Spring is just around the corner, so what better time to look back on some of the milestones we reached this winter?
PPA receives overwhelming support during formal comment period
The formal comment period for the Prospective Purchaser Agreement (PPA) with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) ended January 30th, 2026.
After reviewing the many submitted comments, the DEQ stated that the Portland Botanical Gardens received overwhelming support for its proposal and the terms of the PPA. With only a few minor edits to clarify definitions, the PPA is likely to be signed in the near future.
We are so grateful for the positive comments, as well as the incredibly thoughtful letters of support. We also want to thank the DEQ staff and the many advisors who helped the Portland Botanical Gardens reach this milestone.
The Conceptual Master Plan (above) helps illustrate the proposed botanical gardens described in the PPA.
Design Portland Exhibition
Thank you to everyone who showed up to our series of lectures, panels, and social hours showcasing our vision for the McCormick & Baxter Superfund Site, hosted by Design Portland.
We are grateful to Scot Medbury for his keynote lecture; the panelists for their great presentations and conversations; Observation Studio for the extraordinary site model; Allied Works for their Vision book; Cory Micah Olsen for the display of his timber furnishing prototypes; and to the University of Oregon students whose work was selected to be displayed.
Plants and informational posters from our exhibition at Design Portland.
Congratulations to our Plant Auction Winners!
Meanwhile, we just wrapped up our second online plant auction. We’d like to say a huge thank you to our donor nurseries, Cistus Design Nursery, One Green World, Dancing Oaks, Heritage Seedlings, and Windcliff Plants for their donations.
And of course, congratulations to our auction winners, who helped us raise over $6000 in support of Portland Botanical Gardens, breaking our previous record!
Our highest-bid auction plant at $507 after 27 bids, the Variegated Candelabra Aloe donated by One Green World.
Top bid of the Summer 2025 Auction was One Green World‘s Variegated Loquat, reaching $420 after 58 bids.
Looking Ahead to Spring
EPA PPA
A draft PPA with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will also be completed soon, and we will publicize the formal comment period for that document when ready.
First Thursday – April 2, 2026
You are welcome to visit the Portland Botanical Gardens’ office during April’s First Thursday in the Pearl, where art galleries and shops stay open into the early evening. The posters and site model from the Design Portland exhibition will be on display, and it’s a great way to meet other supporters, volunteers, board members and staff.
- Location: Portland Botanical Gardens office
- 108 NW 9th Ave, Suite #201
- Portland, OR 97209
- Time: 5-7pm
- Free and open to the public.
Volunteering Opportunities
Spring Landcare Event – April 11, 2026
Join us for a fun morning outside with the Portland Botanical Gardens. Help pull weeds and pick up litter (including an unknown amount of golf balls) at the McCormick & Baxter Superfund site from 9am to noon on Saturday morning, April 11th.
Site Tour Training – April 16, 2026
Interested in learning more about the McCormick & Baxter site, and perhaps help lead tours and promote the vision of the Portland Botanical Gardens? Join us for a walk around the site and start getting to know the plants, landscape, and vision for the botanical gardens and waterfront greenspace.
Signups for volunteer events will be posted on the website soon!
Madrone, moon and blackberry at McCormick & Baxter Superfund site – February 27, 2026.