This past Earth Day we continued our longstanding partnership with watershed residents and longtime volunteers, Gary and Sharon Klein. On this day for the past 10 years, we met Portland Waldorf students at the Klein’s property located at the confluence of Johnson Creek and the Willamette River. Typically, students pull trash from the creek and surrounding beach.
This year was a little different. With the trash count being so low, these high school students were able to break off into two groups during the latter half of the day and participate in water quality monitoring with Americorps member Katherine, or invasive pulling with Gary Klein.
The water quality monitoring team sampled Johnson Creek and found conditions to be optimal for salmon spawning, yet no salmon were spotted.
Students removed 20 lbs of trash and 1 acre of non-native English Ivy.
We are always thankful for our partners and volunteers, but especially so on this special day. Happy Earth Day!