Neighborhoods from Mt. Tabor to the Willamette River are part of the largest watershed enhancement project in Portland’s history. All around the Tabor to the River Program area work crews are constructing sustainable stormwater facilities, planting trees and removing invasive plants. Neighbors are helping watershed health by building rain gardens, planting trees and landscaping with native plants. There are several opportunities this spring to learn more and get involved.

Ecoroof Portland 2011

Friday, March 18

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Oregon Convention Center, Exhibit Hall B

Participants will learn how ecoroofs work, why they’re important, and what resources are available to help start their own projects. Get information directly from architects, consultants, contractors, landscape architects, manufacturers, nurseries, structural engineers, suppliers, researchers, and non-profit and community organizations. Fair attendance is free.

Since March is Ecoroof Month in Portland, the city has scheduled several other tours and workshops about commercial and residential ecoroof development. See a full calendar of events at portlandonline.com/bes/ecoroofpdx.

Rain Garden Dedication

Saturday, March 5, 1:00 p.m.

Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church

2828 SE Stephens Street

Volunteers constructed this rain garden in a project funded by a Community Watershed Stewardship Program grant (portlandoneline.com/bes/stewardship). The project site is surrounded by recently-completed Tabor to the River Program green streets. Drop by the dedication to see the new rain garden and meet your neighbors.

Mt. Tabor and Montavilla Neighborhoods Tree Planting

Saturday, March 5, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church

5441 SE Belmont Street

Join Friends of Trees for this planting event and go to friendsoftrees.org for a complete calendar of events this March and April.

Green Street Steward Training

Saturday, April 9, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

TaborSpace, 5441 SE Belmont Street, Muir Hall

Many community members have asked how they can help take care of the neighborhood green streets that help keep our rivers and streams clean. The Green Street Steward program gives neighbors a chance to work with the city on green street maintenance. You don’t need to attend this training to get involved. Get more information or sign up at portlandonline.com/bes/GreenStreetStewards.

Stormwater Retrofit Classes at Portland Community College

Tuesday, April 12 (part 1)

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7 (part 2)

10:00 a.m. – noon

Learn how to manage stormwater on your property, help protect water quality and watershed health, and save money on your stormwater management bill. Go to pcc.edu to register or get more information.

Friends of Mt. Tabor Park

Join the Weed Warriors as a volunteer or crew leader and help Mt. Tabor Park. Volunteers remove invasive weeds to improve park habitat. Go to taborfriends.org for more information.

Backyard Habitat Certification Program

Learn how to create wildlife habitat in your yard and how to join your neighbors in linking patches of habitat together. This program provides technical assistance to private property and small lot owners to restore backyard native wildlife habitat and manage stormwater on-site. Go to audubonportland.org/backyardwildlife/backyardhabitat or columbialandtrust.org/press-room/news-items/backyard-habitats-certification-program for more information.

SOLV

SOLV’s Team Up for Watershed Health brings Oregonians together to restore healthy watersheds and sustainable communities through volunteer work and informative education sessions. Check the March and April events calendar at solv.org/programs/teamup_watershed_health.asp#sitelist for volunteer opportunities.

Urban Master Watershed Stewards Program, April and May (TBD)

Environmental Services, Oregon State University, SE Uplift and the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District developed this program specifically for Portlanders to learn about local watersheds and complete a community watershed project. For more information, email Anne Nelson at anne.nelson@portlandoregon.gov or see extension.oregonstate.edu/watershed/watershed-stewards.

Rain Garden and Naturescaping Workshops

Attend or host a workshop with East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District about constructing rain gardens and native landscapes to improve watershed health. Go to emswcd.org/workshops-events for more information.

Tree Steward Training

Become a Neighborhood Tree Steward and learn how to care for trees in your neighborhood, promote proper tree care and serve as a neighborhood resource. Go to portlandonline.com/parks/trees for more information.

To get more information on these opportunities and to download a flyer of volunteer and training opportunities, go to portlandonline.com/bes/tabortoriver.

For more information contact Linc Mann, 503-823-5328