Hello!
What is that saying about April Showers … I don’t think it holds true here in the PNW because as I walk around the natural areas in our watershed I have discovered flowers in full bloom and buds just about ready to pop! All of this leads me to believe that the clouds will soon part and we will have more sunny days than cloudy. … It is almost time for all of us Portlanders to come out of hibernation!
Speaking about coming out of hibernation, this month I began my quest of exploring all the natural areas and paddling the entire slough, with the goal of completing it by the end of the year! I spent a beautiful Saturday morning several weeks ago with 24 people, paddling Smith and Bybee lakes looking for birds and learning about the natural area. I had been to Smith and Bybee before, but only on foot – what a different experience to see if from a bimaran! I'd love to hear about your adventures! Please feel free to reach out and share your photos and stories of how you experience the natural areas all around us!
Now onto what is happening at CSWC … read on! This month is chock full of free events for you, your family, and friends, and multiple ways to support the organization as we celebrate the start of spring and Earth Day! Come to an Earth Day event! Visit Worn Path or grab a beer at Level Beer where proceeds will be going to CSWC or join one of our many other events this month, all listed below!
Lastly, I would ask you to consider making a donation to CSWC, perhaps even consider joining us as a monthly donor. Your support, whether as a volunteer, a participant or a donor doesn’t go unnoticed, in fact it is appreciated every single day!
Now go explore your watershed!
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Heather
Heather King
Executive Director
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There are lots of ways to get involved with Earth Day this year! From birding, to exploring natural areas, sipping beer, and shopping at a local store, you can choose how you’d like to support Columbia Slough Watershed Council this Earth Day! Please scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to see all upcoming events and details.
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Flood Safe Columbia River Webinar
Wednesday, April 26th, 5:30-7:30PM
Did you know that majority of the Columbia Slough’s natural areas are protected from Columbia River flooding by flood control infrastructure that is mostly hidden in plain sight? Join us for a virtual Earth Day Webinar with the Flood Safe Columbia River initiative to learn more about this hidden system, efforts to make this system more resilient against climate change, and how to get involved moving forward.
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Saturday, April 22nd
Worn Path
Shop online at worn-path.com or in store on N Mississippi Ave for outdoor equipment on April 22nd and 10% of sales will be donated to CSWC!
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Our friends at Level Beer have created a beer to benefit the Slough! Visit any Level Beer location on or after Earth Day and purchase our collaboration beer - all profits from this beer will benefit CSWC!
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Sponsor Feature:
Earth Engineers, Inc.
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Earth Engineers is a sponsor of our Earth Day celebrations this year! They have made a generous donation to our Earth Day Oregon campaign and help make our multitude of Earth Day events possible. A huge thank you to Earth Engineers for their continued support of the Watershed Council! |
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Now Accepting Nominations
for the Henrietta Awards
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The Council achieves its mission through strong partnerships and collaborative action. Each year the most outstanding accomplishments of a person, group, project, or initiative as related to the Council’s mission are recognized at the Columbia Slough Watershed Council’s Annual Slough Celebration.
Nominations will be accepted through 11:59pm on Sunday, April 23.
Award Categories:
- Leadership: Person, group, or organization who has demonstrated significant or extraordinary commitments to the watershed
- Achievement: Projects, programs or project/program-related efforts that resulted in significant or extraordinary improvements to the watershed and its community.
Who is eligible for an award?
Any person, group, organization whose leadership benefits the watershed, who partners with the CWSC, or who implements a project within the watershed.
More information about the award and past winners are available here.
Questions? Reach out to Amanda.
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Did You Know
CSWC is recruiting Committee Members!
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Anyone with a passion for our mission and who is interested in learning is encouraged to join a committee. You don't need previous experience to become a Committee Member at CSWC. BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply!
What do you do as a committee member?
Work with other members of your committee to advise CSWC's board on actions to take, and provide more in-depth information to the board on a particular topic.
Committees that are currently recruiting include:
- Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI)
- Development
- Land-Use
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Save the Date - Slough Celebration
Saturday, May 20th, 2-6 PM
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Join us for our annual Slough Celebration at Whitaker Ponds, celebrating when CSWC was first formed! This event will have fun for the whole family, including:
- Free food & drinks
- Music
- Raffle
- Opportunities for paddling, bird watching, learning about Slough wildlife, and more!
Stay tuned - more details coming soon!
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April Slough Science -
Heat, Housing, & Ecosystem Health
with Dr. Vivek Shandas
Wednesday, April 19th, 5:30-7:30PM
at Level Beer on NE 148th Ave.
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This educational speaker event will feature Dr. Vivek Shandas, a professor at PSU and founder of the Sustaining Urban Places Research (SUPR) Lab, discussing heat, housing, and ecosystem health. We encourage participants to support our host, Level Beer!
Slough Science is free and open to whoever is curious, so come nerd out with us! Spots are limited so please register on our website.
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Old Kmart Site Development |
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Have you heard about the old Kmart site on NE 122nd and NE Sandy Blvd? Plans are being made to develop it into a warehouse amid criticism from local residents. The Parkrose Argay Coalition has formed to bring more awareness and opportunities for community involvement in plans for the site. Send an email to [email protected] to learn more.
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Its Earth Month and we've got lots of FREE opportunities to get involved! Register and find out more information about CSWC events on our website.
Sunday, April 16th, 12:30PM-3PM
Join healer Misako Yamamoto, and Columbia Slough Watershed Council, for a free guided 2.5-hour nature connection and mindfulness exploration walk.
Wednesday, April 19th, 5:30PM-7:30PM
See more information above.
Saturday, April 22nd, 9:30AM-11:30AM
Join the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and BirdHers for a free on-water birding opportunity on the Columbia Slough! This event is for womxn, queer, non-binary and trans people of all ages. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, April 22nd, 10AM-2PM
Join us in celebrating Earth Day with friends and family with Verde, People of Color Outdoors, Friends of Trees, Audubon and Portland Parks and Recreation.
Wednesday, April 26th, 5:30PM-7:30PM
See more information above.
Friday, April 28th, 1PM-4PM
Join the Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a cleanup event beginning at the St. John's Prairie boat launch! Participants can bring their own boat, or borrow a seat in one of ours. This event is best suited for those 18 and older. Minors 14 and older are permitted if accompanied by an adult.
Saturday, April 29th, 3PM-5:30PM
Join Irene Bailey, Program Director of Temenos Rising, for a free guided 2.5-hour forest bathing walk at Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area on Saturday, April 29 from 3 - 5:30pm. This event is open to all!
Domingo, Abril 30, 9AM-11AM
Únete a una caminata primaveral con Columbia Slough Watershed Council para ver aves en el parque Kelley Point Park. Este evento es gratuito y abierto para todas las edades. Será guiado por observadores locales de aves: Ryan Gilpin y Melissa Orozco (de Educate Ya); todo el evento será en español.
Saturday, May 6th, 9:30AM-12PM
Join facilitator and educator Jo Linden, and Columbia Slough Watershed Council, for a free guided 2.5-hour nature connection and mindfulness exploration walk. We hope to explicitly make space in this offering for our LGBTQIA+ community. Please only register for this workshop if you identify as LGBTQIA+.
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