Category Archives: Blue Heron Wetlands Restoration Project

Illustration of delivery-drone blueprints on a drafting table, surrounded by handwritten notes representing community discussion.
Education & Events, Local Issues, Community Posts

Commercial Drone Deliveries: Community Conversation on October 18

East Columbia residents are invited to a community briefing and conversation about Amazon’s proposed Prime Air drone delivery sites and their potential impacts across North and Northeast Portland.

Join neighbors for an update on the City’s permitting and legislative process, hear different perspectives, and share your questions and concerns.

When and where

Sunday, October 18, 2026 · 3–5 p.m. Pacific
Attend in person or online.

In person: Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) Building
4815 NE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97211

Online: Join the community conversation on Zoom

About the gathering

This event is independently hosted by members of North and Northeast Portland Neighborhood Associations. NECN is providing the venue only.

District Councilors and members of the press are also welcome to attend and listen to neighbors’ perspectives.

Questions? Contact the organizers’ Public Relations Team at pdxdroneconcerns@googlegroups.com.

Standard
Illustration of neighbors planting a conifer and raking leaves beside an autumn arboretum path.
Community Posts, Education & Events, Environmental Issues

Honor Veterans with VetREST at the Columbia Children’s Arboretum

Join VetREST on Wednesday, November 11, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. for an afternoon of clean up, planting, and honoring our Veterans at the Columbia Children’s Arboretum.

Volunteers will help clean up the arboretum’s conifer garden, plant new, uncommon species, and spend time together in community to honor our Veterans. It’s a meaningful way to spend Veterans Day right here in our own neighborhood.

Event details

Wednesday, November 11, 2026
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Meet at the North entrance of the Columbia Children’s Arboretum, off of Meadow Drive

About the event

This event is led by residents of Dignity Village and is part of their continued commitment to the East Columbia neighborhood. It builds on their recent landscaping and habitat restoration training.

Thank you to the event’s partners: East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA), and Portland Parks & Recreation.

More information and registration

For more information and to register, visit the VetREST event page.

All neighbors are welcome. Bring a friend, lend a hand, and help us honor the Veterans in our community.

Event flyer

VetREST Veterans Day flyer (PDF)Download
Standard
Community park scene with Portland skyline and Mount Hood in the background, titled “Community Grants Are Back!” with “ECNA & North Portland Trust Fund.”
Community Posts, Education & Events, Uncategorized

Community Grants Are Back: North Portland Trust Fund (PPF)

TL;DR: The North Portland Trust Fund (PPF) is bringing community grants back after a pause from 2021–2025. $80,000 is available this year (part of $245,000 over 3 years), and ECNA is eligible. Join an info session on Feb 25 or Feb 26 to learn more.

Community Grants Are Back!

Good news, neighbors: the North Portland Trust Fund Community Grant Program (PPF) is reopening its community grants for the first time in several years.

PPF is a foundation separate from the City of Portland’s Parks & Recreation Department and is funded by the Portland International Raceway (PIR). In the past, this program has provided funding to neighborhood associations for projects that improve the community.

After a pause on grants from 2021–2025, PPF is restarting funding this year.

How much funding is available?

PPF has $245,000 available over the next 3 years, which works out to about $80,000 available this year.

East Columbia is one of eleven neighborhood associations eligible to apply, which means ECNA could potentially bring some of this funding into our neighborhood.

How the funding process works

PPF is distributing funds in a multi-step process:

  1. Screening Committee (happening now)
    A Screening Committee is being formed to choose the members of a Selection Committee. One member of each eligible neighborhood association will form the Screening Committee.
    Naomi Wichman has been selected to represent ECNA for that duty.

  2. Selection Committee Applications (Feb 15 – Mar 6)
    The Selection Committee will review applications for funds from the various neighborhood associations and choose worthy programs to receive funding.

    Applications for the Selection Committee will be accepted between February 15 – March 6.

  3. Virtual Community Info Sessions (open to everyone)
    PPF will host two virtual sessions before the grant cycle opens, and anyone can attend:

PPF Newsletter

Please consider signing up for the PPF newsletter to stay in the loop on this program and other efforts supporting parks, nature, and community.

