February 9, 2012

We love our volunteers! Each year, volunteers donate thousands of hours to help maintain the health and beauty of our parks system - this help is invaluable.

This month and next, Parks has an especially fun lineup of work parties on tap:

Terwilliger Wildlands

Saturday, 2/11, 9 am - noon

Help beautify Terwilliger Parkway ahead of its centennial celebration this summer! Plant native shrubs and remove invasive species with the Friends of Terwilliger, the West Willamette Restoration Partnership, and Parks staff. Tools and training provided - please make sure you dress for the weather!

For more: Rachel.Felice@portlandoregon.gov, (503) 823-9423

Springwater Corridor

Saturday, 2/18, 10 am - 1 pm

Saturday, 3/10, 10 am - 1 pm

Join Parks, the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood Association, the Johnson Creek Watershed Council, and neighbors to plant wildflowers, trees, and shrubs along the trail. Treats and tools provided. Please wear long pants and sturdy walking shoes.

For more: Susan.Hawes@portlandoregon.gov, (503) 823-5937

Forest Park

Saturday, 2/18, 9 am - 1 pm

The battle against invasive species is neverending! Join Parks staff and Friends of Trees to plant native shrubs and trees in our largest park. Tools provided, but please bring your own gloves and water bottle. Pre-registration is required for this one, so be sure to sign up with Friends of Trees if you're interested.

For more: Rachel.Felice@portlandoregon.gov, (503) 823-9423

Marquam Nature Park

Saturday, 2/25, 9 am - noon

Another native species planting event, this one with Friends of Marquam Nature Park, the West Willamette Restoration Partnership, Parks, and the Homestead Neighborhood Association. Tools and training provided - again, please dress for the weather.

For more: Rachel.Felice@portlandoregon.gov, (503) 823-9423

Johnson Creek

Saturday, 3/3, 8:45 - 11:45 am 

This is a big one - the Johnson Creek Watershed Council's annual watershed event! This year, four East side sites will host volunteer work parties: Errol Heights Natural Area, Clatsop Butte Park, Tideman Johnson Park, and the outer Springwater Corridor Trail. Volunteers will work on everything from native species planting and blackberry removal to litter clean-up and trail maintenance, all to benefit the watershed of SE Portland's largest creek. Please wear long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes. Free lunch at Pietro's Pizza to follow! Registration is required for this one.

To register or for more information: Amy Lodholz, amy@jcwc.org or (503) 652-7477

Volunteer work, discovery hikes among Forest Park's rainy day activities

Molly Hottle in The Oregonian, Feburary 9