YOU CAN HELP!

YOU CAN HELP!

Nov 19, 2019 | Featured, You can get involved!

You can help protect watershed health! Volunteer to plant trees, sign up for our newsletter, host a presentation, or attend a free workshop.

Join us for periodic work parties involving the removal of invasive species and installation of native plants!  Please email Jack at jack@oswegowatershed.org to be added to our volunteer mailing list! You will be notified of new volunteer opportunities when they are scheduled.

Ready to make a difference this fall? Join us for our upcoming volunteer events – just click the button below to register for an upcoming event or contact rio@oswegowatershed.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM
June 7, 2025

  • OLWC Bee BioBlitz Event June 7, 2025 - June 8, 2025  

    The 2025 Bee BioBlitz is a community-driven event hosted by the Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OLWC), where residents of Lake Oswego explore, document, and learn about local pollinators. The event offers an exciting opportunity to get outside, engage with nature, and contribute to an important scientific effort.

    Using the iNaturalist app, participants will help track and record pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other important species that support our ecosystems. Whether you’re new to the world of pollinators or a seasoned naturalist, this event is for everyone — no experience necessary!

    • Register for the Bee BioBlitz with OLWC to ensure that you receive updates and access event results.
    • Register with iNaturalist so you can post your photos and observations – easiest if you install the iNaturalist app on your mobile phone.
    • Find and document local pollinators Saturday, June 7th from 10:00 AM though Sunday, June 8th until 5:00 PM. Take photos of pollinators and upload them to iNaturalist to help map the local species diversity. Focus on the diversity of species—no need to identify them during the event. Identification can be done through iNaturalist after the event.

    For more information contact Megan Hill at megan@oswegowatershed.org

    See more details

  • Bee BioBlitz Kick Off Event June 7, 2025  10:00 am - 12:00 pm Lake Oswego Senior High School, 2501 Country Club Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034, USA

    Join fellow bee enthusiasts and members of the Lake Oswego Green Team for an introduction to iNaturalist and the goals of the event, and you'll be ready to embark on your pollinator exploration! Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or new to the world of bees, this is a great opportunity to collaborate, learn, and contribute to the health of local pollinators. Don’t miss out on this exciting chance to make a difference while enjoying the outdoors! REGISTER HERE. For more information contact Megan Hill at megan@oswegowatershed.org

    See more details

June 8, 2025

  • OLWC Bee BioBlitz Event June 7, 2025 - June 8, 2025  

    The 2025 Bee BioBlitz is a community-driven event hosted by the Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OLWC), where residents of Lake Oswego explore, document, and learn about local pollinators. The event offers an exciting opportunity to get outside, engage with nature, and contribute to an important scientific effort.

    Using the iNaturalist app, participants will help track and record pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other important species that support our ecosystems. Whether you’re new to the world of pollinators or a seasoned naturalist, this event is for everyone — no experience necessary!

    • Register for the Bee BioBlitz with OLWC to ensure that you receive updates and access event results.
    • Register with iNaturalist so you can post your photos and observations – easiest if you install the iNaturalist app on your mobile phone.
    • Find and document local pollinators Saturday, June 7th from 10:00 AM though Sunday, June 8th until 5:00 PM. Take photos of pollinators and upload them to iNaturalist to help map the local species diversity. Focus on the diversity of species—no need to identify them during the event. Identification can be done through iNaturalist after the event.

    For more information contact Megan Hill at megan@oswegowatershed.org

    See more details

June 10, 2025
June 11, 2025

  • Education & Outreach Committee Meeting June 11, 2025  4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

    The Committee explores community engagement in watershed health, develops outreach initiatives, plans events, and supports Lake Oswego School District sustainability programs. Join us virtually or contact Megan Hill at megan@oswegowatershed.org

    See more details

June 13, 2025
June 18, 2025

  • MP HOA Work Party June 18, 2025  9:00 am - 11:00 am Elizabeth Gress Park, Churchill Downs & McNary Pkwy entrance to the Park

    The common spaces in Mountain park are home to a diverse forest and serve as a great wildlife corridor! Invasive species, especially ivy, have taken over the forest and we need your help! We will be pulling invasive ivy and other invasive species and seeding native groundcover. Pulling ivy requires volunteers to be able to bend over or kneel, but we can arrange alternate projects for those with different abilities or mobility issues.

    We will be working outdoors so please dress for the weather (long pants and layers are recommended). Sturdy, closed-toed shoes are required. Bring your own water bottle and gloves.  Tools, gloves, and training will be provided. Please bring any medication you may need (Asthma Inhaler, Epi-Pen, etc.) Children are welcome if accompanied by an attentive adult. Unfortunately, there is no bathroom on site. Please stop by, learn about your neighborhood's woodland ecology, and lend a hand as we enhance the habitat and the beautiful natural environment of Mt. Park! 

