Barton Robison (he/him), Partner since 2018 | Program Director
“I’m fundamentally doing a job that helps people and is directly related to health. And that’s what I wanted to do as a kid.”
Barton’s work with Willamette Partnership is centered in relationships and bridge-building. Throughout his time with the Partnership, he has led the Oregon Health & Outdoors Initiative and has recently shifted his role to supporting both our own program staff and external partnerships with collaborative strategy, mentorship, and fundraising.
Driven by his own transformative experience in nature during college, Barton’s personal mission is to ensure that everyone has barrier-free and equitable access to the outdoors and its benefits. “I don’t think kids should be limited in their access to nature based on how large their town’s tax base is.”
The recent completion of the Chiloquin Green Schoolyard embodies his values. Alongside tribal, national, state, and local partners, Barton has worked hard to help fund, design, and build an inclusive, nature-based, and culturally-specific community park and playground at Chiloquin Elementary School in Klamath County. “It was a reminder of the power of self-determination and the importance of community-driven processes…and, for me, it was a reminder of why I do this work.”
Barton has a master’s degree in Public Administration and a graduate certificate in Tribal Relations and is skilled at cross-sector collaboration and facilitation, strategy development, fundraising, and helping community and government partners connect and work together.
PROJECTS
Rural Community Schoolyards | Ontario, OR and Chiloquin, OR
Tenmile Lakes Restoration
SKILLS & EXPERIENCES
- Guides multi-stakeholder collaboratives through project design and implementation
- Proven track record building relationships with federally-recognized tribes
- Broad understanding of how an environment impacts human community health
PUBLICATIONS & WEBINARS
Working in Indian Country. (2021). Willamette Partnership.
Accessibility Toolkit for Land Managers. (2020). Willamette Partnership.
Green Infrastructure for Health Guide. (2018). Willamette Partnership and Oregon Public Health Institute in collaboration with the Green Infrastructure Leadership Exchange.
Outdoor Preschool Equity Toolkit. 2020. Willamette Partnership.
Greener Parks for Health: Communications Toolkit. (2020). Willamette Partnership and National Recreation and Park Association.
Greener Parks for Health: Advocacy Toolkit. (2020). Willamette Partnership and National Recreation and Park Association.
Greener Parks for Health: Policy Action Framework. (2020). Willamette Partnership and National Recreation and Park Association.
EDUCATION
Master of Public Administration
Portland State University, Portland, OR
Masters in Natural Resource Management
Graduate Certificate in Tribal Relations
Portland State University, Portland, OR
