We thought you might enjoy this video about the recent restoration efforts at Baltimore Woods in St. Johns.

The Baltimore Woods site was recently purchased by the City of Portland and Metro, and many partners are involved in the protection and restoration of this natural area corridor. Last July and September, over 200 volunteers teamed up with Depave to remove an old parking lot and restore it to a native grassland.

Environmental Services is involved in this project because restoring the natural area will increase its ability to filter stormwater runoff and prevent erosion to protect the river. Woodlands there contain native white oak trees—some of which are over 100 years old—that provide habitat for diverse wildlife such as the slender-billed nuthatch, Western wood-pewee and Western gray squirrel. The area acts as a buffer between the residential and industrial neighborhoods in North Portland along the Willamette River.  It is also a migration corridor for birds and insects along the North/South Pacific flyway that parallels the WillametteRiver.

Now that the property is de-paved, the City and partners will continue to plant native plants and move forward the North Portland Greenway Trail master planning. You can get involved in the project at SOLVE planting days on February 16th and 23rd.  This spring and summer, watch for the wildflowers in bloom!

Learn more about the project and future events on the Friends of Baltimore Woods, NP Greenway, Depave, and SOLVE websites.