New year, new you

Having trouble coming up with a new year's resolution? This year why not try something different and make some green resolutions. Below are some ideas to make 2008 your most sustainable year yet!

• Kick the can. Instead of buying bottled water or soda, drink tap water. It's better for you, less expensive and creates less waste.
• Paper or plastic? Neither. Use your own reusable shopping bags or bring old ones from home.
• Waste not, want not. Get ideas about how to save water around the house.
• Roll out. Recycle even more of your household waste with easy-to-use roll carts in 2008.
• Unstuff yourself. If you buy something, make sure you really need it. Watch the Story of Stuff to see why.
• Trees please. Plant trees to improve your neighborhood and watershed. Find out when and where in the article below.

Tree for All

In 2007, Tree for All partners planted a total of 62,767 trees along Washington County creeks and streams, coming closer to the goal of planting 2 million trees in 20 years. Streams lined with native vegetation provide cleaner, cooler water, better flood management, and fish and wildlife habitat. It’s good for the water and fish, and it’s good for people and our community, too! If you'd like to join in and get dirty for a good cause, see the schedule below for upcoming tree planting events. Events are Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Planting ahead

Even though it's cold and dark outside right now, spring planting is only a few months away. If you want ideas about what plants to use in your yard, attend a free Naturescaping class to jump start your planting season. The Basic workshop includes a short outdoor field trip to a nearby home or community project to see naturescaping in action. The Site Planning I workshop walks participants through the steps involved in planning a landscape project. Learn how to map your property, assess your garden style and needs, do some "garden dreaming" and work on a landscape design scenario. Register by email at naturescaping@yahoo.com or call (503) 797-1842. Class sizes are limited so sign up early.

The Naturescaping for Clean Rivers workshops are sponsored by the Tualatin Basin Partners for Clean Water, Raindrops to Refuge and the City of Tigard.