The Boise Eliot Native Grove on N Ivy St. is transforming an unimproved right-of-way into a native plant and pollinator grove. Situated just to the north of the Fremont Bridge ramp, the land is owned by Portland Bureau of Transportation but cannot be developed due to a number of utilities running underneath.

Community members Howard Patterson and Andrine de la Rocha approached PBOT to ask for permission to create the Grove in May 2017 and received the green light. Boise Neighborhood Association awarded a small grant last summer based the Grove’s spirit of inclusion and beautification.

Boise-Eliot/Humboldt School has partnered with the project, bringing students just 2 blocks from the school to make nature observations. This winter, the project enlisted The Ivy School to help lay down sheet mulch & compost.

Bureau of Environmental Services awarded the project a mini-grant to purchase native plants for the project, and Friends of Trees donated over $300 worth of trees planted in February 2018. East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District awarded funds for plants & compost through their Small Projects & Community Events (SPACE) grant.

The Spring Art Flags commissioned from the students at Boise Eliot Schools will be installed in the Grove and students will plant wildflower seeds.

Visit www.NativeGrovePDX.org or Facebook to volunteer and keep up with this all-inclusive community project. Also drop by to take a look and enjoy!

By Andrine de la Rocha