You can help protect watershed health! Volunteer to plant trees, sign up for our newsletter, host a presentation, or attend a free workshop.
If you would like to participate in an upcoming volunteer event, please click its link in the calendar to learn how you can help.
Events are subject to last-minute changes or cancellation pending recommendations by OHA, CDC, and the WHO. Attendees will be notified if an event is cancelled or rescheduled.
The Elephant in the Room: Covid-19
Oswego Lake Watershed Council’s number one priority is the health of our community and volunteers. We appreciate all of you and want you to know that our staff is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and taking appropriate measures to ensure that we are doing our part to promote wellness in the community. OLWC will be making changes to scheduled events on a case-by-case basis as to ensure that we are following the most up-to-date recommendations by the WHO, CDC and OHA.
This means that until further notice, all volunteer events are subject to change – we will contact all volunteers in the event of a cancellation. In addition, OLWC asks any individual who is feeling ill or suspects that they have been exposed to any communicable disease (including, but not limited to, COVID-19) stay home.
We will continue to engage with the OLWC community online by using email and our social media platforms. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We appreciate your patience and hope that all of you continue to stay healthy during this challenging time.
Take care,
OLWC Staff and Board
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 the 5th grade watershed programs at Tryon Creek or leading watershed tours. Training is provided for all volunteer opportunities. Please contact Stephanie Wagner at stephanie@oswegowatershed.org for details.
Volunteer Opportunities with Our Partner Organizations
Friends of Springbrook Park
NOTE: The March 14th work party has been cancelled.
- Work Parties – watch the calendar above
For our Volunteer Work Parties we will be placing new signs around Uplands Neighborhood. Please join us when you see this sign:
- 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).
Let the Bloom Continue and Grow
Join Friends of Iron Mountain
Our 2020 Spring Work Party dates are
FEBRUARY 16th
CANCELLED: MARCH 15th
from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.
The March 15th work party has been cancelled.
Our staging area will be the Brookside trailhead. Crew leaders will greet and help you in these invasive species removal projects. At each session, some aspect of the park will be highlighted so everyone will take away some insight besides dirty clothes!
Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring gloves if you have them. Beverages and snacks are provided.
Contact: m.bucks@comcast.net
DO YOUR PART AT HOME!
Garden naturally:
- Certify your yard through the Backyard Habitat Certification Program – CLICK HERE to learn more.
- Reduce your use of toxic gardening products
- Use slow-release fertilizers
- Avoid combined fertilizer and pesticide products like “weed and feed”
- Remove invasive weeds and replant with native vegetation
- Keep soil from washing into the storm drains in the street
Soak up stormwater runoff:
- Rain gardens slow down and soak up stormwater runoff on your property.
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
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