project
ponderosa
teaching | inspiring | planting | growing
Spring Tool Drive for Project Ponderosa
Project Ponderosa is a small but mighty native plant nursery nestled in the heart of Sunriver, Oregon. Here, we grow trees in the climate they will one day take root in, ensuring they are resilient, well-adapted, and ready to thrive.
Each year, volunteers and local students show up in all conditions to plant and care for thousands of plants. Plants grown in our nursery are utilized for habitat restoration projects and sold at our semi-annual tree sales. As we head into our peak spring season, we are facing critical tool needs. Plants grown in our nursery are used for habitat restoration projects and sold at our semiannual tree sales. In addition to planting seedlings, the nursery work consists of the usual gardening tasks such as weeding, maintaining beds, watering, up-potting, and moving plants and as we head into our speak spring season, we are facing a critical need.
We don’t have enough tools to keep up!
With the right equipment, we can work more efficiently, prevent the weeds from getting out of hand, and make the most of our time doing important planting work. We are seeking lightly used landscaping tools and new materials to power this next planting cycle. If you’ve been meaning to clean out your garage, now is the moment to make a direct impact.
Check out our tool list, and if you aren’t sure if something you have would work, feel free to email us a picture or description at info@snco.org
In addition to wheelbarrows, weeders, and rakes, we are also seeking new materials such as weed cloth and lumber to expand nursery beds. If you prefer to support us in another way, you can purchase a virtual seedling or donate online. To grow the forests of tomorrow, we need the tools to care for it today!
Wheelbarrows (Preferably 2 wheels)
Garden Carts (Preferably with solid tires)
Work Gloves
Bullnose Shovels
Hand pruners/Hori Hori
Trowels
Battery-powered Circular Saw
Battery-powered saw Zaw
Battery-powered drill
Small Tine Rakes/Weeders
Upright Dolly
Pruners and Shears
Hand Saws
Truck
Dump Trailer
Mini Excavator
Please drop off tool donations at the Ponderosa Sale at the Nature Center, April 19-25 from 10am to 2pm.
wish list
how it started
Project Ponderosa was founded in 2006 by Sunriver resident and retired life science teacher Lee Stevenson to promote student environmental engagement and Ponderosa Pine restoration in Sunriver, Oregon and the Upper Deschutes River ecosystem. Since the project’s inception, over 18,000 seedlings have been potted and grown by students in the La Pine High School Life Skills Program and the 4th grade students at Three Rivers School with support from the volunteer nursery team. The nursery site, compost, and many other resources are generously provided by Sunriver Water & Environmental.
Ponderosa Pines are a hardy, majestic native conifer but have been historically heavily logged. They are significantly more resistant to disease, mountain pine beetles, drought and wind damage than Lodgepole Pines and are fire resistant when mature, due to their thick, scaly cinnamon-colored bark. Planting Ponderosa Pines helps to restore forest diversity in the Sunriver ecosystem, while preserving the Sunriver community’s ‘Tree City USA’ tradition.
Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory is proud to support Project Ponderosa through a semi-annual (April and October) Ponderosa Pine seedling sale. Proceeds from the sale support Project Ponderosa’s environmental education and habitat restoration programs. Orders can be placed online any time during the sale and pickup will be at Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory Parking lot.
Every fall and spring– the best time of year to plant trees – there are sales of potted Pondo seedlings at the Nature Center, typically the third week of October and the third week of April. There are several sizes and prices of these hardy, established young seedlings. Quantities are limited due to the high demand. Planting resilient Ponderosa Pines helps our ecosystem, and our planet for hundreds of years!
Project Ponderosa.org is a volunteer based, mission driven, non-profit. We strive to provide the resources this community needs to help restore native habitat. A special Thanks to Sunriver Water & Environments, llc.
ponderosa seedling sale
project ponderosa goals
Begin to restore a durable and valuable species in the Upper Deschutes ecosystem.
Engage local students in potting and caring for the Ponderosa seedlings.
Engage and inform students and homeowners of the need for restoring this once common conifer to our community.
Provide a source of established, potted Ponderosa seedlings to be used for habitat restoration.
Improved forest diversity and health of the Upper Deschutes River ecosystem in and around Sunriver.
Spark student interest in ecology, forestry, and horticulture as instill an appreciation for the value of forest diversity.
Raise money for various organizations and educational and environmental projects.
Enhance property values and improve neighborhood aesthetics.
volunteer opportunities
There are several ways you can get involved in this award-winning environmental, educational and philanthropic program.
Volunteer at the Project Ponderosa nursery. Help is needed with potting, planting and maintenance of the nursery, as well as planning and outreach.
Return two gallon and larger nursery pots. Pots may be dropped off at the Second Tern Thrift Store or SNCO campus during business hours.
Join us for our annual Ponderosa Potting Party in April.
project ponderosa partners
Sunriver Water & Environmental
La Pine High Life Skills Program: Ken Thorp, Cari Fike (teachers)
Three Rivers Elementary School: 4th Grade – S. Gleason, K. Pitner (teachers)
Sunriver Owner’s Association (SROA)
Sunriver Resort and Sunriver Realty
Sunriver Fire Department
The Mervyn L Brenner Foundation
First Interstate Bank (Sunriver, OR)
Brooks Tree Farm (Salem, OR)
Stuewe & Sons, Inc. (Tangent, OR)
Green Leaf Garden Center (Bend, OR)
Central Oregon Trail Alliance – SoDeCo Chapter
COIC Youth Compass Program
Landscapers: Klaver Landscaping, Cascade Wild Landscapes, Twin Pines
Nursery Team Volunteers: Carol Brennan, Kathy Cushman, Adam Egland, Jay Emmet, Billie Fisher-Fowler, Ed Fowler, Jay Besson, Mechelle Griffin, John & Lynn Holbrook, Betsy Packard, Dean Richardson, John Ross, Alan Rutherford, Cathe Shields, Jay Besson, Heidi Supkis, Boll Family
Pondo Patrons: John and Lynn Holbrook, Gavin and Susan Towey, Helen and Ed Fess, Richard Storer, Jim Bigelow & Family, Cushman-Miller Family, Stanley Thomas Family, Todd & Denee Stevenson
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