This week we wanted to share a little more about the city where Grove is based-- Portland, OR. We are fortunate to have a proactive and forward thinking community that is investing in a better future for our city and its residents. Grove fits into this community by making our cases using bamboo- a renewable resource.

Here is an informative video on Portland’s sustainability initiatives that was made by artist Andrew Dickson for the Portland Office of Sustainability.  

Below is a small selection of the green initiatives that Portland is investing in. (Besides what Portland is known for- like an amazing network of bike lanes.)

1. Bioswales

What’s a bioswale? Bioswales are elements designed into the landscape that help to reduce pollution in our waterways by removing silt and filtering out toxins from surface runoff water.  This helps to keep our rivers clean and make our city more beautiful by adding more greenery to boot.



2. Green Eco Roofs

Green roofs are beneficial in many ways.  They help reduce carbon dioxide levels, reduce rainwater runoff, provide habitats for urban wildlife, filter the air and reduce air pollution, and significantly lower the overall temperature of a city.

Check out the downtown Portland library’s eco roof!  

3. Solar Energy

Portland is a leader in installing and maintaining solar panels. Solar is the most reliable and renewable of all of our energy resources. By transitioning to solar energy we can reduce our dependence on costly and polluting fossil fuels. To learn more, here is a link to Solar Oregon.

We love this town.
Go Portland!

Written by Mike Schultz. He is an oil painter from Ithaca, New York.  When he is not working for Grove, he’s painting and drawing to his heart’s content.  You can see his work on his blog and his website.