No Ivy League's mission is to restore the native habitat of Forest Park and other natural areas with efforts in removing invasive plants, youth development programs, environmental education, and community participation - promoting research, providing technical assistance, and seeking relevant societal changes.
Volunteer Events
Earn community service credit for school or other service requirements!
What
Join us for our regular Wednesday and Saturday volunteer events and become a steward of our beloved natural area Forest Park!! Volunteers will take a short hike to one of our various sites and work off-trail removing ivy, planting native plants and occasional trail work. This is a DIRTY job so come prepared in grubby, long-sleeved clothing and boots. We'll provide gloves and tools.
- Groups of five or more persons need to call 503-823-9423 to register at least a few days in advance.
- Groups of 10 or more should call 503-823-9423 at least one week ahead.
- All ages are welcome to attend; young children must be supervised by an adult.
Where
Locations vary. Please see the calendar for meeting location. Check our calendar for event
When
First Wednesdays, first and third Saturdays each month, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. Check our calendar for event cancellations or for more details.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Are you interested in doing your part to halt the advance of invasive species or improving the public spaces in your community? Looking for groups in your area? Look no further, here is a list of websites to help steer you in the right direction.
- Stewardship Opportunities
- Portland Parks & Recreation Volunteer Opportunities
- Hands On Greater Portland
- Forest Park Conservancy
- Friends of Marquam Nature Park
- Friends of Terwilliger Parkway
No Ivy Day
No Ivy Day 2023 - please check back for more information in coming days!
Saturday, October 28, 2023
9:00 am –12:00 pm
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the No Ivy Day event?
- Demonstrate what we can do to save our native ecosystem and stop ivy from spreading
- Continue public education and outreach about the ivy problem
- Reduce the amount of mature ivy capable of producing seed
- Show the impacts volunteers can make in ivy removal efforts!
How can I be involved?
- RSVP to be a No Ivy Day site
- Recruit your friends, family, and other volunteers; organize your own work party group
- Inform the public of English ivy's impact on the environment
Do I need experience in ivy removal to volunteer?
Absolutely not! No Ivy Day is a great way to get some great hands-on experience and learn successful ivy removal techniques with fellow ivy foes!
What should I bring to the event?
- Grubby, washable clothing
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- Rain gear
- Water bottle
- Backpack/bag for your personal gear
What about transportation and parking?
We urge you to bike, bus, or carpool to your site as parking may be limited. TriMet options and parking options will be included in the descriptions for each site.
Will there be bathrooms?
Plan no access to public restrooms at your work site. Be sure to "go before you go!" Restrooms will be available at most sites and the No Ivy Day Celebration sites at Forest Parks, Lower Macleay Park, George Himes Park.
What about First Aid?
There will be at least one cell phone per site along with basic First Aid supplies.
What if I didn't RSVP?
We encourage you to RSVP beforehand. Please refer to No Ivy Day for a list of our available sites.
No Ivy Day Historic Results
2021
- 11 sites
- 185 volunteers
- Removed more than 36,000 sq feet or .8 acres of ground ivy
- Saved 25 trees from ivy
Findings and quotes:
- One group got buzzed by hummingbirds at their site.
- Found a redback salamander
- Found thimbleberry galls and earthworms
- Saw a cooper's hawk (or sharp shinned) take down and then lose a smaller bird.
- “What a terrific group this year thank you PP&R staff and volunteers”
2020
- 213 volunteers
- 14 sites
- 52 trees cleared of English ivy
- 46,000 square feet (1 acre) of ground ivy cleared
- Planted 203 native plants
- Brushed 106 linear feet of trail
2019
- 325 volunteers at 19 sites
- 172 trees cleared of English ivy
- 2 acres of ground ivy cleared
- Planted 500 native plants
2018
- 460 volunteers at 17 sites
- 1,395 volunteer hours
- 200 trees cleared of English ivy
- 83,000 square feet (1.9 acres) of ground ivy cleared
- 3,000 square feet of other invasive plants cleared
- Planted 375 native plants
- Mulched 100 plants
2017
- 410 volunteers at 23 sites
- 1,200 volunteer hours
- 31,000 square feet (0.7 acres) of ivy cleared
2016
- 350 volunteers at 18 sites
- 1,050 volunteer hours
- 130 trees cleared of English ivy
- 80,000 square feet (about 2 acres) of ground ivy cleared
2015
- 290 volunteers at 20 sites
- 870 volunteer hours
- 150 trees were cleared of English ivy
- 130,000 square feet (3 acres) of ground ivy cleared
2014
- 300 volunteers at 19 sites
- 900 volunteer hours
- 20 trees were cleared of English ivy
- 74,000 square feet of ground ivy cleared
- 390 trees and shrubs planted
2013
- 115 volunteers at 13 sites
- 345 volunteer hours
- 165 trees were cleared of English ivy
- 48,000 square feet of ground ivy cleared
2012
- 162 volunteers at 17 sites
- 648 volunteer hours
- 374 trees were cleared of English ivy
- 31,575 square feet of ground ivy cleared
2011
- 279 volunteers at 15 sites
- 1,096 volunteer hours
- 242 trees were cleared of English ivy
- 150,000 square feet of ground ivy cleared
- 10 linear feet of fence was mended, bags of garbage were removed from multiple sites, and invasive trees were trimmed in advance of removal.