SeeingGreen ™

Yesterday I passed my neighborhood park and there was a swarm of people with plastic bags, shovels and sharp metal wedges attached to wooden sticks. No, it wasn’t the makings of a strange family reunion, but instead an eager crew of volunteers there to weed, mulch and monitor one of Portland’s “pesticide-free parks.” The efforts of the monthly work party are essential to the success of the pilot program launched in 2004 by Portland Parks and Recreation and community partners at three neighborhood parks: Arbor Lodge, Lair Hill, and Sewallcrest. A component of Parks’ integrated pest management program, the pesticide-free parks are an important step in the right direction for maintaining clean waterways and healthy places for humans, pets and urban wildlife to recreate. Find more information at the kiosks at the parks mentioned or on Parks’ website. And to the volunteers helping to make this happen, a big thank you. Mulch on.