Citywide Celebrations and Volunteer Efforts on Saturday, October 5
(Portland, OR) –
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), the No Ivy League and volunteers across the region invite you to take part in the 10th annual No Ivy Day, city-wide on Saturday, October 5.
Help rid PP&R parks and natural areas from an invasive species by taking part in city-wide work parties to remove English ivy. The non-native plant overcomes native species and mature ivy vines may threaten trees in many of our forests.
“The efforts of volunteers and the No Ivy League are essential to the health of our beautiful parks and natural areas,” says City Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz. “As stewards of our parks and natural areas, we appreciate the engagement of our community partners to remove this invasive plant. The grassroots efforts of our neighbors have had a visible, positive effect on our green spaces, and I look forward to these efforts continuing - even bigger and better.”
City nature experts say it is important to remove maturing ivy during the fall to reduce the amount of seed produced through the winter, slowing its spread to unaffected areas. Portland Parks & Recreation’s Marshall Park, Marquam Nature Park and Forest Park have seen vast improvements in tree health in places where ivy was recently cleared.
During last year’s No Ivy Day, more than 160 volunteers cleared ivy from nearly 400 trees, and pulled over 31,000 square feet of choking vines. The hope is to accomplish even more this year.
Work parties across Portland run from 9:00 AM to noon, followed by a celebration for all volunteers at Lower Macleay Park, 2960 NW Upshur St., from 12:30-2:00 PM. All volunteers are invited to take part after the citywide work parties. The celebration will feature environmental activities, refreshments, free T-shirts, ivy basket weaving and inspiring words from City Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz.
Come show your support for our native ecosystem by joining a work party at one of 12 sites throughout the region, or by registering to host your own No Ivy Day site.
Please check the No Ivy Day 2013 link for more information at www.noivyleague.com. We must work together to maintain the health of our natural environment.