Come celebrate Earth Day by helping us remove ivy and invasive trees from an oak grove along South Fork Ash Creek in Independence!

Unveiling the Oaks: Earth Day Event

Date:  Monday, April 22
Time:  1:00 - 4:00pm
Place: South Fork Ash Creek (S. 11th St., Independence)

Registration is required*

​*Please note that you and any guests will be required to fill out a waiver before the event. Volunteers aged 15 and older are welcome, but all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Click on the image above to see the approximate location of the  work site.

We need approximately 15 volunteers* to help us remove ivy and invasive bird cherry trees from a beautiful grove of century-old oaks along South Fork Ash Creek. Removing invasive species like English ivy (Hedera helix) and bird cherry (Prunus padus) protects these amazing trees and the surrounding native plant community, allowing them to continue to provide quality habitat for local wildlife and shade for Ash Creek.
 
This Earth Day volunteer event follows two ivy removal efforts that happened at this location in September 2022 and Earth Day 2023, with volunteers from First Nature Tours and Western Oregon University's Alternative Break program. Now you have the opportunity to see the positive results of these earlier efforts, and to help us continue the job!

This Earth Day volunteer event involves:

• Walking over uneven terrain and through vegetation that may include thorns, brambles, exposed roots, and poison oak (we will have Tecnu available for pre- and post- poison oak exposure treatment)
• Using pruners and loppers to cut ivy vines and pull them off of and away from tree trunks
• Using loppers to cut small diameter invasive bird cherry trees
• Using a wheelbarrow and/or carrying armloads of ivy vines over short distances

Prefer to talk to us in person? You can also call Suzanne Teller at (503) 837-0237 or email [email protected]