Workshops

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When: Tue Jan 31, 2012 7-9:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

Birds of Prey Lecture
Hawks, eagles and falcons have always fascinated people. Metro naturalist James Davis will discuss how to tell these groups of raptors apart and the key points for identifying the most common species in Oregon. You will also learn about the natural history of birds of prey and the amazing adaptations of these birds for catching and killing their prey.

In addition to slides, there will be stuffed study skins of the most common species for up-close looks. This class will get you primed for the Metro's Raptor Road Trip Feb 4th on Sauvie Island, or any outings of your own.

Freshwater mussel

Volunteer Opportunity! When: Sat, Sep 24, 2011 10AM-1:30PM Where: Bundy Reserve (contact for exact location) Gresham OR Get Map!

Find Freshwater Mussels
The City and Johnson Creek Watershed Council seek volunteers to come learn about these creatures and spend two hours searching for them from 10AM to 1:30PM on Saturday Sep 24 in Gresham. All ages welcome.

Last year's survey results were astounding. Extensive beds of Western pearlshell mussels were identified. This, and finding four adult Coho salmon last fall, tells us the Gresham reaches of Johnson Creek are able to once again support these native fish. Probably in part due to the cleaning power of the mussels!

Rain Garden, Functional beauty

Ready for the rainy season? Add a rain garden! When: Sat Aug 27, 2011 9AM-1PM Hollydale Elementary School 505 SW Birdsdale Drive Gresham, OR Get Map!

Rain garden: Landscaping that absorbs water from your roof or driveway

Free Workshop
Improve water quality and wildlife habitat at home by building your own rain garden, disconnecting your downspouts and gardening with native plants. This free rain garden workshop with City staff includes classroom discussion, hands-on activities, rain garden tour, free raffle and refreshments. Space is limited – call or email (below) to register.

When: Sat Jun 4, 2011 10AM-12PM Where: SnowCap Community Charities 17805 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get map!

Let's Get Dirty!
Join us for a free soil & composting workshop sponsored by SnowCap Community Charities.

Heather Haven from Concentrates will discuss how to maintain healthy soil for your garden and will provide general guidelines for effective composting. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn from a pro! Registration required.

When: Sat Jun 4, 2011 11AM-4PM Where: Throughout Portland Metro Area (Details emailed prior to event) Registration for this event is open through Thursday, June 2, 2011. Register here!

See the Best of the Best!
Grab a friend and enjoy this behind-the-scenes access to naturescaped gardens that are bursting with creativity on this self-guided tour! The Naturescaping for Backyard Habitats Tour is your chance to chat with garden hosts and dig up fresh ideas for how to create exceptional backyard habitats in your own yard. Explore inventive use of small garden spaces, check out unique rain gardens, discover resourceful ways to incorporate edibles into your landscape, and much much more!

Healthy Eating Active Living website

Promoting healthier food options and physical activity Second Community Forum Tuesday June 28th 5:30PM

When: Tue, Jun 28, 2011 5:30PM-7:30PM
Where: Rockwood Public Library
17917 SE Stark St
Gresham, OR
Get map!

Share Your Experience

Join us as the City hosts "Healthy Eating Active Living" its second community forum for you to share your thoughts on how the built environment helps and/or hinders the ability to have access to healthy foods and active living opportunities.

The purpose of the forum is to provide a venue to hear the community's thoughts on what helps and hinders their access to healthy food options and physical activity. We'll also be sharing best practices from other jurisdictions on how to address obesity through the built environment (land uses, parks, transportation). The forum will also include information on the Gresham Transportation System Plan update and the Metro-led project East Metro Connections.

This community forum will be held in English and Spanish. Translators will be available to assist.

What is Healthy Eating Active Living?

Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) promotes equitable access and opportunities to healthy, affordable food and to active living. It examines how health may be affected by the built environment by promoting healthier food options and physical activity through daily routines.

Landscaping naturally When: Sat May 7, 2011 9AM-1PM Where: Hall Elementary School Cafeteria 2505 NE 23rd St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Naturescaping Basics Workshop

This workshop introduces the concept of naturescaping: chemical free landscaping with native plants, and also covers:

• time and maintenance savings
• reduction/elimination of water and chemical use
• increasing and improving wildlife habitat
• watershed stewardship
• basic site or project planning and many other great gardening tips

Workshop participants get to view before and after naturescaping examples, take a field trip to a nearby project, get advice on landscape design and native gardening, network with neighbors, and learn about native plants.

Free Gardening Workshop! When: Thur May 19, 2011 3:30PM-4:30PM Where: SnowCap Community Charities 17805 SE Stark St Gresham, OR Get Map!

Green Thumb Not Required

Join certified organic gardener Joy Davies and master gardener Diane Liefeld as they demonstrate how anyone can garden, even without a plot of land. They will show you how a five-gallon bucket with good soil can yield a vibrant crop of vegetables, including tomatoes or peppers. Register below.

When: Sunday, May 22, 2011 1PM-4PM Troutdale City Conference Bldg 223 S Buxton Rd Troutdale, OR Get Map!

Planning new landscape? Add a rain graden landscaping that absorbs water from your roof or driveway

Free Workshop

Improve water quality and wildlife habitat at home by building your own rain garden

Rain gardens are a great way to add beautiful landscaping to your yard and protect overloaded urban streams at the same time. You will learn how to site, plan, and build your own rain garden.

You will learn how to assess your site to determine the best location and size, calculate impervious surfaces, determine soil suitability, choose appropriate plants, and how to maintain your new rain garden. You will also receive a comprehensive manual that shows all the steps to constructing a rain garden. Register below.

When: Friday, May 27, 2011 7:30AM-8:30AM Where: Nadaka Nature Park 17500 NE Pacific St Gresham, OR Get map! Cost: Free

Greet the Morning
Join Jim Labbe with the Audubon Society of Portland and Lee Dayfield with Wilkes East Neighborhood Association for a morning stroll through Nakada Nature Park in West Gresham on Friday, May 27th at 7:30AM.

We’ll explore the natural and human history of this unique neighborhood nature park and learn about efforts afoot to expand the park, improve access and environmental interpretation, and enhance its wildlife habitat. We’ll also begin the documenting of bird species inhabiting the park and discuss the value of urban natural areas to avian biodiversity.