URBAN HABITAT PROGRAM
The Urban Habitat Program partners with local residents, youth, and community organizations to design, install, and maintain native plant and rain gardens for homeowners in North, Northeast, and East Portland.
Urban Habitat pairs environmental restoration with workforce development and education. Homeowners receive the resources and support needed to steward their native gardens long-term, while high school students and young adult interns gain hands-on experience and job skills in sustainable landscaping and green infrastructure.
What is the Urban Habitat Program?
Naturescape & Rain Garden Installations
We install native plants and rain gardens that improve stormwater management, reduce toxic runoff, create wildlife habitat, absorb carbon, and strengthen urban biodiversity.
Youth Education & Supporting Workforce Development
We partner with Reynolds High School's Multnomah Youth Cooperative program and the Blueprint Foundation’s Connecting Canopies program to provide education about the benefits of healthy ecosystems. High school youth and adult interns gain hands-on experience developing landscapes and planting native plants.
Maintenance & Long-Term Support
To ensure lasting impact, we provide 3-4 follow-up monitoring visits per site, irrigation system setups, and ongoing resources to help homeowners care for their naturescapes.