Arbor Month
April is Arbor Month!
Arbor Day is America’s National Tree Holiday, observed on the last Friday of April to celebrate the role of trees in our lives and to promote tree planting and care. Here in Lake Oswego, we celebrate the entire month of April as Lake Oswego Arbor Month. Click here to read the City’s proclamation.
For 35 years, the City of Lake Oswego has earned Tree City USA (TCUSA) recognition from the National Arbor Day Foundation for demonstrating a strong commitment to managing and caring for trees. Cities earn TCUSA status by meeting four standards: maintaining a tree board (the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Advisory Board), having a tree ordinance, spending a minimum $2 per capita on urban forest management, and proclaiming and celebrating Arbor Day annually.
This year, the Arbor Day Foundation also presented Lake Oswego with its sixth TCUSA Growth Award, which recognizes innovative projects and higher levels of tree care by participating Tree City USA communities. The Growth Award was awarded to Lake Oswego for: preemptively treating 28 ash trees in Foothills Park with systemic injections to defend against Emerald ash borer infestation; planting more trees than were removed on City owned and managed properties, including 119 trees removed and 10,553 trees planted; and, hosting seven free Urban & Community Forestry educational workshops throughout 2023.
Bee City USA, too!
Lake Oswego is also celebrating Bee City USA recognition! Lake Oswego habitats support a variety of wildlife such as bees, butterflies, birds, insects, and other pollinators. In August 2023, City Council adopted a resolution to outline program commitments such as sustaining pollinator-friendly habitats, a comprehensive integrated pest management (IPM) program, and hosting community engagement events focused on pollinator conservation. In alignment with sustainability, land management and community goals, the City proudly achieved Bee City USA affiliation in September 2023, joining 201 other Bee City USA communities across the country. An initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Bee City USA aims to connect communities with pollinators and provides a framework for communities to support native pollinator conservation. Visit https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec/bee-city-0 to learn more.
Checkout the 2024 Urban & Community Forestry Newsletter and find fun ways to celebrate trees during Arbor Month and throughout the year below.
Treemendous Ways to Celebrate Events & Activities:
TRILLIUM FESTIVAL
Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tryon Creek State Natural Area, 11321 S. Terwilliger Boulevard
Join Friends of Tryon Creek for a festive day in the woods to celebrate the return of the Trillium, an early season perennial native to our local forests, at the 44th Annual Trillium Festival. In addition to the Native Plant Sale, this family friendly event includes a Gardening Resources Fair and interactive learning stations around the Nature Center and trails. More event details are available at www.tryonfriends.org/calendar.
HERITAGE TREE CELEBRATION
Tuesday, April 9, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 4th Street
Bring your friends and neighbors to gather near the library entrance and admire the 72-inch diameter giant sequoia directly across the street! This is one of four new Heritage Trees designated by the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Advisory Board earlier this year. Learn all about the City’s Heritage Tree Program and fun facts about giant sequoias, then grab a cookie and stroll over to take a closer look at this magnificent tree. Bartlett Tree Experts will be giving away seedlings, too!
TREES FOR POLLINATORS WORKSHOP
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Iron Mountain Park, 2401 Iron Mountain Road
Join Parks & Recreation staff to explore the relationship between trees and pollinators. Participants will learn about Pacific Northwest tree species and the pollinators they attract, then plant some of these pollinator-friendly trees in the park. Dress for weather and wear close-toed shoes. Capacity limited to 25 participants. Call (503) 534-5438 or email stewardship@lakeoswego.city for free registration.
BARNYARD TALES
Thursday, April 18, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Luscher Farm Bunkhouse Classroom, 125 Rosemont Road
Children ages 5 years and younger are invited to the Farm for an Arbor Month story. The featured book is “Alexander Appleseed” and participants will take home an apple with seeds to plant at home! Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Pre-registration is required and capacity is limited. Enroll at loparks.org.
OAK WOODLAND RESTORATION
Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Park at 14903 Westlake Drive
Join Oswego Lake Watershed Council for a morning of land tending and restoration at Westlake HOA Oak Woodland. This beautiful oak woodland habitat is home to centuries old Oregon white oaks and a diversity of wildlife. Volunteers will learn about Oregon white oak ecology, land tending and the cultural value of oak ecosystems, and help remove invasive species and plant natives. For additional information and free registration, visit https://forms.gle/nBagNN6CjZ7uc4R8A.
SUSTAINABILITY RESOURCE FAIR
Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lakeridge Middle School, 4700 Jean Road
In celebration of Earth Day, the City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board, Lake Oswego School District, Lake Oswego Sustainability Network, and Oswego Lake Watershed Council are holding the 3rd Annual Lake Oswego Sustainability Resource Fair. Come learn what diverse organizations across our community are doing to advance sustainability. This year’s fair will include even more hands-on activities and free resources to learn how you can help protect the environment, save money, and live well, including an EV ride-and-drive and free electronic waste recycling with Green Century Recycling. More details at: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/sustainability/sustainability-resource-fair-0.
SPRINGBROOK PARK PRESCHOOL NATURE WALK
Wednesday, April 24, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Springbrook Park, Park at Uplands Elementary School or along the street, 2055 Wembley Park Road, meet at the park kiosk behind the playground
Preschoolers can join Friends of Springbrook Park for a fun and interactive nature walk through Springbrook Park. Exploration buckets will be provided for hands on discovering. This event is free and no pre-registration is required. Preschoolers need to be accompanied by an adult. Questions: Anne Lider 503-701-2291 or anne.lider@gmail.com.
