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 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!

April 26, 2025
  • OAK WOODLAND ECOLOGY WALK April 26, 2025  10:00 am - 11:30 am 14903 Westlake Drive, Lake Oswego

    Join Oswego Lake Watershed Council on an oak woodland walking tour. Explore native understory plants and flowers, discover a variety of birds, and see the progress being made to restore and enhance this valuable habitat, all while enjoying good company. Gloves and light refreshments will be provided. Sturdy close-toed shoes are recommended. This event is free and family-friendly. Visit this link for registration: https://forms.gle/Bok1QiLr5iKCCKYK7

    Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

    Please park in Church parking lot, we have permission from owner.

    See more details

May 3, 2025
  • LAND CARE AT BETH RYAN NATURE PRESERVE May 3, 2025  1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 15400 Village Dr, Lake Oswego, OR 97034, USA

    Please note the change in start time! This event is in partnership with the Columbia Land Trust and Oswego Lake Watershed Council.The Beth Ryan Nature Preserve is owned and managed by Columbia Land Trust.  The Columbia Land Trust has worked on improving the trails and property for many years. The preserve is home to a diverse riparian and upland forest and serves as a great wildlife corridor! A group of invasive trees planted as a buffer have fallen during winter storms. This has created a great opportunity to care for native plants we planted in Fall. We are partnering to host this event to create more community involvement. Tools will be provided to restore the open area and create some native Oak habitat and we need your help! Please cross Summit Dr to enter the reserve by using the walking path. 

    Please park near intersection Village Dr. and Summit Dr and cross Summit Dr to enter the reserve by using the walking path.

    Planting 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.  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 native woodland ecology, and lend a hand as we enhance the habitat and the beautiful natural environment at Beth Ryan! 

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

    For more information and free registration, visit https://forms.gle/Mfs6bYawuTRJUCLz9

    See more details

May 9, 2025
May 13, 2025
May 14, 2025
  • Education & Outreach Committee Meeting May 14, 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

May 21, 2025
  • MP HOA Work Party May 21, 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

May 22, 2025
  • OLWC Webinar Registration: Exploring Local Bee Diversity & Advancing Oregon Bee Advocacy May 22, 2025  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89630867464?pwd=JGy78al2Z9fbYAONFCvzhRJFaujFvF.1#success

    OLWC Webinar Registration: Exploring Local Bee Diversity & Advancing Oregon Bee Advocacy

    Discover the Fascinating World of Lake Oswego's Bees!
    Join us for an up-close look at the diverse bee species of the Portland area, from the mighty Bumblebees to the tiny Miner Bees. Learn about their favorite flowers, the best spots to discover their baby nurseries, and get answers to intriguing questions like: What looks like a bee but isn’t? and Why do Bumblebees sleep on flowers overnight? We’ll also dive into Bee-Friendly Practices you can adopt to create a welcoming environment for these essential pollinators right in your own yard. Don’t miss the chance to join our live Q&A session at the end — bring your questions and curiosity!

    Presenters:

    Leah Puhlman
    Leah Puhlman is an Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener and instructor for the 10-Minute University™ Program. With extensive experience raising mason bees and contributing to the PNW Bumble Bee Atlas, Leah also serves as the unofficial bee wrangler at the Oregon Zoo. Together with her husband, she has transformed their Portland-area garden into a certified wildlife habitat. Leah's gardening philosophy centers around Compassionate Gardening, focusing on plants that support wildlife while honoring memories of loved ones through thoughtful plant selections.

    Justin Boyles
    Justin Boyles is the Conservation Advocate for Environment Oregon, where he leads campaigns dedicated to protecting and restoring Oregon’s natural treasures and the wildlife that depend on them. Justin has worked on critical initiatives like the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, cleaning up superfund sites along the Willamette River, and promoting solar energy in Oregon. Previously, he was part of the Public Interest Network's Creative and Editorial team, where he developed impactful campaign materials, created interactive web features, and designed tools to drive meaningful environmental change. A Portland resident, Justin enjoys exploring Oregon’s diverse landscapes—from the coast and high desert to its rivers, lakes, forests, and mountains—with his children.

    Thursday, May 22nd - Join us on Zoom to learn about local bee populations and how to support them.
    For more information contact Megan Hill at megan@oswegowatershed.org

    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