You’re Invited to the annual Southwest Watersheds Open House! Come learn about SW Watershed Improvement Projects.

When: Wednesday, April 25, 2018, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Multnomah Center, gym - 7688 SW Capitol Highway

Stop by on your way home for refreshments, kids’ activities and information.

Environmental Services (BES) works with SWNI, the southwest community, other City bureaus, and partner organizations to develop plans and projects to improve water quality, address public interests, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, improve infrastructure, and restore watershed functions.

Please join BES and SWNI at this open house to discuss recently completed and current projects and give feedback on projects in planning and early design phases. Your participation helps shape plans to fit the neighborhood.

Stop by on your way home for refreshments and information about plans and projects to improve the health of SW Portland’s watersheds. Kids’ activities will be available, and all are welcome. To request translation services, contact Becky.Tillson@portlandoregon.gov.

A number of exciting projects in SW Portland will be highlighted, including:

Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway Stormwater Projects, Shattuck Phase

Stormwater improvements along Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway at Shattuck will protect Fanno Creek from stormwater pollution and increase pedestrian safety. Construction expected in summer 2018.

Boones Ferry Road Culvert Replacement Project

Tryon Creek flows through a culvert under SW Boones Ferry Road that creates a barrier for fish moving to habitats in upper Tryon and Arnold creeks. Environmental Services is working with many partners to replace the culvert with a bridge. Construction expected in 2019.

Dickinson Park Stream Restoration

In collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation, this BES stream restoration project will create wetland and floodplain benches, restore natural stream processes and function, and remove an abandoned pump house, footbridge, pipes and other structures. Construction expected in summer 2018. 

SW Capitol Highway: Multnomah Village to West Portland

BES is working in coordination with Portland’s Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) on street and stormwater improvements on SW Capitol Highway from SW Garden Home to SW Taylors Ferry roads. This project will improve safety and accessibility of travel while improving stormwater management and protecting water quality in local creeks and streams.

The one-mile stretch of SW Capitol Highway between SW Garden Home and Taylors Ferry roads has no sidewalks, bike lanes, or pedestrian crossings and limited stormwater infrastructure. For more than 20 years, community members have been advocating for better walking and biking conditions on SW Capitol Highway.

The Capitol Highway: Multnomah Village to West Portland project will provide pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and stormwater management through the project zone and in certain areas within the surrounding drainage basins. Construction expected in 2019.

Learn more about southwest watersheds and additional projects in the area on the web at www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/watersheds.

For questions, comments or more information, contact Becky Tillson at 503-823-7097 or Becky.Tillson@portlandoregon.gov.

See you on April 25^th!

Salmon inspired the Johnson Creek Watershed Wide event 20 years ago, and now you can be a part of this grassroots habitat restoration movement, too. Our partners need 200 more volunteers, so gather your group and join us!

Together volunteers will restore habitat and water quality at TEN work party events throughout Johnson Creek Watershed. Take part in the action to help build a healthier watershed for your human and animal neighbors by planting native trees, mulching and removing invasive species! And we’re doing all of this… wearing COSTUMES! That’s right – we’re going big this year and we can’t wait to see the crazy, wild outfits you’ll be wearing. So, here are the details…

What: Plant, dig, mulch, weed, and look fabulous

When: Saturday, March 3^rd 2018, 8:45am -12pm

Where: 10 locations across the watershed

Why: To build a healthier watershed by planting native trees, fighting invasive species, and connecting people to their environment

This is a family-friendly event. Everyone and all experience levels are welcome. Bring a team of coworkers, friends, or family members. We will provide tools, snacks, and tons of FUN!

Thank you pizza parties and costume contests in 2 locations (12:30-1:30.)

Register HERE

**A big thanks to all the sponsors and partners who work with Johnson Creek Watershed Council to make this happen: The Mintkeski Family Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation, Clackamas County's Water Environment Services, Portland Parks and Recreation, City of Gresham, Friends of Trees, Crystal Springs Partnership, Friends of Tideman Johnson, Friends of Powell Butte, Freeway Lands, Overland Park Coalition.**

Questions? Call Volunteer Coordinator Courtney at 503-652-7477 ext 101

Learn to manage the rain that falls around your home, work with your fellow community members, and improve local water quality!

The annual Stormwater Stars workshop series offers free stormwater management instruction and resources to Portland-area residents, practicing skills such as native plant landscaping, erosion control, runoff water reduction, soil amendment/restoration, installation of permeable pathways, sod removal and more. 2018 workshop dates: Feb 24, March 10, March 18, April 8.

Sign up today at swni.org/stormwater or contact Lorena O'Neill at stormwater@swni.org for more information. 

Join the Tryon Creek Watershed Council and other partners for the biggest volunteer day in the Tryon Creek watershed!

This is going to be a fun and rewarding day of restoration work and celebration in the Tryon Creek Watershed on February 10th from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. Meet at Riverdale High School and then travel to one of the work sites.

Volunteers will work at various project sites throughout the watershed. Projects will include invasive species removal and some possible native plantings. Raffle prizes will be handed out before the work begins, so be sure to register to get your name entered. Registration here.

Please come dressed to work outside - wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and weather-appropriate clothing and bring a water bottle (we will work rain or shine). Gloves, tools, and food will be provided. Each site will have a crew leader to help your group at your designated site.

Schedule for the Day

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.  Volunteer Check-In at Riverdale High School (Coffee & breakfast snacks provided) and Raffle!

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Welcome & announcements, carpool/walk to project sites with group, work at designated project site

12:30 p.m. -1:00 p.m. - Cleanup, sendoffs, and goodbyes!

Questions? Please contact the Tryon Creek Watershed Council Volunteer Coordinator, Patrick at volunteer@tryoncreek.org. 

Partners in this great community event include the Tryon Creek Watershed Council, the SW Watershed Resource Center, the West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District, Friends of Tryon Creek State Park, Tryon Creek State Natural Area, Backyard Habitat and many committed community members. 

Register here, and see you on the 10th!

Do you have an idea for a Community Watershed Stewardship Program (CWSP) grant project? Have you started the application paperwork, but don’t know what to write? Our friendly and helpful Student Coordinator is here to help you, and will be holding community workshops where you can get answers to your questions and information about how to make your grant as competitive as possible.

CWSP in action: volunteers from Depave remove pavement at St Mary's Ethiopian Orthodox Church to build a rain garden. Learn more here: http://depave.org/saint-mary/

The deadline for submitting applications to the Community Watershed Stewardship (CWSP) grants is approaching fast. Pre-applications submitted by February 2^nd will be reviewed and may be eligible for up to $10,000 to help Portlanders make improvements in their neighborhoods and communities, while also improving the health of our watersheds. You can learn all about CWSP here.

CWSP has two upcoming grant workshops that are fun, free and open to the public. Topics will include the grant selection process, criteria used for scoring applications and tips for giving your grant proposal its best chance at success. Successful grant proposals will promote equity and build community partnerships, and we can help you develop your ideas so they are reviewed competitively. Bring your friends, family, creativity, ideas and your love for our watersheds; we will provide everything else! Refreshments will be provided, free of charge.

The dates, times and locations for the two upcoming January workshops are: 

• Sunday, January 7th from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Woodstock Library, located at 6008 SE 49th Ave, Portland OR 97206
• Saturday, January 20^th from 12:45 to 1:45 pm at the Holgate Library, located at 7905 SE Holgate Blvd, Portland, OR 97206

Questions about CWSP and the grant writing workshops can be sent to CWSP Grants Coordinator, B Castra Nemici,  at b.castranemici@portlandoregon.gov or by phone at 503-823-7917.