Signature City Portland

A Massachusetts native and retired elementary and middle school teacher, Peter is a passionate local historian in Portland, Oregon. Peter currently works as an instructor of experiential Continuing Education courses through The Heritage Institute, a branch of Antioch University. In addition, Peter has operated a small walking excursion business in Portland for more than 20 years. He enjoys leading field trips for school groups and walks for Road Scholar programs, during which he shares his knowledge of local art, architecture and natural history.

Nathan moved to Portland in 2003 after studying fine arts and theater at the New College of Florida. Since that move, his creative projects have been covered in The Oregonian, published in Oregon Humanities magazine and awarded grant funding by the Regional Arts and Culture Council. Nathan leads thousands of third graders—and many folks of all ages—on walks around, over, under and inside Portland’s downtown bridges. The walks he leads celebrate Portland’s special sense of place, inspired by his own love for this city.

Esther is a native Oregonian and traditional American Indian storyteller of Kalapuya and Coos heritage, as well as an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. She has been sharing stories that she learned from her grandmothers for over 50 years. Esther works with Title VII Indian Education programs as a cultural resource specialist, has been a long-time presenter for the Oregon Chautauqua History Serie, and frequently lectures at colleges in the Pacific Northwest. In 2017, she received the Oregon Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Rex is a trained biologist and holds an MA in urban and environmental policy. He is the founder of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, which launched Portland’s bicycle revolution. During his 12 years in government, Rex oversaw Portland’s original Climate Action and Equity plans and sustainable transportation policy. His greatest achievement was leading a statewide effort to fund universal outdoor school – weeklong science and nature camp – for every student in Oregon. His book, "The Activist's Toolkit," provides a practical approach to being an effective change agent.