a masked Daniel Newberry spoke with volunteers at a restoration event. East Portland News archive image
He pointed to the JCWC Mission Statement:
“Our mission is to promote restoration and stewardship of a healthy Johnson Creek watershed, through sound science and community engagement. We strive to make our programs and community engagement efforts serve all residents of the watershed.”
“That’s a model that’s really empowering; it gives people the community a way to actually participate in taking care of their own watershed,” Newberry said. “It’s really so much more powerful than having a few people being paid to it; instead, there’s a whole community behind this effort.”
Part of the organization’s success comes from providing an atmosphere that not only attracts volunteers to take action, but also encourages them to recruit their family and friends to join them. “It’s a wonderful ‘community experiment’ that’s really succeeding, big time!” Newberry commented.
Taking part in the 2022 Johnson Creek Clean-up, Daniel Newberry clearly delighted in pulling rubbish out of the stream. East Portland News archive image
Has gratitude for many
Asked if there were any specific people he’d like to thank, a soft shy smile came over his face as he replied, “Where do I start?
“When I talk about our JCWC ‘community’ – it’s our individual volunteers, our financial supporters, the governmental agencies that support us – and it’s also our volunteer Board of Directors – it takes everybody to make this work. I have such gratitude for all these folks because, together, we’ve been able to accomplish so much.”
About the JCWC staff, Newberry said, “We have a great staff here; we get along really well, and everyone is willing to pitch in for each other and help each other – it’s part of our workplace culture. That makes for a wonderful work environment.”
‘Take-away’ from a decade of service
Looking back on his ten years of working with the JCWC, Newberry said that what he’ll take away from working with a nature-based organization is seeing the outcome of many restoration projects.
“I’ve gotten to see – and revisit, year after year – some projects that we started when I first came, and see how nature has flourished. That is, providing a ‘light touch’ in nature restoration – just enough that nature can take over and restore itself.”
Outside the JCWC offices on his last day with the organization, Daniel Newberry says he looks forward to the next chapter in his career, as he continues to serve the environment.
Next up for Newberry: “I’m taking a position with the Bonneville Power Administration as a Fish and Wildlife Administrator. Fortunately, for the time being, I’ll still be based in the Portland area!”
© 2024 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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