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June Riverscape
In This E-mail
From The Riverkeeper
Welcome Gil, Our New Intern!
Help Us Fight Aquatic Invasive Weeds
Paddle to Restore Ross Island: Wednesday, 6/17
River Discovery: Thursday, 6/18
Hopworks Community Tap Kick-off: Wednesday, July 1st
Willamette Mission Floodplain Restoration Expands
Volunteer Spotlight
Paddle Oregon: "Fantastically Fun" says Canoe & Kayak Magazine
From The Riverkeeper
Just a few hundred thousand years of Willamette geologic history on display downstream of Harrisburg (TW)

 

Hello Folks -

 

It is amazing that we are at the threshold of summer yet again here along the Willamette. This time of year for me always feels like a time of change - with kids getting out of school, work projects gaining speed, and a full calendar of summer events ahead. An added layer for me this particular June is that Im marking 15 years at Willamette Riverkeeper, and that, suffice it to say, is quite a trip!

 

In looking back just a bit, there has been a lot of good things that have happened over that timespan. WR has upheld the Clean Water Act numerous times over the years, and we sued the US Army Corps to force the completion of the Biological Opinion for the Willamette that will improve fish passage at the dams. We have also introduced the river to literally thousands of people, usually in canoes and kayaks, and we've forged great partnerships with other organizations (such as Doug Quirke with the Oregon Clean Water Action Project), and with government agencies, such as with Oregon State Parks in our Water Trail partnership. We've worked with myriad citizens and members who have spotted issues along the river that we have resolved to protect the river's health - such as our work in Corvallis on the Hollingsworth and Vose site. WR has also helped to move the Superfund cleanup of Portland Harbor forward, and we've made many other gains for the river over that time. 

 

All along though it is not about any one person, it is a group effort. It is about all our staff (today with Kate, Marci, and Michelle doing great work), and our Board of Directors who provide support and hard work on WR's behalf (James, Russ, Kat, Jeff, Phil, Bart, and Scott). Of immense importance, it is our members and other supporters who enable us to have the funds to do our work. Without some green, there is much less likelihood we will work on protecting and expanding the Greenway, or address any other issues affecting the Willamette's health. All of your support over the years from membership dollars, sponsorships, grants, to donations of gear have made the difference for Willamette Riverkeeper. We truly appreciate those people and entities that support our work.

 

It has also been awesome to get to know so many wonderful, smart, and dedicated people over the years. There is so much good energy and great work going on at many levels related to the river. So, thank you. It has been a great job so far that I hope to keep trying to get better at for at least a few more years. Thanks to all of you for your support of our work. It means a lot. 

 

I would be negligent in this writing if I didn't make this request: If you aren't already a member please consider becoming one, and if your business is not a sponsor of the Great Willamette Cleanup, please get on board today! Thanks. 

 

For the River, 

 

Travis

 

Travis Williams

Riverkeeper & Executive Director

 

Welcome Gil, Our New Intern!

 

Willamette Riverkeeper is excited to welcome Gilbert Hamilton to our staff. He will be interning with us from mid May-mid July. Gil has spent much of his life in the outdoors and enjoys spending time surfing, hiking, backpacking, and fly-fishing. Gil comes to us thanks to Patagonia's Employee Environmental Internship Program.

 

Patagonia employees from all parts of the company are allowed up to two months away from their regular roles to work for the environmental group of their choice while continuing to earn their paycheck and benefits. This year, 34 individuals, 12 stores and one department took advantage of this program-putting in almost 10,000 volunteer hours for 43 organizations. Gil is excited to get his hands dirty while exploring the Willamette and we look forward to all of the positive energy and enthusiasm he's already bringing to our team! 


 
 

Help Us Fight Aquatic Invasive Weeds

 

Help address Aquatic Invasives on the Willamette! We are working with land managers, scientists, and concern citizens throughout the Willamette Basin to address the growing issue of aquatic weeds. These plants often grow in slower moving water found in side channel and sloughs. Aquatic systems support diverse native plant and wildlife populations and provide clean water to Oregonians. Invasive plants threaten the health of these systems by negatively impacting water quality and habitat. You can join us to help stop their spread! 

 

invasive Curly Pond Leaf

Come join us as we paddle from Corvallis to Albany....

