April 21, 2015

The City of Portland continues to be a leader in sustainability. 

The American Planning Association (APA) awarded the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and Portland Parks & Recreation (Parks) with the Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Open Space Project award.

The annual award honors projects, policies, organizations making a difference in developing sustainable communities. 

Marie Walkiewicz from BES and Brett Horner from Parks accepted the award on behalf of the bureaus at APA’s Second Annual Awards for Excellence in Sustainability conference in Seattle. 

BES and Parks earned the honor for their great partnership on the Crystal Springs Creek restoration project.

Crystal Springs is a major tributary of Johnson Creek that originates from springs near Reed College. 

The restoration project’s aim was to enhance conditions of the creek and improve water quality. It included converting a duck pond into a wetland, removing nine culverts, adding walkways, planting nearly 2,000 native plants and trees, and much more! 

One of the main objectives of the project was to also restore salmon habitat. Thanks to BES and Parks’ innovative collaboration, salmon came back to Portland during last year’s spawning season, and will be back for years to come.

Crystal Springs is now a safe, sustainable, flourishing home for salmon and other critters. 

Check out BES’ website to learn more about the Crystal Springs Creek restoration project.