February 2023 | Columbia Slough Watershed Council News
News from the Slough
Hello Everyone,

The sun is giving us hints each week that spring is coming soon and with it longer days and warmer weather, which we all know leads to more time outside. With that said, the rainy weather and cloud cover has not stopped the crew at CSWC from being outside, holding events and getting those plants in the ground! We have all been busy, not just planning for those sunny days that will be here soon, but making sure we are out and about throughout the watershed! 

This past month our team was able to spend the day at a staff retreat planning our programming for 2023, talking about Big Audacious Goals for the Council in the years to come and getting in some team building while rolling around on 8 wheels. We are really excited to introduce you all to new programming and bringing back some oldies but goodies!

I hope that you were able to join us this past month at one of our many events. Did you attend the first Slough Science and learn about dragonflies? Did you head out and do some planting with our stewardship team? Did you or your kiddo learn something cool during a Slough School classroom lesson or on a field trip? Attend a public meeting to learn more about how you can advocate for your watershed? If not, fret not … there is more planned throughout February and beyond. Check out all the information below and on our website to register for an event soon.

Thank you for all for our watershed. I hope to see you out there soon!

Heather

Heather King
Executive Director
Did You Know
About our Paddle Team?
  • All our on-water events are led by a volunteer team who are trained in water safety
  • Last year, the paddle team helped host over 40 free paddle events, including Partner Paddles with local organizations like People of Color Outdoors, Black Men's Wellness, and Outdoor Afro
  • The Paddle Team also hosted 6 Bilingual Paddle events in partnership with organizations like Vive NW and the Slavic Community Center
Save the Dates

  • Monday, March 20th, 6-7:30PM - Virtual Webinar: Learn more at our virtual webinar, this is also required for all who want to join our paddle team in 2023
  • Saturday, April 1st, 9AM-4PM - In Person Training
  • Thursday, April 20th, 5:30-7:30PM - On-Water Training (optional)

Registration links coming soon!
February Slough Science - Birds of the Slough
Thursday, Feb. 23rd
5:30-7:30PM at Level Beer on NE 148th Ave.

For our February speaker, join Brodie Cass Talbott discussing birds of the Slough! This presentation will be in English. Brodie Cass Talbott is an educator and trip leader for Portland Audubon, where he leads birding trips and teaches classes on birds. He's searched for birds across five continents, but is happiest looking for feathered friends in his hometown of Portland. 

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.
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, through the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, supports CSWC's Education program. This includes Slough School, which teaches K-12 students in North Portland about ecological concepts like erosion, water chemistry, and native plants.
In 2022, CSWC reached over 4000 student contacts and served 83% low income and 74% students of color, and we hope to reach event more students this year. Thanks to their support, we have hired a Slough School Assistant to help grow the program! A huge thanks for their generous support!
Sponsor Highlight:
This month we are highlighting WYLD CBD, our sponsor and Give!Guide partner who donated their CBD Seltzer and matched donations up to $10,000 during our end of year fundraising! WYLD manufactures all their products in Oregon and is a Climate Neutral Certified brand that is dedicated to sustainability.

In December, WYLD and CSWC did a partner planting at Wilkes Creek and planted over 80 native plants on a drizzly Saturday morning. Their generosity and support of our programs throughout the year is incredible!
Native Plant Feature - Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus, commonly known as the Snowberrry, is a Northwest native shrub species that thrives along stream banks and produces small white berries that are browsed by some birds. We commonly plant these at restoration sites like Wilkes Creek since they can grow in wet soils.
Check out this article highlighting the essential work of our amazing partners, Verde and Blueprint Foundation.
February Events Lineup
Winter is in full force and so is planting season! It's time for Stewardship Saturdays again, where you can help improve your local waterways and natural areas and come plant native plants with us this month! Register and find out more information about CSWC events on our website.


Saturday, February 4th, 10AM-1PM
Come join CSWC and Portland Parks & Recreation as we plant native trees and shrubs at our treasured public park at the confluence of the Columbia Slough, Willamette River, and Columbia River, Kelly Point Park!

Tuesday, February 7, 6-7PM

Thursday, February 9, 6-7PM

Saturday, February 11th, 9AM-1PM
Come join your neighbors and CSWC as we plant natives along Wilkes Creek! The event will take place at Wilkes Creek Natural Area and will focus on improving this important natural area. We will be planting in an area recently cleared of blackberry and ivy in effort to restore this hidden gem.

Saturday, February 11th, 1:30-3:30PM
Join CSWC for a clean up event at the Johnson Lake Property in NE Portland! Age Limit: This event is best suited for those 18 and older. Minors 16 and older are permitted if accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, February 19th, 9-11 AM
Join CSWC with local birder and tree expert, Ryan Gilpin, for a winter bird walk at Kelley Point Park. This free event is open to all ages.

Thursday February 23rd, 5:30-7:30PM
More info above!

Saturday, February 25th, 10AM-1PM
Join the CSWC, SOLVE, Portland General Electric and Gresham Public Schools for a day of stewardship at a budding environmental education space at Clear Creek Middle School. We will be pulling English ivy and managing Himalayan blackberry to support native vegetation at this educational space for CCMS ecology students.

Community Paddle at Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area Saturday, February 25th, 10AM-12PM
Join the CSWC for a free winter community paddle! All ages are welcome to this community event - minors must be accompanied by an adult. This event will be held on the water - participants are welcome to bring their own boat, or reserve a seat in one of ours! 

Tuesday, March 7, 9AM-12PM
Join the CSWC for a cleanup event beginning at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park in NE Portland! This event is best suited for those 18 and older. Minors 14 and older are permitted if accompanied by an adult.
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