Greetings!

As we enter the final stretch of winter, we at the Council are feeling energized by the momentum building across our programs and community. Thanks to your support, we are already making a meaningful impact in the field, in the classroom, and throughout the Columbia Slough Watershed this year.

Field trips are in full swing, bringing students outdoors for hands-on environmental learning. From exploring local ecosystems to identifying native plants and aquatic life, participants are gaining real-world insight into how nature works — and how we can protect it. One Slough School series from February that we are particularly proud of is the "I Belong Here" project!

Slough School worked in partnership with 50 students from Sitton Elementary to explore portrait film photography through the lens of belonging. Students stepped into the roles of both photographer and subject, reflecting on what it means to say, “I Belong Here” in relation to parks and natural spaces in the watershed. The project was a powerful reminder that our watershed is a shared space — and that everyone has a place within it.

As planting season continues, so do Stewardship Saturdays! In February, an event at the Columbia Children's Arboretum brought together 26 hardy volunteers for a day of planting and restoration in collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation. Their collective effort demonstrates what we can accomplish together to care for and strengthen this vital community space. 

With spring also right around the corner, you’ll begin to see even more opportunities to get involved. Our new Event Director is hard at work planning opportunities to connect, learn, and get outside!

Thank you for being part of this work. Together, we are protecting and celebrating our natural world.

Sparrowhawk Native Plant Sale is LIVE

CSWC and the Blueprint Foundation are teaming up with Sparrowhawk Native Plants to bring another spring native plant sale to East Portland! Together, we’re offering about 115 species of habitat-friendly native plants while raising up to $5000 to support CSWC and Blueprint’s work in the Slough!

PRE-ORDERS OPEN NOW! Place your order on Sparrowhawk's website to reserve your plants!

To support Blueprint and CSWC, select pickup at Level Beer on Fri, May 8, and Sat, May 9, perfectly timed for your spring planting.

Support the Sparrowhawk sale as a volunteer!

Volunteers sign up for a 4-hour shift during the pickup dates and help with check-in, cart wrangling, or plant prepping. You will receive training upon arrival for your shift and must be comfortable working outdoors, rain or shine. If that sounds like you, sign up below!

Bird Walk at Wilkes Creek

Join CSWC, Bird Alliance of Oregon, and local bird walk leaders Ryan Gilpin and Thomas Meinzen for a bird walk at Wilkes Creek.

This event is part of the larger Slough Fest series, hosted by Bird Alliance of Oregon. This event is the final outing of the series and will be followed by a celebration event at Level Beer — all ages are welcome to attend this family-friendly gathering!

WHERE: Wilkes Creek Headwaters, 5401 Northeast Fremont Street, Portland, OR, 97230

WHEN: March 8th from 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM,

Celebration at Level Beer: 4 PM - 6 PM

Beers to Benefit the Slough!

Join us for a cheers to the Slough! One dollar from every Core pint & 10% of Brew Fare food sold will be donated to CSWC. Your purchase supports our free programs, and we'd love to see you there!

WHERE: Oakshire Beer Hall, 5013 NE 42nd Ave, Portland

WHEN: March 17th from 12 PM - 10 PM

Trail Blazers 50/50 Raffle

CSWC is excited to participate in the Trail Blazers Foundation 50/50 Raffle this year! We will be at the Moda Center on Thursday, April 2nd, for the Trail Blazers vs New Orleans Pelicans game at 7 pm.

Fans can purchase raffle tickets at the game for a chance to win 50% of the jackpot, with the other 50% benefitting CSWC!

How to get involved:

• Join as a volunteer to help sell raffle tickets! Requires being loud and proud! Perks include a free ticket to watch the game after halftime and 30% off concessions.
• Attend the game and purchase raffle tickets from our volunteers. You get a chance to win 50% of the jackpot!

Have you considered becoming a monthly donor?

Small, recurring gifts make a big impact over time.

If you've found our programs helpful, we kindly ask that you consider donating monthly to support their future.

Benefits of donating monthly:

• An invitation to our annual Donor Appreciation Event
• After 12 months, receive a CSWC Bandana
• You don't have to think about giving, and you can be confident you're sustaining our mission and supporting a rich, diverse ecosystem!
• You don't pay much all at once, and your impact builds up over time

** Don't forget to select monthly **

Flood Safety District Community Workshop & Chance to Win $100 Gift Card!

Come to a fun and easy community workshop where you can share your ideas, talk about your worries, and imagine the future of the Columbia Slough watershed. The Flood Safety District (“the District”) is making a Watershed Improvement Plan to improve environmental health while continuing to protect from flooding over the next 10 years, and beyond. This workshop will help shape that plan.

Anyone who lives, works, plays, or spends time in the watershed is welcome to join. All attendees are entered to win one of two $100 Visa gift cards!

Join over Zoom on March 3, 2026, from 6-8 pm. Space is limited, so register below!

Community Partners Spotlight

Support our Neighboring Watershed Councils!

Johnson Creek Watershed Council’s biggest planting event of the year is coming up soon! Their Watershed Wide event is on March 7th from 8:45 AM - 12 PM. Volunteers will spread out at 8 different sites across the watershed to plant, weed, and mulch to support watershed health. Choose a site that works for you and RSVP -

And there is free lunch provided!

Our friends at Tryon Creek Watershed Council also have an upcoming Watershed Wide event on March 14th from 9 AM - 12 PM across 8 different sites in their watershed. The event will be followed by a Pi-Day Celebration at Riverdale High School from 12 PM - 2 PM.