The mission of the Oswego Lake Watershed Council is to foster stewardship, education, participation, and financial support for the purpose of the conservation, restoration, enhancement, and maintenance of watershed functions that achieve and sustain a healthy watershed.
Join Our Oak Engagement Project!
We are excited to invite you to take part in the next big step for Lake Oswego Oaks — community survey days! These family-friendly events are a fantastic opportunity to connect with neighbors, participate in a field project, learn how to survey, and contribute to a growing community science effort. We’ll provide all tools and light refreshments — just bring a charged cell phone and your curiosity! We’ll provide clear guidance on how you can help, including neighbor-to-neighbor outreach, oak surveys, and signing up for restoration efforts.
Let’s continue building momentum for oak habitat protection, one tree (and one neighbor) at a time!
Enjoy a video recording of the hopeful and enlightening conversation on Oregon White Oak habitat restoration in the Willamette Valley presented by Nicole Maness from the Willamette Partnership.
Next Survey Day
Freepons Park
● Date: August 28, 2025
● Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
● Location: Park on Hemlock St., meet in the Park
Gather with friends and neighbors for another informative Evening at the Lake Theatre and Cafe.
Expert guest speakers will discuss the relationship between regenerative gardening practices, soil health, the essential organisms in our soil, pollinators, and biodiversity.
With opportunities for Q & A, we’ll leave with an understanding of the role we play, and how gardening with nature can save time, money, and energy – while supporting the habitat we’re all a part of. Be sure to come early to enjoy the delicious food and drink!
Attend to be eligible to win gift certificates to local nurseries and restaurants!
Doors open at 5:30.
Matthew Shepherd
Director of Outreach & Education, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Matthew has spent nearly four decades working with people from diverse communities to create better places for wildlife. He works for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and over the last 25 years has helped build pollinator conservation from an obscure issue to a topic of dinner-table conversation and wide engagement. Matthew is author or coauthor of numerous articles and other publications, including Attracting Native Pollinators (Storey Publishing, 2011) and Gardening for Butterflies (Timber Press, 2016), and co-host of the Bug Banter podcast.
Leah Puhlman
OSU University Master Gardener
A life-long gardener, Leah has always had an interest in sustainable gardening practices. In 2012 Leah and her husband Mark started to transform our half-acre suburban lot from mostly grass and invasive blackberry and ivy to a habitat-friendly garden. It was then that they got involved in the Backyard Habitat Program, and really started to learn extensively about habitat.
In 2019 Leah became an Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener and has since focused on teaching others about gardening for bio-diversity through webinars, speaking engagements, and garden tours.
Volunteer for the 2nd Grade Water at Work Field Trip Program
Support second-grade outdoor science field trips in Lake Oswego! No experience needed — just curiosity and a willingness to help kids learn outside.
Questions? Contact megan@oswegowatershed.org
Interested in volunteering with us?
Contact Jack (jack@oswegowatershed.org) if you would like to:
- Join tree planting and restoration events to help restore native habitats
- Participate in invasive species removal work parties
- Host or attend educational workshops that empower the community to take action
- Plan the Urban Forest Summit: Get involved in planning for next year’s summit and contribute to its success.
Interested in helping with Urban Forest Restoration?
Contact Rio (rio@oswegowatershed.org) if you would like to:
- Serve on the Urban Forest Committee
- Participate in restoration or planting work parties
- Collect data on trees through the LO Tree Survey
Interested in helping with education and outreach to our community?
Contact Megan (megan@oswegowatershed.org) if you would like to:
- Serve on the Education and Outreach Committee
- Support events like Soil Your Undies or the Bee BioBlitz
- Support 2nd and 5th grade walking field trip programs
- Help plan for next year’s Urban Forest Summit
