Oswego Lake Watershed Council
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.
Meet Our New Team Member: Rio Hybert
We are excited to introduce Rio Hybert-Zack, who is joining the Oswego Lake Watershed Council as our new Project Coordinator. Rio has called the Pacific Northwest home for the past 19 years, having moved from Minnesota to attend Western Washington University. His deep connection to the region’s mountainous and forested landscapes, along with over seven years of experience in ecological restoration, conservation, and project management, makes him a valuable addition to our team.
Rio’s diverse professional background includes roles as a conservation corps crew leader, assistant stewardship coordinator, lead ecological restoration technician, and botanical stewardship technician. Notably, at the Sandy River Watershed Council, he led bilingual volunteer events and organized a large Earth Day celebration, showcasing his commitment to community engagement and habitat restoration.
His work across Oregon and Washington has fostered a deep passion for native plants and their role in watershed health. Rio understands the critical role of native plants in supporting biodiversity, providing habitat for species like beavers, and enhancing water quality for salmon.
In his new role, Rio is dedicated to fostering community engagement and educating others on the importance of watershed management. When he’s not working, you can find him exploring mountain trails, mushroom hunting, rockhounding, or playing the drums.
Welcome aboard, Rio! We’re thrilled to have you on our team.
For more information, reach out to Rio at rio@oswegowatershed.org
Green Leaders: Tryon Workforce Development Program
Creating pathways for early-career you seeking opportunities in the environmental field.
Click the button below to see the full position description and application instructions.
The Green Leaders Workforce Development Program is an opportunity for early-career youth to hone their environmental education, restoration, and professional skills. Each cohort has the opportunity to explore their passions and interests while contributing to Friends of Tryon Creek’s mission to encourage all communities to reclaim their relationship with the forest.
Fall 2024 Cohort Applications are open until September 13th.
Compensation: Monthly stipend of $1,140.
Duration: October 2024 – December 2024.
Availability: Monday – Thursday between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm. Occasional weekend and evening availability required. Not to exceed 15 hours per week.
Save the Dates!
Lake Oswego Electrification Fair Sept 28, 2024
Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 10 am – 2 pm at the Lake Oswego Methodist Church
Urban Forest Summit Nov 2, 2024!
Save the date for the Urban Forest Summit on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 9:00 am to noon.
We’ll be learning about how to care for our urban forest, and we will have professionals available to answer your questions. Registration will open in early September. Stay tuned!
Click the image below to open a pdf copy of the mailer sent to 14,000 homes in Lake Oswego in August, 2024
by our partner Lake Oswego Sustainability Network.
Check out the recording for This IS Kalapuyan Land, a virtual talk with Steph Littlebird, an indigenous writer and artist, and curator of a physical and online history, culture, and land acknowledgment exhibition of the Kalapuyan peoples. The recording includes Steph’s process of annotating panels from the museum’s prior exhibit on Kalapuyan peoples and curating contemporary Native artwork into the exhibition.
Weed of the Month: Japanese Knotweed
Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) has been called a “nightmare” and a “botanical bully,” and is one of the 100 worst global invaders. These characterizations give you a pretty good idea of just how unwelcome this invasive weed is in our community.
Japanese knotweed is fast-growing and hardy, native to Japan, China, and the Korean peninsula, and was introduced to the United States in the 1800s as an attractive ornamental. But don’t let the heart-shaped leaves, bamboo-like stems, and pretty, small white flowers fool you! It is a menace with many infestations in Oregon, including much of Clackamas County.
2024 Local Native Plant Sales
Whether you’re planting or planning, good things to know!
Click on the image above to find local sources of native plants, including local plant sales, as well as retail, wholesale and native plant seed suppliers.
For more resources including what plants to use for different conditions (sunny & dry, shady & wet, etc.), you may want to also look HERE.
