Removal of invasive species and promotion of healthy forest successional processes will result in improved ecosystem health and wildlife habitat in the short term and long term. To avoid stress and negative impacts for wildlife, all higher disturbance activities will occur outside of bird nesting season. Best management practices for invasive species removal and habitat enhancement will be utilized.

Ladder fuels, invasive vegetation, and fuel buildups near property lines will be managed. Crews will evaluate 120 acres of common property and remove the most hazardous fuels throughout the project area. For homeowners looking to create defensible space, we have a number of resources (including Firewise and LO Fire Department Assessments) on our web page.

Some replanting may occur in Spring 2023, though Fall 2023 will have a larger planting effort. Native plantings will be able to better establish in cleared areas if planted in fall. We will also be monitoring native seedbank germination and managing invasive weeds in Spring 2023, which may impact planting plans. We are working to create a Management plan that will identify a specific replanting plan. Plantings will be from the City of Lake Oswego’s native plant list.

The wooded area downhill of Hidalgo owned by MPHOA will be included in the treatment area. Kerr Natural Area is also near this area, but it will not be included in this project, though this is a potential target for future fuel reduction efforts.

MPHOA is among 19 other private landowners that received funding through this program this year – we are in the most densely populated area of all grant awardees. MPHOA is considered to be a part of the urban/wildland interface. The high density of single and multifamily housing adjacent to forested open spaces increases the risk of catastrophic wildfire. This area was also identified as a high priority fuel reduction zone in the Clackamas Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CCWPP).

2022 is the first year of the small forestland grant program through Oregon Department of Forestry! Similar projects are occurring throughout our region. Forest Park in Portland is undergoing similar work currently. OLWC has been conducting invasive species removal and restoration projects throughout Lake Oswego – Westlake Oak Woodland is one example of a reference site where fuels have been reduced through habitat enhancement.

The Mountain Park HOA Board of Directors and Staff will continue to support the budgeting for the Landscape Department regardless of the grant.

MPHOA and OLWC staff and volunteers have decades of combined experience in habitat enhancement. In order to increase our training and knowledge base we will be participating in an upcoming Resilient Regenerative Firescaping Qualification Training. We will also receive technical support from local Soil and Water Conservation District Staff and City of Lake Oswego staff. OLWC Executive Director also has an Environmental Science background. Work will occur outside of spring, when trillum are at peak bloom. Work crews will receive plant identification training.

Herbicide will be used selectively. Stumps and small diameter suckers/seedlings will be treated with triclopyr. A tank mix consisting of one part Element 4 and 4 parts W.E.B. oil will be used when the application site is consistent with the product label. Other products may be used at the discretion of the MPHOA and project partners. Basal bark treatments will also be utilized. All herbicide applications will be conducted as specified by the product label and in accordance with state and local laws. Applicators will meet all licensing requirements specified by state law.

Current grant funds cannot be used for long term maintenance activities. OLWC and MPHOA are collaborating on a management plan to identify budgetary needs for maintenance and replanting post-project. We are also identifying potential additional funding sources such as the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Program Small Grant Fund.

No. Native tree removal will only be done when outside of sensitive lands, and to improve conditions for other healthier native trees.

Initial replanting of native species will be focused on sensitive lands and stream corridors. In many cases, natural regeneration of tree, shrub, and forb species is also observed upon removal on non-native vegetation. We are also working to develop a full Maintenance plan that will inform details such as budget, additional grant funding sources, planting lists/timelines, and irrigation strategies.

Yes. Crews will respect property lines and will not remove vegetation on homeowner properties. In cases where privacy hedges provide screening on MPHOA property, there may be opportunities to retain certain ornamental plants if they pose a lower fuel risks and are pruned appropriately

The idea of land resilience and community involvement requires a coupling of social and ecological resilience in rapidly changing landscapes affected by our warming climate. Land management is strongest when it adopts multiple perspectives of resilience. Resilient land that is actively managed using a systems based approach can respond to stress events (drought, extreme weather, fires, insect and pathogen invasions) while supporting wildlife populations, healthy soils, and healthy watersheds.

Yes, native trees from the city of Lake Oswego’s native tree list, such as Western Red Cedar, Douglas fir, Willamette Valley Ponderosa Pine, and Oregon White Oak, will be planted following best practices. These plantings will be focused on sensitive lands and in areas that are lacking species diversity.

No. We are focusing on removal of invasive climbing vines, invasive trees, and invasive shrubs because these are the most hazardous fuels, and negatively impact forest structure. Invasive ground covers will generally not be targeted within the scope of this project, but will be addressed strategically in the future in a methodical manner. Crews will take care to avoid spreading invasive seeds while working by thoroughly cleaning boots, tools, and equipment. Monitoring will be conducted to identify the current extent of priority weed species in order to support future eradication efforts.

No – Treatments will be done by hand crews and will be very selective. 

Yes, the work accomplishes what is called for by existing MPHOA Board of Directors adopted policies ( MP Common Property Master Plan 2019-2024). More details can be found in the sections “Invasive Species on Common Property”, “Urban Forest”, “Habitats”, and  “Sensitive Lands”

Yes, this project will improve wildlife habitat. Removal of invasive plant species is a key component of this work, which will create more space for native vegetation to thrive. Healthy native plant communities support habitat for insects, birds, and other wildlife.