Watershed

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Saving Streams, Creating Habitat When: Sat Nov 21, 2015 9AM-1PM Where: Troutdale Community Police Bldg 234 SW Kendall Ct Troutdale, OR Get Map!

Learn how to build your own rain garden! Explore the critical role rain gardens can play in urban stream restoration, and how they add beautiful landscaping to your yard at the same time.

You will learn how to assess your site to determine the best location and size, calculate impervious surfaces, determine soil suitability, choose appropriate plants, and how to maintain your new rain garden. You will also receive a comprehensive manual that guides you through all the steps in constructing your rain garden. Where possible, workshop includes a short tour of a nearby rain garden.

Register here! Spaces available: 14 (of 40 max as of Nov 16th)

Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a sunken garden bed that captures stormwater runoff from hard surfaces like rooftops, sidewalks and driveways, and allows it to soak back into the ground naturally. They are planted with hardy, native perennials that filter pollutants commonly found in stormwater runoff. This helps reduce the overall amount of runoff and pollution that gets into our streams, and maintains the natural hydrology (the movement and distribution of water in the area, as it would be under natural conditions) so streams don’t go dry during the hot summer months.

If you are a resident of Gresham, you may be eligible for our $200 Rain Garden Incentive!

Why build a rain garden?
When a landscape is covered in natural vegetation, most rainfall soaks into the ground. As we start adding roofs, driveways, sidewalks, and streets to the landscape, much of the rainfall can’t soak into the ground anymore. This can create a lot of problems for people and for our streams.

Rain gardens hold stormwater runoff and allow it to soak into the ground naturally. This prevents pollution from entering our local streams and wetlands, and helps recharge our groundwater. By planting a rain garden with native plants, you can create a beautiful, low-maintenance and drought-tolerant landscape feature, while also providing habitat for beneficial wildlife. You can see examples of stormwater-managing features in the Rain Garden gallery

Get Involved, Make a Difference When: Thu Sep 17, 2015 6:30PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Room 2A 1333 NW Eastman Pky Gresham, OR Get Map!

The Natural Resources and Sustainability Committee advises the Gresham City Council on policy development matters and actions related to the protection, restoration and enhancement of:

• Natural resources
• Watershed health
• Water quality
• Fish and wildlife habitat
• Urban tree canopy
• Provision of public health
• Development, improvement and expansion of city parks, trails, and green space for present and future generations

For more information about this event contact Christa Thompson at 503-618-2525 or Christa.Thompson@GreshamOregon.gov.

Friends of Nadaka & SOLVE-IT Nadaka Nature Park Cleanup When: Sat Sep 19, 2015 9AM-Noon Where: Nadaka Nature Park & Garden Meet at the Picnic Shelter 176th & NE Glisan Gresham, OR Get Map!

Join Friends of Nadaka and SOLV-IT™ to help cleanup Nadaka Nature Park. We will be removing invasive species such as English Ivy from the 10 acre forested portion of the park, weed and water the community garden and the front two acres of the park.

We also need volunteers to help with registration and to donate food & drinks.

Tools, gloves, and light refreshments will be provided. Dress to work in natural areas: long pants, brimmed hat, and closed-toe sturdy shoes. Please bring a water bottle and a friend!

Everyone must sign a City of Gresham Release as well as signing up with SOLVE. Both can be done when you arrive. Join your neighbors and make new friends at Nadaka. It’s your park!

About Nadaka Nature Park
Nadaka Nature Park is a designated 12-acre natural area with a .5 mile walking loop, tall trees, native plants, grassy meadow plus a Community Garden and Nature Based Play area. Visit Nadaka Nature Park, 176th & NE Glisan St, Gresham OR

More Info
Contact Monica McAllister, Nadaka Nature Park Coordinator, 503-956-8558 or email monica@friendsofnadaka.org for more info or to donate food and/or drinks. Visit friendsofnadaka.org.

Nadaka Nature Park, Gresham OR Click to enlarge

Enjoy Nature in the City! When: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10AM-12PM Where: Nadaka Nature Park 17600 NE Glisan Gresham, OR Get Map! A Rain or Shine Event

Visit the Park!
Get to know Nadaka Nature Park! This 10-acre forest in northwest Gresham was saved from development for many decades because it served as a day camp for the Camp Fire Organization. Today Nadaka is a city park that provides an island of native habitat and a place for the community to access and learn about nature. Join us for a fun "Walk and Talk tour" to learn the park’s story, restoration challenges and successes, how to identify common native plants and spot spring time invaders, and the top 10 scary weeds to watch out for.

This event is free and suitable for all ages.

