The Timbers partnered with MLS W.O.R.K.S. Greener Goals to “Go Green” this week. On Sunday, April 17, the Timbers hosted “Go Green Night” at the stadium and officially kicked off events with in-stadium promotions highlighting their January Stand Together/Friends of Trees tree planting. In addition, the club officially launched the “Score a Goal, Plant a Tree” partnership with Friends of Trees, presented by JELD-WEN, which was on-site with mascot Garry the Oak, taking photos with fans and gathering volunteer sign-ups for their Earth Day celebrations. Eco-tip guides, courtesy of the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), were handed out to 5,000 fans and flower seed packets were distributed to 1,000 fans, courtesy of the America the Beautiful Fund.
The Timbers have also teamed up with MLS W.O.R.K.S. to offset the carbon footprint for energy used at the stadium that night. The Renewable Energy Certificates—from 100% wind resources—purchased from Portland-based Bonneville Environmental Foundation offset 100% of the electricity used at JELD-WEN Field during the day of the game, The carbon dioxide reduction value was equivalent of more than 102,196 pounds and supported enough wind energy to power an average U.S. home for over 6 years.
On Thursday, the Timbers partnered with Leatherman, sponsor of Timber Joey, to attend an event that feature 12 different local environmentally-focused vendors/resources for Leatherman’s 400 employees. Timber Joey was on-hand taking photos and signing autographs for Leatherman’s employees.
Finally, Friday afternoon at JELD-WEN Field, the Portland Timbers celebrated Earth Day by cleaning up the stadium and the surrounding neighborhood.
Joined by local girls’ soccer team, Lake Oswego’s U-13 LOSC Ice, several members of the Timbers front office, mascot Timber Joey and the team’s alumni ambassadors picked up trash, recyclables and debris around the stadium.
The Timbers’ local on-site recycling company then educated the youth by explaining the importance of respecting your community and neighbors and keeping your environment clean and livable.
“The Timbers believe in living sustainably and limiting the club’s carbon footprint,” said Sierra Smith, Timbers director of community outreach. “To celebrate Earth Day, the JELD-WEN Field neighborhood cleanup was our way of teaching the next generation the importance of protecting our environment.”
Following the cleanup, the girls were surprised with a 45-minute soccer clinic on the pitch at JELD-WEN Field, run by former Timbers and current ambassadors Scot Thompson, Mick Hoban, Jimmy Conway and Ross Smith. They even got to take penalty kicks against goalie Timber Joey before being presented with an earth-friendly gift, as well as a Timbers-branded mini-soccer ball, which they had signed by Timber Joey and the ambassadors.
“Well we cleaned up the neighborhood, and then I got scored on about 317 times,” said Timber Joey, referring to his less-than-stellar performance in goal against the LOSC Ice.
