Hello everyone,
Rain started to fall a couple of weeks ago, but it has not deterred our staff from continuing to get out in the watershed and provide programming for everyone - from kiddos to adults, no matter the weather. We are happy to be out in our watershed with you teaching paddling, bird watching, helping you get your hands dirty pulling invasives or prepping the earth for planting season. In addition to our continued programming, we are excited to welcome staff member, Kenny Symonds, to the Council staff as our new Volunteer Coordinator.
This month's newsletter is chock full of program updates, news from the Slough, and free public events. I hope that you take the time to read through and learn about what we are up to!
Last week I sent out an email thanking all of you for your support of the Council. No matter what form that support takes, it is seen, appreciated, and makes a huge difference in helping us work to fulfill our mission!
TODAY is the start of Willamette Week’s Give!Guide, which CSWC is excited to be a part of this year and this year our goal is to raise $35,000 between now and December 31st! Below you will find more information how to donate and incentives you can earn, so I won’t bore you with those details here butI will share the news that Wyld will match the first $10,000 in Give!Guide donations, doubling your gift to the Council!
Be one of the first TEN Give!Guide gifts and you will receive a surprise incentive from Wyld CBD!
Be well,
Heather
Executive Director
PS: Please know that it is giving season, which means there will be an increase in the number of emails you will receive from CSWC over the next two months. I ask you to refrain from unsubscribing from our mailing list and know that come January, we will return to only sending you one or two emails a month with program and organization updates!
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From today through the end of December, CSWC asks you to please make a donation and help reach our Give!Guide goal of $35,000.
Your donation will directly support and grow our 2023 programming: more paddling, nature walks, birding, stewardship events, workforce development, students taught and overall MORE people learning about and experiencing our watershed.
The first 10 Give!Guide donors will earn a surprise incentive from Wyld CBD!
Make a donation to CSWC through Give!Guide and earn the incentives below!
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Any donation of $10 or more will be entered into a raffle to win a box of Poler camping gear worth $320! (Chance of winning 1 in 500)
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All donors aged 35 and under who donate $15 or more will be entered into a raffle to win a box of Patagonia gear worth $250! (Chance of winning 1 in 250)
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$25+ donation will receive a coupon for a free pint of beer at Level Brewing (donors age 21+)
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$125 - $249 receive a 4-pack of Wyld CBD Seltzer
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$250 - $499 the first 5 donors will receive a Poler NapSack sleeping bag!
Wyld CBD is matching all donations up to $10,000!
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A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR GIVE!GUIDE PARTNERS! |
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PLEASE WELCOME CSWC'S NEW VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR!
Join us in welcoming Kenny Symonds as our new Volunteer Coordinator. Kenny joins us with a strong background as an educator, mentor and director of youth programs including environmental education, historical and contemporary arts and cultures, and pathways for careers in environmental conservation. Kenny finds joy in surveying for and protecting threatened and endangered species and leading groups in riparian restoration. Kenny is inspired by the Council's volunteers and community partnerships.
Keep an eye on our upcoming events web page for opportunities. If you have volunteered before, are itching to find out how to get involved, have any questions or ideas about volunteering, please reach out to Kenny to say hello!
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Watershed Wildlife Feature Part 2 - On Being a Gourd Lourd
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In the second of a three-part series, CSWC board member and longtime martin aficionado Troy Clark talks about some remarkable denizens of our watershed is the Purple Martins, and his work to house these shimmery mosquito-snatching swallows at Smith and Bybee Wetlands. The Purple Martin flies 5,000 miles from the Amazon to breed in a few scattered places, among them the Columbia Slough Watershed.
Click below to read the second installment of our blog series.
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Who is ready for GOOD BOO in the Slough?
It's November and Slough School full speed ahead!
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If this September and October are a barometer for the year, there will be no slowing down Slough School this year! Jennifer and team have been busy teaching environmental education in classrooms, fields, and waterways throughout the watershed! An update from our Education Director, Jennifer Starkey.
This fall, all of the 4th graders from Woodland Elementary learned about the food webs in the Columbia Slough's habitats, and they all came to visit Whitaker Ponds! This field trip was the first time Woodland students (who go to school in Fairview) have visited this natural area! Our intern Kevin Lopez got to join the first field trip and show everyone around the park, which was pretty cool!