    Registration is required! Please RSVP by using the link below or email Rio Hybert at rio@oswegowatershed.org. 

    Registration Link: https://forms.gle/wASQmXd8PDqTK1X39

    See more details

June 24, 2025

  • OLWC Soil Your Undies Time To Dig Up Your Undies June 24, 2025  10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    It's time to dig up your undies! Find the flags that identify the burial site and see what happened.

    Instructions Before Digging:

    • Take a photo of the burial site and your (possibly shredded) undies

    • Submit your data via the Undies Reveal Survey

    This community project helps us learn more about local soil health. Please submit one survey form per pair of undies.

    Virtual Celebration: Friday, June 28, 2025 – Join us for a fun and informative event

    where we’ll "reveal" your undies and dive into a Q&A about soil health!

    See more details

June 28, 2025

  • OLWC "Reveal Your Undies" - Soil Health Q&A June 28, 2025  10:00 am - 11:00 am

    Join us for a fun and informative event where we’ll "reveal" your undies and dive into a Q&A about soil health! Learn valuable tips and insights to improve the health of your soil.

    Important: Please fill out the Reveal Survey before the event and send photos of your undies to Megan Hill at megan@oswegowatershed.

    We look forward to seeing you there and learning together!

    See more details

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OLWC COVID-19 Plan (Updated May 2021)

Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OLWC) prioritizes the safety of our community, including staff, volunteers, board members, contractors, interns, landowners, partners, and community members. Our COVID-19 field work plan lays out the protocols that will be implemented in response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis in Oregon. This plan will be updated regularly in response to recommendations and requirements from the State of Oregon, Clackamas County, 

Center for Disease Control, and the World Health Organization. All staff, interns, and volunteers working as a representative of OLWC while conducting group work are expected to understand and follow these guidelines.

MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Educational Opportunities

  • Oswego Lake Watershed Tour   During Summer and Spring OLWC offers monthly watershed tours for area residents to introduce them to Oswego Lake Watershed and provide an overview of watershed science and issues affecting watershed health.  Transportation is in individual vehicles and carpooling for the tours is arranged at the beginning of the tour. Custom tours can also be arranged for groups of up to 15 individuals. Tours are free, but pre-registration is required.When: The third Saturday of each month from May through October,  9:00am – 11:00am

    Where: Uplands Elementary School, 2055 Wembley Park Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97034, United States (map)

    Description: This field trip begins at one of the headwaters of Springbrook Creek and follows the creek route to Oswego Lake with visits at several key areas along the creek. The tour concludes at Oswego Creek as water leaves the lake and makes its way to the Willamette River. This event is free and family-friendly. RSVP is required. Please e-mail Stephanie at stephanie@oswegowatershed.org to reserve your space.

    RSVP Required — email stephanie@oswegowatershed.org to reserve your space.

  • Watershed Education Volunteers Needed
    Volunteers are needed to support school programs and watershed tours and programs.  We are particularly looking for individuals who are interested in supporting watershed programs in the Lake Oswego School District. Training is provided for all volunteer opportunities. Please contact Megan Hill at megan@oswegowatershed.org for details.

 

Volunteer Opportunities with Our Partner Organizations

Friends of Iron Mountain

As future work parties are scheduled you’ll find registration information at https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec/stewardship-opportunities

Friends of Springbrook Park

  • Education Events. Events throughout the school year (Dates to be determined.). Project Details: A member of Friends of Springbrook Park will partner with Lake Oswego School District and district faculty to develop and implement curriculum that encourages students to learn about and explore the plants, animals, and ecosystems of Springbrook Park.
    Contact: Anne Lider (503-701-2291).
Future Site of the Pollinator Garden

DO YOUR PART AT HOME!

Garden naturally:

Lake Oswego Backyard Habitat Certification Program

Watershed-friendly household maintenance:

  • Soak up driveway spills with kitty litter and throw in the garbage
  • Sweep your driveway instead of washing it
  • Dispose of household hazardous waste at a disposal facility – drains in the street lead to local streams
  • Install a rain garden to slow down and soak up stormwater runoff on your property

Maintain your vehicles to reduce pollution:

  • Fix vehicle fluid leaks to keep them from washing into streams
  • Wash your car at a car wash or over grass

Even your pets can help:

  • Please pick up after your pets – bacteria from dog waste pollutes our waterways
    More information about classes, small grant opportunities, and "how-to" guides