Friends groups are the heart of our programming! Get to know some of our existing friends of natural areas below. You can see where they work, what their goals are, who is involved, and what the schedules are for restoration events and meetings.

Don’t see a friends group for your favorite natural area? Interested in starting one with a group of your neighbors? Call us and we will help you make it happen!

What is a Friends Group?
Friends groups are neighbors, co-workers, runners, walkers, kids, artists, families, and other people who get together on a regular basis to care for their favorite natural area park. For some people, that means the park down the street from their house and for others it means the natural area across town where they can hike and bird watch. Some friends groups are small; maybe 5 neighbors or co-workers that like an excuse to get together for an active morning outdoors one Saturday a month. Some friends groups are large and have grown to be 501c(3) non-profits with staff and a board of directors. What they all have in common is an ongoing, long-term commitment to the well-being of a natural area, or group of natural areas, in Portland. 

Friends groups come to a natural area on a regular basis, usually once a month, but sometimes quarterly, to do hands-on restoration with the support of Portland Parks & Recreation staff.  While activities vary with the seasons, friends groups are regularly involved in removing invasive weeds, planting native plants, building fences and trails, picking up litter, monitoring plants and wildlife and more! We supply the gloves, tools, training, plants, and snacks and the friends group provides the people, smiles, laughs, energy, and advocacy for the long-term health and beauty of Portland’s parks and natural areas.

Friends of Tideman Johnson Park
First Saturday of the month, 9:00 AM-noon(except Jan, July, Aug & Sept). Join the Friends of Tideman Johnson Park in removing invasive non-native species, including English ivy and clematis, and replacing them with native plants. Meet at SE 37 & Tenino, south of SE Crystal Springs Blvd. Walk down the hill to the boardwalk. TriMet bus #75. Or, ride/walk the Springwater Corridor trail to the site. For more info, contact Susan at susan.hawes@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5937.

Forest Park
First & third Saturday of the month, 8:45 AM-noon (except major holiday weekends or in case of severe weather. Major holiday weekends include Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). Join PP&R's No Ivy League for ivy and invasive plant removal. Meet at our Field Headquarters near the Lower Macleay trailhead (2960 NW Upshur) before 8:45 AM. Wear weather-appropriate, grubby clothing. We'll provide gloves and tools. For more info, contact Mary at mary.verrilli@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3681.

No Ivy League
First & third Wednesday of the month, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. Join local volunteers and the No Ivy League for mid-week restoration and invasive plant removal. Meet at our Field Headquarters near the Lower Macleay trailhead (2960 NW Upshur). Wear weather-appropriate, grubby clothing. We'll provide gloves and tools. For more info, contact Mary at mary.verrilli@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3681.

The Forest Park Conservancy
Every Thursday, 9:00 AM-noon. Join the Forest Park Conservancy, one of PP&R's community partners, to improve Forest Park's hiking trails and native vegetation. Removing invasive plants, mending hiking trails, planting native shrubs, or just hiking and pruning are some of the restoration activities. Contact Mikala at 503-223-5449 x106 for meeting location (varies). More info at www.forestparkconservancy.org

Laurelhurst Park
Second Wednesday of the month, 9:00 AM-noon (Apr thru Oct). Join PP&R staff and neighborhood volunteers to clean up shrub beds and add native plants to the park. Meet at the restroom building on SE Ankeny. Dress for the weather; tools and gloves will be provided. For more info, email Vince at vincent.moore@portlandoregon.gov

Friends of Powell Butte Nature Park
Second Saturday of the month, 9:00 AM-noon (except December)
Join PP&R, Friends of Powell Butte and Hands On Portland in maintaining native plantings, removing invasive species, rebuilding and restoring the trail and fence systems or other restoration projects. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants and shirts, and bring a hat, rain gear and water bottle. Instruction, tools, gloves, and small treats will be provided. Volunteers must be at least age 16 (without adult supervision) or age 8 (with adult supervision). Younger children must be accompanied by adults, and volunteers under age 18 must have a parent sign our liability form. Meet at Gates Park, SE 136 & Holgate Blvd. Turn east onto Holgate from SE 136 and follow to the parking lot. Group will likely be hiking quite a ways from the parking lot, so be on time to be sure to meet up with the group. TriMet bus #17. For more info, contact Susan at susan.hawes@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-6131. RSVP is required through Hands On Portland: http://www.handsonportland.org/ and type in Powell Butte and zip code 97266.

