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From the Riverkeeper
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 | | Willamette just south of Harrisburg (KR) |
From the Riverkeeper -
Greetings from river-central! As we enter what will hopefully be a warm and wonderful summer, there are efforts at both ends of the Willamette that are critical to the river's health.
On the upstream end, on some of the key tributaries to the mainstem Willamette, there are significant efforts to improve the passage of fish over the dams that today block the river system's flow. The consequences of these dams on the river have been dramatic - with the ability of Spring Chinook, among other fish species, to naturally reproduce being drastically curtailed. As a result of WR's lawsuit a few years ago, today the US Army Corps must improve fish passage - a key component to recovering these fish.
Many miles downstream, the effort to clean-up Portland Harbor moves forward, with this highly contaminated Superfund site in need of cleanup. The removal of sediments on the river-bottom that are rich with PCBs and other contaminants in some cases is essential to the river's long term health.
 | | Returning to the river (KR) |
Every day WR is working hard to advocate for these issues, working actively in the processes that surround them, and to educate people about the river and what it needs. The time is now to make improvements for this river. Join us as a member, a volunteer, a participant in one of our trips, or in providing your voice to key issues.
For the river,
Travis
Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
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Double Feature Fundraiser- THIS Thursday, 7/5
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Enjoy TWO two powerful environmental documentaries while supporting Willamette Riverkeeper and Portland Audubon!
 | | Beyond the Spill Trailer |
What: Double Feature Fundraiser
When: THIS Thursday, July 5th at 7PM
Where: Clinton Street Theater
Beyond the Spill: Following the BP Oil Spill, 22 Oregonians including local journalists, artists, documentary filmmakers, teachers, students and activists traveled to the Gulf Coast to bear witness to the impacts of this environmental disaster on the cultural, economic, and environmental fabric of the region. They would be introduced to a complex and ambiguous crisis, and leave considering how their actions a continent away could influence our evolution Beyond the Spill.
 | | The Big Fix Trailer |
The Big Fix: On Earthday, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig sank creating the worst oil spill in history. According to the global media, the story ended when the well was capped - but that's when the real story began. By exposing the root causes of the oil spill and what really happened after the news cameras left the Gulf states, filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell uncover a vast network of corruption.
After the screening, John Waller, the director of Beyond the Spill, along with other members of the Gulf Coast team will be available for audience Q & A.
We'll also have a book signing for OIL AND WATER with Steve Duin and Shannon Wheeler.
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River Discovery- Saturday, 7/21
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 | | View of Goat Island from Clackamette Park (KR) |
Join us for our Urban Islands & Streams paddling adventure!
In partnership with our friends at the North Clackamas Urban Watersheds Council we'll seek out the hidden confluences of several urban waterways including Rinearson, Boardman, River Forest, Tryon, Kellogg, and Johnson Creeks, and discuss various restoration efforts. In addition we'll explore four urban islands: Goat, Cedar, Hog, and Elk Rock.
When: Saturday, July 21st, arrive @ 9:30am for a 10am launch
Put-in: Dahl Park in Gladstone
Take out: Jefferson St. Boat Ramp in Milwaukie (off the water around 1pm, then we'll run the shuttle)
Total Distance: 6.5 river miles
 | | Elk Rock Island- 40 million year old basalt! (KR) |
This trip requires a shuttle! WR has a limited number of seats available to shuttle drivers from the take-out, back to the put-in (approximately a 10-13 minute drive) to collect your vehicles. If you ride with us, you will leave your boat behind at the take-out where it will be supervised. We welcome you to set your own shuttle as well.
To register contact kate@willametteriverkeeper.org or call 503-223-6418. To reserve a Willamette Riverkeeper tandem canoe you must sign up with a paddling partner.
Bring: water, snacks or lunch (we'll find a picnic spot on the river) and pack extra layers just in case (or perhaps a swimsuit)!
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Paddle to Preserve Ross Island- Thursday, 7/12
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 | | Lola enjoys her first canoe trip in Ross Island's Holgate Channel (KR) |
Ross Island is a gem of a natural area in the heart of the City of Portland providing 55 acres of critical habitat for wildlife. After a lifetime of resource extraction, Ross Island is an altered landscape in need of habitat enhancement.
For an opportunity to learn more about our work on Ross Island... join us for an evening paddle trip! We will be hosting one trip a month from now through October.
What: Paddle to Preserve Ross Island
When: Thursday evening, 7/12 from 6pm - 9pm
Details: Spend your evening learning about Ross Island while exploring it's shores by canoe in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation-City Nature, Willamette Riverkeeper and the Friends of Ross Island. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the native plants and wildlife that currently call the island home, as well as on-going restoration efforts.
We will gather prepared to paddle by Willamette Riverkeeper's canoes in the Portland Boathouse parking lot, near the gravel lot and East Side esplanade. This event is family friendly! Children are welcome when accompanied and supervised by an adult.
Use your own canoe or kayak, or reserve a spot in a canoe. To register email Marissa.Dorais@portlandOregon.gov
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Even More Paddling Opportunities!
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 | | SE Boat House dock (KR) |
In partnership with the Office of Healthy Working Rivers, we invite you to experience an evening paddle trip on the Willamette in Downtown Portland with Riverkeeper Travis Williams leading us downstream from the Hawthorne Bridge. We'll paddle as far as the Fremont Bridge with a view of the Portland Harbor Superfund area, as well as River Mile 11, and we'll discuss challenges facing the Willamette today.
What: Portland Paddles
When: Thursday, 7/19 and 7/26 from 6pm - 8:30pm
Where: meet at the SE Portland Boathouse (SE Water Ave & SE Clay) by WR's canoe trailer in the parking lot
As usual, our tandem canoes are available upon request. To reserve a canoe, you must also have a paddling partner.
