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April Riverscape
In This E-mail
From The Riverkeeper
Superfund Happy Hour Tour- Thursday, 4/17
Norwood Island Update
River Discovery- Saturday, 4/19
Feeling Foamy?
Spring For Your River- Thursday, May 8th
Here's How Everyone Can Paddle Oregon 2014
Summer Camp- Registration Open
From The Riverkeeper
Evening on the Willamette at Blue Ruin Island, TW

 

Since 1996 Willamette Riverkeeper has been the lead organization solely dedicated to the protection and and improvement of the Willamette River's water quality and habitat. 

 

Exploration on the Upper Willamette waters, KR

Since that time, a lot of good work has been acomplished, and continues to be in many areas by a variety of people, with a range of organizations and governments. This includes restoration work on the small creek's that feed the Willamette's tributaries, to local projects that help curb the flow of storm water into the river system. There is more energy than in past years dedicated to the river than ever before. Yet while that is true, there is still much more work to done. 

 

A team from WR will embark on The Willamette River Blitz: An Advocacy Canoe Journey this Friday. Our goal is to highlight the work that still needs to be tackled, and to push for continued energy aimed toward the Willamette River system. We will highlight the on-going need to improve water quality, to develop workable fish passage at the US Army Corps dams, to cleanup the Portland Harbor Superfund site, to restore significant habitat on the tributaries and main stem river, and provide access for people along the river. 

 

Stay tuned for media later this week about our trip. Join us virtually by following us on Facebook for photo and video updates of our journey over the weekend! 

 

To those of you who support us financially, thanks as always for your generosity. And for those who would like to support our work through membership, click here!

 

Travis

 

Travis Williams

Riverkeeper & Executive Director

 

Superfund Happy Hour Tour- Thursday, April 17th

 

 

How well do YOU know your river's Superfund site?  

 

Back by popular demand, join us for another Superfund "Happy Hour" Tour aboard the Portland Spirit's Explorer vessel this April. The boat is covered, and has a restroom.

 

This 2 hour sunset cruise will introduce you to your river's greatest challenge- rectifying 150 years of industrial activity and the legacy pollutants contaminating your river today. Explore and learn about this 12-mile Superfund site while enjoying free frothy beverages provided by our hydrophilic friends at Sierra Nevada Brewing.

 

ONLY 6 seats left! 

 

When: Thursday, April 17th from 5:15pm - 7:30pm.

Where: Board at the Portland Spirit's SE Portland dock near OMSI, 101 SE Caruthers St.

Cost: $35

 
 
 
Our fearless captain (left) wants you to know that this trip is fun for all ages!
Norwood Island Update
Upstream end of Norwood looking onto mainstem
Norwood's pine forest is thriving

 

 

 

 

 

  

WR is just a couple thousand dollars away from our goal for Norwood Island. We are so close that we are actively honing in on the final details for the transaction with the landowner, Randy Crowson, who has been fantastic to work with throughout this process. By the next Riverscape newsletter, we will be able to share more details regarding our management of Norwood Island. To those who have helped make our acquisition of Norwood a reality, thank you for your generosity!

 

River Discovery- Saturday, 4/19
The remarkable Elk Rock Island


Urban Islands & Streams paddling adventure!

 

Explore and learn about four urban islands: Goat, where we may glimpse a bustling heron rookery, Cedar, with its tranquil lagoon, Hogg, whose basalt rock makes a nice perch for a lunch break, and Elk Rock, the oldest exposed rock in the region with 40 million birthdays to its name. Along the way, we'll also seek out the hidden confluences of several urban waterways including Rinearson, Boardman, Tryon, Kellogg, and Johnson Creeks. 

 

Expect fishing boats, current, leaping fish on this stretch! Once, a sea lion gobbled up a spring chinook amidst our boats near Hog Island- so pack your cameras and your reflexes.  

