We’re in the middle of November and it’s planting season! Environmental Services crews are hard at work adding vegetation to new green street planters along SE Division Street. Green streets capture stormwater runoff from streets and let the water soak into the ground as soil and plants filter pollutants. Green streets keep stormwater out of the sewer system and help prevent basement backups. These hardy green street plants are best established in the fall and will play an important role for years to come.

The plantings are the final steps in getting these green street facilities operational for the rainy season. The city maintains green streets, but you can help too. Green Street Stewards are volunteers who help keep green streets in good working order in between city maintenance visits. Go to www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/GreenStreetSteward to learn more and adopt your own green street.

The Division Streetscape Project is part of the Tabor to the River program, which combines cutting-edge stormwater management techniques with sewer repairs and improvements to stop basement flooding, manage stormwater naturally on-site, and restore watershed health. Visit www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/tabortoriver to learn more.