While the rest of the United States may dedicate one day to trees (the last Friday of April is national Arbor Day), Lake Oswego has dedicated the entire month to these hard-working members of our community.

Hard-working, you ask? Yes, according to Lake Oswego’s Urban and Community Forestry Plan Update, “the ecosystem services of Lake Oswego’s urban forest are immense, including nearly 270 thousand pounds of air pollutants removed annually, 155 million gallons of avoided annual stormwater runoff, and storage of 201,732 megagrams of carbon.”

In addition, one large tree can provide a day’s supply of oxygen for up to four people, and trees lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade and provide vital wildlife habitat.

So it’s no wonder the city has scheduled a host of activities for us to celebrate our beloved tree canopy.

NATURE CRAFT WORKSHOP
Friday, April 14, 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Luscher Farm Bunkhouse Classroom, 125 Rosemont Road

Children ages 8 to 12 can mix up plant-based watercolor paints, play with pressed flowers, and use treasures found in nature to get crafty in this no-school-day workshop. Fees apply. Pre-registration is required and capacity is limited. Visit www.ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec/parks-recreation-classes-activities and register for activity #25616.

SUSTAINABILITY RESOURCE FAIR
Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lakeridge Middle School, 4700 Jean Road

Wondering how you can make a difference when it comes to building a sustainable future for our city? Plan on attending Lake Oswego’s second annual Sustainability Resource Fair and connect with community members and organizations who are advancing sustainability in our city. Find opportunities to volunteer and learn simple ways you can help protect the environment.

SPRINGBROOK PARK PRESCHOOL NATURE WALK
Tuesday, April 18, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., Springbrook Park, Park at Uplands Elementary School, 2055 Wembley Park Road, meet at the park kiosk behind the playground

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.

OAK WOODLAND RESTORATION
Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Park at 14903 Westlake Drive

Celebrate Earth Day by joining Oswego Lake Watershed Council for a morning of land tending and restoration at Westlake HOA Oak Woodland. This beautiful oak woodland habitat is home to 300-year-old Oregon white oaks and a diversity of wildlife. Volunteers will learn about Oregon white oak ecology, indigenous land tending and the cultural value of oak ecosystems, and help remove invasive species and plant natives. For additional information and free registration, visit www.solveoregon.org/opportunity/a0C8W00000VC2HP/oak-woodland-land-tending-at-westlake(link is external).

STEWARDSHIP WORK PARTIES
Over 460 acres of natural area parks and open space in the City contribute to important habitat for plants and animals, watershed and stormwater management and health. These park natural areas also provide places for the community to connect with nature. Join a friendly Friends of the Parks volunteer habitat restoration work party during Arbor Month to help keep our park natural areas and open spaces healthy and beautiful:

Sunday, April 16, 1 to 3 p.m., Hallinan Woods, Parking on Hallinan Street or Hemlock Street
Join Friends of Hallinan Heights Woods to remove invasive species in the recently acquired natural area in Hallinan Woods. Questions? Barbara Fisher at 503-888-2244 or lanefisher108@comcast.net(link sends e-mail)

Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Cooks Butte Park, Parking near 2286 Palisades Crest Drive
Help Mother Nature with a spring clean-up at this 42-acre natural park. We’ll remove invasive species and pick up tree debris so native species can thrive. Questions? Contact Radu Stancescu at radu_stancescu@yahoo.com(link sends e-mail)

Sunday, April 23, 1 to 3 p.m., Springbrook Park, Parking at Uplands Elementary School, 2055 Wembley Park Road. Meet at the park kiosk behind the playground.
Join Friends of Springbrook Park to remove invasive species and help restore habitat in this 52-acre natural park. Questions? Contact Laura Tanz at 503.702.7937 or blmjt2205@gmail.com(link sends e-mail)

Volunteers MUST fill out and bring the Stewardship Waiver available online at lo-stewardship.org(link is external). Dress for weather and wear closed toe shoes. Bring gloves, your favorite clippers and water to drink. Restrooms are not available. Stay home if you have symptoms of any contagious illness or had recent contact with someone exhibiting symptoms of any illness. Maintain six feet distance from others. Wash hands before and after the work party.

FARM SATURDAY
Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Luscher Farm Bunkhouse Classroom, 125 Rosemont Road         
Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to spend Saturday morning at Luscher Farm, creating crafts to celebrate Arbor Month and Earth Day, partake in fun farm activities, and learn about organic gardening. Fees apply. Pre-registration is required and capacity is limited. Visit www.ci.oswego.or.us/parksrec/parks-recreation-classes-activities and register for activity #25870.

TREE PRUNING WORKSHOP
Sunday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Foothills Park Pavilion, 199 Foothills Road
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 40 Lake Oswego residents so visit www.ci.oswego.or.us/planning/workshop-series or call 503-635-0290 for free registration.

LAKE OSWEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Celebrate Arbor Month with a book and a kid’s craft! Throughout April, the Lake Oswego Public Library, located at 706 4th Street, will have tree-themed books on display and offer a craft for kids using repurposed puzzle pieces to make a beautiful tree, at the Art Bar on the lower level. The Art Bar is open anytime the library is open. Arbor Month Art Contest entries will be on electronic display from mid-April through mid-May. Open daily: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

SOIL YOUR UNDIES FOR SCIENCE
Life underground is just as biodiverse and complex as the plant communities that live above, and Oswego Lake Watershed Council wants to help residents measure and nurture that life. It is as easy as burying a pair of cotton undies for 60 days! Celebrate Arbor Month by participating in the 3rd Annual Soil Your Undies challenge! Sign up to receive your challenge kit, which includes a brand-new pair of cotton undies for you to bury in April and unearth in July. Participants can follow along with biweekly soil health tips and experiments to try out while the soil microbes are feasting on all of the buried undies. Learn more about the challenge and register here: https://www.oswegowatershed.org/soil-your-undies-2023(link is external).

BE AN LO TREE HERO
Team up with the Oswego Lake Watershed Council (OLWC) and your neighborhood’s Urban Forest Committee to be an urban forest hero by removing invasive ivy from your trees and property. OLWC offers tools, education and leadership. Find out more at www.oswegowatershed.org(link is external).

GNOMES IN NATURE HUNT
The wily Stewardship Gnomes, Blossom, Greenie and Oak, will hide in three natural area parks from April to October, moving to different parks on the first of each month. Come out and find them, you may win a prize! Here’s what to do:

• Find three Gnomes hiding in three different natural area parks each month. In April, they will be hiding in Foothills Park, River Run Park and Springbrook Park.
• Take a photo of you, your dog or anything else by a gnome.
• Tag #LOparksgnomes and post photos on social media for a chance to win your very own garden gnome in October.
  Visit lo-stewardship.org(link is external) each month to learn where the Gnomes in Nature have moved and discover fun facts about the City’s 460-acres of natural park areas, native plants, wildlife and birds.

NOMINATE A HERITAGE TREE
Do you have a favorite tree or group of trees? If it is of landmark importance—because of its age, size, species, horticultural quality or historic significance—you can nominate a tree or group of trees for Heritage Tree designation with permission from the property owner. Check out the Heritage Tree Story Map, learn about the City’s Heritage Tree Preservation Grant Program, and find a nomination form online at www.ci.oswego.or.us/planning/heritage-tree-program.

Trees are just one of the reasons to love Lake Oswego. Subscribe to this blog to learn about many more. And if you’re already in love with Lake Oswego and want to move here, give me a call at 503.939.9801, check my website, and/or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com. I’d love to put my 30+ years as a Realtor living and working in Lake Oswego to work to help you make that move.