gardening/farming

This is a family friendly opportunity, no experience is needed. Gloves, tools, water and snack provided.

Volunteer at Metro's Native Plant Center in Tualatin and help care for rare native plants, bulbs and other plant materials that support regional restoration projects. Summer activities include harvesting and cleaning seeds and maintaining native plant beds.

Registration is required. Please register online at www.oregonmetro.gov/volunteer

Portland Fruit Tree Project
Fall Tree Care: Pest & Disease ID and Assessment (hands-on workshop)

Sunday October 25th, 10am-1pm
SW Portland, Multnomah neighborhood
Click here to register now

In this hands-on workshop you will learn the basics of fall tree care and pest and disease management in order to increase the health and abundance of local fruit trees! This fun workshop will be an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the different types of tree fruit pests and diseases in the Portland area and what you can do about them in the fall. Please bring samples of pests or diseased wood/fruit from your own trees for identification.

About the instructor: 
Heidi Noordijk studied horticulture at Michigan State University and Cornell University - specializing in pomology (tree fruits). Heidi has participated in research projects involving apple tree physiology, berry production, and tree fruit entomology. Heidi has also worked on various orchards and farms in the PNW and east coast. Heidi currently works for OSU's Small Farms program. 

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required.

This workshop has a standard workshop fee of $25. Sliding scale and work-trade scholarships are available.

This workshop will be hosted by one of our registered tree owners in SW Portland, in the Multnomah neighborhood. Exact location details will be provided after you sign up.

Click here to register now

Check out our upcoming events 

Portland Fruit Tree Project 
Summer Pruning (Hands-on workshop)

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Wednesday July 8th, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
In this hands-on workshop you will learn the basics of summer pruning in order to increase the health and abundance of local fruit trees! Summer Pruning is a great time to de-invigorate an overgrown tree and encourage the continued development of fruiting laterals. This fun workshop will be an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the different types of pruning cuts and when these cuts should be used.

Click here to register now 

 This workshop has a standard workshop fee of $25.00. Sliding scale options are provided for those who feel unable to contribute at that level.  In addition, a limited amount of full scholarships and work-trade scholarships are available.

This workshop will be hosted by one of our registered tree owners in Portland. Exact location details will be provided after you sign up.

Click here to register now

In this hands-on workshop you will learn the basics of springtime pest and disease assessment and fruit thinning to increase the health and abundance of local fruit trees! This fun workshop will be an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the different types of pests and diseases commonly found in the Portland area as well as the importance and how-to of fruit thinning. If you have samples of pest and/or disease affected fruit, leaves, or twigs - please bring them to the workshop in a sealed container so we can try to ID them.

<<Click here to register>>

About the instructor: 
Jeffrey Harrison holds an M.A. in literary theory and has tutored writers of all ages at Street Roots, PCC - Rock Creek, and in online services.  His landscape contracting company is in its 7th year of providing consultation and building services to enhance native ecology, beauty, and sustainability.  He has also provided education and leadership to volunteers at Portland Fruit Tree Project for the past 4 years through the Tree Care Teams program.  He enjoys writing poetry and songs to sing and play on his guitar.

This workshop is free of charge (though contributions are gladly accepted) for tree owners who have registered fruit trees with us. Otherwise, please contribute the standard workshop fee of $25. Sliding scale options are provided for those who feel unable to contribute at that level.  In addition, a limited amount of full scholarships and work-trade scholarships are available.

The location address and other details will be provided after you register.

Click here to register now

Learn about the bees and wasps found at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands during a 2014 research project. The nesting behaviors of mason bees and four other types of bees, as well as two types of beneficial wasps will be discussed. The Jackson Bottom Wetlands is one of five sites in an extensive research project, being conducted by Ron Spendal and initially designed to document the presence of the grass carrying wasp in western Oregon. The project is now studying the life cycle dynamics and nesting behaviors of this fascinating solitary wasp. Free. Call 503-681-6283 to reserve a spot. Ron Spendal presents this class.