To volunteer at Baltimore Woods, you just need a bit of grit, sturdy boots, and a rain parka because the first instructions are about safety. Watch out for sharp rocks and boulders, divots, dips, and dells. In November, 15 Portland Garden Club (PGC) members met the challenge. The transformation of the Lower Meadow of Baltimore Woods from an urban cemented wasteland to a natural habitat filled with native species and welcoming to raptors, critters, and hikers began about 22 years ago with a committed group of residents, that includes current active board members Jim Barnas, Barbara Quinn and Betsy Valle. Our Portland Garden Club (PGC) Conservation/PAA committee through the Garden…

In early 2013, thanks to a North Portland Neighborhood Services Grant, the Friends of Baltimore Woods (FOBW) acquired a tricycle, with the aspiration of having a human-powered way of transporting tools and supplies to and from work parties. FOBW members designed and built a cargo box to fit the trike, with the Baltimore Woods logo adorning each side of the box.  The trike made appearances at our plant sales, at several of our book sales, and even in the St. Johns Parade! But after a few years of use, it became apparent that our unique human-powered means of transport wasn’t able to meet the demands of real-world habitat-restoration work.  Sadly,…

Friends of Baltimore Woods will again be partnering with Sparrowhawk Native Plants for our annual native plant sale in St. Johns on April 26 and 27 this spring.  The sale takes place this year in the St. Johns Church parking lot located at 8044 North Richmond Avenue, a block east of last year’s sale location. Pre-ordering online begins Sunday February 25th and lasts until March 24 or until plant supplies last, additionally you are now able to window-shop the 100 native species for sale on the Sparrowhawk website. Every Spring and Fall, Sparrowhawk Native Plants partners with community organizations around the Metro region, providing eco-minded gardeners the opportunity to order…

Who can say what Betsy Valle was thinking that day when walking her little four-legged pal, Coco, along a section of grim alley recently inhabited by mangled vehicles and abandoned dreams that the intersection of N. Decatur alley at N. St. Louis had become? Nonethless, it’s not a rare sight to see pedestrians and bicyclists passing by on this segment of the future North Portland Greenway Trail. To see beyond the nexus of desperation and litter that have dominated the site a person needs rose tinted glasses. Or, maybe, simply the naturally sunny nature and can-do spirit that is Betsy’s. Walking north on Decatur adjacent to Baltimore Woods corridor, there’s…

The non-native plant Italian arum (Arum italicum), is kind of like an unwelcome night-owl roommate who raids the fridge while everyone sleeps and co-opts shared spaces with their stuff. Literal turf wars can erupt! The pernicious invader has taken root in several locations within the Baltimore Woods corridor while the Friends and partners seek ways to remove it. The plant’s tendency to produce numerous tiny tubers makes that a challenge. Italian arum is a nonnative perennial that was originally introduced as an ornamental plant. It has now naturalized in the Portland area. Due to it establishing in riparian areas and other habitats, its toxicity, and being very difficult to control…

A few weeks ago, late in the day, I was finishing up a “weeding therapy” session along our Baltimore Path on the hill, when I heard a low, guttural call from the trees. Looking up, I saw the shadowy silhouette of an owl in profile, dark grey, and occupying a limb midway up a maple tree crowded amongst the others at the edge of the woods. In 30 years living across the street I’d never seen nor heard an owl, so it was a thrilling experience. Although bats commonly swoop in and out of the Decatur/Baltimore canopy on summer evenings, Cooper’s and Red Tail Hawks appear, only to be swarmed…

On November 20, a group of about 20 Scouts—boys and girls—and their parents came out to help FoBW volunteers spiff up the Baltimore Hill Path. The path was formed two years ago and allows pedestrians safe passage down a hillside on the edge of Baltimore Woods. We dug the perennially invasive Arum italicum (one heaping tarp load and several 5-gallon buckets full!!) and spread a fresh layer of wood chips the length of the path. The Scouts also joined in planting 100 natives mostly near the path borders. There were many plants associated with shade such as fringecup, salal, spreading rush, dwarf Oregon grape and Willamette Valley Self-Heal. There were…