Water & Soil

Capture Runoff Water When: Thu May 30, 2013 6PM-9PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NE Eastman Pky Get Map!

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

East Multnomah Soil and Water District (EMSWCD) is hosting a FREE rain garden workshop at Gresham City Hall Council Chambers. Join us for hors d’ oeuvres, beverages and learn how to build a rain garden. Eligible Gresham residents will receive a $200 cash incentive.

After big holiday meals, no one likes to be the one stuck doing clean-up But if you aren't careful with leftover gravy, pan drippings and sauces a grease-clogged drain could end up costing you a bundle.

When fats, oils and grease are poured down the drain, they stick to the inside of pipes causing messy sewer backups and expensive cleanup and repair in your home

The simple solution
Pour the grease into a can, freeze it, and toss the can in the trash.

Weed Watcher Workshop When: Tue Jun 12, 2012 7PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall SpringwaterTrail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

What spring weeds cause problems here? Help us fight off Gresham’s weedy invaders by participating as a Weed Watcher.

The Spring Weeds workshop will cover milk thistle, bull thistle, Scotch thistle, yellow archangel, shining geranium, morning glory, garlic mustard, Russian knapweed and Tree of Heaven.

Free workshop. No RSVP required

Help us fight off Gresham’s weedy invaders by participating as a Weed Watcher in our Early Detection, Rapid Response Program. By familiarizing yourself with problem weeds in our area, you can help us stop these plants in their tracks.

All you have to do is attend one (or all) of our free invasive weed ID classes and use your new plant ID skills to alert us to weeds in Gresham. With your help, we can keep our city and homes weed free.

Add a rain garden! When: Sat Apr 7, 2012 9AM-12PM Hollydale Elementary School 505 SW Birdsdale Drive Gresham, OR Get Map!

Build your own rain garden at home to help reduce water pollution and create urban habitat for birds and butterflies.

Free Workshop
This free rain garden workshop with City staff includes classroom discussion, hands-on activities and demonstrations, a rain garden tour, a free raffle and refreshments. Naturescaping and other natural gardening techniques will also be discussed.

Space is limited – call or email to register.

The City has four $200 rain garden grants still available for homeowners who build their own. To be eligible, staff must confirm safety of your site by May 18. We strongly encourage anyone planning to build a rain garden to attend the rain garden workshop.

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.

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.

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.

Upgrading Your Landscape? Install a Rain Garden and receive up to $200

Hurry, Deadline April 15th

The Healthy Streams Program offers free services for Gresham residents including $200 rain garden grants for homeowners, free downspout disconnection services, at-home natural gardening consultation visits, free workshops and free trees. To be eligible for downspout disconnection services and rain garden grants, staff must confirm the safety of your site. Deadline to pre-qualify for rain garden grants is April 15

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

When: Saturday, Mar 5, 2011 8:30AM - 3:30PM
Hollydale Elementary School
505 SW Birdsdale Drive
Gresham, OR
Get Map!

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 to register. The city is offering $200 rain garden grants for homeowners who build their own – to be eligible, staff must confirm safety of your site.

Visit the City's Rain Garden website for more information.

Slough 101, free workshop www.columbiaslough.org

Learn about the history, water, wildlife, and current issues of the Columbia Slough

When: Saturday Mar 12, 2011 8:45AM - 1:00PM
Where: Multnomah County Drainage Districts
1880 NE Elrod Drive
Portland
Get Map!

Ever wonder about that slow-moving channel of water running through Gresham, Fairview, and Northeast, and North Portland?

Free workshop

Learn about the history, water, wildlife, and current issues of the Columbia Slough at Slough 101. Slough experts will lead hands-on activities including a tour of a pump station and macroinvertebrate discovery.

Pre-registration is required for this free workshop, and light refreshments will be provided. Suitable for adults and teens 14 and up.