June 2021 Contents

Thank you Lorena for all your great work on the
Stormwater Stars program over past few years!

 

We want to give a special shout out to our former Stormwater Programs Specialist (SPS) Lorena O’Neill. Lorena took over the Stormwater Stars (SWS) program in 2017, and has consistently provided excellent workshops to demonstrate ways that people can work together to encourage and create rain and habitat friendly landscapes.

Lorena was a joy to work with for WWRC staff, SWS workshop hosts and volunteers, and community partners, and will be missed greatly by everyone who has been involved with SWS! We are sad to see her leave, but are excited for her opportunity to pursue new projects.

Westside Watershed Resource Center will be looking to hire a new SPS in the near future. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for the job description and details on how to apply!

 

It may be dry right now, but bioswales are still providing benefit throughout our neighborhoods.
    

Back in December, we made a video highlighting all the benefits that bioswales provide to our neighborhoods as they capture rain water, filter pollution, and create habitat for wildlife. You can check out that video here.

We likely won’t see much rain over the next few months, but these street side planters still have a lot to offer. The shade and habitat they create provides refuge for birds and small mammals, and many of the native plants that grow in a bioswale are likely either making flowers or fruit right now, which are important resources for pollinators and other animals.

Learn about how you can create or care for a bioswale in your neighborhood here. 


This is the same bioswale shown in our video. The video was shot in December, and this photo shows the bioswale in full bloom in June! 

Boot brushes help reduce weed seeds in our natural spaces.
 

Warm and sunny weather typically brings out hikers to one of the Portland area's many beautiful natural spaces. We all have a responsibility to care for these spaces to keep them beautiful, and one way we can do that is by preventing the spread of invasive weeds (like english ivy, himalayan blackberry and others).

A simple way to prevent the spread of invasive weeds is to avoid tracking weed seeds from one location to another. For hikers, these seeds very commonly hitch a ride on shoes, socks, and even pets! An easy way to keep these seeds from spreading is to clean your shoes before and after you hike. Some trailheads have boot brushes you can use (like the one pictured below), but you can also keep your own brush handy for seed removal on the go (any old toothbrush or similar brush can work).  

You can learn more about boot brushing and invasive weeds here.  

Look for boot brushes at trailheads to quickly clean seeds from your shoes before and after you hit the trail (photo courtesy of Columbia Gorge CWMA).    

Here are some other good ways to prevent their spread during summer recreation activities.

Graphic courtesy of Columbia Gorge CWMA.