Stormwater Stars
Community-Driven Solutions for Reducing Stormwater Runoff
Stormwater Stars is a landscape improvement and education program that supports those who live, work, and play in our District in managing rainwater.
By partnering with local residents, small businesses, and community organizations, Stormwater Stars helps transform rainwater challenges into functional green spaces that slow, soak, and filter stormwater. These changes also build healthier soils, improve the look and feel of neighborhoods, and reduce pollution in our rivers.
Stormwater Stars workshop sites are properties that have improved their landscaping to better manage rain. Eligible projects support watershedwatershed an area of land that channels rainfall, snowmelt, and runoff into a common body of water, such as a nearby lake or river. Multiple streams can be part of the same watershed area, such as the Tryon Creek Watershed which is fed by Oak Creek, Park Creek, Falling Creek, and others. health, enhance habitat, and may help address minor drainage issues like soggy lawns, standing water, and surface erosion.
We Offer:
- Free Site Visits: Our team provides guidance on simple, cost-effective landscape improvements tailored to your property.
- Hands-On Workshops: Free workshops held in the spring and fall that demonstrate stormwater-friendly practices at residential, business, and community sites. These family-friendly events are open to everyone! Registration is required.
Why this program?
Portland is experiencing more frequent and intense rain events due to climate change, putting added pressure on the city’s aging stormwater infrastructure and areas where the natural drainage has been disrupted. Rainwater that runs off steep slopes, clay soils, and paved surfaces can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to flooding, erosion, and polluted water entering our rivers and streams. At the same time, the urban heat island effectHeat island effect Urban areas with fewer trees and more pavement that experience higher temperatures than rural or suburban areas, which typically have more trees and green space and less paved surfaces that hold heat. is intensifying as pavement increases and tree canopy declines—further disrupting natural water flow and making neighborhoods hotter and less resilient.
Stormwater Stars helps mitigate these challenges by promoting landscaping practices that absorb stormwater, restore ecological function, and cool the urban environment. We emphasize the use of native and climate-resilient plant species that are well-suited to Portland’s changing climate and reduce the need for irrigation and maintenance.
Stormwater Stars Practices
Stormwater Stars focuses on simple, non-structural stormwater practices that reduce stormwater runoff close to where it falls.
Practices include:
-
Native plant landscaping
-
Soil restoration with compost and mulch
-
De-paving small unused sections of pavement
-
Rain-friendly planters on top of impervious surfaces (pavement, patio, paved walkways) that cannot be removed
-
Porous pathways
What makes a successful workshop site
Interested in hosting a Stormwater Stars workshop? Here’s what we’re looking for:
-
Project Collaboration
If your site is selected, we’ll work closely with you to co-design a landscape improvement project—typically around 600 square feet, though size can vary based on your space and needs.
-
Public Visibility
Projects must be visible from the public right-of-way (like an un-fenced front or side yard) so they can serve as living examples for community education and inspiration.
-
Community Connection
We also love partnering with sites that already serve the community—such as nonprofits, small businesses, public housing facilities, or other shared spaces. These locations help broaden engagement and awareness around sustainable stormwater practices.
-
Within West Multnomah SWCD District Boundary
We can only take on projects that are within the District's Service Area.
How we support workshop sites
-
Collaborative site design using Stormwater Stars practices
-
Sourcing native, climate-adapted plants
-
Volunteer coordination and installation-day logistics
-
Cost-sharing on workshop materials and contractor support (for private property owners)
-
Full workshop funding for income-qualified community members and non-profit sites
Stormwater Stars is not designed to address engineered or structural drainage issues. We do not provide advice or services related to:
- Subsurface piping or plumbing
- Basement flooding or foundation waterproofing
- French drains, retaining walls, or significant grading
- Landslide mitigation or high groundwater control
For these complex concerns, we recommend consulting a licensed civil or geotechnical engineer.
Rachel Dvorsky
Stormwater Specialist
Contact me about:
Stormwater Stars workshops, urban stormwater runoff
