June 14, 2017

In every corner of our city, volunteers help the Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) make our city cleaner and greener. This morning, Council made it easier for them to help.

Green Street Stewards care for the bioswales that collect stormwater runoff from streets. Bioswales provide habitat, improve air quality, reduce the need for pipes, and save ratepayers money.

Volunteers were eager to help more, and today Council made it possible for Green Street Stewards to plant new vegetation and remove sediment from bioswales.

Council also approved a number of small grants to community partners who help take care of our watersheds. The work of organizations like the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Depave, the National Indian Parent Information Council, Southwest Neighborhoods, Inc., and Verde will restore our urban watersheds, improve stormwater management, replace pavement with native plants, and provide youth environmental education and art projects. Many of these grants are part of the Community Watershed Stewardship Program, which provides small grants and technical assistance for community-led projects.

Volunteers do amazing work in our community, and we’re proud to support their commitment to education and stewardship of our urban watersheds.