Hello River Friends -
I hope you are all doing as well as can be. It certainly has been a challenging time for a lot of folks. While I enjoy summer, the heat in Oregon has been intense and wildfires are affecting many people. The reality of climate change appears even more vivid.
Over the past few weeks we’ve all been busy as usual on multiple fronts, from habitat and water trail work, to Clean Water Act litigation. We were very happy to get back at it and conduct our second Pinot Paddle two weeks back, which had about 60 happy participants. Thanks to everyone who took part, including those who became new members. Also a big thank you to our volunteer crew. Without their help, events like the Pinot Paddle could not be conducted. We now look forward to our new Harvest Paddle in September (see below), which will highlight some great brews and ciders.
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Like all of you, the last year has thrown some unwanted challenges our way, but we’ve made it through with your support.
In the last Riverscape we made mention of our new Stewardship Fund for WR’s property stewardship and acquisition efforts. We’ve had a few folks inquire about how they can help. Given that, I’d like to mention this opportunity again! In time we hope to build a base of restoration funding that will keep our properties in good shape for the long-haul, and can aid in additional efforts to protect key lands along the river. If you have any interest, feel free to send me an email.
Thanks again for all of your interest in our work, and in making the Willamette River system cleaner and healthier for all!
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Thank you!
Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
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We are excited to welcome two interns to our Habitat Restoration team. Meet Alex Bans and Iris Asher! |
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Alex took a meandering path through the fields of ornithology/wildlife biology and plant ecology to find his interests at the intersections of ecosystem restoration, water quality, and urban planning/sustainability. He has a Master's of Science from PSU. His favorite natural ecosystems to explore are rivers, wetlands, coastal systems, and his favorite bird is the American Robin. In his free time Alex enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, yoga, meditation, cooking, kayaking, hiking, and exploring his culture.
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Iris is a fourth-generation Oregonian, raised on a farm surrounded by forest just outside of Sherwood. She spent countless days swimming in the Tualatin and Willamette rivers, paddling the Deschutes, and exploring the trails around Mt. Hood. She is a passionate advocate for this land, and every creature who calls it home. She believes in the collaborative potential between nature and human beings.
She is a musician (piano and banjo) and piano tuner, repairs sewing machines, and is currently completing her BS at PSU. She loves spending time with her husband, two sweet dogs, and adventurous friends. She is excited to learn as much as she can about habitat restoration planning, processes and application, and is honored to work alongside Willamette Riverkeeper’s knowledgeable and dedicated team as a student, advocate and ally of our river-home.
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Upcoming Trash Cleanup Events |
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Summer has been busy and the riverbanks show the impact! Join us at one of our upcoming trash cleanup events, happening throughout the Willamette Valley.
Portland - on August 4, we'll be cleaning up the Springwater Corridor in SE. There is plenty of space still available to join this event, register today!
Salem area - on August 18, we'll be cleaning up at Wheatland Bar. During our last cleanup here, our volunteers removed 460+ pounds of trash. We look forward to returning to cleanup this area! Register here.
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Corvallis - we're in Corvallis twice this month! On August 19, join Willamette Riverkeeper and Corvallis Parks for a cleanup and mulch day at Orleans Natural Area, register here!
August 31, we'll be cleaning on the water between Crystal Lake and Michael's Landing. Bring your own boat and join us!
Eugene - on August 24, we are partnering with the City of Eugene REC Team for a cleanup starting at the Riverhouse Outdoor Center. This cleanup event will be happening by boat, to access some hard to reach areas. More details and registration is available here.
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Registration now available for Harvest Paddle 2021! |
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We will be paddling over 26 miles of the beautiful Willamette River, camping on a quiet back channel, enjoying 3 locally catered meals, listening to live music and enjoying locally crafted beer and cider.
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It’s Time to Celebrate | Willamette River Festival |
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In just a few short weeks, we look forward to welcoming back the 5th Annual Willamette River Festival. The Festival honors and recognizes that we are on Kalapuya Ilhi – the traditional indigenous homeland of the Kalapuya people who were here first, and who will always be here. The Festival will highlight art, music, clinics, exhibits, competitions and more!
