Marquam Nature Park Stewardship Event

Marquam Nature Park is hosting a stewardship event on Wednesday, October 14, from 9 AM to 12 PM. It's run by Portland Parks & Recreation's Natural Areas Stewardship Program, which brings together volunteers of all ages to help maintain and restore the city's natural spaces. The goal is to keep the park's trails safe for visitors and protect the habitat for the wildlife and insects that call the area home.

The work itself is straightforward: teams of volunteers pull invasive species like English ivy and Himalayan blackberry. Clearing those out opens up habitat for wildlife and gives native plants the room they need to return, which in turn helps hold the soil and cut water runoff. It's the kind of hands-on work that makes a visible difference in the landscape, and you'll be working alongside other people from around the city.

If you keep an eye out while you're there, you might spot one of the park's residents—a barred owl that can be seen peering through the autumn foliage. It's a nice reminder of exactly what this kind of work is for.

The event takes place at the Towhee Trailhead, 3725 SW Marquam Hill Rd, Portland, OR 97239. Registration is required to take part, and children under 14 must be accompanied by an attentive adult. It runs from 9 AM to 12 PM on Wednesday, October 14.