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(Photo courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation)
By The Skanner News | The Skanner News
Published: 24 October 2024

Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) No Ivy League invites volunteers for the city’s 21st annual No Ivy Day events on October 26.  When left unchecked, ivy vines can grow to the size of large tree branches, harming native trees and reducing biodiversity in our valued Northwest ecosystems.

no ivy day med(Photo courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation)Join a volunteer event at one of the many sites across the Portland metro area to show your support. Since 2011, PP&R volunteers have removed nearly a quarter million square feet of ivy from Portland’s parks and natural areas. Along the way, they’ve spotted hawks, salamanders, hummingbirds and other amazing wildlife. Volunteers have also worked with staff to remove trash from our beloved green spaces and plant new, beneficial, native vegetation.

Events will involve hiking and working on uneven ground, so wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes, and bring a water bottle and snacks. PP&R will provide project instruction, tools, gloves, water and snacks. 

Rocky Butte Natural Area Join Portland Parks & Recreation to remove English ivy at this special east side park! Rocky Butte has a fascinating history and is home to various native wildlife. We will be working in a steep area and will be removing tree ivy to protect this important tree canopy. Due to steep terrain, people 16 years of age or older should volunteer for this site. 

Wilkes Creek Natural Area 

Join the Columbia Slough Watershed Council in Wilkes Creek Natural Area to remove English ivy. Hang out with your neighbors and see who can pull the longest piece of ivy! Wilkes Creek is one of the only remaining surface creeks that still flows into the Columbia Slough, making it a critical freshwater source. Work being done at this event will help protect the existing tree canopy and open areas for new native plant installation, which benefits water quality and wildlife. 

Kelly Butte Natural Area 

Join Portland Parks & Recreation to remove English ivy at this hidden gem of a park. Kelly Butte has a fascinating history and is home to so much native wildlife. Volunteers will work in sloped area with uneven ground while removing English ivy to protect this important habitat.

Leach Botanical Garden 

Join Leach Botanical Garden and Johnson Creek Watershed Council for a rewarding day of habitat restoration in the Back 5 Community Habitat Enhancement Project area at Leach Botanical Garden! Volunteers will remove invasive English ivy from this special natural space, which is being carefully restored to support local wildlife and native plant species. The Back 5 project is a collaborative effort, supported by dedicated partners committed to enhancing urban habitats and fostering a deeper connection to the land and each other.

Mt. Tabor Park  

Join Portland Parks & Recreation and Friends of Mt. Tabor Weed Warriors to remove invasively growing English ivy and Himalayan blackberry at this unique natural area. 

April Hill Park 

Join Friends of April Hill Park to tackle English ivy in this natural area. Meet by the Giant Sequoia near the playground and then head into the park’s natural area, where clearly marked sections will guide the work. Learn best practices and techniques for ivy removal without harming native plants. 

Fanno Creek Natural Area 

Join Westside Watershed Resource Center for a morning of English ivy removal at this little natural area that Fanno Creek runs through on its way to the Tualatin River. Fanno Creak is a 15-mile-long meandering urban stream that supports native fish species such as sculpin and coastal cutthroat trout. Walk a short distance from the road to a flat, wooded area along the creek to remove ivy.  

Governors Park  

Join Portland Parks & Recreation to remove English ivy from this lovely Natural Area nestled into the southwest Portland hills. Acquired in 1894, this park was dedicated while Sylvester Pennoyer was Governor of Oregon (1894-1901), giving the park its name. Pennoyer was the first person to donate property to the city of Portland specifically for park purposes.

Hoyt Arboretum  

Volunteer to care for Hoyt Arboretum’s trees and trails with the Saturday Crew for No Ivy Day. With 189 acres and more than 6,000 trees along 12 miles of trails, volunteers are incredibly important to maintaining Hoyt Arboretum’s tree collection and trail system. This is a unique opportunity for volunteers to learn about and care for rare and unusual trees and plants from around the world.  

Marshall Park  

Join Tryon Creek Watershed Council for a morning of ivy removal at Marshall Park. The park is home to the main stem of Tryon Creek, which supports a healthy population of coastal cutthroat trout. 

Marquam Nature Park 

The Forest Park Conservancy will be leading invasive species removal efforts in Marquam Nature Park, celebrating No Ivy Day in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation. Hike into the forest and remove invasive English ivy from along trails to make way for native plantings throughout the fall and winter. 

Washington Park 

Washington Park is one of the oldest parks in Portland. Remove weedy growing English ivy along the service road and Multnomah Athletic Club trail (MAC trail), situated between the rose garden and the soon to be completed reservoir. This area of the park sees a lot of foot traffic, especially locals walking dogs and runners (the MAC trail connects Multnomah Athletic Club to the Wildwood Trail).

Woods Memorial 

Join Portland Parks & Recreation and Friends of Woods Park for the monthly volunteer event and annual No Ivy Day at Woods Memorial Natural Area. Volunteers will be removing invasive English ivy from this beautiful natural area in southwest Portland, which is part of the Fanno Creek watershed and home to two forks of Woods Creek. With around 98% of the landscape covered by native plant species, this peaceful site attracts wildlife and offers a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature. 

Forest Park 

Forest Park Conservancy will be working on the Leif Erikson Trail in Forest Park, celebrating No Ivy Day in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation. Hike into the forest, removing invasive English ivy from along the trail to make way for fall and winter native plantings. 

 

Visit the PP&R No Ivy Day web page for more information and to register.  

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