    

When: Saturday, April 19th, arrive @ 9:30am for a 10am launch

Put-in: Dahl Park in Gladstone

Take out: Jefferson St Boat Ramp in Milwaukie (off water around 1pm, then we'll run the shuttle)

Total Distance: 6.5 river miles

 

This trip requires a shuttle! WR has a limited number of seats available to shuttle drivers from the take-out, back to the put-in (approximately a 12 minute drive) to collect your vehicles. If you ride with us, you will need to leave your boat behind at the take-out. We welcome you to set your
Admiring Goat Island's heron rookery
own shuttle as well.

 

Bring: Your camera, binoculars, water, and lunch. Dress in wicking under-layers like poly pro and fleece with rain gear for splash wear; tall rubber boots are suggested to keep your feet warm and dry. It can be very muddy here when stepping out of your boat. We also recommed packing a rain/sun hat and extra layers. 

 

Need a Boat? Riverkeeper canoes are available upon request for $20 (per canoe) for non-members or $10 for current members. You must recruit your own paddling partner.  

 

BYOBoat? Non-members are welcome to participate with a $10 donation, or choose to become an active Riverkeeper member for an annual fee of just $35.  

 

Your support makes our work and outreach possible! Become a member TODAY

 

Register: With [email protected] or call 503-223-6418. 

 

 

Did you know that Elk Rock Island was a volcanic mountain the size of Mt Hood?  Watch this Oregon Field Guide episode and you'll be amazed by what you learn of this local geological wonder!

 

Feeling Foamy?
Foam floating down river and gathered by the rocks near Milwaukie

 

Our Water Quality Coordinator, Suzi Cloutier, has been fielding many phone calls from people concerned by the presence of foam on our river, primarily downstream of Willamette Falls.  Read her informed evaluation HERE for more information on naturally occurring foam versus foam caused by pollution.

 

 In addition, the DEQ investigated foam on the Willamette in 2012.  Read their report HERE.

 

Spring For Your River- Thursday, May 8th

 

It's back!  Join us for our second annual Spring For Your River benefit on Thursday, May 8th at Union/Pine in SE Portland from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Enjoy a unique evening of great food and music, environmentally-minded speakers, and an incredible array of silent auction items!

 

Including...

Locally crafted wooden shades by Shwood. "Belmont" Rosewood frames (left), "Canby" frames (right) made from white slate fused with Birch & Walnut. $250 value each. 
  • numerous artworks
  • vacation retreats
  • paddle crafts: canoe, SUP board
  • jewerly  
  • outdoor gear 
  • a wall of wine
  • spa treatments
  • entertainment 
  • recreation packages
  • and much MORE!
Handcrafted cedar strip canoe with paddles by Coyote Kayak & Canoe, $1500 value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A glider ride with the Willamette Valley Soaring Club, $120 value


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tickets are $35- REGISTER Today
 
Here's How Everyone Can Paddle Oregon 2014

 

Our 14th annual epic is now open for registration! Be the first to register and you'll win a pair of TEVA's hip, retro river sandals (your feet will thank you for looking so good).

 

Paddle Oregon is a fun(d)raiser, and this year EVERYONE has the opportunity to fundraise a portion or all of their registration fees. You can do this as an individual or as a team through our new on-line registration system. Create a personal fundraising page to share with the masses, help your homewaters, and claim your fully-outfitted adventure-cation on Oregon's only National Water Trail. It's a win-win-win folks!

 

Visit PaddleOregon.org for the full trip itinerary, shuttle options, special features, rentals, volunteer opportunities, registration, pictures, videos, and more. 

 

We look forward to paddling with you!

 

 

Summer Camp- Registration Open Now

 

 

 
For more info and registration, click HERE.
 

  

 
Travis Williams- Riverkeeper & Executive Director
Kate Ross- Outreach & Education Coordinator
Marci Krass- Restoration Coordinator
Suzi Cloutier- Water Quality Program Coordinator
Jocelyn Orr- Development Coordinator

                                                                
                                                                                     
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