Get Involved! 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!
- January 7, 2025
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Village on the Lake Work Party January 7, 2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
See more detailsPlease join us for our restoration in action series. We will be preparing drainage and wetland areas for late winter planting. The event will take place at Lily Bay and will focus on removing English ivy to improve this important natural area. Come and hang out with your neighbors and see a site transform!
Lily Bay is a unique wetland that runs into Lake Oswego where there are few remaining wetlands, making it a critical habitat in the watershed. Work being done at this event will help protect the existing tree canopy and open up areas for new native plant installation for the betterment of water quality and wildlife.
Parking: Available on Village Dr. near intersection of Lily Bay Court. To enter site, please walk to stormwater drainage (chain gate and paved) between houses on right side of Lily Bay Ct.
This event requires registration. To RSVP, please use this link: Registration Link
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- January 10, 2025
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Oswego Lake Watershed Council Monthly Meeting January 10, 2025 8:00 am - 9:30 am
See more detailsAnyone can get involved with the Council by attending monthly Council meetings, working on Council sub-committees, or helping with projects.
To review the minutes from past meetings, go to http://www.oswegowatershed.org/resource-library/#minutes
Contact jack@oswegowatershed.org for the link to join our virtual meeting!
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- January 20, 2025
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MLK Service Day at Westlake Common Property January 20, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 14903 Westlake Dr, Lake Oswego, OR
See more detailsThis beautiful oak woodland habitat is home to 150-year-old white oaks and a diversity of wildlife! Invasive species, especially ivy, have taken over the forest and we need your help! We will be pulling invasive ivy and other invasive species. 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. Please invite others.
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. Extra 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 oak woodland ecology, and lend a hand as we enhance this unique oak woodland!
Parking: Park in the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints parking lot. We have permission. 14903 Westlake Dr. Lake Oswego, OR 97035
Registration is required. Email Rio Hybert at rio@oswegowatershed.org, for further assistance.
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- January 21, 2025
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Village on the Lake Work Party January 21, 2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
See more detailsPlease join us for our restoration in action series. We will be preparing drainage and wetland areas for late winter planting. The event will take place at Lily Bay and will focus on removing English ivy to improve this important natural area. Come and hang out with your neighbors and see a site transform!
Lily Bay is a unique wetland that runs into Lake Oswego where there are few remaining wetlands, making it a critical habitat in the watershed. Work being done at this event will help protect the existing tree canopy and open up areas for new native plant installation for the betterment of water quality and wildlife.
Parking: Available on Village Dr. near intersection of Lily Bay Court. To enter site, please walk to stormwater drainage (chain gate and paved) between houses on right side of Lily Bay Ct.
This event requires registration. To RSVP, please use this link: Registration Link
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- January 25, 2025
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Woodside Cir HOA Work Party January 25, 2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Deerbrush Avenue & Woodside Circle, Deerbrush Ave & Woodside Cir, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, USA
See more detailsWoodside HOA natural area is home to beautiful oak woodland habitat. Invasive species, especially ivy, have taken over the forest and we need your help! We will be pulling invasive ivy and other invasive species. 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. Extra 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 oak woodland ecology, and lend a hand as we enhance this unique oak woodland!
Please park on Deerbrush Ave close to north intersection of Woodside Circle. Cross onto Woodside circle to meet by common space near mailboxes.
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- January 28, 2025
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Village on the Lake Work Party January 28, 2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
See more detailsPlease join us for our restoration in action series. We will be preparing drainage and wetland areas for late winter planting. The event will take place at Lily Bay and will focus on removing English ivy to improve this important natural area. Come and hang out with your neighbors and see a site transform!
Lily Bay is a unique wetland that runs into Lake Oswego where there are few remaining wetlands, making it a critical habitat in the watershed. Work being done at this event will help protect the existing tree canopy and open up areas for new native plant installation for the betterment of water quality and wildlife.
Parking: Available on Village Dr. near intersection of Lily Bay Court. To enter site, please walk to stormwater drainage (chain gate and paved) between houses on right side of Lily Bay Ct.
This event requires registration. To RSVP, please use this link: Registration Link
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- January 30, 2025
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Oak Survey Training January 30, 2025 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm 2 Mt Jefferson Terrace, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, USA
See more detailsThe event will take place in the Trillium Room in the Mountain Park Rec Center. Please ask the front desk for directions. The training will include a presentation and an outdoor field portion of the class, a short walk away.
We hope you can make to the next training which will be in partnership with the City of Lake Oswego and will be co-led by their head arborist and OLWC.
This is important work. With the help of volunteers, we will be able to gather data on oak trees in Lake Oswego such as tree health and location and express this information in a map that will further conservation efforts. We plan to collect data on hundreds of Oaks. That's where volunteers come in. Thank you for your support and interest.
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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 – 11:00amWhere: 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 field trips with 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).
DO YOUR PART AT HOME
- 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