September 8, 2010
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Sustainability
Making Rain Water an Asset
Gresham resident Jody Depew looks over her beautiful rain
garden that was made possible by winning the city’s rain garden
raffle in 2009.
David Farmer and Kate Hibschman disconnect a home's downspouts to allow roof runoff to soak
back into lawns and landscaping, recharging groundwater.
Healthy streams
program offers
free resources
and gran t funds betw een the
C ity's W atershed D ivision and
East M ultnomah Soil and W ater
Conservation District.
Gresham residents are also eli­
gible to receive one free native tree
"Where does the water go?" It's to plant this fall. Trees offered:
a question we tackle in grade school Western Red Cedar; Western Hem­
and an environmental concern long lock; Douglas Fir; Gary White Oak;
after the science lesson is over. A Big LeafMaple and Ponderosa Pine.
local Healthy Streams Program of­ The tree will either be delivered to
fers free resources to Gresham resi­ your home or can be picked up at
dents to help reduce pollution to City Hall in October.
local creeks and wetlands.
You can register for a free rain
"Rain w ater is an asset we often garden workshop at H ollydale El­
overlook," says Jamie Stamberger, ementary School from 8:30 to 3:30
Environm ental Services w ater­ p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11.
shed outreach coordinator. "We
The session will show how to
can incorporate rain into our land­ help local creeks from your own
scapes with dow nspout discon­ back yard by building rain gar­
nection and rain gardens, which dens, disconnecting your dow n­
add interest and beauty and keep spouts and gardening organically
polluted runoff out o f local creeks with native plants.
at the same time," she said.
Another resource for Gresham
W hen the rains start this fall, residents are free at-home visits from
four Gresham homes will be soak­ knowledgeable staff to help you get
ing it up in style with their new started on your natural gardening
ra in
g a rd e n s .
In s te a d o f projects. The visits include free
storm w ater running o ff their roofs start-up tools and information on
to the street and being delivered natural gardening, landscaping with
through pipes directly to the near­ native plants, removing invasive
est stream , their ro o f w ater will weeds, toxics reduction techniques,
filter through a beautiful bow k backyard wildlife habitat, at-home
shaped planted landscaped area stormwater management and water
known as a "rain garden," allow ­ conservation.
ing the recharge o f ground water.
M any n e ig h b o rh o o d s have
The City is raffling four free large water quality facilities in the
rain gardens, including labor and form o f rain gardens, ponds or
plants, to raise public aw areness swales that collect and filter run­
o f storm water management. Dead­ o ff from streets and rooftops col­
line to enter is Thursday, Sept. 9, lectively.
and w inners will be announced
To participate in any o f the free
Sept. 11. To be eligible, staff m ust activities above, contact Jam ie
confirm the safety o f your site. Stamberger at 503-618-2793. More
Call the city at 503-618-2793.
details about each activity are
These free program s are made online at G resham O regon.gov/
possible through a partnership w atershed.
Neighborhood Economic Development
Roundtable
Monday September 13, 2010
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Portland State University | Smith Memorial Ballroom | 1 825 SW Broadway
Help shape neighborhood economic development in Portland!
Join national and local experts, city decision-makers, and other community leaders
for a day of learning, interaction, and dialogue.
Your input is vital to develop a guiding strategy to:
•
Expand economic opportunity and grow jobs
• Create community/public/private partnerships
•
Develop new resources for neighborhoods
•
Build capacity for local organizations
•
Implement community action projects
Space is limited.
Register today and contribute your expertise and vision.
For more information, visit us online at:
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Planning and Sustainability
THE PORTIAMO PtAM_
Portland State
U N IV I R IlT Y
Event is free. Lunch will be provided. Translation and childcare available upon advanced request.