So what happened was… Gina Dake

I've always loved being outside. 

A lot of the work I've done over the years has centered around that. Trees were really what brought me to Parks.

I started working for Portland Parks & Recreation in Urban Forestry and was there for about seven years doing education and outreach. Through the Learning Landscapes program, I planted trees at schools with kids and with community members across the city. I also worked on the Heritage Tree program, the Local Tree Care Provider Workshops, the Tree Bark newsletter, and the website.

Trees, trees, trees.

During my time with Urban Forestry, I was the tree crew sponsor with the Youth Conservation Crew in Land Stewardship. I really admired that program, so when a supervisor position opened for that team, I applied.

I ended up managing Environmental Education programs for about three years. The work gave me a chance to share my love of the outdoors with other people.

Environmental Education programs reach people of all ages. There are little kids going on Ladybug Walks and teens and adults participating in lifelong learning and programs that help people build skills. A big part of the work is making those experiences accessible to more people.

At some point I remember thinking, "Okay, it might be time to come inside for a bit."

Eventually I moved into my current role as Land Stewardship's administrative manager. Environmental Education is part of Land Stewardship, so I already knew a lot of the people and the work before moving into this role.

Now my role is different. I'm not out at parks or in natural areas in the same way. I spend more time supporting the people doing that work.

My background includes science, policy, operations, and working with crews outside. Setting up projects on site, working across programs, seeing how things actually function. All of that comes together in this role.

I used to want to be a veterinarian. Later I thought about international environmental law. For a while I was interested in natural resource-related conflict resolution.

My plans changed as I changed as a person. What always stayed the same though is that I wanted to be outside.

So I just let that win. 

View full size image of Outside: Gina wearing baseball cap, rain jacket, safety vest and safety glasses. Looking in the distance, smiling.

One of my early jobs was looking at trees near power lines. The people I worked with were incredibly generous with their knowledge. They shared what they knew freely. It was just understood that you help the next person learn.

I've tried to approach my work in the same way. Learn as much as I can and pass that knowledge along.

When I'm in a park or natural area now, I'm always identifying trees. I can't help it. Plants, birds, animals. How people are using the space.

I notice what's thriving and what's not. Where there's risk. A tree that could fall. A hole in the ground. Fire risk. Trash. Whether people can actually access and use the space the way they want to.

It might sound a little clinical, but that's what I'm thinking about.

I started with Portland Parks & Recreation as a part-time seasonal employee around 2014. What still surprises me most is how much I've enjoyed the path that led me here.

I've made maps using LiDAR, patrolled rights-of-way under power lines, and had keys to places most people never see. I've been invited onto private property to hear what people hope to transform their land into.

I've worked with schools, students, and community members. I've helped design outreach materials and programs that invite people into this work.

Portland's park system is special. Being able to contribute to it feels like a privilege.

When I want to experience that specialness, I think about places like Powell Butte. The front side is open and prairie-like, but if you go around the back near the water tower, you're suddenly in the trees. It feels completely different. Quiet. Shaded.

Or Leach Botanical Garden.

Or Sellwood Park near the pool. It just has a calm feeling.

I figured out what I loved to do and what I was good at.
I got to do a lot of really cool things.