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June Riverscape
From The Riverkeeper: Celebrating 20 Years
Hello Friends - 

I hope you are all as well as can be during this tough time on multiple fronts. 

Twenty years ago this month I started in my position at Willamette Riverkeeper. It was an honor to get a job, which has turned into a career, working to protect and restore the river I grew up swimming in during my youth. 

We’ve grown a bit over the years as an organization. I can recall a day early on when I was asked by a landowner why I had the audacity to be on the upper Willamette, investigating a pollution issue. Thankfully, those days are far behind. Today we have offices in Eugene and Portland, and own conservation properties in Benton and Yamhill Counties. Our 9 hard-working professional staff support work in all of the counties in the Willamette Basin. 

Over time we’ve had some solid wins for river health, and have grown the overall community that embraces the Willamette’s well being. Our advocacy, education, research, legal work, and communication have expanded the understanding of the history and current ecological needs of the Willamette River system. 
Travis's "little keepers" in the early 2000s
Now college students!
We’ve engaged in a wide range of projects and programs, and have helped to facilitate thousands of people connecting with the Willamette River from all over Portland, Salem, Albany, Corvallis, Springfield, Eugene and everywhere in between. 

In these past two decades I’ve understood that it is all of you - our members, volunteers, and other supporters - who enable us to keep our important work going. It seems to me that given the longevity of our staff in general, and our results driven work, that true bonds of trust have been created - and that is a very special thing. 

I’ve been fortunate to have met some amazing people over the years, resulting in many great collaborations and friendships. You all have expanded my understanding on key issues, provided wisdom where needed, and have shown patience, for which I’m very grateful. 
Riverkeeping remains a family affair.
Love in the time of COVID- Travis and his fiancée Erica will marry along the Willamette in 3 weeks!
Even in this current time, I’m hopeful for the future, but also maintain a strong vein of discontent. Perhaps if I’m lucky enough to continue to advance work for the river, with colleagues and friends, we can mark additional gains for the river over the coming years. Let’s keep our eyes on the horizon, and work hard to forge a better Willamette, and better world each and every day.   

Thank you all again for your friendship, collaboration, and support! 

Hang in there!

Travis Williams
Executive Director & Riverkeeper
CONGRATULATIONS TRAVIS!

Our friends at the Waterkeeper Alliance , a global network of grassroots leaders protecting our right to CLEAN water, honored Travis with a " WATERKEEPER HERO " award just this morning. Our team is very proud of your achievements!
Willamette Valley Dams Need Work
Recently the Army Corps issued an environmental analysis that proposes lowering the reservoir heights behind Lookout Point and Hills Creek Dams due to an unacceptable risk of structural failure during a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake. This is a troubling conclusion for those two dams, which may point to significant issues with others in the Willamette system.

Most dams on the major tributaries of the Willamette River are beyond or near the end of their designed lifetimes, and at some point in the near future some will have to be removed or rebuilt... READ MORE from our recent OpEd in the Register-Guard
Advocacy in Action
In response to our comments submitted to Department of State Lands (DSL) last month on McCall Oil, McCall admitted it had had discussions with Zenith about possible opportunities to bring renewable fuels to McCall’s docks. In response to our Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the Army Corps also finally released its environmental review records to the public. Subsequently, Zenith was denied a key City permit and withdrew its Greenway Review application. This means McCall’s project now will only focus on dredging necessary for McCall’s immediate needs; anything more extensive would require a separate permit.
 
We also submitted a letter to Representatives DeFazio and Schrader regarding the proposed Water Resources Development Act . We asked for stronger protections for Oregon’s native fish species, and for a study of hydropower at Willamette River System’s aging dams.
We continue to be engaged in the implementation of the Portland Harbor Superfund clean up. At this stage of the cleanup process, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) analyzed Portland’s investigation of what effects stormwater outfalls may have on the cleanup area. DEQ found Portland adequately conducted its investigation and facilitated effective pollution reduction controls for people, fish, and aquatic life. Willamette Riverkeeper submitted comments to DEQ on its analysis. 
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Travis and Justin tour the Superfund site.
Ash Island Opportunity
We have an opportunity for a new conservation and Water Trail Property!

Recently, WR signed a Purchase Agreement - just beforethe 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. 

Most of the island is farmland, which was recently converted to hazelnuts. The property represents one of the only places where the public will be able to camp between San Salvador and Champoeg State Park - a long stretch of river with little public access. 

Due to the need for public lands and access, even in this crazy time, we are committed to raising the $25,000 needed to purchase the upper end of the island. 
 
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. 

