Who We Are
SOLVE is an environmental nonprofit that began as a grassroots initiative and has grown into a nationally recognized model for volunteer-driven stewardship. Each year, SOLVE mobilizes thousands of volunteers across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore neighborhoods and natural areas, fostering a culture of environmental care and community pride.
Our Mission
SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways.
Our Roots
S.O.L.V. (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) started as an all-volunteer-driven organization to address litter and vandalism throughout the state. We were founded in 1969 by a charge from eco-pioneering Governor Tom McCall, who believed it was every Oregon citizen's inherent right to enjoy and take responsibility for the places where we live, work, and play.
Commitment to Diversity
Just as biodiversity is crucial for a healthy environment, human diversity is essential for a thriving society. SOLVE is dedicated to creating an inclusive, equitable space for people of all backgrounds to engage in environmental volunteerism. Our mission is for all people, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, or socio-economic background, to unite in improving our environment. We aim to address disparities in environmental impact and ensure safety for all members of the community.
Commitment to the Land
We acknowledge and honor the sovereignty, cultural heritage, and environmental leadership of the Indigenous communities throughout this region. In particular, we honor the Indigenous people with ancestral ties to what is now Oregon and Southwest Washington: the Burns Paiute Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians, The Klamath Tribes, Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Quinault Indian Nation, the Yakama Nation, in addition to the countless other tribes and peoples who have called this land home and continue to contribute to its care and protection. The well-being of the land and its people are inseparable. SOLVE is committed to listening, learning, and taking action in partnership with Indigenous communities to protect and restore the environment. This is not just an acknowledgment, it is a promise to honor, respect, and work alongside Indigenous leaders in caring for the land, today and for future generations.
Our Impact
Annually, SOLVE recruits, organizes, and guides volunteers through thousands of environmental projects and litter cleanup events to address a broader range of threats to our region's health, livability, and economic viability. Across the region, we unite diverse communities to improve the health and safety of our neighborhoods and natural areas, including our coast, rivers, parks, and forests.
