Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge Stewardship Event

Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge is hosting a stewardship event on Saturday, October 17, from 9 AM to 12 PM. You'll spend the morning improving the refuge's habitat by pulling non-native plants like Himalayan blackberry and mulching newly planted vegetation to help it survive. It's the kind of straightforward outdoor work that lets you see exactly what you've accomplished by the time you pack up.

The morning is run by Portland Parks & Recreation and the Friends of Oaks Bottom, a local stewardship group that does a lot more than just pull weeds. They lead guided nature walks, organize litter pickups with SOLVE, plant native crabapple, hawthorn, ninebark, and osier dogwood, remove invasive tansy ragwort and teasel, and mend fences. The refuge itself is managed by Portland Park Rangers.

Registration is required, and they've got you covered on the gear: gloves, tools, instruction, and light snacks are all provided. There's a portable restroom on-site, though it isn't ADA compliant, and children under 14 need to be accompanied by an attentive adult. The meeting site is at the North Parking Lot & Trailhead, about a 10-minute walk downhill on a paved path from where you park. If you're planning to come, keep that walk in mind when you're timing your morning.