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The partnership between festival organizers provides a framework and space for all groups working to enjoy, protect and restore the Willamette River. Organizing Partners include the City of Eugene, Willamette Riverkeeper, University of Oregon Outdoor Program, Willamalane Parks and Recreation District, and Willamette Resource & Educational Network. Sponsor Partners include Willamette Kayak & Canoe Club, Lane ARTs Council, and Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission. |
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For more information about the Willamette River Festival, the event schedule, sponsorship, or opportunities to volunteer, please see: www.willametteriverfest.org.
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We cannot wait for next year, but in the meantime, you can support Willamette Riverkeeper and our friends at Yamhill Valley Vineyards by purchasing their Donation Pack. For $69 you'll receive their 2016 Pinot Blanc, 2017 Pinot Noir Estate and 2016 Riesling. AND 10% of these sales will be donated to Willamette Riverkeeper.
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Earlier in July, we had the opportunity to work with the Lane Migrant Education Program for our first River Discovery event in the last year and a half.
We worked with an awesome group of 17 high school students and 3 instructors. The group was able to learn some canoeing basics and spend time paddling in the Whilamut Natural Area canal.
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They then bagged up and removed over a yard trash from the canal and the Willamette riverbank in Alton Baker Park. Students also learned place-based watershed facts, and spotted a lot of riparian wildlife, including an eagle that claimed a fish from the canal, a heron, Canadian geese and a garden variety of ducks. Students’ favorite part of the day? Learning to paddle… and for 90% of these participants, it was their very first time!
Do you work with students? Are you another nonprofit that is interested in partnering to get folks on the Willamette? Send us an email: [email protected] for questions on our River Discovery Program!
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Meet Willamette Riverkeeper's Youngest, and Fiercest Fundraiser! |
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A couple months ago, as part of the River Guardians Program, we started doing in person trash clean-ups again in Portland. On one particular day I was heartened to see a young person and her dad in the group and when I checked the roster I was surprised to realize it was Lila Q. our youngest, and I might even say, fiercest fundraiser!
Lila was introduced to all of you pre-Covid after she wrote a letter to Willamette Riverkeeper asking for some words of wisdom about fundraising. After sharing several couple cups of hot chocolate together, Lila not only planned and ran a Spare Change fundraiser raising $110.00, she and a couple friends started the “CLUB TO FIGHT POLLUTION” at her school AND did a presentation to the entire school about her club and Willamette Riverkeeper!
Since then, Lila has continued her second Spare Change Fundraisers for Willamette Riverkeeper, raising an additional $42.21.
Given what a powerhouse Lila is, we sent her a thank you email and asked if she would be ok being highlighted in our newsletter. We sent her a couple of questions so you could all get to know her a little better.
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Why did you pick Willamette Riverkeeper?
I picked Willamette Riverkeeper because it seemed like the right choice between all the different organizations because I like to swim in the rivers in the summer and Willamette Riverkeeper keeps the rivers clean and safe.
Why did you start your club?
I started a club because pollution just kept getting worse and worse every day so I started a club with my two best friends. We eventually got a club together and we put a jar in our classroom and raised over $100! We planned a class field trip to go down to the river and clean up trash. But then Covid hit and we couldn't do the class field trip.
What kind of volunteering do you like to do?
Once in a while my dad and I sign up for a river clean up.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
I think it really depends on what I really like to do when I'm older.
THANK YOU LILA!
You are a shining example of the goodness in the world.
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"Flushing" Out Waste Water Treatment in Lane County |
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Too often people flush items down the toilet that do not belong there. A good example in recent years are cleaning “wipes,” which represent a major problem in Oregon and
beyond. These small, non-reusable, all too convenient towelettes are very problematic when they get flushed down a toilet. Even though packaging states they are "flushable", they really are not.
Frequently the wipes clog wastewater treatment equipment and make for a very expensive fix that our municipal sewage agencies have to deal with. Their jobs are tough enough without thoughtless actions, and their effort to unclog their systems costs money. Further, the accumulation of wipes in wastewater pipes can lead to sanitary sewer overflows, creating a public health hazard and environmental damage.
Thanks to recent State legislation in Oregon, these wipes can longer be labeled as "flushable" - so please dispose of them in the trash - or consider not using them at all. Wash cloths that one can launder often make more sense.
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Interested in how this all works? This month, please join us for one of two tours with the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission on site at the Lane County Wastewater Treatment Plant! Sign up for a tour here.
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