Hello Everyone,
I believe Spring is the most beautiful of all seasons (with Fall being a close second). Each day brings a new array of colors in every shade as things begin to grow and bloom, and living in the PNW, we are gifted with an extra palette of greens that I have yet to witness elsewhere.
The Columbia Slough Watershed is no different; even with all the industry that is so prominent in our watershed, there is no lack of beauty. Take a walk in one of our natural areas or a paddle along the waterways that make up our watershed, and you will see it everywhere; the beauty and the colors of Springtime are all around. To top it all off, it is Earth Month, a time for us to acknowledge and celebrate the environment that surrounds us daily.
Something of note that I am particularly proud of is the team that makes CSWC such a mighty organization. Each member of this team is integral to achieving the mission of this organization. Did you know that last year, CSWC hosted, on average, one free community event a day?!?! Please consider becoming a monthly sustaining donor to CSWC and supporting that work! When you become a monthly donor, it gives CSWC the ability to have a steady stream of monthly that we can count on to help pay for our programming! And to sweeten the deal, anyone who becomes a monthly donor between now and the Annual Slough Celebration on May 18th will be entered in a raffle to win a kayak package (kayak, PFD, paddle, and cart)!!!
Remember to check out the CSWC events calendar as things are starting to ramp up. A quick peak at April shows 13 events on the calendar – including a weekend full of events happening to celebrate Earth Day!
Hope to see you at an event soon!
Heather King
Executive Director
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Level Beer is part of a national beer campaign called Earth to Beer, which challenges brewers to craft a packaged beer that’s better for the planet. Please stop by Level, purchase this beer and support your local Watershed Council!
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Worn Path is donating 10% of sales from these Nalgene water bottles to CSWC, while supplies last!
Click here to purchase your bottle and stay hydrated!
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Become a $10+ monthly donor between April 1 and May 18, be entered to win a kayak! Already a monthly donor? Increase your donation for a chance to win! Donate here! |
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1$ from every Oakshire Core Pint & 10% of Brewfare Food Sales will be donated to The Council. Cheers!
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CSWC Events!
- Mindfulness Walks in Spanish and English in Wood Village
- Bird Walk in Spanish in Wood Village
- Slough Science
- Greening Wilkes Earth Day Event
- Bike & Bird through historic Vanport and Smith & Bybee
- Cycle the Well field with Portland Water Bureau
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PFAS in fish tissues from the Columbia Slough
Wednesday, April 17th
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Join CSWC for an educational speaker event at Level Beer! Sean Payne, a Hydrologist at USGS, will be discussing a recent study that found PFAS in fish tissue samples from the Columbia Slough.
PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals that may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. Come learn about this study and its implications for the watershed!
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You still have time to cast your vote! |
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Each year, since 2001, the most outstanding accomplishments of a person, group, project, or initiative as related to the Council’s mission are recognized with the Henrietta Award.
The 2024 winner will receive their award at the at the Annual Slough Celebration, which will take place on Saturday, May 18 from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at Whitaker Ponds.
Nominations are due on Wednesday, April 17 at 11:59 PM.
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Looking for a Seasonal Internship? |
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Are you, or someone you know, looking for a seasonal paid internship?
Each year, we, along with many of our nonprofit partners, work with PGE Project Zero to bring on our summer/fall interns! Our interns will learn how to paddle canoes, help us lead community paddling events, learn about the flora and fauna of the Columbia Slough Watershed, gain leadership experience, grow their community and nonprofit network, and support stewardship projects!
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The program works with young people ages 19 - 24 who are interested in environmental stewardship and climate justice. Information sessions will be held throughout the month, and internships start in June.
Fun fact, our Program Coordinator, Liz Coll, started as one of our Project Zero interns!
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Partner Happy Hour: Oakshire Brewery |
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Join us for an informal partner gathering to get to know each other!
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Tuesday, April 30, 2024
5:30 PM 6:30 PM
Whether you are a new or long-time partner of the Council, we'd love to see you and this event will have lots of time for networking opportunities.
