Happy New Year River Folks!
I hope all of you are doing well. It was a heck of a year last year, but thankfully with all of your support, even in the face of challenges - Willamette Riverkeeper got some great stuff done for the river.
Looking ahead, I am optimistic about 2022. While there are
still obviously some challenges related to COVID, I am hopeful
we will move the needle significantly, pun intended, in terms of getting through it and gaining more normalcy and balance in our lives.
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Willamette Riverkeeper has big plans for the year, from getting back to our renowned Paddle Oregon event and continuing our Clean Water Act enforcement work, to purchasing more lands for conservation, and creating a new Willamette Water Trail map. We are excited for these things and more, including an in-person celebration for our 25th Anniversary (which was in 2021).
I thank you for all of your support throughout the year, as well as your year-end generosity. It is much appreciated and it really enables us to move things forward for the health of the Willamette River.
I wish you all well, and I look forward to seeing you in the months ahead!
Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
Header photo: Taken at Sam Daws Landing
Leaf photo and winter scape: Taken on the Middle Fork Willamette
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Eugene-Springfield Trashy Tuesday: In partnership with the City of Eugene Parks & Recreation, we are working on the water from Eastgate Woodlands to Alton Baker on January 11th. Find more details and register here!
Corvallis Trashy Thursday: On January 20th we are working in partnership with Corvallis Parks to cleanup at the Avery Park Natural Area and the south banks of the Marys River. Join us for this land-based cleanup - more details and registration are available here!
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SAVE THE DATE and mark your calendar for our 2022 Summer Overnight Paddle Trips! We will have three overnight events, including the return of our Annual Paddle Oregon (and finally doing our 20th)! Registration and additional details will be available in early March 2022.
Pinot Paddle: June 18 - 19, 2021
Paddle Oregon: August 15 - 19, 2021
Harvest Paddle: September 17 - 18, 2021
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Restoration at Gail Achterman
Wildlife Area Continues
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Willamette Riverkeeper is excited to begin this new year with the celebration of our Phase 3 restoration proposal at Gail Achterman Wildlife Area (GAWA) being awarded! We have been actively working throughout this natural area, in partnership with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, on Phases 1 and 2 since spring of 2018. Each phase is equally important to ensure the success of this project, and with support from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, along with several other funders, we are able to start Phase 3 work efforts for this site soon. We look forward to beginning this next phase, and thanks to all of our funders and partner’s support we can continue restoring this gem of an island to its natural state. |
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Properties like GAWA provide critical habitat for many of our native flora and fauna, and without these collective efforts the Willamette River ecosystems’ biodiversity could be diminished at sites like GAWA, and overall lost.
It may be bewildering to think about planting when we are still reveling in all the beautiful snowfall we've had recently, but winter is planting season! We have 76,250 native plants ready to be installed this winter as part of Phase 2. Thanks to Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s “Collective Grow” program we will have over 32 different species of native plants. Phase 3 will largely consist of ongoing monitoring and related work to ensure the native flora will continue to thrive and the site can sustain the healthiest habitat in the long term. Stay tuned for more volunteer opportunities at in 2022. May this year bring us all good health, happiness, and an even deeper appreciation for our Willamette River!
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You Helped Us Raise $78,966! |
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Thank you to everyone who made a year-end donation! |
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Whether you donated through Give!Guide, the WR website or mailed in a check, your support helps further our mission and do the important work for a clean and healthy river! We cannot do this work without your support. All of us at Willamette Riverkeeper are grateful!
AND to those who donated through Give!Guide, we met our match from our amazing corporate sponsors Wyld, Fortis Construction and Swire Coca-Cola which put as at a total of $78,966 raised for Willamette Riverkeeper!
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Coffee! Warm up this winter season with 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. 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! We have a limited supply of Willamette River maps. You can purchase digital copies on the Willamette Water Trail website, as well as paper copies (waterproof of course) of the Upper and Lower Willamette River.
Willamette Water Trail Patches, we're selling them for just $5!
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