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January Riverscape
From The Riverkeeper
Hello Friends!

Here we are in 2019, and we have plans to make this new year a great one for the Willamette River. Over the next few months WR will be engaging in a host of actions and projects that will further the health of the Willamette, and will engage people with this wonderful river. The coming days will see WR staff and volunteers conduct a host of projects.

We will:

  • Advocate and educate our decision makers in Salem about the need to do more for our river 
  • Conduct additional policy and advocacy work to further improve the Willamette River Greenway
  • Watchdog the Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup as it progresses toward implementation
  • Take action to deal with aquatic invasive weeds that are degrading water quality
  • Organize dozens of cleanup actions along the Willamette’s shoreline, an unfortunately necessary task 
  • Connect hundreds of people to the Water Trail through a variety of educational paddle trips and and hands-on restoration projects 
  • Pioneer new research on freshwater mussels in the river
  • Strive to reduce the presence of plastics in our river 
Stay tuned for many opportunities to engage in these issues and more!

Many of you who receive this email newsletter frequently help out as volunteers, financial supporters or both. I want to thank everyone who helped us finish the year strong with your time and year end gifts. It is much appreciated. 

Without your support our work to protect and restore the Willamette River’s water quality and habitat would simply not be possible. 

For the River, 

Travis

Riverkeeper & Executive Director
Above: Tundra swan
River Discovery Bridges & Big Ships Paddle- 2/2
Join us as we kick off our River Discovery paddling season exploring a fascinating and seldom paddled stretch of the Willamette! Enjoy a rare opportunity to admire Portland's iconic bridges and huge ships from a unique perspective, while learning more about historic riverside industries, and today's Superfund challenges. 

What:  Bridges & Big Ships Paddle Trip
When:  Saturday, February 2nd from 9:30am to 2:30pm
Where:  Paddle from the SE Portland Boathouse to Cathedral Park 
Details:  We'll launch from the  SE Portland Boathouse  and will paddle 7.5 miles downstream, passing under eight historic bridges (including the Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside, Steel, Broadway, Fremont, Union Pacific Railroad, and St. Johns Bridges), ending our trip at  Cathedral Park .
Meet at the  SE Portland Boathouse  (1515 SE Water Avenue, Portland) in the parking lot just above the boat ramp. Please arrive around 9:30am as we aim to launch no later than 10:00am. Participants should be comfortable paddling for 2-3 hours in current. There are no restrooms along this stretch. Dress appropriately for *cold* and wet weather (bring hats, gloves, pack a spare set of dry clothes and extra warm layers! We will have extra dry bags on hand). Be smart about how you equip your feet: thick wool or fleece socks and warm rubber/waterproof boots are a good idea. Also bring water, snacks, lunch, a hot drink, and perhaps your camera.

Shuttle:  Riverkeeper is offering a limited shuttle service from the take-out, back to the SE Portland Boathouse. You must reserve a seat in our shuttle in advance through this registration. We welcome participants to make their own shuttle arrangements as well. We expect to reach the take out sometime between 1:30pm and 2:00pm. The shuttle can take approximately 25-40 minutes (one way). Shuttle fee is $10.

Need a Boat?  Riverkeeper canoes are available for free through this registration as well. You must recruit your own paddling partner.  
Volunteers Needed- Trashy Tuesdays/Thursdays
PORTLAND

When:  Tuesday, 1/22 from 11:30am to 1:30pm
Where:  meet at the  SE Portland Boathouse Dock

Details:  Join us at the Portland Boathouse dock, and help us pick up trash in the central part of Portland along the Willamette. Park in the 2 hour visitor parking spaces near the building, on the street, or ride your bike. 

Reserve a seat in one of our canoes, or bring your own boat. We will provide trash bags, non latex gloves, and trash pickers. Dress for the weather and paddling (layers, boots, and rain gear). We will spend about an hour or so on the water. 

If river conditions evolve to become too challenging or unsafe, we will cancel in advance.

To Register for 1/22:  email  kate@willametteriverkeeper.org 

Other opportunities:

EUGENE: save the date- Tuesday, 2/12

CORVALLIS: save the date- Thursday, 2/14
BYO Bag To Support Clean Water
We are super excited to announce several ways you can support clean water and healthy habitat while you run your errands! Five, that's right FIVE different stores and 3 different companies are currently offering to donate 5 cents to Willamette Riverkeeper when you shop and choose to bring your own bag! 

Please support these stores and your river JUST by bringing your own bag!

NEW in 2019
The first ever Pinot Paddle will take place on June 15-16, 2019. Celebrating some of our regions great winemakers, this is a leisurely paddle trip from Salem down to San Salvador. We will camp along a beautiful side channel on an Oregon State Parks Greenway property. 

Several premier winemakers (such as Goodfellow Family Cellars , Winderlea Vineyard & Winery and others) will join us for a tasting of their Pinot vintages, as well as other wines. The event will be fully catered after lunch on Saturday, and participants simply have to paddle, set up their tents, and prepare to enjoy a beautiful late spring evening! Details and registration will be available next month.
Paddle Oregon 2019
Get ready folks!!!
Our 19th annual award winning expedition down the nationally recognized Willamette Water Trail is set for August 12th - 16th.
Look for our REGISTRATION and TRIP DETAILS to launch
this FEBRUARY at www.PaddleOregon.org
You. Are. AMAZING!
We want to take a moment to thank each of you who gave during to Willamette Riverkeeper during our end of year campaign – whether you donated through our online portal, sent a check in the mail or gave through the Give!Guide - because of your support,  we not only met our goals but exceeded them!
 
  • Our Give Guide Goal was set at $28,000 and at midnight on 12/31, as we rang in a New Year, we smashed that goal raising $29,921! 
  • Two of our major donors, The Quinsey Family Foundation and Patricia Benner set forth Donor Challenges totaling $14,000 WE MET BOTH OF THESE CHALLENEGES!   
 
This end of year campaign was successful because of you . Some of you donated more than once. Some of you donated for the first time. Some of you became monthly donors. Some of you increased your donation amounts. Whatever amount you gave, please know that all of us here at Willamette Riverkeeper are thankful for your support.  
 
Each dollar raised will help us continue our programming in 2019 as well as offer you more opportunities to get on our mighty Willamette!