Restoration Volunteer Steve Smith "It is a humble sight, the newly-planted tree: just a leafless gray stem standing not very tall at all. You could shove any old stick into the ground and get the same visual effect. Yet somehow, I never find myself wondering why I bothered to do this, or why I shambled out of bed on a Saturday morning to work in the dirt and the cold. Because the mornings (once I am awake) truly are beautiful, the work keeps me warm, and the weather is most often surprisingly kind. Looking at the swath of humble gray stems we have planted this morning, thinking of the new life waiting within each, I am nothing but glad to have risen early for this. Fast-forward to the spring and summer, and I do not have to think of that waiting new life anymore. It is done waiting and it is right there in front of me: the Oregon ash feeding finches and wood ducks with its seeds, the pink swamp roses offering pollen to bees and nectar to hummingbirds...the list goes on. One winter morning, my neighbors and I put a bunch of skinny gray sticks into the ground, and now I watch them bursting into color, scent, and crucial food and habitat for Johnson Creek wildlife. And that is, to say the least, a good feeling. And hey, the free doughnuts did not hurt either."
Restoration Volunteer Chris McMillan I first volunteered with JCWC in the Fall of 2001. Our first mission (should we choose to accept it): remove a stand of 'old-growth Himalayan blackberry canes' along Kelly Creek, a tributary of the Johnson Creek watershed. Is there anything more fun than blackberry removal? Yes! Planting a mix of cedar, salmonberry, and Oregon Ash in its place, and watching them take root and thrive. When you spend a day with the JCWC, lots of things happen: you help provide habitat for native species, you meet lots of friendly people, you get dirty!, you get coffee!, and you get a real sense of accomplishment working with good people trying to improve a beautiful part of our city. It's a different experience each time, too. At last weekend's Watershed Wide Event 2011, I got to plant a mix of understory plants just a few hundred feet downstream from where I grew up on the creek. At the event previous to that, it was pulling out English Ivy in the Foster Road floodplain restoration area. And every time, you have a good chance of seeing native creatures that you may have only seen in photos, who make their home in the watershed. There's nothing quite like seeing a crow-sized pileated woodpecker fly right by your head and land on a dead Alder snag, looking for food, or seeing a troop of Boy Scouts working in the rain without complaint. (Yes, the Boy Scout is a native creature). Come on out and find the joy in volunteering with the Johnson Creek Watershed Council! We'd love to meet you!
Volunteer
Month after month, volunteers make the work of the Johnson Creek Watershed Council possible. Whether it’s through planting trees and removing invasive species, reviewing land use applications, planning watershed events, attending meetings or advising on restoration projects, volunteers are the heart of the Johnson Creek Watershed Council.
If you have a particular area of interest that you would like to work in, special skills to share, or a specific field of knowledge, just let us know. Contact Amy Lodholz our Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator at 503-652-7477 or amy@jcwc.org and find out how you can help!
Ways to Volunteer
Become a Restoration Volunteer
Either individually, with friends, co-workers or family joining the Johnson Creek Watershed Council at a restoration event is a great way to volunteer. No skills, tools or additional commitments necessary to help.
Depending on the time of year, volunteers will join Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Amy Lodholz at several different sites to remove invasive species, mulch, or plant native trees and shrubs.
Restoration events are typically 2 to 3 hours in length with group’s size ranging from 15 to 50 volunteers. All tools, gloves and equipment are provided. We also have rain gear and rubber boots to borrow if you need them.
Please check the events calendar to view upcoming restoration events or email Amy Lodholz at amy@jcwc.org.
The Land Use Advocacy Committee
Fourth Tuesday of each month, 6:30-8pm
Location TBD; contact Jason Howard, Land Use Committee Chair at jasonhoward@h2ogeo.com for more information.
“Our mission is to protect the resources of the Johnson Creek Watershed by promoting community involvement in regulatory and judicial processes affecting the Watershed.”
Do you have an interest in the ins and outs of local land use planning? Do you ever wonder how or why a local housing or industrial development occurred or who provides the voice for the protection of our local natural resources? Do you know how open spaces are created? If so, join us. We are always looking for motivated volunteers who want to assist with protecting the resources of the Johnson Creek watershed. Opportunities include reviewing land use permit applications, providing technical advice and support to land use advocates, and talking with community members about the land use process. Knowledge of local land use issues is appreciated but not required to get involved.
The Outreach Task Force
The Outreach Task Force is dedicated to reaching out to the community to inspire and facilitate investment in the Johnson Creek Watershed. The Outreach Task Force gets people involved in watershed activities by representing the Council at a number of different public events. These events include street fairs and farmer markets and nonprofit and volunteer fairs. Members of the Task Force engage with the public by speaking on behalf of the Council about our volunteer opportunities, publications, and upcoming events.
The way to a healthy watershed is through people. For more information please contact Amy at 503-652-7477, or email amy@jcwc.org.
Events Committee
Committee Chair: Nicole Alexander
This committee meets monthly to help plan, organize and implement aseries of free, educational and fun community events called Johnson Creek Days. Do you enjoy planning events? Are you creative? Do you have strong organizational skills? Would you like to help with outreach and publicity? Would you enjoy brainstorming new partners and events?
We are looking for a group of about 15 volunteers (age 18 and over) to help with this committee. Please email Nicole at nicole@unionactive.com if you are interested or have any questions.
JCWC Internship
A JCWC internship is a great opportunity for volunteers who might be looking for college credit, additional work skills, or a long term volunteer opportunity. We offer internships throughout the year. A JCWC internship is typically 40 to 80 hours in length, and is completed over about 10 weeks. Depending on which JCWC staff member you work with, tasks will include research, grant writing, restoration, outreach, communications, data entry, event assistance, and various other tasks that may arise.
Current internship projects available: