On Saturday, May 19, community members and staff, faculty and students from Mt. Hood Community College will participate in a “de-paving” event at the college to break ground on several clean-water projects. With guidance from the Portland-based nonprofit
Depave, volunteers will tear up sections of pavement in select parking spots to make room for naturescapes that will capture and filter stormwater runoff.
The event, which will occur between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., will mark the start of a series of campus-wide clean-water improvements – a collaborative effort between MHCC and several regional partners, including Sandy River Watershed Council and Depave.
The projects will begin this summer and are funded by Metro, the City of Gresham, East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, and the Department of Environmental Quality.
“We’re proud of our efforts in conservation and sustainability here at Mt. Hood Community College,” said Dr. Debra Derr, president of the college. “As the first Salmon-Safe certified community college in the nation, we’re leading the charge to protect
our natural spaces on campus. And we’re excited to partner with the Sandy River Watershed Council, Depave, and other community groups on this.”
"This is the first step towards converting MHCC's campus from a stormwater hotspot into a haven for clean water and habitat,” said Steve Wise, executive director of the Sandy River Watershed Council. “I can't think of a better way to begin the Salmon-Safe
transformation than with Depave and community volunteers opening the ground around trees that have been sealed for decades,”
Volunteers of all ages are encouraged to participate and help remove pavement. Tools, training and safety equipment will be provided, as will snacks and lunch. Long parts are recommended and closed-toe shoes are required.
To register to participate in the de-paving event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com