Rex Burkholder

Background

About Rex Burkholder

Trained as a biologist, Rex Burkholder worked as a science teacher and in the Northwestern forests. He started the bicycling revolution in Portland, Oregon as a founder and policy director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. An early leader in sustainability and equity, Burkholder also co-founded the Coalition for a Livable Future, bringing together over 100 diverse NGOs in the greater Portland region. He was elected to the Metro Council in where for twelve years he led efforts to reform regional transportation policy and to integrate climate change into the decisions of all levels of government in Oregon. He has served on key task forces as well as national boards including Rail~volution and the Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations. Recipient of numerous local awards, his work has been recognized internationally as well, being invited to speak in countries throughout Latin America on sustainable transportation and climate change. He was honored in 2010 as a Global Ambassador for Ciclovia, an international movement to reclaim cities from the automobile. Burkholder led a statewide effort to establish and fund universal, science-based, outdoor education for all Oregon students. Founding the Oregon Conservation Education Coalition, he brought together advocates from throughout Oregon, passing legislation in 2015 (88-1) establishing the framework for a week-long, residential Outdoor School for 5th and 6th graders. In 2016, he lead a citizen ballot initiative, raising $2million and collecting voters' signatures in support of funding for this program. The Outdoor School for All measure passed with 66% of the vote statewide, winning in 34 of 36 counties. In the first year of funding, attendance at Outdoor School increased to 70% of Oregon students.