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Stormwater Programs

If you live in Portland’s west hills, you’re probably wary of disconnecting downspouts and building a rain garden due to your steep slopes and poorly drainingWindsorCtDrainswPipes soils. However there are many things you can do reduce runoff, erosion and non-point source pollution!

Consider the following ideas:

• Plant a tree (or two or three!)
• Restore your soils – amend damage and degraded soils and replant
• Depave – remove unnecessary impervious surfaces and restore the landscaping
• Install planters – place potted planters over underused hardscapes
• Porous walkways – create pathways that can manage some site stormwater

We have informational fact sheets below to show you how to implement these practices and further explain why we recommend them on these challenging stormwater sites.

Best Management Practices

Depaving

Contained Planters

Restore Disturbed Soils

Porous Walkways & Patios

Tree Planting

Irrigation Guidance

Homeowner Interest Form

We are proud to support the Stormwater Stars program, which offers hands-on learning and landscaping to reduce stormwater problems. Stormwater Stars is a program delivered by Neighbors West-Northwest and the Westside Watershed Resource Center, in partnership with and funded by contributions from West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.

Contact Urban Conservationist Mary Logalbo for more information; mary@wmswcd.org or 503.238.4775, ext. 103.


Projects

Sunstone Montessori School Stormwater & Garden Improvement Project

West Multnomah SWCD is now working with Sunstone Montessori School in the John’s Landing neighborhood on a number of conservation projects.  Sunstone, an Oregon Green School, plans to use the Conservation District’s assistance to install […]

Hayhurst Elementary School Garden

Located in SW Portland, the Hayhurst school garden had been neglected for several years and was in bad need of repair and reinvigorated parent and teacher engagement. The existing garden area also had a small […]

Markham Elementary School Native Habitat Garden

Markham School on SW Capitol Highway has expansive open landscaping with mature trees, but the lawns left habitat and biodiversity lacking. The fifth grade class took on the project of planning and installing a native […]