To register, contact kate@willametteriverkeeper.org or call 503-223-6418
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The Big Float II- Sunday, 7/29
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THE BIG FLOAT
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One day last summer over 1,500 hardy souls formed a human flotilla of inner tubes and other watercraft and gallantly sailed across the mighty Willamette River in downtown Portland
Well, get ready. We're setting sail again!
THE BIG FLOAT II
When: Sunday, 7/29 -Registration from 10am-noon, Parade starts 12:30pm
Where: East side of Willamette River near Hawthorne Bridge (SE Portland Boathouse parking lot)
What: Pre-float parade, after-float party, live music, food carts, exhibits, sponsor booths
Why: Because we can.
It is strongly encouraged to pre-register online! It will save you time by not having to wait in line on the day of the event. Registration is a measly $5. You can purchase a life jacket which is required for $8. Also, there's a limited number of Big Float t-shirts available for purchase online.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 100 -150 safety paddlers in kayaks, canoes, or on SUP boards are needed! We will also have support from the Marine Patrol, Fire Rescue, and US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Safety paddlers paddle in and around the floaters throughout the event. It's a hoot! Register to volunteer here.
There will be two opportunities to pick up participant wristbands, life jackets and shirts prior to the event for those who have registered on line: Sunday July 15 or Monday July 23 at Bunk Bar from 6-9.
 | | Eleanor, locked and loaded (KR) |
New Features for TBF II
* Outlandish Watercraft Award
* Best-of-Cruise Costume Award
* Paddlers parade - kayakers, canoeists, dragon boaters, crew teams, SUP'ers
* Floating barge with live music
The Big Float II is open to all ages. All floaters must wear a life jacket. It's a safe voyage, not a race.
Join the flotilla. Share in the "great crossing" and participate in the grandest pool party Portland has ever seen!
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Portland Bridge Swim- Sunday, 7/22
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It's back!
Portland Bridge Swim- Sunday, 7/22
Sellwood to St. Johns
11 miles, 11 bridges
Registration is still open, and volunteer opportunities such as safety paddlers are still available. Contact race organizer Marisa Frieder at Marisa@portlandbridgeswim.com.
Proceeds benefit Willamette Riverkeeper!
Good luck swimmers!
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New Belgium Brewing CLIPS OF FAITH Beer & Film Fest- Friday, August 3rd
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Don't Miss Portland's First EVER... Paddle-IN Film & Beer Fest!
 | | Clips of Faith 2011 |
The Clips of Faith Tour is brought to you by the "alternatively empowered" New Belgium Brewing and benefits your river-loving friends at Willamette Riverkeeper.
Clips of Faith is touring in only a few select cities across the country, including PDX!
Enjoy HANDMADE Films & HANDMADE Beers in downtown Portland's Waterfront Park bowl, against the backdrop of our home river!
To Paddle-In: Park at the SE Portland Boathouse, pack your kayak or canoe with a comfy blanket, and paddle over to the Waterfront Park beach (remember to bring a light).
To Pedal-In: Another great option, additional bike racks will be available for your convenience.
When: Friday, August 3rd from 7:30pm - 10:30pm. Films begin at dark.
Where: Waterfront Park bowl area, south of the Hawthorne Bridge
Cost: FREE entry, bring $ for beer, food carts, raffle tickets etc.
 | | Win me at Clips of Faith! |
VOLUNTEER! We need your HELP; it will take 56 river-loving volunteers to help make this event a success. PLEASE contact kate@willametteriverkeeper.org or call 503-223-6418.
Volunteer incentives include...
- a Willamette Riverkeeper and/or a New Belgium Brewing t-shirt
- take-home beer (21 & over)
- a chance to win a New Belgium Cruiser BIKE!
Clips of Faith Volunteer Roles include:
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Beer Gypsy in action
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Beer Servers
We need a strong volunteer base here in the form of pourers and servers, and folks that can keep a line moving! Servers do NOT need to have an OLCC permit (but if you have one that's a bonus!). You will need to check for wristbands. Volunteers will not be changing any kegs, but will be responsible for informing NBB staff when that needs to be done.
Beer Gypsies
The Beer gypsies will be given trays that have a shoulder strap (think 40's cigar girls) around their shoulders and hold approximately a dozen 3 oz samples of beer. They will roam the event with a specific flavor of beer checking for wristbands and taking tokens.
 ID Check: Wristbands, Passports, & Beer Tokens
These folks are responsible for making sure every single person served at the event is of legal drinking age. ID checkers approve the guest's valid Identification card (Drivers license, State ID, Passport, Military ID, or Green Card), and assuming that ID is valid, current, and the holder is in fact 21 years of age, they give the guest a wristband to mark their ability to drink, and send them to the beer token booth. The volunteers selling tokens and handling main cash flow, as well as distributing passports and giving a quick explanation about the flow of the event.
Hot Commodities - "HC"
There is another place at the Clips of Faith Beer and Film Tour where we hope to be very busy. We call this area "Hot Commodities." In this area we will be selling blankets and Clips of Faith T-Shirts. These volunteers are in charge of setting up the "display" and keeping track of inventory and sales.
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YouTube
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We enjoyed a gorgeous evening paddle trip last month. See why this is one of the most beautiful and unique stretches of the Willamette!
*For the best viewing quality* select "HD" (the gear icon in the YouTube tool bar, just left of the clock icon)
 | | Willamette Narrows June River Discovery |
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Paddle Oregon 2012
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Paddle Oregon 2012 REGISTRATION CLOSES at the end of this month!
Sign up today or you just might get left out!
Expect OUTSTANDING entertainment, gourmet food, local beer & wine, and beautiful river vistas.
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