It only takes a brief moment to look around Oregon City and see it’s a community with a lush urban canopy. Look a bit longer, and you’ll likely see something that may appear to add to the scenery, but it’s actually a problem: Ivy. City officials recently announced a new initiative to help combat the growing problem.
The Oregon City Ivy League is a group of volunteers helmed by Community Engagement Specialist Hannah Schmidt who will help remove ivy and other invasive species at locations throughout the community at events in the spring and summer months. Schmidt has a background with similar work in both the Bureau of Land Management US Fish and Wildlife, and is excited to put that experience to work here in Oregon City.
"As a previous federal Park Ranger I am excited to be able to get my boots back on the ground and do some invasive species removal for the City of Oregon City," she said.
"I love working outdoors and am looking forward to engaging with community members to help improve the overall health of Oregon City's beautiful forested areas. As the Community Engagement Specialist for the City I am also looking forward to the potential to expand the volunteer opportunities the City has to offer the public with this new volunteer program. "
While it may look nice, ivy actually poses a hazard to trees. If it gets thick enough it can actually block needed sunlight while also taking nutrients away from the tree, eventually killing it. Those trees then become hazardous as they will be more likely to fall.
The first event is scheduled for April 20, where the group will tackle the ample ivy growing near Singer Hill Creek Falls. This first event will only have space for 20 volunteers, as the location offers multiple challenges due to steep terrain and confined quarters.
"Safety will be the first priority for this and all events," said Schmidt.
Future events will be announced soon, as volunteers are gathered and other locations are assessed and selected. To learn more or volunteer, residents can visit the Ivy League page on the City website.
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