Southwest Watershed Resource Center
The Southwest Watershed Resource Center (WRC) is located inside the lobby of the SW Community Center at SW 45th & Vermont. The WRC is a partnership between SWNI and the City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services.
The primary functions of the WRC are:
- to support citizen stewardship groups in the Fanno Creek, Tryon Creek, and Stephens Creek watersheds
- to offer free education programs for youth and community presentations for adults
- to provide residents with information and referrals for invasive plant removal and native plant landscaping, stormwater management options, and watershed-friendly gardening practices.
For more information about booking WRC program offerings, contact WRC Education Coordinator Jen Seamans Blatner at: 503-823-2862 or watershedcenter@spiritone.com
Other resources at the WRC include field guides, watershed atlases, and tools and books for checkout; and games, a reading nook, arts & crafts for Pre-K through elementary kids. The WRC also has an activity table at SWCC's Family Fun Nights, held on the first Friday of each month from October through May.
WRC Open Hours
WRC open hours are usually:
- Monday 11 - 1
- Tuesday 10 - 1
- Wednesday 10 - 1
- Thursday 10 - 1
- Friday 10-1
- Saturday work parties (alternating weeks)
- Sunday closed
Please note, the WRC must occasionally close during regular hours due to programs, offsite meetings or field visits. Before visiting the WRC, call 503-823-2862 or email to confirm open hours.
The WRC is also open additional hours beyond those posted above. Prior arrangements can be made for evening or weekend visits.
SW Watershed Stewards
Volunteers in SW Portland are out nearly every weekend maintaining healthy parks, creeks, and greenspaces! Contact the WRC to get involved with a group near you.
Map and links to follow shortly...
Fanno Creek Watershed Steward Groups
- Bridlemile Creek Stewards - Albert Kelly, Hamilton & Open Space Parks
- Dickinson Park Stewards
- Friends of Vermont Creek - Gabriel Park
- Friends of April Hill Park
- Friends of Woods Park
- PCC Habitat Team - Sylvania Natural Area Park (SNAP)
Tryon Creek Watershed Steward Groups
Stephens Creek Watershed Steward Groups
- Stephens Creek Stewards
Friends of Marshall Park
The Friends of Marshall Park is organized as a subcommittee of the Marshall Park Neighborhood Association, although many volunteers from outside the neighborhood help maintain this special place!
Work parties are held on the 1st Saturday of each month, October - June, from 9am to noon. Meet at the picnic tables below the 12th Drive turnaround.
You can find more Friends of Marshall Park information & photos at http://swni.org/page/fomp.
Friends of Vermont Creek
The Friends of Vermont Creek (FOVC) is a citizen group that was formed in 2004 when Vermont Creek was rated among the lowest in water quality and habitat resources in Portland.
FOVC's goal is to help neighbors preserve and enhance the Vermont Creek watershed. We accomplish this through:
- Work parties held on the 4th Saturday of each month, 9 a.m. to Noon in Gabriel Park (meet at the kiosk by the tennis courts);
- Planning meetings on the 4th Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Watershed Resource Center;
- and Outreach at events like the Maplewood Fair (4th Sunday in July), Multnomah Days (3rd Saturday in August), and targeted outreach and assistance to streamside property owners along Vermont Creek.
To subscribe to the Friends of Vermont Creek email list (1-2 per month), or for other inquiries, contact the Watershed Resource Center at 503-823-4592 or watershedcenter@spiritone.com.
WRC Homeowner Resources
Online resources that homeowners and organizations might find helpful:
Landscaping for Healthy Watersheds
Stormwater Management & Erosion Control
Technical Assistance
- City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) - watershed projects in your neighborhood
Funding & Grant Sources
- Office of Neighborhood Involvement Small Grants - due to coalition offices on November 1
- BES Community Watershed Stewardship Program - usually due in early April
- Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board - application reviews occur on at least a quarterly basis
WRC Program Offerings
The Southwest Watershed Resource Center offers a variety of free watershed education programs on topics including water quality, salmon, watershed restoration, and more!
Indoor programs can accommodate small groups of up to 10 youth.
Scouts, youth groups, neighbors, and afterschool groups are welcome at the WRC. Larger (school) classes interested in watershed education programs should contact Lynn Vanderkamp at 503-823-5281.
Download PDF brochure of WRC youth programs: programs.pdf (486 kB)
Outdoor & offsite opportunities available for community organizations, congregations, or neighborhoods:
- bike or driving tours of the Vermont Creek or Tryon Creek watershed
- guided walks in Gabriel Park
- restoration & stewardship activities in your area
- presentations & outreach displays, with or without kids' activities at your site (great for summer block parties or fairs!)
For more information about these opportunities, contact Jen, WRC Education Coordinator at watershedcenter@spiritone.com or 503-823-2862.