SW Neighborhoods, Inc. Empowering Citizens since 1978

Want to enhance wildlife habitat in your backyard? Organize a group of neighbors to clean up the creek around the corner? Click on the links below for resources that can help you achieve these goals. Feel free to call the Watershed Resource Center at 503-823-2862 to seek guidance over the phone, or stop in during open hours.

• Technical Assistance Providers

  Seek help from in developing a plan for your property.

• Technical Reference Links

  Just looking for more information or a quick answer to a watershed question? Check here.

• Funding

  List of grant opportunities open to local landowners and/or stewardship groups.

• Native Plants

  Where to find them...nurseries and local plant sales.

• Natural Gardening

  Information on how to support beneficial insects and wildlife, manage pests without chemicals, and more.

• Referrals

  Contact the Watershed Center for the most up-to-date list of contractors who can help you remove invasives, plant natives, and/or manage stormwater.

• Workshops & Training Programs

  Learn how to do it yourself (and then teach a neighbor!)

New! Landscaping for Conservation workshop, Sunday Sept. 26th, 2010, from 1-4pm at the SW Community Center. Register by email or phone 503-823-2862.

Partnering Organizations and Related Programs

City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) Watershed projects in your neighborhood West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District Technical assistance and funding for native plants, erosion control, and other land management concerns. Staff assistance is prioritized especially toward larger acreage landowners, open tracts, and riparian landowners. OSU Master Watershed Steward Program Tualatin River Watershed Council

Online Native Plant Information

Naturescaping for Clean Rivers: How-to guide on native plant landscaping. Profiles many native plants. Register for a free workshop to learn more. Bosky Dell Natives, a plant nursery located just south of Portland. Scholls Valley Native Nursery Livingscape Nursery Other native plant nurseries in the Portland metro area Contact the WRC for assistance if you are looking for plants for a non-profit organization, community of faith, or a riparian landowner, as there may be assistance available. The Portland Bureau of Environmental Services has a native plant minigrant program for those who own property along a creek. Native Plant Society of Oregon - Portland chapter. Publishes Guidelines for Native Landscaping.

Gardening for Wildlife

Xerces Society for invertebrate conservation and protection of sensitive insect species, especially pollinators. Pacific Northwest Native Wildlife Gardening Backyard Habitat Certification Program, a program of Columbia Land Trust and Audubon Society of Portland.

Native Plant Professionals

PlantNative.org maintains a list of landscape architects, designers and contractors who are versed in Naturescaping and native plants. Contact the WRC if you are looking for assistance in removing invasive plants from your property.

Native Plant Sales

• East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District hosts an online bareroot plant sale with orders taken on a first come, first served basis in January. Pickup at EMSWCD office in mid-February.
• The Trillium Festival is hosted by the Friends of Tryon Creek State Natural Area, annually on the first weekend in April.
• Skyline Grange
• Berry Botanical Garden is moving to Portland State University. Read the exciting news on their website.
• Audubon Society of Portland host a plant sale annually in mid May.
• The Clackamas Community College Horticulture Club hosts a plant sale annually on the Friday afternoon before Mother's Day. Not exclusively native, but inexpensive plants.
• Tryon Creek Watershed Council holds an annual native plant sale each fall at the Watershed Resource Center. Fall is a good time to plant natives.

Natural & Chemical-Free Gardening

Metro has a multitude of resources:

• An overview of natural gardening, including pest management methods, chemical alternatives, information on where to buy, and other resources
• Composting, including construction plans for compost and worm bins
• Reducing waste around your home, and substituting non-toxic cleaning supplies.

The OSU Master Gardener program has returned to provide support in Portland and Multnomah County, in partnership with WMSWCD. Call 503-445-4608, Mon-Fri from 10 am to 2 pm, or stop by the office at 2701 NW Vaughn St., Suite 453.

Pet Waste

...a common question at the WRC. Dogs for the Environment Canines for Clean Water

Stormwater Management

Washington State Extension - Low Impact Development A series of worksheets to help you design a rain garden. Clean River Rewards Stormwater management information, technical assistance and financial incentive program for sewer/stormwater ratepayers in the City of Portland service area. Specific workbooks include:

• Site Assessment Guide
• Downspout Disconnection
• Soakage Trenches (also called French drains)
• Rain Barrels
• Rain Gardens

In development:

Erosion Control

Technical Permitting for Watershed Projects

Click here for Funding Resources.