Hello Columbia Slough Watershed community and friends, happy spring! 

I am excited and honored to step into the role of Acting Executive Director at the Council. For those I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, I have been serving as the Council’s Event Director since 2022 and am deeply familiar with our programming. I’m thrilled to continue supporting the organization in this new capacity.

I’m proud to be part of such a passionate and creative team, all dedicated to our mission of protecting and enhancing the watershed and community through engagement, restoration, and education. As always, our incredible team is busy planning events and educational opportunities, and April, Earth Month, is no exception! We invite you to join us for a meal at McMenamins Kennedy School later this month or at Oakshire Beer Hall tonight, where a portion of proceeds will benefit the Council. Don’t miss our Stewardship Saturday or one of our many other exciting events this month.

I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Amanda Gallegos (she/her)

Acting Executive Director

Stewardship Saturdays

Join one of our April events to help us finish the stewardship season strong!

It has already been a hugely successful season of plantings, invasive removal, and mulching that improve the Slough! From fall 2024 to now, our Stewardship Program has:

• Installed 4,716 native plants!
• Hosted 21 events across nearly 25 acres.
• Engaged over 400 volunteers!

April 12th: Planting at the 166th Pump Station / Boat Launch

10 AM - 1 PM

Come restore a beautiful walking path near NE 166th and Airport Way! We will install various native plants, including spirea, snowberry, goldenrod, and more!

People of all ages and abilities are welcome at this event, no experience necessary. We will provide all the tools and help you need to participate, as well as snacks, coffee and hot water for tea/cocoa. This is rain or shine, so please dress appropriately for the weather, wear close-toed shoes, bring a water bottle, and be ready to get dirty!

April 19th: Mulching at Columbia Children’s Arboretum

10 AM - 1 PM

Join CSWC and Portland Parks and Recreation as we continue work to restore one of the great hidden gems of the watershed, The Columbia Children’s Arboretum! Help us lay down mulch around the beautiful plants that volunteers installed on March 1st. Please register for the event in order to be notified for any updates or cancellations!

Celebrate Earth Day with CSWC

Mark your calendars for Earth Day, April 22nd, and join us at McMenamin's Kennedy School Courtyard Restaurant for dinner and drinks!

50% of all sales from the evening will be donated to the Counci!

Eat at McMenamin’s Courtyard Restaurant, or order Doordash, UberEats, and takeout food from this restaurant. All you have to do is pay your bill like normal and McMenamins’ will take care of the rest!

RSVP is welcome but not required and does not reserve a spot for you. All ages are welcome.

POIC Roots of Change Internship Program

Are you or someone you know interested in an internship with the Council or another local nonprofit this year? CSWC has hosted Project Zero Interns for many years and we are excited to see POIC take on this program and make it their own!

Climate change is having a very real impact on our community and today’s youth are demanding action. That’s why Portland General Electric, funded partly by the PGE Foundation, developed PGE Project Zero. Since its inception in 2019, Project Zero has gone through many changes, including in the winter of 2024, being passed onto POIC as the new backbone organization for the program. The program has also had a name change and is now Roots of Change - exploring careers and impacting communities. These internships engage young adults, ages 19 to 24, in 6-month paid internships with

environmentally focused nonprofits to learn about environmental stewardship and to explore green job pathways. 

For further information, contact Leigh Rappaport at lrappaport@portlandoic.org

Are you passionate about the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and want to become more involved?

Applications to join our Board are open to all, regardless of experience level. We are currently seeking individuals who:

• Have non-profit finance or accounting experience
• Can provide legal expertise (contracts, employment, general council)
• Are interested in serving as an officer on the Executive Committee

Does this sound like you or someone you know? Share the application link below!

If you have questions, reach out to Maya at maya.hurstmayr@columbiaslough.org

DEQ Community Info Meeting

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is hosting a community informational meeting to share updates on the Columbia Slough Sediment Cleanup and the ongoing work near the Moore and Wright Islands Natural Area. Active construction is expected to start this summer. This event is an opportunity to learn more about the current cleanup efforts, hear project updates, and ask questions. The meeting will be an open house-style format with brief presentations at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. Several partner agencies will also be in attendance to share resources and answer questions.

Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with short presentations at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m.

Location: Charles Jordan Community Center, Sarah Winnemucca Room

9009 N Foss Ave, Portland, OR 97203