information
COVID-19 safety and programs

Face coverings are required in indoor public spaces and many outdoor spaces. State policy
Access City programs, people and projects helping Portland recover. Portland United

information
Winter resources

Together we can weather storms. Care for yourself and others by learning about resources and signing up for alerts. 

No Ivy Day 2021

Volunteer Event
Volunteer for our 18th annual No Ivy Day event on November 20. Come show your support for our native ecosystem by joining a volunteer event at one of our sites throughout the region.
No Ivy Day November 20,2021
–

Thanks to all our site leaders and volunteers for another successful No Ivy Day.

No Ivy Day Results:

  • 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”

Project Sites

Forest Park- Event Full

Join Portland Parks & Recreation's No Ivy League for a morning of ivy removal in Forest Park. This is where it all started 18 years ago. Come learn more about Forest Park, the largest park within city limits in the US, which is over 5,000 acres. Volunteers will meet at the Holman Lane trailhead located at NW Raleigh Street and hike about ½ mile to our ivy removal worksite. Volunteers will be hiking and working off-trail on uneven ground. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes, and bring a water bottle and snacks. Face coverings are required. Instruction, tools, gloves, and face coverings provided.

Gateway Green

Gateway Green is a new park offering unique off-road cycling, walking, and nature-based play amenities in East Portland. At its heart is a 13-acre natural area with LOTS of ivy- and we need your help to beat it back! Join Friends of Gateway Green in removing ivy from this park. This park is car-free! Walkers and bicycle riders can reach the site via the I-205 multi-use path, or ride MAX and buses to the Gateway Regional Center and follow the multi-use path north for about a half-mile to the park entrance. Taking a car to the Gateway Transit Center and walking or biking from there to the park is possible, but parking is limited to Fred Meyer's back lot (West side of building), or to on-street parking on NE 99th and NE Pacific near the Transit Center; we encourage taking Trimet or Bike to this No Ivy Day site. Please do not park within City of Maywood Park. 

Hoyt Arboretum

Hoyt Arboretum is Portland's living museum of trees. Volunteering at Hoyt Arboretum provides a unique setting to learn about and care for rare and unusual trees and plants from around the world! This volunteer event will occur rain or shine. Dress for the weather and be prepared to get a little dirty; long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes are necessary. Face coverings are required (extras will be available onsite). Gloves, tools, and volunteering parking passes will be provided.Volunteers must be 16 years or older.

Indian Creek Natural Area

Join Johnson Creek Watershed Council and Portland Parks & Recreation for a day of pulling, cutting, and removing ivy and other invasive plants! Tools, gloves, and an on-site portable toilet will be provided. Bring a face covering or mask, tools if you have them (gloves, hand clippers, trowel), filled water bottle, and snacks. Event will happen rain or shine, so dress for the weather: sun hat and sunscreen or rain gear as needed. Wear long sleeves, thick pants, and sturdy shoes. A mask or face covering is required at check-in and any time during the event when six-foot social distancing cannot be maintained, regardless of vaccination status. Registration is required.

Johnson Lake Acme Storage Site

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council as part of a fun and cathartic city-wide restoration event when we all go out and remove invasive English ivy-- No Ivy Day! Invasive species removal restores wildlife habitat and encourages native species regeneration to prevent erosion and water run-off.

Public Transit: Take Tri-Met #87. Walk north on NE 105th Ave, then take a left (west) on NE Alderwood Rd.  Then take a left on NE Glass Plant Rd, follow one block to West Johnson Lake Trailhead on the right.  Follow the trail about a ¼ mile to the Johnson Lake North Trailhead.

Accessibility: This event will involve bending, stooping, and pulling to dig and remove invasive ivy on soft, uneven ground. There is a portable restroom at the NE Colfax St cul-de-sac.

For COVID-19 safety, this event is capped at 20 participants. You must register using the form below and specify each guest you will be bringing. Face coverings are required when social distancing is not possible. Please stay home if you are feeling sick. Thank you for helping us keep our community safe!

  • Time: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM
  • Address: North Johnson Lake Trailhead, 9707 NE Colfax Street #9705, Portland, Oreong 97220.
  • Please park along the road on NE Colfax Street. We will be removing invasive ivy at the ACME Storage property along the Columbia Slough, but will meet at the North Johnson Lake Trailhead and access the property from there.   
  • Register for Johnson Lake site
  • Questions contact Max Samuelson at max.samuelson@columbiaslough.org 

Marshall Park

Join Portland & Parks & Recreation, Friends of Marshall Park and Tryon Creek Watershed Council in removing Irish ivy from Marshall Park.  Volunteers will be hiking and working off trail on uneven ground. Please dress for the weather, wear closed toed shoes, and bring your own water bottle and snacks. All participants will be expected to wear a face covering/mask during the event, and to maintain 6 feet of physical distance. PP&R will provide instruction, tools, gloves and face coverings for anyone who needs it.

Mt. Tabor Park- Site Full

Join Portland Parks & Recreation and Friends of Mt. Tabor Park to help remove invasive ivy and other invasive plants to give native plants a chance to thrive. We'll meet at the Mt. Tabor Park Visitors Center then walk to the project site. Gloves, tools, and plant identification help will be provided. Please wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, and long sleeves to protect yourself as you work alongside trees and bushes, including thorny blackberry. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. A water bottle filling station is located by the restrooms near the Visitors Center.

Nadaka Nature Park

Friends of Nadaka and City of Gresham & Play Grow Learn is teaming up with Portland Parks & Recreation to host a No Ivy Day event at Nadaka Nature Park! Gather your friends, families, and neighbors to help restore a safe and healthy habitat at Nadaka by cutting and pulling ivy from around the large trees within Nadaka's 7 acre forest. Volunteers should bring mask, dress in layers, sturdy shoes, and bring a water bottle. Other tools will be provided. We will be spaced throughout by familial groups and practice social distancing. Masks must be worn unless eating or drinking and more than 6 feet from others. Restrooms & water refills on site. Snacks provided.

Park in the St. Aidan's Church lot. Meet at the Park shelter next door. Max Blue Line to 172nd, walk north 1/2 mile to park. (closest transit)

Spring Park/ Elk Rock Island

Join North Clackamas Park and Recreation District and Friends of Spring Park and Elk Rock Island for a morning of restoration work. Volunteers will be removing tree ivy and pulling ground ivy at Spring Park and Elk Rock Island. We will be building on years of restoration efforts at these sites. Volunteers can expect long walks to access work areas, steep terrain, the chance of encounters with poison oak, and to experience one of the most beautiful and unique parks in the region. Volunteers should wear closed toe shoes, long pants, and jackets or hats appropriate to the weather. Please bring work gloves, a water bottle, and a mask. Tools and extra gloves will be provided.

Limited street parking is available in the neighborhood. A better option is to take the Max to the Milwaukie/Main St. station or park in downtown Milwaukie. From there, there are several nice options to walk the half mile to Spring Park.

Terwilliger Parkway- Event Full

Join Portland Parks & Recreation, the Friends of Terwilliger Parkway, the West Willamette Restoration Partnership and Hands On Portland in removing invasive non-native species, including English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and clematis. This event is family-friendly, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes, and bring a water bottle and snacks. Face coverings are required. Instruction, tools, gloves, and face coverings provided.

Visit No Ivy League for more information about English Ivy removal efforts and historic volunteer accomplishments.

Contact

Mary Verrilli

Westside Watersheds Parks and Natural Areas

mary.verrilli@portlandoregon.gov
phone number503-823-8367

No Ivy League

Field Headquarters

phone number503-823-3681

Related

No Ivy League

Topics

Parks, recreation, and activities

See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.