Volunteer Spotlight: Farmer's Friend x Friends of Trees

For the past 10 years Farmer's Friend has been lucky to enjoy the unexpected beauty of NE Portland's Columbia Slough right in our back yard. This past weekend we volunteered with Friends of Trees close to home, planting native wildflowers and trees at the Colwood Natural Area. This volunteer effort will enrich the land, protect the water, help clean the air, and provide shade & habitat, making it a healthier environment for wildlife and our community.

Hosted by WYLD and Exquisite Crystals, this was Friends of Trees' first planting event at this site, with a robust group of volunteers happy to dig in the dirt on a drizzly Saturday morning. Portland Parks & Rec helped guide volunteers while we were largely lead by a fantastic group of high school students from the POIC Rosemary Anderson High School Natural Resources Program. Our goal for the day was to plant hundreds of native trees, wildflowers and shrubs that will become a wildflower meadow and Oak Savannah habitat for wildlife along the Columbia Slough. As part of the "Butterfly" group, the Farmer's Friend team was tasked with planting young Oregon White Oak trees and areas of Large-Leaf Lupine, with the student leaders giving instruction, checking in, and offering support and good vibes throughout the event.

Formerly the "Back 9" of the Colwood Golf Center (a favorite fun escape for some Farmer's Friend team members when time allows), this site has been undergoing the slow process of returning to a natural habitat since 2015. Keep an eye out as this area grows and thrives over the years (east side of NE Alderwood at Cornfoot Rd) and feel free to enjoy exploring this often overlooked public space! The trails extend on both sides of Alderwood Rd- just be careful when crossing the street.

Friends of Trees is a Portland-based non-profit that works with volunteers to plant and care for trees, flowers and other greenery in Portland and SW Washington. Please consider joining Friends of Trees in one of their frequent volunteer planting events. Wear weather-appropriate clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, and they will provide all the tools you need! Friends of Trees events are family friendly, inclusive, and a great way to connect with your community and see more of the beautiful area we live in.