Hello!



I was recently reminded of the promise I made this time last year that I would paddle the whole Slough. Unfortunately, I did not fulfill that promise due to water levels and schedule issues last year. However, I did paddle most of it on separate paddle trips over the past year – what a sight to behold – our hidden gem. I have rebooted that goal with hopes of paddling the whole slough in one day sometime before the end of the year. 



Summer is in full bloom throughout the watershed and we at CSWC have wasted no time in filling our calendar with a diverse range of activities for everyone! From paddles to bird walks to photography classes and more, there's something for everyone. We are excited to welcome and encourage you to participate!

There are several events from now until the end of July; here are some upcoming events you should consider attending!

• July 13 - The Great Annual Slough Cleanup will take place at various spots throughout the watershed. Find out more information here!
• July 20 - Explorando el Columbia Slough from 1 PM – 4 PM at Whitaker Ponds. Learn more here!

As always, you can find the list of events and sign up on our website.

Be Well,



Heather King

Executive Director

Welcome 2024 Interns!

This year we are excited to welcome four seasonal interns to our team!

Lashay Gates, Justin Byrd, and Ruby Taylor are joining our team as this year's Community Event & Restoration Interns. Throughout the summer you can expect to see them guiding boats on the Columbia Slough, teaching people how to safely recreate, offering education about natural spaces, and much more! Once the weather starts to cool, they will shift into Stewardship work which will involve tending to natural areas, removing invasive plants, and supporting Stewardship Saturday's. Make sure to say hello at our next event!

Cing Dim is also joining our team as the Community Event & Outreach Intern. They will be busy behind the scenes to support the promotion of our community events including building flyers, social media content, and tabling at events in the community.

We are so grateful for all that they bring to our team!

Support the CSWC!

Take a moment to Recommend Columbia Slough Watershed Council as a Grantee for REI's Cooperative Action Fund!

REI is on a mission yo create a more equitable outdoors! The REI Cooperative Action Fund directly supports organizations promoting justice, equity and belonging in the outdoors to strengthen the health and well-being of people and communities.

EXPLORANDO el Columbia Slough is back!

Saturday, July 20

1-4PM

Whitaker Ponds Nature Park

Moore and Wright Island Natural Area Sediment Cleanup Webinar

Mark your calendars!

July 17th from 5:30-7:00 PM Webinar

Join the Department of Environmental Quality and Speaker Sarah Miller to learn more about the Moore & Wright Island Natural Area Sediment Cleanup anticipated to begin in 2025.

The goals of the work are to address impacted sediments, improve fish & wildlife habitat, and support community engagement within the Columbia Slough. During this informational session we will discuss: Overview of the cleanup project, timeline, what to expect during construction, how to stay informed, opportunities for future engagement, and community questions and concerns.

Sarah Miller is the Columbia Slough Sediment project manager with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Department of State Lands and Oregon Health Authority staff may also attend to answer questions about the project.

Art Workshops in July!

Education Director Jennifer Starkey is running 2 art workshops in July!

Event Rescheduled - July 18th

Paper Making from Yellow Flag Iris fibers: 

BEAT FIBERS! MAKE PULP! PULL SHEETS! …make friends?



Participants will work with yellow flag iris, an opportunistic plant commonly found in the Columbia Slough.

The group will process and strain the plant, and then make it into paper. The paper does take some time to dry and participants will receive their final product in the mail shortly after the event. 

July 16 & 30 How to Holga: two part film photography workshop! 

In partnership with Reneé Heister of Blue Moon Camera in St Johns, 12 people will get to practice photography at Kelley Point Park with the classic medium format plastic mechanical camera and Kodak Gold 200 film.

For just $20 you will get 2 rolls of medium format film, negative processing and prints on your first roll, and a coupon for developing your second roll. We will provide everything, all you have to do is show up!

P.S. these LOW LOW prices are thanks to our partners at BES and are there to ensure accessibility! Please don’t confuse low prices with something you can flake on  and please ONLY sign up if you can commit to showing up.

Free First Aid and CPR Training

CSWC is hosting Free CPR and First Aid Trainings towards the end of July.

We currently have a few spots open for a couple of dates that we are extending out to the public. 

This training will be a 2 part All Ages CPR/First Aid Training. First part is a required online module, then the second half is an in person training. 

Date #1 : Wednesday, July 23rd - 6 Spots Still Available!

Date #2 : Thursday, July 24th - 11 Spots Still Available!

This event is made is possible funding from Portland Metro, Communicare, East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, Bottle Drop Give, Paddle Team volunteers and countless community partners. 

Join The UFSWQD Board!

For over 100 years, four drainage districts have managed the flood safety system along the Columbia River in northern Multnomah County. Starting July 1, 2024, the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District (UFSWQD) will take over the management of this system, with an expanded mission to integrate equity, nature-based solutions, cultural history, and climate change preparedness into flood safety practices. 

The UFSWQD is recruiting a 9-member Board of Directors to lead the strategic direction of the agency. It’s an exciting time to join, as the agency just passed a $150 million bond measure to upgrade aging infrastructure. Learn more about this opportunity by clicking here.

Thank You McMenamins!

A HUGE thanks to everyone who came to our Friends and Family Night at McMenamins Kennedy School on June 11th! 

Columbia Slough Watershed Council received $4,033.13 from the event!! 

We are so grateful to our community for showing up and making it one of the year's biggest Friends and Family Nights. We would also like to thank McMenamins Kennedy School for choosing our organization to participate.