Winter in the Slough: Stronger Together

Greetings!

This past month has been a busy and inspiring one on the Slough! Our team has been out in the watershed hosting sunny field trips, our first Stewardship Saturday of the season, a well-attended bird walk, and welcoming our new Event Director, Cedrion Gloria. Each of these moments has highlighted the care, curiosity, and community energy that surround the Columbia Slough Watershed.

In January, dozens of community members joined us at St. John’s Prairie for a bird walk featuring incredible mountain views (including Rainier!) and thoughtful conversations about the site’s history and future as a shared natural space. We also gathered with 16 community partners at Coffee with the Council to reflect on how we can better support one another and work together toward shared goals in 2026 — an encouraging reminder that our work is strongest when done together.

As we look ahead to February, we invite you to consider how you can contribute to the health of the Slough and make a difference in your community — whether by submitting comments for the CCIL, attending a Watershed Improvement Plan meeting, or simply spending time in community outdoors. These actions and opportunities ground us in why this work matters and reinforce the importance of continued community care and collaboration.

Please continue reading for more information on how to get involved this month!

Welcoming Our New Event Director

In January, we welcomed Cedrion (Ced) Gloria to our team! As the new Event Director, he will be taking over our birding events, paddles, and more! We look forward to the creativity and passion that he will bring to this program and to the community.

Here is Ced's reflection after his first few days:

"I am feeling very fortunate to be working with the Columbia Slough Watershed Council. As I am moving into this role, I am quickly understanding the community’s pride and commitment to the Slough. I am passionate to continue the wonderful event programs that already exist. I would also like to bring in new communities to explore what the Columbia Slough and surrounding green spaces can offer to all.

Three days into my role, I saw the most beautiful red-breasted sapsucker at our bird walk at St. John’s Prairie. Now that’s a way to start a new role! 

I look forward to meeting all the communities and participants of the Council’s Programs!"

Please give him a warm welcome, and join him for his first event later this month at Mason Flats!

Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands (CCIL)

Over the past few months, CSWC and partners have been actively engaged in the City’s Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) and Columbia Corridor Industrial Lands (CCIL) process to ensure vital ecosystems are protected as Portland plans for future industrial growth.

In late December, the City released revised EOA and CCIL drafts reflecting community feedback. While these updates include some improvements, significant concerns remain about the protection of wetlands and nearby communities. CSWC continues to urge the City to adopt the strongest safeguards, including a Maximum Resource Protection approach, to ensure economic development does not come at the expense of environmental health and climate resilience.

The public comment period has been extended, creating a renewed opportunity to make your voice heard. Submitting a comment helps reinforce the importance of protecting the Columbia Slough Watershed and the people who live and work here.

Here are ways you can engage:

• Review the City’s revised EOA and CCIL drafts
• Use our community partners’ written testimony toolkit to help draft your own public comment
• Submit a public comment by February 3 at 5pm through Portland’s Map App 

Together, we can help ensure the Columbia Slough Watershed remains a thriving, resilient ecosystem for generations to come!

Questions? Reach out to Kara

Bird Alliance of Oregon's Slough Fest

Photo credit: John P. Clare

Get ready for Bird Alliance of Oregon (BAO)'s first-ever Slough Fest! Join BAO for a week of free programming along the Columbia Slough. Alongside numerous partners, including CSWC, BAO will explore the nature around this unique place, and highlight upcoming advocacy opportunities to ensure it remains protected.

Events with CSWC include:

• Accessible Birding at Mason Flats - Saturday, Feb 28, 9 AM - 11 AM
• Bird Walk at Wilkes Creek - Sunday, Mar 8, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
• Celebration at Level Beer - Sunday, Mar 8, 3:30 PM

Save the Date: Sparrowhawk Native Plants Sale!

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!

SAVE THE DATE - online ordering begins Sunday, March 1! Orders will be available for pick-up at Level Beer on Fri, May 8, and Sat, May 9, perfectly timed for your spring planting.

Keep an eye out for more updates from us in late February!

Get Ready for Paddle Season 2026

CSWC's Paddle Season kicks off in April with Paddle Team Training! Keep an eye out for more updates to the events calendar soon.

CSWC's Paddle Team helps set up, lead, and take down canoe paddling events with the Council. If you're interested in joining the Paddle Team, here are good things to know:

• Training includes a webinar orientation and an in-person training (optional for returning volunteers).
• We ask volunteers to commit to at least 2 events during the paddle season (April - October).
• We have a Bilingual Paddle Team that supports events in Spanish, Ukrainian, and Russian and earns a stipend for translating.

We look forward to paddling with you!

Flood Safety District's Community Visioning Workshop

Help shape the future of your Columbia Slough watershed (enter to win a $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 flood protection and environmental health 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 in person on February 28, 2026 11am-3pm in NE Portland, or over Zoom on March 3, 2026 from 6-8pm.

Registration is required due to limited space.

Questions? Call or email facilitators at engagement@knotstudio.com or 503-334-4724

Community Resources

PDX Free Fridge has a map of free fridges and pantries across Portland. There are many across the watershed where you can find free food or drop off what you can.

Access Shuttle - Multnomah County offers a free weekday shuttle service for the area south of PDX airport. ACCESS = The Alderwood-Cornfoot-Columbia Employment Shuttle Service.