Hello All - I hope that you are all doing as well as can be.
It has been quite a summer, and rounding out a series of great progress at Willamette Riverkeeper was completing the 20th Paddle Oregon event! As in past years, a large group of people hit the river in canoes, kayaks, and SUPs to travel over 80 miles over 5 days and 4 nights.
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This year was simply special, as everyone felt the joy of being able to take part in this unique trip, and spend time exploring the Willamette River. Along the way, people learned more about key river issues, and Willamette Riverkeeper’s work to protect water quality and habitat, the Willamette Water Trail, and habitat restoration. They even got to see another property that Willamette Riverkeeper will soon own!
Paddle Oregon is a unique event, and we embrace that. This trip has brought our organization many supporters and friends over the years, which remained true for this year as well. We thank the private agricultural landowners who enabled our large group to camp out at their sites, as well as the City of Corvallis.
A huge thanks to everyone who took part. As we said on our trip banner during the first PO in 2001, You’ve Made It! Well, that is the reality. Without all of you, we could not do this trip. It is because of You All, that Paddle Oregon can be conducted! Thank you all very much for your generosity and support!
If you haven’t yet become a member and financial supporter of Willamette Riverkeeper, go for it today by clicking the button below!
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Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
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Banner photo of group paddling taken by Josiah Portillo at the Pinot Paddle, 2022. |
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Portland:
Newberg:
Saint Paul
Eugene
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End your summer on a high note with an overnight trip on the Willamette River! |
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Registration closes end of day September 5.
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Photo of two people cheers-ing taken by Johnny Childers at Harvest Paddle, 2021.
Photo of people doing yoga taken by Josiah Portillo at the Pinot Paddle, 2022.
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October is right around the corner, which means Willamette Riverkeeper is getting DIRTY FOR GOOD for the 14th Annual Great Willamette Cleanup!
Throughout the entire month of October, Willamette Riverkeeper, along with numerous community partners, will be hosting events throughout the Willamette Valley to remove trash in and along the Willamette River! Events kick off on Saturday, October 1 - visit our website here to see our list of events and to register!
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This year, Willamette Riverkeeper began a new paddling outreach program with the goal of creating easier access to paddling recreation in the Willamette watershed for often marginalized communities including Black, Indigenous and People of Color, LGBTQIA+ and more. |
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In addition, the program strives to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive learning experience. Each participant will have an opportunity to learn new paddling skills from an environment where they are encouraged to work together as we emphasize teamwork and leadership - all while learning more about our Willamette River, watershed advocacy, stewardship and the community groups that we work with. Willamette Riverkeeper is excited to bring more of these opportunities to our Willamette communities – please contact annette@willametteriverkeeper.org for more information, or to find out how your organization might partner with us to provide equitable access to paddling recreation for all people!
These events are funded in part by the Oregon State Marine Board and The Collins Foundation. This program is also made possible through incredible partner organizations! Thank you Keizer Business Alliance, Lane Migrant Education Program, The Black Cultural Festival, BirdHers, Eugene Mission Life Change Program, Eugene Pride and Oregon Paddle Sports.
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Thank You Restoration Interns |
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A huge shout-out and thank you to our 2022 Restoration Interns for all of their hard work this summer! Many of you have met at least one of them on a Paddle & Pull, during Paddle Oregon, on an aquatic invasive species survey day, exploring one of our restoration projects, or conducting Lugwigia outreach. If you find an opportunity to meet them as they wind down in September, make sure to ask them about their favorite memories from the summer! |
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Kelly (pictured second from the right in a pink button up and wide brim hat): Had I not experienced this internship this summer I would have missed out on discovering the beauty of the Willamette River. It is such an amazing stretch of water that provides an ecosystem for all types of species. I have seen more bald eagles this summer than I have in my entire life. I now understand why Willamette Riverkeeper works so hard to restore and protect it. I have had the chance to spend hours in a canoe paddling the river surveying for aquatic invasive species, this allows us to track progress and monitor treatments from year to year.
I would have to say, my favorite thing about this summer is finally getting to get in the field and experience restoration work first hand. This has given me a chance to see how many people are invested in this river’s health. Be it from the number of excited attendees at our annual event, Paddle Oregon, to those we have met during outreach events, and to the passionate people I have met from different organizations working together with Willamette Riverkeeper. It astounds me and inspires me to see so many people caring for our environment and it makes me excited to start my career in Environmental Science.
Megan (pictured in group photo on the left with gray/blue shirt and blue shorts): I had the pleasure of working as a Restoration Intern for Willamette Riverkeeper this summer. I have always loved exploring different stretches of this river, but this summer I got to learn more about the complex problems and solutions the river faces. During these few months I’ve expanded my knowledge of the Willamette’s plant life, especially invasive aquatic species. I’ve also refined my paddling abilities, and sharpened my eyesight looking for agates. It has been inspiring working with Richard and Vanessa and witnessing their passion for restoration. Even more, working with and hearing from the community at outreach events has shown me that we are not alone in this fight to help the Willamette. This fieldwork-focused internship has greatly supplemented my more analytical coursework, and being able to see the real world application of these courses has only solidified my choice of career path. I’m proud of the work we’ve done to help protect our great river!
Jacob (pictured second from the left with gray hat and shirt): I had the best time working with Willamette Riverkeeper as one of the Restoration Interns over the summer months! I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see areas of the Willamette River that has
given me a new perspective of how important this natural resource is to wildlife and the broader community. I mean, my office for the summer was a canoe, it doesn’t get cooler then that!
Over the course of this summer internship I was able to participate in AIS surveys, community outreach events like the paddle and pull, AIS treatment days, and experience the beauty of natural spaces like the Gail Achterman Wildlife Area and Willamette Mission State Park! Through this work I was able to grow closer to our beloved Willamette River, its floodplain forests, and the community that it supports. It has been a joy to witness how organizations like Willamette Riverkeeper are working passionately to restore and maintain the habitat complexities and natural beauty of the river. Not to mention the many stories shared with me from the community that express just how valued and important the Willamette River is to these community members. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life that I will cherish and look back on as I continue my path in the environmental field. The summer is still not over and I look forward to the continued adventures on the Willamette River with Willamette Riverkeeper for the remainder of this internship!
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Willamette River Greenways, by Travis Williams: This new book takes a deep dive into the Willamette River Greenway Program, and uses Oregon’s “greenways” as a useful lens to shed light on Oregon’s shortcomings in regard to protecting our water, air and land. Order your copy for just $24.95 through OSU Press!
Coffee! Enjoy a cup of Roast #187 from Pastor John's Blessed Beans. Roasted in Oregon City, this is a great way to support Willamette Riverkeeper and a local small business. Purchase 2lbs. (that's two bags!) of this amazing dark roast for just $35!
Paddle. Camp. Repeat. Tees! These tri-blend tees come in a women's or men's fit, with the option of blue or gray. Purchase yours today for just $25!
Maps! Summer is here! Snag a Willamette River digital or paper (waterproof of course) copy of our Lower Willamette River Maps on the Willamette Water Trail for all of your upcoming river adventures!
*The Upper River map is currently sold out.
*We are working hard on the new river maps, however it is taking longer than expected. We anticipate an end of summer/early fall release date. Stay tuned for more details.
Willamette Water Trail Patches, we're selling them for just $5!
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