Friends of Ross Island Natural Area
Monthly, May through October only. Help the Friends of Ross Island restore this beautiful urban greenspace. Paddle from the Portland Boathouse (1515 SE Water Ave) to Ross Island. Along the way, learn about the history of the island, its ecological value, and the vision for its future. Canoes will be provided free of charge by Willamette Riverkeeper for those volunteers who do not have their own. Children are welcome when accompanied and supervised by an adult. Limited to 25 volunteers per work party. Registration is required: contact Marissa at marissa.dorais@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7016. 

Friends of Terwilliger & West Willamette Restoration Partnership
Second Saturday of the month, 9:00 AM-noon (except July & Aug). Join PP&R, the Friends of Terwilliger, and the West Willamette Restoration Partnership in removing invasive non-native species, including English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and clematis. Meet at the restrooms on SW Terwilliger & Hamilton. For more info, contact Mary at mary.verrilli@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3681.

Friends of Errol Heights Natural Area
Third Saturday of the month, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM (9:00 AM-noon July thru Sept). Join PP&R, the Friends of Errol Heights, and other community members for our regular work party! We will maintain trails, mulch or remove invasive species. Please wear long pants and sturdy walking shoes, and bring warm clothes, a hat, and a water bottle. Tools, gloves, water, and treats provided. Meet at SE 45 & Tenino Dr. TriMet bus #75. For more info or to RSVP, contact Susan at susan.hawes@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5937.

South Portland Riverbank Partners
Third Saturday of the month, 9:00 AM-noon(except Aug & Dec). Help restore the banks along the Willamette River between Willamette Park and the Sellwood Bridge. Meet at the picnic shelter at the south end of Willamette Park. Please bring water and gloves. To register, contact Marissa at marissa.dorais@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7016.

Friends of Woods Park
Fourth Saturday of the month, 9:00 AM-noon (except December). Join the Friends of Woods Park in removing invasive non-native species, including English ivy, clematis, laurel, and Himalayan blackberry, and replacing them with native plants. Meet at the Stairway Trail entrance off SW Woods Pkwy. Parking is available at the SW 45 entrance by the gate. For more info, contact Mary at mary.verrilli@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3681.

Friends of Marquam Nature Park
Last Saturday of the month, 9:00 AM-noon. (Sign up at handsonportland.org for the December work party.) Join PP&R, the Friends of Marquam Nature Park, and the West Willamette Restoration Partnership in removing English ivy and other invasive species from the park. Trail maintenance and plantings are done on a seasonal basis. Gloves and tools are supplied or you may bring your own. Please bring a water bottle if you have one, and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Meeting location varies by month: contact Mary at mary.verrilli@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3681 for directions.

Friends of Mt Tabor Park
Last Saturday of the month, 9:00 AM-noon (March thru Oct)
Join the Friends of Mt Tabor in removing invasive non-native species including English ivy, clematis, and Scotch broom. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and ankle-supporting shoes and bring rain gear, a hat, water bottle. Bring gloves and hand-held clippers, if you are able. TriMet bus #71 or #15, and a walk up the hill. Meet at the main parking lot next to the amphitheater, basketball court and bathrooms, accessed by the SE 60th & Salmon park entrance. FromI-84 East take the SE 58th St. exit. From the exit, turn left onto Glisan St. and then immediately right onto NE 60th. Drive south on 60th. At the traffic light at SE Salmon turn left and follow the road up into the Park to the main parking lot. OR drive west on SE Division to SE 60th, turn north (right) onto SE 60th and then right (east) onto SE Salmon at the traffic light. For more info or to RSVP, contact Alexa at 503-512-0816 or AlexaTodd.FMTP@gmail.com.

Friends of Hoyt Arboretum
View volunteer activities or call 503-865-8733.

Elk Rock Island Walking Patrol
Concerned about safety in the neighborhood parks? Want to know what you can do about it? Join the Elk Rock Island Walking Patrol. Learn who to call for assistance: the local police, park rangers, and code compliance staff are committed to respond to various situations - park damage, emergencies, bad behavior, etc. For more info, contact Marissa at marissa.dorais@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7016.

Arbor Lodge Park
Join neighbors to weed and maintain the park without chemicals! Meet at the west ball field between N. Dekum & Bryant. For more info about the next scheduled work party, email Ginger.