Streamside Property Outreach Program (SPOP)
Do you live next to a Gresham stream? Homeowners who live next to streams have a huge potential to help improve local water quality and wildlife habitat by participating in the Streamside Property Outreach Program (SPOP).
What is SPOP?
SPOP provides free consultations to citizens who live streamside, because water pollution and loss of wildlife habitat are serious problems threatening Gresham's streams. The program’s goal is to give streamside residents the tools they need to help protect our community’s urban streams.
How SPOP works
Staff set up at-home appointments with residents who have a stream either running through their property or through a city open space that borders their property.
- Participants are given a variety of free materials, information and services that will help them protect and improve Gresham streams and wildlife habitat, starting in their back yards.
- To date, more than 50 streamside residents have received SPOP visits. Our goal is to reach all 600 streamside tax lots in Gresham by 2014.
SPOP Offers Assistance in the Following Areas
- gardening with native plants
- removing invasive plants
- riparian area health and function
- managing common lawn and garden pests
- living with wildlife and creating wildlife habitat
- stormwater management and water conservation
- riparian restoration and partnership
- non-toxic lawn care and gardening
- yard debris and hazardous waste disposal
Program Freebies (when applicable)
- native plants
- compost bins
- bat houses
- seed packages
- garden center coupons
- educational handouts
SPOP History
SPOP is a project of the Watershed Management Division. It was developed in 2006 by an AmeriCorps volunteer with support from city staff and continues under grant funding from Metro Nature in Neighborhoods and ODEQ 319. The program won the American Public Works Association Oregon Chapter's Julian Award for Sustainability in 2007.
Request a visit or more information by e-mailing Jamie.Stamberger@GreshamOregon.gov