YOU CAN HELP!

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 spring invasive species removal and installation of native plants! We will be implementing COVID-19 safety guidelines and working with small groups of volunteers. 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.

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 is following the recommendations of local government, the WHO, CDC and OHA. OLWC has resumed in person volunteer events, with mask requirements, limited group sizes, and additional safety precautions.

We will also 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

• 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).

FRIENDS OF IRON MOUNTAIN FALL WORK PARTIES

Sunday, October 16, 2022 – Planting a Pollinator Garden

On October 16th, Stewardship Volunteers (YOU) will plant buffering and flowering species to attract our winged insects to Iron Mountain. This will be a two year project in preparing and planting the site conditions.

Please bring a shovel if you have one and wear gloves and working attire. Our work parties are two hours long but we allot a short time to share on an ecological topic of interest in the Park. Meeting site is adjacent to the new parking area on Iron Mountain Boulevard.

• Register for October 16  1-3 pm

Sunday, November 12, 2022    9-11 am  – Invasive Removal Around Rare Natives

Pull together with Friends of Iron Mt. Park to remove invasive species that crowd out native species in this 52 acre park. Dress for the weather. Wear closed toe shoes and bring gloves and water to drink.

• Register for November 12  9-11 am

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, and compost
• 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
• Learn how to remove invasive ivy from trees in your backyard
• Plant trees and take care of them, in your yard, business, school campus, or local park!

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