Hello All -
Well, here we are - July! What has been brought front and center with the death of George Floyd and too many other black people in America, along with worldwide protests, is that systemic racism
does
exist, and that we all must do more, not just
say more
, on that front. Personally, I’m committed to doing more, as is our whole organization.
Some seem to think that environmental groups should not wade into this territory, but this is a wrongheaded notion. Just as everything is connected in the natural world, everything is connected from a societal perspective. This is especially true of the impacts of pollution, lack of adequate water treatment and more on those who have been historically marginalized in a systemic fashion.
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While reducing pollution along the Willamette benefits everyone, there are key examples where such reduction goes directly to those who most need it, such as people who rely on the Willamette’s fish as a key component of their diet. This is a very real, and basic connection - and illustrates why our collective work is important.
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Here at Willamette Riverkeeper we work to fight pollution, protect and restore habitat, and to engage our communities up and down the Willamette Valley with the river. While we have made good progress in our work to engage a wide range of people with the river, and decisions that need to be made to protect it, we can and will do more.
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There is so much beauty to share along the river, and far too few people are able to see it and experience it personally, making additional access to the river critical for all. There is also more we can all do to reduce toxics, reduce habitat destruction, and to reduce other pollutants that can affect human health, and that of wildlife. Whether one looks at the pollution at the bottom of the river in Portland Harbor, or the pollutants commonly found in small amounts almost anywhere in the river, our pledge is to make continued change for the health of the river and our community.
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Thanks to all of you
for supporting our work over the years, and we look forward to making progress on many fronts over the months and years ahead!
Sincerely,
Travis Williams
Executive Director & Riverkeeper
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Restoration is Underway at Minto Brown
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Willamette Riverkeeper’s Habitat Restoration Team is excited to announce our work at Minto Brown Island Park starting this summer. Phase II of restoration begins in July and focuses on the reduction of the aquatic invasive species Ludwigia in the Willamette Slough. The Willamette Slough provides vital off channel habitat for Endangered Species Act listed Chinook Salmon and steelhead along with other species of fish and various wildlife.
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Richard, our Restoration Associate, holds a sample of Ludwigia in the weed choked Willamette Slough.
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See the Willamette Slough treatment area map in purple.
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Ludwigia hexapetala,
commonly referred to by the genus Ludwigia, is an Oregon Department of Agriculture listed noxious weed. It grows in slow moving channels such as the Willamette Slough and creates dense mats of vegetation that degrade water quality and choke the waterway. This destroys habitat for native wildlife, reduces recreational opportunities, and increases sediment build up.
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This project is a joint effort between Willamette Riverkeeper and the City of Salem. Funding comes from the Bonneville Power Administration and the Meyer Memorial Trust. Project endorsement comes from the following: City of Keizer, Friends of Trees, Glenn Gibson Watershed Council, Marion Soil and Water Conservation District, North Santiam Watershed Council, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon State Parks, Polk Soil and Water Conservation District, Salem Audubon Society, Salem Environmental Education
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Ash Island Matching Gift Opportunity
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As we mentioned last month, WR signed a Purchase Agreement - just before the COVID crisis - for nine and a half acres on the upstream end of Ash Island. For those of you who do not know this property, it is a big island near Newberg.
This parcel is forested, has an abundance of native plant species, and also has room for some restoration. In time we envision creating two Water Trail campsites, and stewarding the land for its habitat value.
Help us TODAY
to raise these funds that will provide more access for the public along the river. In doing this, you will also be protecting habitat on the property for the long haul. Give online and make a note that your gift is for the Ash Island property, or send a check with the same notation.
If you are interested in learning more, or in contributing in another way to help us purchase this property, please email our Deputy Director
Heather King
.
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Our VetsWork AmeriCorps intern, Justin, has recently wrapped up the Mason Flats western painted turtle collection season. This project was in collaboration with Portland Parks and Recreation and part of a multi-year urban species habitat study. Mason Flats Wetland Enhancement Project (MFWEP) is a City of Portland restoration site that was completed in 2013. It is a wetland mitigation restoration site that provides ecosystem services such as pollution reduction and wildlife habitat, and is connected to the Columbia Slough.