BE A TREE HERO
Saturday, April 27, 9 to 11 a.m., International Leadership Academy, 14788 Boones Ferry Road
Parent and Child invasive ivy pull together! Join the Oswego Lake Watershed Council and help save the trees next to Springbrook Park. Please wear sturdy footwear and gloves for upland forest work. Contact stephanie@oswegowatershed.org with questions. Or, be a TREE HERO in your own yard. Pull ivy during the month of April and send before and after pictures to stephanie@oswegowatersned.org to receive a special gift.
OREGON WHITE OAK PLANTING PARTY
Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Woodmont Park, 13492 Atwater Lane
Celebrate Lake Oswego Arbor Month with a community tree-planting event! Join Parks & Recreation staff to learn about Oregon white oaks and practice proper planting techniques by helping to install new trees in the park. All ages welcome. Dress for weather and wear close-toed shoes. No restrooms. Parking is limited, please carpool or ride your bike. This event is supported with grant funding from Oregon Community Trees. Call (503) 534-5438 or email stewardship@lakeoswego.city for free registration.
STEWARDSHIP WORK PARTIES
Over 460 acres of park natural areas and open spaces in the City contribute to important habitat for plants and animals, watershed and stormwater management and health. These park natural areas also provide places for the community to connect with nature. Join a Friends of the Parks volunteer habitat restoration work party to help keep our park natural areas and open spaces healthy and beautiful:
- Sunday, April 7, 1 to 3 p.m., Woodmont Park, Parking near the intersection of Knaus Road and Atwater Road
Give Mother Nature a helping hand in this 7-acre natural park. Join Friends of Woodmont Park to restore habitat that is home to pollinators, birds, and animals. - Sunday, April 21, 1 to 3 p.m., Freepons Park, Parking at 1399 Bickner Street
Make a Wish at the famous Wishing Tree as you enter Freepons Park! Then take a walk and participate in a creative Nature Scavenger Hunt highlighting trees, plants, birds, and bugs found in Freepons Park. Thanks to Friends of Hallinan Heights Woods for leading this interactive and family friendly event. - Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Southwood Park, Parking at 6200 Pamela Street
Volunteers must sign the Stewardship Waiver form upon arrival to the work party site. Dress for weather and wear closed toe shoes. Bring gloves and water to drink. Restrooms are not available. If you have any questions, contact Eric Hirshberger, Natural Areas Crew Leader, at 503-534-5661 or stewardship@lakeoswego.city.
LAKE OSWEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Celebrate Arbor Month with a book and a kid’s craft! Throughout April, the Lake Oswego Public Library, located at 706 4th Street, will have tree-themed books on display. Visit the Children’s library on the lower level to pick up a take-home craft kit for kids. Each kit includes supplies and instructions to create a Pinecone Pollinator! Arbor Month Art Contest entries will be on electronic display from mid-April through mid-May. Open daily: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
TREE OF THE WEEK
Each week during Arbor Month, Parks & Recreation is highlighting a “Tree of the Week”. Visit these unique trees in their respective parks to experience them for yourself and learn some interesting facts! The “Tree of the Week” will be revealed on the City’s social media accounts. For more information, visit www.ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec/arbor-month-parks-recreation.
BUZZWORTHY BEE NAME SURVEY
Exciting News! The Parks & Recreation Community Stewardship Program is buzzing with energy and we need YOUR help to name our adorable bee character! This new pollinator friend symbolizes a commitment to environmental care and sustainability and will join our Stewardship Gnomes, Blossom, Greenie, and Oak, flying around parks all summer long. Cast your vote to name our buzz buddy at lo-stewardship.org. The survey closes on April 30, 2024 at 5 p.m. and the chosen name will be announced at the Farmers’ Market on May 18, 2024.
SOIL YOUR UNDIES FOR SCIENCE
Life underground is just as biodiverse and complex as the plant communities that live above, and Oswego Lake Watershed Council wants to help residents measure and nurture that life. It is as easy as burying a pair of cotton undies for 60 days! Celebrate Arbor Month by participating in the 4th Annual Soil Your Undies challenge! Sign up to receive your challenge kit, which includes a brand new pair of cotton undies for you to bury in April and unearth in July. Participants can follow along with biweekly soil health tips and experiments to try out while the soil microbes are feasting on all of the buried undies. Learn more about the challenge and register here: www.oswegowatershed.org/soil-your-undies-2024.
GNOMES & BEES IN NATURE
The wily Stewardship Gnomes, Blossom, Greenie, and Oak, are bee-yond excited to introduce their new bee buddy who will bee joining them on their adventures throughout Lake Oswego. The Gnomes will hide in three natural area parks from April to October, moving to different parks on the first of each month. The Bee will join the trio in June, just in time to celebrate Pollinator Month! Come out and find them, you may win a prize! Here’s what to do:
- Find the forest friends in three different natural area parks each month. In April, they will be hiding in Roehr Park, Stevens Meadow, and Springbrook Park.
- Scan the QR code and take a photo of you, your dog, or anything else by a Gnome and/or the Bee.
- With your participation, you may be selected to win your very own garden gnome in October.
Visit lo-stewardship.org each month to learn where the Gnomes and Bee have moved and discover fun facts about native plants, wildlife, and the City’s 460-acres of natural park areas.
Explore the related links below:
Volunteer Stewardship Opportunities
What is Urban & Community Forestry?
The Value of Trees to a Community, Arbor Day Foundation
2024 Arbor Week Proclamation
Parks & Rec Arbor Month Events