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"The Westside Watershed Resource Center inspires awareness and action on behalf of watershed health in
Portland neighborhoods."
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Eena (Beaver) Festival celebrates Indigenous culture and ecosystem superheroes
All are welcome to join the event on Saturday, September 24
at the Multnomah Arts Center.
Created and organized by Native community member Laura Campos, the Eena (Beaver) Festival is an Indigenous-led festival that hopes to raise awareness about non-human-led restoration, share education about Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and create a safe, welcoming means to increase access to nature for Black, Indigenous and other people of color. Activities will include storytelling, Chinook wood carving demonstrations, a talk on Traditional Ecological Knowledge, music, a kids’ crafts table, and snacks.
This is a FREE event! All ages welcome, no registration required.
Volunteers are needed to help with this event! Volunteers can help with set up, take down, and activities during the festival. Click here to see open volunteer shifts and sign up to help out. For questions about volunteering, email manager@westsidewatersheds.org or call 503 865 6759.
The Eena Festival is funded by a Portland Clean Energy Fund grant.
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There's still time to order native plants!
Order native plants from the Sparrowhawk Native Plant sale through September 12, and volunteer to help out at the
PPC Sylvania pick up location on October 6, 7 or 8.
Volunteers are needed to help out with various aspects of the sale. This a fun opportunity to get outside and learn more about native plants! You can learn more about volunteer roles at the SW Portland sale site at the PCC Sylvania campus, and sign up to help out, here.
Many species are still in stock and ordering is still open for a few more days! A portion of every sale supports local groups that engage the community in hands-on education and stewardship of the land. You can see available plants and place an order at sparrowhawknativeplants.com.
Graphic courtesy of Sparrowhawk Native Plants.
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Annual wildfire safety reminder
With potentially hazardous fire weather forecast over the next couple days, it's good to be mindful of the steps we can take to reduce fire risk.
The City of Portland's Firewise Community Program provides resources that help people prepare for, and reduce the impact of, a possible wildfire. The program offers free site assessments for homes, businesses and community spaces. These assessments provide advice and resources to protect loved ones and valuables from damage during a wildfire. Additional resources and tips provided by the program can be found here.
West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District also has a collection of helpful wildfire safety and prevention tips.
In the spirit of the Eena Festival, it's interesting to consider the impact that beavers can have on mitigating the impact of wildfires. Fire is also a natural part of an ecosystem that can ultimately provide many benefits to the land. Learn more about the ecology of fire and the significance of the Indigenous practice of Cultural Burning here.
Large patches of ivy can act as fuel for a wildfire, just one more good reason to remove ivy and plant native plants instead!
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Stay up to date on future volunteer or educational event opportunities and public health safety guidelines by checking the Portland Parks and Recreation Stewardship Calendar.
Harvest Moon Celebration - September 10, 630pm-9pm
Join Friends of Terwilliger for this fun event in the Terwilliger Parkway, where you can watch the moon rise with friends and neighbors. Treats will be provided!
Friends of Marquam Nature Park - September 14 and 24, 9am-Noon
Meet in the nature park for a restoration work party. Click the link above for work party meeting location and details.
Friends of Terwilliger - September 17, 9am-Noon
Meet in the parkway for a restoration work party. Click the link above for work party meeting location and details.
Goose Hollow Days - September 17, 10am-3pm
Join WWRC at this fun community street fair! The event features live music, food, kids activities, and more. Stop by our booth to grab a sticker, chat about native plants, and find out more about how to engage with the watershed in your neighborhood!
SOLVE - Various dates and times throughout Oregon
SOLVE volunteer activities typically involve litter clean up, invasive weed removal, and/or native planting. Check the list of current events to find one that fits best for you.
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