To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Watershed Wide Event we want to take a look back over the next 15 weeks.
We invite you to review event highlights and accomplishments each week leading up to the event on March, 2, 2013.
Week 1
1998: The Birth of Watershed Wide Event
The event was held on October 3 with a total of 244 volunteers contributing 825 total volunteer hours.
Volunteers came from many different walks of life, like Boy Scout Troop 466, Bank of America, Congressman Blumenauer’s office, and many students ranging from middle school to undergraduates.
The event had six activities for volunteers:
- riparian planting
- native plant propagation
- invasive plant ID and removal
- salmon life cycle education
- water and land education
- water-friendly homes education
Attendees were even given a ‘WWE Passport’ which allowed them to earn stamps for each activity that they participated in.
Volunteers removed thousands of pounds of trash and invasive species and planted 180 native trees. Beaver guards were also installed. There was great food and entertainment after the event at Gresham Main City Park.
Week 2
1999: Crystal Springs Habitat Enhancement
This year, the WWE was on September 25th with 215 volunteers. Another smashing success; with 7,500 pounds of invasive plant species removed, as well as 1,400 native and wetland plants installed. Strangely, old tires seem to gravitate towards the creek, as this year volunteers pulled out 19 tires, even after pulling out 15 tires the first year.
Major work was done to help the Crystal Springs Restoration Project, as our volunteers helped plant 650 native trees and shrubs on the shores of Crystal Springs Lake. (See Crystal Springs Enhancement PDF). For those that frequent the Eastmoreland Golf Course, the hard work that our volunteers contributed to this event will be evident when walking the fairways near Crystal Springs Lake.
2000: Watershed Summit
Instead of hosting the Watershed Wide Event, it was decided that this year was a good time to hold a summit concerning the state of the watershed and what the plan going forward should be.
The event was open to the public and was held on November 18th at Marshall High School. There was a widespread list of participants representing many different organizations and entities.
There was a town hall style meeting during which there was open discussion regarding what people value the most about Johnson Creek. There were speakers ranging from the JCWC board, Milwaukie City Council, and even Congressman Earl Blumenauer.
In the end, the summit produced a guide for restoration planning as well as a list of eight priority area locations that would benefit the health of the creek the most. To conclude all their hard work, attendees were treated to delicious food and live music.
2001: Earth Day Watershed Wide
For the first time Watershed Wide was held on Earth Day – April 21, 2001. There were seven designated restoration sites along the creek where volunteers learned and helped with restoring the creek.
JCWC decided to hold the event on Earth Day to highlight what Earth Day is all about: connecting people to nature – even in the middle of the city where they live and work – IE, the Johnson Creek Watershed.
High school students from David Douglas presented their water quality-monitoring program at the Eastmoreland Golf Course at this Watershed Wide as well. Students from this school have been participating in Watershed Wide activities for over 10 years.
See a flyer from this year’s event here.