Hello Friends -
Happy New Year! From our view, 2020 is going to be a big one for making strides for the Willamette here at Willamette Riverkeeper.
From Clean Water Act Enforcement and making Improvements to Habitat, to dealing with the Trash problem river-wide and pushing along the Portland Harbor Superfund cleanup, WR will be fully engaged in these and other issues in 2020. Of course, throughout our work we will provide many opportunities for you to see and experience the river, and even share in the labor at various points.
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I’m also excited to announce a few staff additions (see below). While we are growing just a bit, we are still a tough, lean non-profit that works hard for the river each and every day.
Thanks to many of you for your financial support, both ongoing and at year end. Your contributions enable us to carry on our work. Our members, at all levels, are the foundation of our strength.
Thank you so much
again, and I look forward to seeing many of you this year!
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For the River,
Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
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Nominate a River For Wild & Scenic Status: 1/6,8
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Nominate your favorite river for Wild & Scenic Rivers designation!
Since its passage in 1968, the
Wild & Scenic Rivers Act
enables Americans to protect incredible wild rivers like the Rogue, Salmon, and North Fork Flathead. Last October, Senator Ron Wyden called for the expansion of Oregon’s network of Wild & Scenic Rivers.
River advocates across the state have applauded this ambitious vision for expanded river protections and have been taking advantage of the nomination period, which is open until January 20th.
Excited to nominate your favorite river? Here’s how: Join us, along with our friends at Oregon Wild, for one of 2 Wild & Scenic River Nights!
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Enjoy a screening Pacific Rivers' film "Run Wild Run Free: 50 Years of Wild and Scenic Rivers" and learn how you can be part of an historic effort by Sen. Ron Wyden to protect more of Oregon's wildest rivers from dams and development. Get inspired! We’ll have all the tools you need to nominate your favorite rivers and get plugged in to this inspiring campaign.
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River Discovery Bridges + Big Ships Paddle: 2/1
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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.
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What:
Bridges & Big Ships Paddle Trip
When:
Saturday, February 1st from 9:30am to 2:30pm
Where:
From the dock located at the former SE Portland Boathouse, down to Cathedral Park
Details:
We'll launch from the
inner SE Portland
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 in the parking lot of the River East Building (located at 1515 SE Water Avenue, and SE Clay in Portland). Look for us nearby the gravel 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 when we get off the water at the take-out, back to River East Building's parking lot in SE Portland where the trip began.
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.
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VOLUNTEER for an upcoming Trashy Tuesday or Thursday near you!
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CORVALLIS
When:
Thursday, 1/9 from 9:00am to 12:00pm
Where:
land based
Sequoia Creek, 2555 NE Belvue St
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EUGENE
When:
Tuesday, 1/14 from 8:00am to 1:00pm
Where:
river
based effort from Alton Baker to the D Street Ramp
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*Salem and Portland dates will begin this February (as river conditions permit)
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We are happy to announce that our Development Director Heather King has been promoted to Deputy Director. Heather’s skill and experience will be put to good use as she takes on additional managerial responsibility at WR, in addition to keeping our fundraising efforts going full steam. We are thankful for Heather’s talent, sense of humor, and passion for our mission. Of course, we are also thankful for her fido George who is a regular office presence.
We are also excited to announce that Elisabeth Holmes is now WR’s full-time
Staff Attorney. Over the past few months Elisabeth has worked on numerous issues for WR, from Clean Water Act enforcement, to the impacts of large artificial waves. Given the many issues that WR addresses, her full-time presence will further enable WR to create positive change for the Willamette’s water quality and habitat. A big thanks to Eli for joining the team full-time!
If that wasn’t enough, Amanda Gallegos will be joining us on staff in 2020 conducting multiple projects for us over the coming year. As a standout Patagonia intern in 2019, Amanda will be adding her skill to our
River Guardians Program in Portland, and will also have a lead role in creating and organizing our Pinot Paddle’s sister event, the Harvest
Paddle, in September, 2020.
Finally, we are very excited to announce that Erica Smith has agreed to work in our Restoration Program with Marci and Richard under the VetsWork Program - which is an arm of Americorps. Erica is relocating to Portland after working for the Forest Service in North Carolina. In addition to being a Navy Veteran, Erica has experience in environmental work, and is a very seasoned paddler. She will be working on various projects in our Restoration Program throughout 2020. Thank you Erica for joining our ranks in the coming year!
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We have so much to look forward to this year! Here are just a few key dates to remember- and there will be more to come!
- Pinot Paddle: June 13th - 14th
- Greenway Celebration Paddle: June 27th
- 20th Annual Paddle Oregon: August 17th - 21st
- Harvest Paddle: September 19th - 20th
- Great Willamette Clean Up: October 3rd
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