One of the first things visitors to Lake Oswego comment on is our tree canopy. It’s a feature we take pride in and this month, it’s a feature we celebrate. In honor of Lake Oswego’s Arbor Month, the city has organized several events that you are invited to participate in.

Here’s a look:

Tree Pruning Workshop. This is Lake Oswego’s version of “Everything you wanted to know about pruning but didn’t know who to ask.” The Who is ISA Board Certified Master Arborist Damon Schrosk of Treecology, Inc. He’ll explain all you need to know to give trees and shrubs  in your yard their best chance for thriving. Limited to 30 Lake Oswego residents so register here for free. Saturday, April 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Foothills Park Pavilion, 199 Foothills Road.

Free the Trees in Hallinan Woods. Invasive ivy poses a real threat to our trees and you can help remove it by joining Friends of Hallinan Heights Woods in one of their regular stewardship opportunities. To register, contact Christy Clark at 916.261.1514 or triangle3.c@gmail.com . Sunday, April 10 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Park on Hemlock Street or Hallinan Street and follow the paved trail into the woods. Bring gloves and water to drink.

LO Tree Inventory Project. Learn how to collect data on the health and diversity of Lake Oswego’s urban forest in these free workshops. All you need is a smartphone or tablet to access the Oswego Lake Watershed Council’s LOTree survey tool. Register for the workshop online. Monday, April 12 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the Indoor Presentation and Outdoor Demonstration at the Lake Oswego Maintenance Center, 17601 Pilkington Road and Saturday, April 16 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the Outdoor Demonstration and Practice Session in George Rogers Park, 611 S. State Street (meet near the Iron Furnace).

Farm Saturday. Adults can’t have all the fun! Kids ages 5-12 are invited to spend a Saturday morning at Luscher Farm, taking part in Arbor Month and Earth Day-related craft and farm activities and learning about organic gardening. Fees: $42/Resident; $63 Non-Resident. Register online. Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Luscher Farm Barn, 125 Rosemont Road.

Lake Oswego Sustainability Resource Fair. Wondering how you can make a difference when it comes to building a sustainable future for our city? Plan on attending Lake Oswego’s first annual Sustainability Resource Fair and connect with community members and organizations who are advancing sustainability in our city. Kids can participate in arts and crafts and everyone can tour the new Lakeridge Middle School with its sustainable design features. Bartlett Tree Experts will be giving away tree seedlings too. Sunday, April 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Lakeridge Middle School, 4700 Jean Road.

Springbrook Park Preschool Nature Walk. Feed your child’s curiosity with this FREE nature walk led by enthusiastic guides from Friends of Springbrook Park as they teach preschoolers what trees do to thrive and survive. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Anne Lider at 503.701.2291 or anne.lider@gmail.com if you have questions. Wednesday, April 27 from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Park at Uplands Elementary School, 2055 Wembley Park Road and meet at the Park kiosk located below the school playground.

Find the Stewardship Gnomes. Lake Oswego’s Stewardship Gnomes will be back out hiding in our natural area parks from April to October and if you find them, you could win a prize. Each month the city will be posting clues on where the gnomes are hiding that you can find here. Once you find them, here’s what you need to do: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec/stewardship-opportunities

• Take a photo of you, your dog or anything by a gnome.
• Post your gnome photos on social media using the hashtag #LOparksgnomes for a chance to win your very own garden gnome this October.
• Need a hint? The gnomes will be hiding on trees at Hallinan Woods, River Run Natural Area and Springbrook Park during April, and they’ll make their way to Foothills Park, Iron Mt. Park and Southwood Park in May.

Soil Your Undies. Last year’s Soil Your Undies Campaign was so beneficial that the Oswego Lake Watershed Council is inviting residents to participate again. By burying a pair of cotton undies at least six inches underground and then digging them back up in 60 days, you can see just how busy the microscopic organisms are in your soil. The more broken down your underwear is, the more active soil microbes you have in your yard. Register to participate and select a pick-up location for a free brand new pair of 100% cotton tighty-whities on either April 17 or April 23 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Be an LO Tree Hero. Here’s your chance to fulfill your superhero dreams. Sign up to remove invasive ivy from your tree and property with some education, leadership and tools from the Oswego Lake Watershed Council. Find out how you can become involved online.

Enter the Arbor Month Art Contest. Lake Oswego kids in grades K-5 are invited to enter Lake Oswego’s tree and wildlife-themed art contest. Works of art need to include insects, amphibians, birds, mammals or any other type of animal found in the urban forest. Entries must be received by 11:59 on Sunday, April 24. Winners will be notified on National Arbor Day, April 29, and prizes will be awarded at the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market on Saturday, May 21. Click here for contest rules and online submission form.

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