When compared to nearby forests and natural areas, urban areas have less vegetation and more roadways, parking lots, sidewalks, roof-tops, etc. These impervious surfaces prevent rainfall from soaking into the ground naturally. Instead, rainfall travels quickly over these impervious surfaces, picking up pollutants such as automobile oil and brake dust along the way. This storm water runoff typically goes untreated directly into local waterways negatively impacting water quality for people, fish and wildlife.
As part of a larger effort to bring healthy watershed function back to the neighborhood, Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is partnering with East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District (EMSWCD) to host a free Rain Garden 101 and a free Naturescaping Basics workshop in the Beaumont-Wilshire community!
These workshops provide step-by-step details on how to plan, design and build your own rain garden, as well as sustainable landscaping techniques. Join your neighbors and find out how rain gardens can benefit the fish, wildlife and people that are connected to our local waterways.
In the Naturescaping Basics workshop, find out how to use native plants to create landscapes that conserve water, reduce pollution, and provide healthy habitats while saving you time, money and energy.
Join us on February 15th, 2014 at the Hollywood Senior Center for Raingarden 101 workshop from 9:00am until 1:00pm.
On March 2nd, 2014 we will be at the Hollywood Library for our Naturescaping Basics workshop from 1:00pm until 5:00pm.
Please refer to http://emswcd.org/workshops-and-events/upcoming-workshops/ for alternate dates if you cannot attend on these days.
We look forward to partnering with you! Your backyard plays a big part in our watershed. To learn more, contact Katie Meckes at 503.935.5368 or katie@emswcd.org, or Mathangi Murthy at 503.823.5729 or mathangi.murthy@portlandoregon.gov