Water & Soil

Bike, walk, run, jog, or skateboard along the Springwater Trail Help raise money for watershed restoration!

When: September 1-30, 2009
Where: Along the Springwater Corridor Trail
Get Map!

During the month of September the Johnson Creek Watershed Council is hosting the Springwater Cycle Stroll, a benefit event where particpants raise money for the miles they travel on the Springwater Trail throughout the month. Participants ride their bikes, walk, run, jog or skateboard along the Springwater Corridor Trail, logging their miles and collecting pledges from family and friends. Participants log miles at any time during the month, and at their own pace. Pledges can be per-mile or a flat donation. There will be friendly competition along the way with prizes for most miles biked, most miles run, most miles walked, and most money raised. The donations raised through this event will support the Council's restoration, education and outreach programs.

The Springwater Corridor Trail parallels Johnson Creek for much of its length. This event is also an opportunity to feature some of metropolitan Portland's history and little-known natural treasures along the creek.

Join the Springwater Cycle Stroll and raise money for watershed restoration and protection while enjoying the Springwater Trail along Johnson Creek! Register now at www.jcwc.org or by calling (503) 652-7477.

Click to enlarge Rain Garden

Free workshop! Make your own Rain Garden! Beautify to your yard & protect our streams too.

When: Thursday June 11, 2009 6:00PM - 9:00PM
Where: Fairview Community Center
200 Harrison St
Fairview, OR
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What is a Rain Garden?

Rain gardens are a great way to add beautiful landscaping to your yard and protect our overloaded urban streams at the same time. Join us to learn how to build a rain garden on your property to keep our streams clean and healthy!

Participants will learn what a rain garden is and the critical role they can play in the restoration of urban streams, and the “how to’s” of constructing your own rain garden. You will learn the how to assess your site, calculate impervious surfaces, locate and size rain gardens, determine soil suitability with a percolation test, choose appropriate plants, and how to maintain your new rain garden. You will receive a rain garden packet, and where possible, take a field trip to a nearby rain garden.

Advanced registration required. Click here to register!

Learn what AmeriCorps is doing for Gresham and the environment and how you can get involved

When: Wednesday, April 22nd 4:00PM to 8:30PM
Where: >Gresham City Hall
Council Chambers
1333 NW Eastman Parkway

Meeting Info

Please join the City of Gresham AmeriCorps members as we celebrate Earth Day! There will be a tabling period/open house from 4PM-7PM. Information will be provided on what AmeriCorps is doing for Gresham, what Gresham is doing for the environment, and how you can get involved.

Featured Tables

• Operation Stream Clean
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Certification Program
• What Can I Recycle?
• Birds!
• Be Green Volunteer Opportunities
• and more!

Other activities & a movie too!

There will also be activities for families to participate in, such as bird house construction and recycled arts/crafts. At 7pm, there will be a showing of the Silent Invasion, an OPB Field Guide Documentary about invasive species followed by a brief discussion period.

Create backyard habitat, attract wildlife. Naturescaping is beauty and function!

When: Saturday, May 30, 2009 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Where: Lake House at Blue Lake Park
21154 NE Blue Lake Rd
Fairview, OR
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Definition (Wikipedia): Naturescaping (or nature scaping) is a term that refers to a method of landscaping that allows people and nature to coexist. By incorporating certain plants, especially native ones, into ones yard, one can attract beneficial insects, birds, and other creatures, and help keep our rivers and streams healthy. Extensive urban growth and urban sprawl over the last few decades has had a significant impact on habitat that birds and other wildlife once called home. Homeowners with yards have a unique opportunity to curtail this loss of habitat by creating their own backyard wildlife sanctuary. Read more.

Workshop Description

Naturescaping is the practice of designing a landscape so that it reduces water use, stormwater runoff, and pollution without sacrificing splendor. Plus, it saves you time, money, and energy – all while providing a beautiful habitat for birds, wildlife, and you. Naturescaping Basics introduces attendees to their connection with the watershed, native plants of the PNW, pollution prevention, and other core concepts of naturescaping. Advanced registration is required. Space is limited, so don't delay. Click here to register!

In this introductory workshop we introduce the concept of naturescaping. We also discuss time and maintenance savings, reduction/elimination of water and chemical use, increasing and improving wildlife habitat, watershed stewardship, and basic site or project planning, as well as many other great gardening tips.

Free Workshop! Healthy Septic Systems Workshop Mt Hood Community College Wednesday, Feb 25th 7PM-9PM

When: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 7PM - 9PM
Where: Mt Hood Community College
26000 S.E. Stark St
Gresham, Oregon 97030

East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District is offering a FREE and very informative Healthy Septic Systems Workshop in Gresham, February 25th! Join us and learn how a little preventative maintenance can go a long way.

Healthy Septic Systems

Is your septic system a mystery to you? Attend this free workshop and learn how to care for your septic system, prevent messy sewage backups, and avoid expensive repairs with basic septic tank maintenance. Local septic system professional Alex Amauck and septic inspectors Mike Ebeling and Erin Mick from the Bureau of Development Services will present and answer your questions. This workshop is presented by East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District.

Register online at www.emswcd.org/workshops-events or contact Katie Meckes, Outreach Coordinator, EMSWCD at 503-935-5368, or email katie@emswcd.org. You can also come early and register on the day of the workshop. Space is limited. Registration is on a first come first served basis.