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Hello Friends -
As you may know, I will be stepping back from my position at WR to focus my energy on land acquisition at a new Land Trust. The goal is to conduct this transition slowly. Even so, over the past two weeks I and others have received some odd questions and inquiries about WR's future. Eye rolls aside - our work continues, and our vital organization will continue on with strength and vigor! You have a vital role to play in this.
WR will continue fighting for Clean Water and Healthy Habitat! While we are working through the transition process, WR's staff will continue to deliver on clean water advocacy, enhancing watershed habitat, and ensuring communities along the Willamette basin continue to remain engaged in our mission.
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Conservation Director, Bob Sallinger, will continue to fight the good fight on a number of fronts.
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Staff Attorney, Lindsey Hutchison, will ensure that we continue to hold polluters accountable.
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Restoration Manager, Vanessa Youngblood, will work with our partners to continue our amazing restoration work.
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South Valley Program Manager, Michelle Emmons, will continue to coordinate and enhance opportunities for education, stewardship, and recreation.
Some people take a negative view of transitions, but we believe there is an opportunity to move and grow! That is why we are mounting a Transition Fundraising Campaign! Our goal in the next two months is to raise $100k to ensure the work continues and our transition is a success long after I'm focusing only on land acquisition!
WR's staff are experienced and dedicated professionals who keep WR's work moving forward day in and day out. YOU can help ensure that the work we do for clean water and healthy habitat moves forward.
Donate below and let's keep the work going, even during a transition!
WR is no stranger to the ebbs and flows that change can bring. We are a vital organization with an important mission relevant for everyone with a stake in the Willamette Watershed.
Please help us keep fighting the good fight!
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Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
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Why support Willamette Riverkeeper? Because we ADVOCATE, EDUCATE, AND TAKE ACTION to protect OUR Willamette River water quality and habitat! You can make positive change today by supporting our work in a variety of ways:
- Mail a donation to WR at 1210 Center St., Oregon City, OR 97045.
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Make an online donation at www.willametteriverkeeper.org
- Make an IRA distribution, and direct it to the same address above
- Donate stock to WR. Contract Travis for our account information.
- You can donate property of different types in support of our work.
- You can also place WR in your will as part of our legacy planning program.
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Please contact us for more information. Thank you for your consideration and continued support!
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Native plants offer important building blocks for restoring degraded ecosystems and play an integral part in rebuilding habitats critical for native fish and wildlife. Together, WR contractors, R Franco Restoration and Integrated Resource Management, and Willamette Riverkeeper installed 70,000 native shrubs, trees, sedges, rushes and grasse sat three major project sites. 41,400 of those plants were provided thanks to Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s “Collab Grow” program. Additionally, Seven Oaks Nursery and Scholls Valley Nursery helped procure the remaining plants to continue our hard work at Gail Achterman Wildlife Area, Willamette Mission State Park, and Minto Brown Island Park.
For 2024, WR has been awarded funding from the Oregon State Weed Board to continue our A-listed AIS work, which partners with Benton SWCD, Yamhill SWCD, OPRD and many others. We also have a few other restoration grants in the works – stay tuned as WR continues to lead the way in AIS treatment strategies that benefit the entire watershed.
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WR RESTORATION PROGRAM MODELS SUCCESS FOR UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS ACROSS US | |
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In March 2023, WR Restoration Manager, Vanessa Youngblood, presented WR’s 2023 aquatic invasive species (AIS) work for the two A-listed ODA invasive weeds, yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata) and garden loosestrife (Lysimachia vulgaris) in Missoula, Montana at the 2024 Western AIS Short Course. Her presentation also highlighted WR’s ongoing Ludwigia project, including the important work of WR’s volunteers during Paddle & Pull events.
As a WR supporter, you too, can learn more about these efforts by watching Vanessa's lecture below! Thanks to Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension for producing this video.
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Paddling Magazine is teaming up with Willamette Riverkeeper and local Eugene businesses WildCraft Cider Works, Oregon Paddle Sports and more to put on the the first Paddle Film Fest World Tour in Eugene, OR. This fundraiser helps to support WR's work in education, advocacy and restoration in the upper Willamette and across the entire watershed. Please join us for a fun evening of independent storytelling through film, adventure, and conservation!
See our website for more information or purchase your tickets today. Limited seating, doorprizes provided by Oregon Paddle Sports.
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SPRING FOR YOUR RIVER:
EARTH DAY RIVER CLEANUP
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Join Willamette Riverkeeper and all of our AMAZING PARTNERS in Eugene and Springfield and SPRING FOR YOUR RIVER this Earth Day, Saturday, April 20th. Choose from one of seven sites, on land, or on water! This year's partners include the City of Eugene, Willamalane Parks and Recretion District, Willamette Kayak & Canoe Club, Oregon Paddle Sports, Oregon WaterShed, and UO Law Center: Land. Water. Air. REGISTER HERE./ |
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! | | | | |