If you are interested in learning more, or in contributing specifically to help us purchase this property, please email Deputy Director Heather King at heather@willametteriverkeeper.org .
Ramping Up Restoration Efforts
Willamette Riverkeeper is working closely with the Oregon Department of Wildlife to restore both floodplain forest and aquatic habitat at Gail Achterman Wildlife area. Gail Achterman is a 290 acre public wildlife area that is accessible to the public from the river only. It’s located at an inside river bend downsteam from Social Security Hole between Independence and Salem. This spring through fall we are continuing to prepare the site for planting over 50,000 native plants this coming winter.
The site has many beautiful native plants, like the delicate Western meadow rue, T halictrum occidentale. This plant loves to grow in wet places at low elevations, near rivers and streams.
Another native plant commonly found at this site is ninebark,  Physocarpus capitatus.
Willamette River Fest: 8/15 - 8/22
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; 1) the Willamette River is still here; and 2) the 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, a self-guided stormwater art tour and wildlife geocache, and a Willamette-wide “Great Greenway BioBlitz” (count all the species in your community’s greenway)! Take the PaddleCross Challenge this year as an independent virtually recorded experience – compete for some great prizes – or just paddle for fun! Bring your brushes to the river and paint your favorite place on the Willamette, and vote for your favorite through the Plein Air Paint Out! online People’s Choice Award. Join in on social media, and 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.

For more information please visit: willametteriverfest.org .
The Willamette River Festival is a partnership of the City of Eugene, Willamette Riverkeeper, River House Outdoor Program, Willamalane Parks and Recreation District, Willamette Kayak & Canoe Club, University of Oregon Outdoor Program and the Willamette Stewardship Network.
Students CARE About The Willamette!
Last December Willamette Riverkeeper submitted an application to CommuniCare , a year-long, student-directed program, where highschool student groups act as “mini-foundations.”

Participants begin the year by selecting a community issue or service area they feel passionate about, and are tasked to raise $1,500 during the fall and winter months. Each dollar they raise is matched 10:1 by The CARE Foundation , up to $15,000. Students spend the rest of the school year completing the grantmaking process – researching Oregon nonprofits whose work aligns with their mission, evaluating grant proposals, meeting with representatives from those organizations, and deciding who to fund.

As part of this process, Willamette Riverkeeper applied to 4 local high schools who created missions to fund organizations working on local environmental issues. To our surprise, all the high schools applied to asked to interview WR. Due to the pandemic, these “in-person” interviews turned into either zoom meetings or extended grant proposals. Part of Willamette Riverkeeper Deputy Director Heather King's love for her work is talking to people about the mission of Willamette Riverkeeper and imparting her passion for it on other people. Even though she met students over computer screens, it was still delightful to engage with these young people, answering their questions and helping them to better understand our mission and our work. 
 
Over the past several weeks we heard back from each of the 4 high schools and we are proud to announce that every one of them funded our proposal : Wilson High School ($3,000), Catlin Gable ($3,500), Lake Oswego High School ($7195.08) and Northwest Academy ($1,183.60) each funded the WR grant proposal. In addition, Willamette Riverkeeper tied for the most students grants given this year – which is a program record!

Willamette Riverkeeper is grateful for hard work and generosity of the students and The Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation. Please join the virtual celebration Monday June 15th from 1-2 PM at CommuniCare.or.org/ceremony .
Be A Force, For Fish!
Support the Recovery of Wild Fish!

We work in a variety of ways to help restore wild spring chinook, winter steelhead and other native fish species. Wild fish are those that can naturally reproduce in the Willamette River system utilizing their spawning streams and healthy habitat throughout the river system.

Our work for wild fish includes:
  • Improving fish passage at US Army Corps dams
  • Reducing the impacts of motorized recreation on habitat
  • Protecting essential habitat through legal and policy action
  • Enforcing the Clean Water Act 

You can support this work, which is critical even now. Join as a member of our new Wild Fish Force today ! In doing so you will be supporting our advocacy, education, and legal work to recover species that have lived in the Willamette for thousands of years. 

Stay tuned for more wild fish news in the weeks ahead!
WIN a Canoe, Maybe!
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!
Our GRAND PRIZE winners will take home:

Wenonah Canoe Package - donated by  Paddle People
  • Wenonah Northfork Canoe ($1,199) Green w/ Black Trim
  • Two Made in Oregon Sawyer Paddles ($140)
  • Two PFDs ($160)
  • Canoeing lessons for up to 4 people ($200)
  • Canoe rental for 10 days so your friends can join you ($300) 

Hurricane Kayak Sojourn 146 - donated by  Next Adventure
Lime Green color ($1,500)
THREE runner up prize packages include:

  • A canoe lesson for two ($100)
  • A canoe rental for up to 10 days ($300) 

HOW TO WIN: Donate at one of the levels outlined below to earn raffle entries!

Donate a minimum of $10 a month for a year. For each $10 a month you donate, you will earn an entry (i.e. $10 a month = 1 entry, $20 a month = 2 entries, etc.)!

Increase your monthly donation by $10 or more and earn raffle entries (each $10 increment earns you an entry)! Just send an email to our Deputy Director, heather@willametteriverkeeper.org and she will make the changes.

Make a one-time donation of $120 and earn an entry into the raffle.
For each incremental donation of $120 you earn an additional entry!

Our raffle drawing will take place in early September. THANK YOU for choosing to support Willamette Riverkeeper, and thanks again to our partners, Jeff Catlin and Russ Woodward of Paddle People and the paddlesports team at Next Adventure !