Want to help convert a parking lot to a natural area?

Friends of Baltimore Woods and DePave will hold a volunteer "food, music and sledge hammers" party on Saturday, July 28 to remove a two-acre parking lot in North Portland.

The groups are working to protect and restore the Baltimore Woods area, and restore the land under the parking lot to become part of a native Oregon white oak prairie.

DePave will provide volunteers with tools and safety gear, but participants must wear closed-toe shoes.

The hard work takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, at the west end of N. Catlin Avenue in Portland's St. Johns neighborhood.

The celebration continues until 3 p.m., featuring food, music, art and other activities.

For more information: friendsofbaltimorewoods.org or depave.org.