Solstice work party

By Sean Sweeney

Summer is here! BBQs, swimming, camping and—best of all, longer days full of sunlight are upon us.

As most of us know, the longest day of the year is the summer solstice. Friends of Trees, the Johnson Creek Watershed Council, Portland Parks & Recreation, and East Multnomah Soil Water Conservation District hosted an evening work party at Clatsop Butte on Thursday, June 21.

Clatsop Butte is a natural area managed by Portland Parks & Recreation City Nature East. Its 43 acres contain tributaries to Johnson Creek, a major urban creek that traverses five cities and two counties from the foothills of Mt. Hood to the Willamette River. Friends of Trees has been working to re-establish native plant communities along these tributaries to provide shade for the streams and to increase wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

On June 21, we did some light sheering and mulching around newly planted trees and shrubs. It was a great way to get some exercise, blow off some steam after a day of work, help the environment, and connect with the community. Above are photos taken at the event by Amy Lodholz. Sticking with the celebratory spirit of the event (solstice!) folks congregated at O’Malley’s at 6535 SE Foster afterward for pizza and beverages.

Happy Solstice & Happy Summer!

–Sweeney is Green Space Initiative Specialist for Friends of Trees.