Native amphibians and reptiles When: Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:00-11:30AM Where: Gresham Meadowlands Meet at cul-de-sac end of SE Paropa Ave Gresham, OR Get Map!

Meet us at the Gresham Meadowlands
Amphibians and reptiles represent a major component of ecosystems, and being an indicator species can tell us a lot about the health of our own environment. However, human activities have led to their decline and a disruption to the balance of our natural ecology. Meet us at the Gresham Meadowlands for an exciting and engaging class on herpetology, where we will be learning how to identify our native amphibians & reptiles, their life cycle, habitat requirements, and the monitoring techniques we apply in Gresham!

This event is free and suitable for all ages.

Nadaka Nature Park, Gresham OR

Earth Day, Every Day When: Sat, Apr 26, 2014 10AM-1PM Where: Nadaka Nature Park 176th & NE Pacific St Gresham OR Get Map!

Event info
Come out and meet your neighbors and make new friends. Join SOLVE® and Friends of Nadaka to help improve the park this Earth Day by working in the forest removing invasives and mulching trails. We will also be removing weeds from the future community garden. Be prepared to get a little dirty and to have fun by supporting and volunteering with Friends of Nadaka and Wilkes East Neighborhood Association. Refreshments will be provided for volunteers.

Click here to register yourself, your group or to learn more about this event.

Rain or Shine!
Come dressed for weather and help improve Nadaka Nature Park. Bring working gloves & a water bottle if you have them. Volunteer as long as you can. Drinks and snacks will be provided for volunteers.

Help Reduce Water Use When: Sat Mar 15, 2014 9:30AM-1:30PM Where: Greater Gresham Baptist Church 3848 NE Division St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Learn to Naturescape!
Naturescaping is the practice of designing (or redesigning) your landscape so that it reduces water use and decreases stormwater runoff while saving you time, money and energy. This introductory workshop introduces the core concepts of naturescaping, and also explores:

• pollution prevention through the reduction/elimination of chemical use
• how native plants naturally resist pests & tolerate drought conditions while attracting native birds, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators to your garden
• basic site planning principals, and many other great natural gardening & design tips

Even if you decide to enlist the help of a contractor, you’ll have the framework to make decisions and effectively communicate the vision you have for your yard. Class will visit a nearby naturescaped project to see design principles in action. You’ll receive a comprehensive workbook and even a free native plant to help you get started.

When: Mon Mon Mar 24, 2014 7PM-9PM Where: St Aidan's Episcopal Church 17405 NE Glisan St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Neighborhood Meeting, Everyone's Invited

Join Your Neighbors. Get involved. Make a difference!

Save the date
Be sure to save Monday, March 24th at 7:00 PM for the Wilkes East Neighborhood Spring General Meeting. The meeting will be held at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 17405 NE Glisan St, Portland, Oregon. Get map!

Topics & Guests
Highlights will include: Travis Stovall, Tri-Met Board Liaison and Vanessa Vissar, Tri-Met Project Manager; Ken Anderton, Port of Portland; Sunny Simkins, Multnomah County Drainage District; Neighborhood news.

Who should attend?
This meeting is open to all residents and businesses in the Wilkes East Neighborhood!

Be Part Of Your Community. Plan To Attend.

Experience a virtual fly-over! When: Fri Sep 20, 2013 6-8PM Where: 4th Street Brewing Co 77 NE 4th St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Join the Johnson Creek Watershed Council's Restoration Coordinator Robin Jenkinson and experience a virtual flyover of the Johnson Creek Watershed during "Science Talk: a Geographic Perspective on Restoring Johnson Creek." Learn about several of the 120 restoration projects implemented over the past decade and the development of a new Restoration Action Plan. The event is free with RSVP to Amy Lodholz at 503-652-7477 or amy@jcwc.org.

Father's Day Volunteer Event When: Sat Jun 15, 2013 9AM-1PM Where: Nadaka Nature Park 175th & NE Pacific St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Bring Your Dad!
In honor of Father’s Day why not spend the morning at Nadaka Park on Saturday, June 15th helping cleanup the park by removing invasives, clearing weeds from the future community garden and begin moving the boulders out along NE Glisan.

The Army Reservists will be there to do the boulder moving but there will be a lot to do in the park. Cleanup activities will begin at 9AM and end around 1PM.

Come dressed for the weather and we will have work gloves, shovels, and other equipment needed for the cleanup. Refreshments will be provided for volunteers. Bring your Dad or any other special person.

This event is sponsored by Friends of Nadaka Park with support from the Columbia Watershed Council. Learn more about Friends of Nadaka Park at http://friendsofnadaka.org/