Hello Everyone,
Spring is about to spring, which for me is my favorite time of year. The green of early Spring is intoxicating and speaks to warmer and longer days and many adventures in the months ahead. At CSWC there is much to be excited about in the coming months! I invite you to pour a cup of tea and take time to read through the newsletter, checking out our events calendar to ensure you are in the know.
Interested in being on our Paddle Team? Webinars and trainings are happening soon! Trash cleanups are happening again! Naturalist events and paddles are ramping up. In April, we will celebrate Earth Day ALL MONTH LONG – culminating on April 20th with several events in one day and a celebration that afternoon and evening at Level Beer! Then, just about one month later, we have our Annual Slough Celebration on May 18th!
Did you know that during the last calendar year, CSWC hosted, on average, one program a day? Did you know that we double the number of donors to the organization during our fundraising campaigns last year? Did you know we have clocked hundreds of volunteer hours through you all? All of which led to a stronger foundation for CSWC! Thank you to all of you who support our mission. Whether that be by attending an event, volunteering your time, or being a donor. As you know, I strongly believe that each and everything you do counts and helps us move our mission forward. I cannot wait to see what the next year brings!
See you all out there soon!
Heather King
Executive Director
PS: Don’t forget to check out our events calendar and sign up for an event sometime soon!
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Everyone, please meet SCUDDY!
After receiving an overwhelming amount of responses from our incredible community, we are thrilled to announce the chosen name for our trusty EV truck: SCUDDY!
Thank you Mike Beymer for you suggestion! This name honors the Stumptown Scud, a small freshwater crustacean that lives in freshwater streams only here in Portland. Here is an article on the Stumptown Scud if you want more information on this special crustacean.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and shared their creative suggestions. Your enthusiasm made this decision tough!
This truck was received from the Oregon DEQ’s Clean Fuels Program via Portland General Electric’s Drive Change Fund, THANK YOU!!
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Stay tuned for more adventures with SCUDDY as we continue to serve our community and beyond! |
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Fungi for the Future
with Toby Query
Wednesday, March 13th
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Please join us for a free educational speaker event at Level Beer! Mycorrhizal networks involving plant roots and fungi teach us that our natural world is interconnected and collaborative. We will talk about the potentials of partnering with fungi and how to create a fungi-focused landscape that can be climate resilient and improve the health of humans and the larger world.
About the speaker:
Toby Query is a father, husband, and ecologist. As an ecologist with the City of Portland’s Revegetation Program since 1999, he stewards natural areas for all Portlanders where he has coordinated the planting of over 4 million trees and shrubs.
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The Council is hiring a full time Stewardship Director. The Stewardship Program is dedicated to restoring, enhancing, and protecting habitat and watershed health in the Columbia Slough Watershed.
The Stewardship Director’s primary duties are to provide leadership, planning, coordination, and management of our Stewardship Program. CSWC’s Stewardship Program is in an exciting growth phase! We seek the right candidate to thrive and grow with this leadership opportunity.
The deadline to apply for this position is March 17th, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
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A huge thank you to Paddle Team Leader, Eyes on the Slough Volunteer, and community advocate, Zora Hess!
Zora has participated in the Eyes on the Slough program for years, at her adopted site at St John's Prairie. She has spent countless hours removing trash, connecting with people living in the area, kayaking the Slough, and installing a tube to collect fishing line left behind through Keep Oregon's River's Clean (KORC).
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Most recently, Zora set out to find funding and install a trash can at her adopted site. With support from the Council, BES and Metro, Zora successfully installed a trash can at St John's Prairie!
In February she sent us an update that it is being used, and the site is looking much better because of it. Just look, have you ever seen a more picturesque photo of a trash can?!
Zora, we cannot thank you enough for all that you do for the community and the Columbia Slough.
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Volunteer, connect with nature and build community!
Interested in joining the CSWC Paddle Team?
Please note that this webinar required for all new and returning on-water volunteers! This webinar will serve as a great resource for those who want to learn more about volunteering with the Council and specific information on our programming.
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Conecta con la naturaleza y con tu comunidad!
¿Te interesa ser parte del Equipo de Remo del CSWC este 2024?
Esta orientación servirá como un repaso a las personas que han participado anteriormente como voluntarios en el Equipo de Remo y como un gran recurso para nuevos voluntarios.