"I saw these kids looking kind of disconnected and confused, and then I asked
if they speak Spanish, and we start speaking in Spanish, and it's so fun, they're
so excited! They asked me all these questions, and it feels great to show them
around."
De La Salle North Environmental Science students practiced native plant identification skills this month and all the 2nd graders from Glenfair Elementary are ALSO learning about habitats and the animals that have always lived here! And guess who is excellent at teaching? Our new Volunteer Coordinator, Kenny! We brought these students to Wilkes Creek Headwaters to look for what defines a habitat there, and saw a coyote. Students also got black and white maps of the park at the end of their trip so they could color it in and share memories with their families. One student said,"I'm gonna tell my mom about this place, and I'm gonna ask her to take my sister and me here in the big car."
Cully youth from Verde's Club Aves program came to paddle with us on three different afternoons! Their elementary school students filled up our bimarans and once again, Kevin, our Project Zero Intern, rocked these paddles, leading youth and helping with communication. Sightings included nutria, hawks, and Great Blue Herons, plus reflections, clear water, aquatic vegetation, and tons of fun and laughter.
November Slough School Adventures will include ...
- CSWC will join up with Reynolds Learning Academy Multnomah Youth Cooperative to get Davis 5th graders planting at Salish Ponds!
- Sitton Elementary 2nd graders will be learning about Seasons of Change!
- Rigler 5th grade and De La Salle North seniors will plant native plants!
AND Did you Know? The Holy Redeemer students are adopting the Slough west of N Vancouver - PRETTY COOL!
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Portland Parks Foundation Day of Service
On October 4th, CSWC partnered with Portland Parks and Recreation, Portland Parks Foundation, and People of Color Outdoors for an afternoon of community stewardship at our favorite natural area Whitaker Ponds! Over about 4 hours, 45 volunteers came out and cleared 3,000 square feet of English Ivy and Morning Glory, removed 5 bags of litter, and learned about turtles from THE turtle expert at Portland Parks and Recreation, Laura Guderyahn!
A big shout out to Pam Slaughter from People of Color Outdoors for bringing out so many energetic community members to make this event a hit.
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Join the CSWC for a slough of events this fall to help improve the watersheds important natural resources. Register or find out more information about CSWC events on our website.
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 7 - 8:30 PM
CSWC is hosting a virtual public meeting with DEQ and DSL on the Moore and Wright Island Natural Area Sediment Cleanup application for a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2023 Brownfield Cleanup grant.
Saturday Nov. 5th, 9 - 11AM
Join the CSWC, SOLVE, Portland General Electric and Gresham Public Schools for a day of stewardship at a budding environmental education space at Clear Creek Middle School. We will be pulling English ivy and managing Himalayan blackberry to support native vegetation at this educational space for CCMS ecology students.
Thursday Nov. 10, 7 - 8 PM
The October Owl Prowl event was rescheduled due to poor air quality! Here's your chance to attend our annual Owl Prowl family friendly event, and learn more about these vocal ventriloquists and amazing nighttime predators! All ages are welcome. Space is limited to 20 people.
Saturday, Nov. 26th 9 - 11AM
Thankful for the birds in your neighborhood and wanting to learn more about them? Looking to try out a new hobby or brush up on your bird and plant knowledge? Join bird walk leaders Thomas Meinzen and Ryan Gilpin for a free, fall bird walk at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park.
Saturday Dec. 3rd 9AM - 12PM
Join us for a BIG planting party at Johnson Lake Natural Area with our friends at Portland Parks and Rec & Friends of Trees
Saturday Dec. 10th 8:45AM - 1PM
Join us and Friends of Trees as we plant trees and enjoy sweets in the Wilkes area!
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Community Activities & Events |
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Fall Activities with Portland Parks & Recreation
People of Color Outdoors opportunities in November
People of Color Outdoors (POCO) is a thriving organization where Black, Indigenous, and all people of color can enjoy nature in a caring community. The Council is honored to serve as POC Outdoors' fiscal sponsor and partner with their organization on many outdoor events. For BIPOC community members who are interested in joining their Meetup group, or to check out their upcoming events, click here.
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