SE Uplift, the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services, East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, and OSU Extension Service are working to create an urban watershed stewards program in the Hosford-Abernethy neighborhood.

Curriculum will be chosen by the community and delivered by watershed health experts in the area on topics such as rainwater catchment, native plants, rain gardens, water conservation, green design, ecoroofs, invasives, natural pest and weed control, permitting, salmon in the city, urban wildlife, art, toxics in the home, trees, and drinking water.

Once the curriculum has been completed, course participants will identify and implement sustainable stormwater projects in their neighborhood.

Through the Tabor to the River Program – www.portlandonline.com/bes/tabortoriver – the City of Portland will install 500+ green streets, 3500 street trees, and build up to 100 private property stormwater facilities in southeast Portland over the next 10-15 years.

Even with the extensive green infrastructure projects planned and underway, the city cannot alone do all that is needed to restore watershed function into this urbanized area of Portland. Our watershed health is a shared resource we all depend on and everyone has a part to play in managing stormwater and reviving the native habitats of this area. Some residents are already taking great strides in removing invasives, planting natives, disconnecting downspouts, installing rain gardens and planting trees. These folks are model stewards for their neighbors and we aim to embolden and expand upon their efforts.

If you’re interested in participating in this course and becoming a Master Watershed Steward contact Tim O’Neal at 503-232-0010 or tim@southeastuplift.org. For an introduction to the program you can attend a workshop at Welcome the Rain that will describe the aspects of the program. You can find information about this event at http://www.emswcd.org/welcome-the-rain/2010-workshops-and-schedule.