Hello Folks -
I hope your April is going as well as can be. Our work at Willamette Riverkeeper has been moving right along on multiple fronts, including hiring a new River Recreation & Stewardship Coordinator, Annette Pearson (see below)!
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As we round into longer days, with the trees and shrubs finally leafing out, we at Willamette Riverkeeper are looking ahead to the work coming up over the next 6 months. One thing that strikes me, in addition to our Clean Water Act enforcement, riverside cleanup work, and our ongoing policy work, is the continuing need for publicly available lands along the river. These lands are essential wildlife habitat, and can help sustain species in the face of global climate change.
Research has made clear that people benefit from being outside in nature - whether it is from riverside parks in towns along the Willamette, to a large Willamette River Greenway natural area in a rural stretch of the river where dispersed camping is provided. These are just some of the reasons why we have a strong Willamette Water Trail program, and also why we are seeking to acquire more land along the river.
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On a personal note, the health benefits for humans are clear. While not everyone can experience the river in the same way, being outdoors, traveling and camping along the river has been crucial to my health. I have had Type 1 Diabetes since I was 6 years old. I have noticed very clearly over the years that my health is easier to maintain by being outside, traveling the river by canoe, and camping along the shoreline. The sheer energy exerted, and the significant amount of movement that goes into establishing a campsite, moving gear, and more, makes it easier to keep my health where it needs to be. The same can be said for hiking and biking the large greenway parks along the river.
I say this because there are myriad ways that people benefit from the Willamette River Greenway, including those with a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and physical conditions. Adding to these public lands along the river will not only benefit a range of wildlife, but can also provide more opportunities that benefit public health over the long term.
So, here is to gaining more public lands along the Willamette River, and to getting out there in the months ahead!
Sincerely,
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Travis Williams
Riverkeeper & Executive Director
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Header photo: A Willamette River springscape, taken at Sam Daws Landing |
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Spring For Your River with Willamette Riverkeeper
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Volunteers are needed throughout the Willamette watershed during our Spring For Your River cleanup series. Events begin on Earth Day, and run through the end of May. With dozens of events happening from Portland to Eugene, there is something for everyone!
Thank you for taking action for your Willamette River!
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Join Willamette Riverkeeper at one (or more!) of our three overnight events happening this summer. Each event offers a unique experience, camping under the stars, a local dining experience, river education, and of course an adventure like no other on the Willamette River!
Pinot Paddle: June 18 - 19, 2022 Register today, as this event is filling up fast!
20th Annual Paddle Oregon: August 15 - 19, 2022 Register today and SAVE! Use code "EARLYBIRD" for a $50 discount on your registration. Offer expires April 30.
Harvest Paddle: September 17 - 18, 2022 Registration is now live for this fall event. Grab a friend and register today!
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Last month, with the help of the R Franco Restoration crew, Willamette Riverkeeper wrapped up the planting season at all of our 2022 project sites. We installed a total of 19,850 native bareroots as infill at Willamette Mission State Park, and 58,325 native plants at Gail Achterman Wildlife Area! We ended the season with a trip to Norwood Island, bringing along the newest addition to the Willamette Riverkeeper team, Annette! On this trip, Travis, Annette and Vanessa installed 50 bareroots, which they scattered throughout the island. Since Norwood is a boat in only site, they packed up our canoes with planting shovels and a handful of different native species: vine maple, cascara, oceanspray, and Pacific ninebark. A beautiful stand of ponderosa pine is already dispersed among the mid-southern part of the island, creating a unique ecosystem throughout this area and Willamette Riverkeeper hopes to further the biological diversity at Norwood to establish a healthy understory of native species throughout this shaded area. |
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Meet Annette, our River Recreation & Stewardship Coordinator, and the newest member of the Willamette Riverkeeper team!
Annette comes to us with many years of paddling and guiding experience - from sea kayaking expeditions in Alaska to many other kayak and canoe trips throughout the west. This River Recreation & Stewardship Coordinator role is new to our organization and is augmenting our capacity to do more in the months ahead. In this new role, Annette will be supporting our upcoming on-water events, as well as assisting in the stewardship of Willamette Riverkeeper's properties and Water Trail sites.
Welcome to the team Annette!
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Book Release: Willamette River Greenways |
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Willamette River Greenways, a new book from Travis Williams, is now available!
This 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. There are also multiple river tales from his time on the river, including just a few of the great people he has met over the years. Additionally, this book offers insight and perspective on traveling to many of the beautiful greenway properties via canoe, and on the wildlife that call the river home.
WR has a special offer: If you donate $250 to WR by the end of May, you will receive a free, signed copy of the book!
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Paddle. Camp. Repeat. Tees! Kick off this paddling season with a new shirt. 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! Starting to plan for your summer river trips? Grab a digital or paper (waterproof of course) copy of our Willamette River Maps on the Willamette Water Trail. Available for the Upper and Lower Willamette River.
Coffee! Enjoy a warm 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!
Willamette Water Trail Patches, we're selling them for just $5!
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