Questions?

If you have questions about the program, you can contact:

Jason Brown – jason.brown@portlandpf.org

Standard
Zoning 101: ABCs of Land Use
Education & Events

Learn the Basics: Zoning 101 Community Workshop – January 29

TL;DR:
The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and District 2 / NECN are hosting a free Zoning 101 workshop on Thursday, January 29, from 6:30–8:30 PM. Attend in person or online to learn the basics of Portland zoning and land use. Open to everyone—especially beginners!

Hi neighbors! Curious about zoning, land use, or how development decisions get made in Portland—but not sure where to start? This upcoming workshop is a great opportunity to learn the basics in a friendly, low-pressure setting.

What’s Happening

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability is partnering with District 2 / NECN to present Zoning 101 – An Introduction to Portland Zoning. This session was originally planned for November and has now been rescheduled.

The workshop is designed especially for community members who are new to zoning and land-use topics and want a clear overview of how zoning works, why it matters, and how it shapes our neighborhoods.

Zoning 101: The ABCs of Land Use event info flyer

Zoning 101 – An Introduction to Portland Zoning
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
In Person: NECN Office (King Elementary Annex), 4815 NE 7th Ave, Portland, OR
Online: Via Zoom (registration required)
Register on Eventbrite

Why It Matters

Zoning rules influence what gets built, where housing and businesses can locate, and how neighborhoods change over time. Understanding the basics helps neighbors take part in conversations about growth, development, and long-term planning—whether you’re deeply involved or just starting to learn.

This workshop is a helpful step toward feeling more informed and empowered when land-use topics come up in our community.

How to Get Involved

You can attend either in person or online. If you’d like to join via Zoom, please be sure to register in advance using the link provided.

We encourage ECNA neighbors of all backgrounds and experience levels to attend, learn, and ask questions.

⸻

📩 Questions about the event? You can contact City Planner Kevin Bond at kevin.bond@portlandoregon.gov.

Standard
ABCs of Land Use: An Introduction to Portland Zoning
Education & Events

[Postponed] The ABCs of Land Use: Free Introduction to Portland Zoning – Nov. 13

TL;DR:
The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability and the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (District 2) are hosting a free hybrid training on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 6:30–8:00 p.m. called “ABCs of Land Use: An Introduction to Portland Zoning.” Attend in person at the King Elementary Annex (4815 NE 7th Ave) or online via Zoom.

Hi East Columbia neighbors! If you’ve ever wondered how land use and zoning decisions get made in Portland—or how to find and interpret zoning information—this event is a great place to start. The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) is teaming up with District 2 and the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN) to offer a free, accessible “Zoning 101” session open to anyone interested in understanding how planning shapes our city.

What You’ll Learn

This introductory session is designed for community members who are new to land use and zoning, or for those who’d like a refresher on the basics. Topics include:

  • How land use planning works in Portland
  • The basics of Portland’s zoning system
  • Where to find public information and resources to navigate zoning and planning tools
ECNA - Sharing the Upcoming Event: D2: Land Use Meeting - ABCs of Land Use: An Introduction to Portland Zoning


Event: ABCs of Land Use: An Introduction to Portland Zoning
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Location (Hybrid) – In Person or Virtually
Attend in person at NECN’s Office
King Elementary School Annex, 4815 NE 7th Ave
——————————-
Or join virtually via Zoom:
Join Zoom Meeting
Full event info: portland.gov/bps/planning/events

Why It Matters

Zoning shapes everything from where homes can be built to how businesses operate and how we protect natural areas. Understanding zoning helps residents advocate effectively for the kind of growth and development they want to see in their neighborhoods. This event helps demystify the process so that anyone can participate in land use discussions with confidence.

Whether you’re curious about what zoning means for your property, interested in local development proposals, or just want to get more involved in community planning—this is a great first step.

⸻

Questions?
Contact Kevin Bond, City Planner II and North Portland District Liaison, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability: kevin.bond@portlandoregon.gov or (503)823-1112.

To learn more about upcoming NECN and District 2 events, visit necoalition.org/calendar.

Standard