As the end of the year approaches, we wanted to take stock of all the wonderful work that we’ve done together to take care of our beloved refuge. Here are the highlights.
Jenna and Wayne (FOOB crew leaders) with Christian (Portland Parks) at a litter pickup in July
Over the course of the year, we held five work parties (our last one was cancelled due to high winds), with an average of 24 people in attendance. Steering Committee members John Sparks and Joshua Meyers led four community nature walks, and Joshua was joined by Marianne Nelson to lead an additional nature walk with local school children. These walks saw an average of ten people participate on each. During the summer we did some very successful tabling at Sundae-in-the-Park, and just this month we made our presence felt for the smaller-than-usual-crowds at Decemberville that ventured out in the cold and rainy weather.
Group on a nature walk in May (Springwater Corridor)
On the membership front: we said goodbye to our talented Steering Committee Member, Mike Liggett, who helped spearhead our first ever Take-Your-Best-Shot photo competition that saw over 90 fantastic entries and whose winners were displayed at Blue Kangaroo Coffee Roasters. In the past month, we’ve welcomed three incredibly talented Steering Committee Members: Ruth Howell, Mikky Cecil, and Aaron Campbell.
We’ve also continued to expand the ranks of our Crew Leaders–dedicated, experienced community members who have been eager to take on-the-ground leadership roles during our work parties. We are grateful for the willingness of this group to step forward and help make those work parties as successful as they have been.
Cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) above Wapato Pond
Behind the scenes we’ve been working hard to continue to engage with Portland Parks and collaborate with the Sellwood Moreland Improvement League so as to expand our impact. And slowly but surely, the long-awaited documentary about Oaks Bottom is making its way towards the finish line.
Taken together, we’ve logged approximately 525 volunteer hours preserving the refuge in 2024–which of course only captures a fraction of the energy and enthusiasm that has been devoted to this endeavor.
Narrow-leaved mule’s ears (Wyethia angustifolia) blooming in the South Meadow at the beginning of June
As we look ahead to next year, we are already talking about finding more ways and more effective ways to partner with the city, so as to expand the scope of our work. We are also talking about new and creative ways to engage the community around Oaks Bottom. And we’ll of course have a full slate of work parties and nature walks beginning on February 1.
Before we sign off, we wanted to take the opportunity to send our heartfelt thanks and very best wishes to Laura Guderyahn, Restoration Ecologist from Portland Parks, who was responsible for Oaks Bottom on the city end for the last several years. Laura, who is heading off to a new and wonderful job opportunity in Chicago after the New Year, has been a great ally and supporter of our work, and we will really miss working with her.
Great blue heron (Ardea herodias) at Wapato Pond in November
Finally, it goes without saying that we could not have had such a successful year without all of your support and spirited engagement. And for this, we want to express our deep thanks and appreciation. We feel so honored not just to be working to secure the future of Oaks Bottom, but also to have the opportunity to work with so many wonderful community members along the way.
We look forward to seeing you in Oaks Bottom soon!