The western painted turtle is listed as “sensitive” by the state of Oregon and is under pressure by invasive species such as bullfrogs, red eared slider and snapping turtles, and loss of habitat from dominance by invasive non-native plants. We were able to collect, mark, and release 36 native western painted turtles as well as remove one very large red eared slider during this spring/summer collection season. Special recognition and thanks to Laura Guderahn of Portland Parks and Recreation!
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Justin also recently led Laura Linn from the Mt Adams Institute on a site visit of our restoration project at Willamette Mission State Park. He gave her a fabulous, and appropriately distanced, tour of the project! His Stewardship Coordinator position is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
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Thank you to the City of Eugene Parks & Open Space Division and Recreation teams for supporting our staff, and seasoned water safety volunteers from Willamette Kayak & Canoe Club, to help remove a staggering amount of debris built up over over the last few months on riverbanks in the Upper Willamette urban area. We managed to clean up over three miles of riverfront between two separate outings, using Covid-safe guidelines and working in small groups. We accessed islands, steep beaches, rip rap zones and other areas that are challenging to reach and safely remove garbage by land alone.
Once again, we are incredibly grateful for our partnerships and continued support from local businesses and paddling clubs. We look forward to hosting a public cleanup soon, and can’t wait to get back out on the river with all our fabulous volunteers!
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Willamette River Fest: 8/15 - 8/22
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WHAT: 4
th
Annual Willamette River Festival 2020
WHEN: August 15th - 22nd
We’re “going with the flow”, and we’re still
current
!!!
In recent times, much has changed… but there are at least two things you can count on this year; the Willamette River is still here; and the Eugene based Willamette River Festival is still happening! Enjoy a whole week of celebration and activities connecting people to the history, culture, ecology and recreation opportunities in the Eugene-Springfield and greater Willamette Valley region.
This year, festival activities will be rolling out under Covid-safe guidelines, with many interactive opportunities planned, including a:
- Kalapuya art and cultural language tour
- Self-guided stormwater art tour and wildlife geocache
- Willamette-wide “Great Greenway BioBlitz”- count all the species in your community’s greenway
- PaddleCross Challenge as an independent virtually recorded experience- compete for great prizes, or just paddle for fun
- Plein Air Paint Out- bring your brushes to the river and paint your favorite place on the Willamette, then vote for your favorite painting online for a People’s Choice Award
- Social media frenzie- share your photos with #WRFest2020 for a chance to win in our online raffle, and enjoy a variety of educational paddle instruction and ecology videos as they are released over the week of the Festival
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Thanks to a grant from the
Juan Young Trust
, we welcome two interns to our roster this summer season!
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Graham Yotsuya
- A Portland area resident who just finished his first year of Environmental Studies at the University of Oregon. He is excited
to be working with WR this summer on a variety of projects, including habitat restoration,
Water Trail campsite maintenance, and interviewing paddlers - at a distance - about
their use of the river and WT sites. He will also get a grounding in Environmental Policy at the Federal, State and local level.
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Lillian Mitchell
- A recent graduate with a bachelor's degree in biology, Lillian plans to earn a master's in plant chemical biology. She loves hiking, gardening, and being outdoors, and is excited to learn more about habitat restoration and the Willamette River.
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WIN a Canoe or Kayak, Maybe!
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Make a donation between
NOW
and
August 30th
and you will be entered to win
one of TWO amazing Grand Prizes (a combined value of $3,500) or one of THREE runner up prize packages!
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Congratulations to our friend and Willamette Riverkeeper member, Steven Huckins!
In 2019, Steven attended Paddle Oregon for the first time, entered our canoe raffle, and... WON!
After recovering from a shoulder injury, he was finally ready to collect his grand prize from
Paddle People
this past June. Here he is with his paddling partner and NEW canoe.
ENJOY Stephen!
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Congratulations to Travis, who
not only
is celebrating his 20th year as Willamette Riverkeeper's Executive Director and Riverkeeper, but who JUST GOT MARRIED on the Willamette last weekend!!! He and his bride, Erica Stock, enjoyed a small ceremony with their kids and canines on Norwood Island. You might just read about it someday if you happen to flip through the site's Water Trail river log book!
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