Earth Day at Howard Canyon – April 22nd, 2025
Spend your Earth Day caring for the forests of the Columbia Gorge
Celebrate Earth Day by caring for the land with Columbia Land Trust! We’ll be gathering in a beautiful, conserved forest near Corbett, Oregon where we will dig up invasive blackberry to make room for native vegetation. Blackberry is a major problem throughout the Pacific Northwest, where it forms a monoculture in disturbed areas, shading out native plants and disrupting forest regeneration. With your help, we’ll control this patch of blackberry and prevent its spread into the surrounding area.
Our work will take place in the Howard Canyon area of Nestwood Forest, an 800-acre woodland area conserved by Columbia Land Trust and the Wiancko family in 2022. This special place features:
- Habitat for diverse wildlife such as black bear, bobcats, coyotes, deer, elk, amphibians and countless birds
- Forested slopes protecting the headwaters of Big Creek, a tributary of the Sandy River
- A network of forest roads and trails which create opportunities for community engagement, stewardship, and recreation
When: Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025, 9:00am – 12:00pm (Earth Day!)
Where: Meet at the parking lot of the Portland Women’s Forum on highway 30 near Corbett. From there we will carpool to our work site, just a few miles away. Please gather on time so you don’t miss our caravan!
What to Expect: We will work for about two full hours, rain or shine, before breaking and enjoying an optional walk through the surrounding forest trails. Protective work gloves and tools will all be provided for our work, which will involve digging and traversing over sloping, uneven terrain. We will provide water, light snacks, and access to a portable toilet.
We recommend participants dress in sturdy boots and in protective clothes that may shield against blackberry thorns. (Note that the patch of blackberry will be mowed to knee-height, and with our leather gloves we find that this activity is generally painless!) Also recommended to pack is a water bottle, sunscreen, and whatever snacks or amenities will keep you comfortable.
Contact: If you have any questions about this event, please contact Peter Condra at events@columbialandtrust.org.