 

River Based Workshop: 
 

--Thursday, 6/11 from 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Learn to identify and control aquatic invasive species while on the river! Paddle on the Willamette River from Michael's Landing in Corvallis to Hyak Park in Albany. Bring your own boat or reserve a space in a Riverkeeper canoe. Our staff will help run a shuttle for this trip. 

 

Aquatic Weed Paddle & Pull: 
 

--Saturday, 6/20 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

 

--Wednesday, 6/24 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

 

Spend a day paddling on the Willamette while also protecting habitat for fish and wildlife. We'll be stopping at several priority locations along the river to pull aquatic invasive plants. We'll paddle from Michael's Landing in Corvallis to Hyak Park in Albany. Bring your own boat or reserve a space in a Riverkeeper canoe. Our staff will help run a shuttle for this trip. 

 

For more information or to REGISTERemail [email protected].  

 

Paddle to Restore Ross Island: Wednesday, 6/17

 

What: Paddle to restore Ross Island

 

When: Wednesday, 6/17 from 9 AM to 1:30 PM

 

Details: Enjoy learning more about Ross Island's history while exploring the interior of this unique urban wildlife refuge and helping to remove invasive plants. Paddle from Willamette Park to the western shoreline of Ross Island Natural Area in either your own boat or one of our canoes. Please dress for the weather and bring water, snacks, close-toed shoes (rubber boots suggested), and an extra warm layer.

 

Register: email [email protected]

 
River Discovery: Thursday, 6/18 

 

Up close to Hogg Island (TW)

What: Come explore the lower Willamette together with our friends from River Network

 

When: Thursday, 6/18 from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM 

 

Details: We'll paddle an 8 mile loop from Dahl Beach to George Rogers Park and back, focusing on past, present and future restoration projects and opportunities within this reach. We'll also paddle past Goat, Cedar, and Hogg Islands. Bring your own boat or reserve a place in one of Willamette Riverkeeper's canoes. Pack water, snacks, and extra layers.

 

Register: email [email protected] 

 

Hopworks Community Tap Kick-off: Wednesday, July 1st

 

We are thrilled to be featured as Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) Community Tap beneficiary at their SE Powell Blvd location in Portland for the month of July!

 

Riverkeeper will receive 1% of all pint sales from this location throughout the month. Please join us to raise a pint (15 to choose from!) as we kick off this occasion on Wednesday, July 1st at 5:30pm.

 

HUB is Portland's first Eco-Brewpub. They offer handcrafted organic beers and fresh, local ingredients, all served in sustainably-built and operated buildings. Hopworks incorporates many aspects of sustainability, from composting to salvaged materials, and from pervious pavers to hand dryers, they have made every effort to protect "our" future with a thoughtful alternative. They are 100% renewably powered and "cradle to gate" carbon neutral. 

 

Willamette Mission Floodplain Restoration Expands
Bye bye invasive blackberry- before ( above left) and after (above right)

 

Abiqua Academy students pitched in by pulling weeds 

This month we are breaking ground on Phase 2 of our Willamette Mission Floodplain Reforestation Project! This phase will restore an additional 200 acres of critical wildlife habitat at Willamette Mission State Park in forest tracts that are both north and south of Beaver Island. Restoration efforts will enhance shrub-scrub wetlands, ash swales, and black cottonwood forest. Staff from Willamette Riverkeeper, Oregon Parks and Recreation, and Ash Creek Forest Management met up in late May to walk the project area and develop a more detailed action plan for site preparation during 2015.
 

We are looking forward to getting closer to meeting our goal of restoring 395 acres in this historic park, which boasts one of the largest tracts of floodplain forest in the Willamette Valley. If you are interested in getting involved, or learning more about this project please contact [email protected].

 

Volunteer Spotlight


 

We would like to thank Enzo Nutile for all the time and energy he spent helping us out with restoration projects this spring as part of his biology class at Portland Community College!

 
Paddle Oregon: "Fantastically Fun" says C&K Magazine

 







Canoe & Kayak Magazine recently listed 
Paddle Oregon as one of the 
Top 5 "Fantastically Fun Group Paddles" in the US! 
Come discover why this August :)
 

 

  

 
Travis Williams- Riverkeeper & Executive Director
 
Kate (Ross) Kuthe- Outreach & Education Coordinator
 
Marci Krass- Restoration Coordinator
 
Michelle Emmons- Eugene/Springfield Community Advocate 
 

                                                    
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