Los voluntarios recibirán un estipendio por su tiempo.
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Honoring those who have made a difference in the health of the
Columbia Slough!
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Each year, since 2001, the most outstanding accomplishments of a person, group, project, or initiative as related to the Council’s mission are recognized with the Henrietta Award.
The 2024 winner will receive their award at the at the Annual Slough Celebration, which will take place on Saturday, May 18 from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at Whitaker Ponds.
Nominations are due on Wednesday, April 17 at 11:59 PM.
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Partner Highlight: Access Shuttle |
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Have you heard about the Access Shuttle?
The Multnomah County ACCESS Shuttle a free form of transportation that provides a needed last-mile connection to the area south of PDX airport, including a stop at Whitaker Ponds!
Don't miss out on this convenient way to explore and connect with nature and the Columbia Slough!
For more information in multiple languages and to learn more about the ACCESS Shuttle, visit their website!
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Native to the Slough - Swamp Rose |
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Rosa Palustris, commonly known as the Swamp Rose, is a Northwest native shrub species that thrives in wet, rich soils and produces fragrant rose-like pink flowers.
We commonly plant these at restoration sites like Wilkes Creek since they can grow in wet soils.
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Join the CSWC for a slough of events this new year to help improve the watersheds important natural resources, learn about native plants and connect with community! or find out more information about CSWC and our events on our website.
Wednesday, March 13, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Join CSWC for a free educational speaker event at Level Beer! Mycorrhizal networks involving plant roots and fungi teach us that our natural world is interconnected and collaborative.
Sunday, March 17, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Enjoy one of the final days of winter with CSWC and local tree and bird expert, Ryan Gilpin, for a free educational walk all about trees. Winter can be a challenging time to identify urban trees, but a great time to view their structure and focus on the finer details.
Tuesday, March 19, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Event is currently at capacity. Please email Amanda to join the waiting list.
Wednesday, March 20, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
¿Te interesa ser parte del Equipo de Remo del CSWC este 2024? Iniciaremos oficialmente con una orientación web. Esta orientación requerida servirá como un repaso a las personas que han participado anteriormente como voluntario y como un gran recurso para nuevos voluntarios.
Thursday March 21, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Interested in joining the CSWC Paddle Team this 2024? We are officially kicking off our paddling season with a required webinar. This will serve as a refresher for people who have previously participated as a Paddle Team volunteer, and as a great resource to learn more prior to committing if you are new.
Saturday, March 23, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join CSWC and Portland Parks and Recreation for a day of stewardship Kelley Point Park! Kelley Point Park is uniquely situated at the confluence of three water bodies (the Columbia River, Willamette River and Columbia Slough). We will be continuing restoration efforts to improve the riparian area next to the Columbia Slough.
Thursday, March 28, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for an on-water cleanup of the Columbia Slough in NE Portland - we’ll be working to remove a large pile of tires from the Slough and banks. Participants can bring their own boat, or reserve a seat in one of ours. This is for people 14 and older, minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Tuesday, Abril 2, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Únete a la facilitadora, Ceci Orozco, de Temenos Rising, a la ciudad de Wood Village, y al Columbia Slough Watershed Council para una conexión gratuita con la naturaleza y una caminata de exploración de atención plena en el parque Donald L Robertson en Wood Village. Este evento se recomienda para mayores de 16 años.
Saturday, Abril 6, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
This training will be held in person and is required for all new and returning Paddle Team volunteers. To attend this training, you must have already attended or watched the March 21 Webinar Orientation and are in the process of submitting background checks. If you have questions, contact Valeria.
Sunday, Abril 7, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Esta capacitación se llevará a cabo en persona y es obligatoria para todos los nuevos y voluntarios que regresen del año pasado. Además de asistir a esta capacitación, para ser parte del equipo de remo, también debes ver la grabación de la orientación del seminario web y estar en proceso de completar su formulario de antecedentes. Si tienes preguntas, comunícate con Valeria.
Sunday, Abril 14, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Acompaña al Columbia Slough Watershed Council y a la ciudad de Wood Village para avistar aves en el parque Donald L Robertson. Este evento es gratuito y abierto para todas las edades. Será guiado por observadores locales de aves: Ryan Gilpin y Melissa Orozco; todo el evento será en español.
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