Drinks and food will be available for purchase from Oakshire Brewery on NE 42nd Ave.
1$ from every Oakshire Core Pint & 10% of Brewfare Food Sales will be donated to The Council!
Registration is free and all are welcome to attend.
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Partner Shout Out: Nidus Consulting |
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A long-time partner, volunteer and friend of the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Ryan Gilpin, from Nidus Consulting is being honored by the non profit organization, Oregon Community Trees, for their work on behalf of urban Trees!
Ryan Gilpin leads birding and tree walks in both English and Spanish. His goal is to create community awareness around the importance of trees for more equitable communities in Portland. Check out our events calendar to join a Ryan and The Council!
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Provide your thoughts on urban trees in Portland -
Help the City of Portland create the Portland Urban Forest Plan by sharing your vision, values, and priorities for trees in our community. This survey is completely anonymous and takes less than 15 minutes to complete.
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The Street Trust is a membership advocacy organization representing all street users regardless of mode.
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The development of this community-driven project will increase accessibility, connectivity, safety, and resilience within our neighborhoods.
Provide your feedback so that they can best understand how this proposed path would assist you and your community.
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Native to the Pacific NW - Beach Strawberry |
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Fragaria chiloensis, commonly known as Beach Strawberry or Chilean Strawberry is a species of wild strawberry that range in the Pacific Coasts of North and South America.
Migratory birds are thought to have dispersed the plant from the Pacific coast of N. America to the mountains of Hawaii, Chile and Argentina.
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Join the CSWC for a slough of events this new year to help improve the watersheds important natural resources, learn about native plants and connect with community! or find out more information about CSWC and our events on our website.
Sunday, April 14, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Únete a una caminata con el CSWC y la Ciudad de Wood Village para ver avistar aves, Este evento es gratuito y apto para todas las edades.
Wednesday, April 17, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Join CSWC for an educational speaker event at Level Beer! Sean Payne, a Hydrologist at USGS, will be discussing a recent study that found PFAS in fish tissues sample from the Columbia Slough.
Friday, April 19, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Irene Bailey, Program Director of Temenos Rising, City of Wood Village, and Columbia Slough Watershed Council will be hosting for a free guided 2-hour forest bathing walk. This event is open to all community members, although recommended for those 16 and older.
Saturday, April 20, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The stewardship portion of this event has reached capacity. We welcome participants for the afternoon walk and and free plant giveaway!
Sunday, April 21, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
For the 3rd year in a row, our bird walk leaders Thomas Meinzen and Ryan Gilpin will set out trying to break their record of seeing 100 species in a day without using a drop of gasoline. This year, they are inviting the community on this prep ride, to celebrate Earth Day weekend, and to check out some of the best birding spots in Portland.
Saturday, April 27, 8:45 AM - 1:450 PM
Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and the Portland Water Bureau for a free 17 mile bike ride through Portland's Columbia South Shore Well Field! Experts from the Portland Water Bureau and Columbia Slough Watershed Council will lead this moderately paced and scenic trip
Sunday, April 28, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
This training will be held in person and is required for all new and returning Paddle Team volunteers. To attend this training, you must have already attended or watched the March 21 Webinar Orientation and are in the process of submitting background checks. If you have questions, contact Valeria.
Tuesday, April 30, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Join us for an informal partner gathering to get to know each other! Whether you are a new or long-time partner of the Council, we'd love to see you and this event will have lots of time for networking opportunities. Registration is free and all are welcome to attend.
Tuesday, May 7, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Join facilitator and educator, Jo Linden, from Temenos Rising, and CSWC, for a free guided 2 hour nature connection and mindfulness exploration walk at the Columbia Children's Arboretum. This offering is for our LGBTQIA2S+ community and is recommended for those 16 and older.
Saturday, May 11, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Join local bird expert, Ryan Gilpin, the City of Wood Village, and Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a bird walk at Donald L Robertson City Park in Wood Village! This free event is open to all ages.
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