If you're having trouble viewing this email, you can see it online.
Save the date for a celebration!
Save the Date! Our Annual Celebration is on Thursday, September 28 at 6pm at Easton Broad in NE Portland. Mark your calendar today and keep an eye out for information on how to buy tickets and participate in raffles, even if you can’t celebrate in-person. And please consider nominating an outstanding individual or group for the Steward of the Year to be honored at the event!
Thank you the pledged event sponsors:
Mainstem sponsor:
Tributary sponsor:
Floodplain sponsor:
Contact Communications and Development Manager Erinne Goodell by email at egoodell@estuarypartnership.org or at 503-500-5247 for more information on sponsorship opportunities and benefits.
Happy 7th work anniversary, Jenny!
Principal Restoration Ecologist Jenny Dezso celebrated her 7th work anniversary with us in May! Jenny began with the Estuary Partnership in 2016 as a Field Restoration Ecologist. Today, Jenny manages habitat restoration projects in the Columbia River Gorge, the Portland-metro area, and along the East Fork Lewis River. In addition to floodplain restoration project management, she provides monitoring, site assessment, and stakeholder engagement support on many additional restoration projects. She is currently pursuing a Fisheries Management Graduate Certificate from Oregon State University.
"I feel honored and privileged to research and restore the lower Columbia and tributaries," said Jenny. "I’ve especially enjoyed deepening my understanding of how Indigenous peoples steward this landscape and feel excited and challenged to build partnerships and help incorporate this knowledge into our restoration work.”
Happy work anniversary, Jenny!
We 💚our volunteers!
We love them because they show up, rain or shine, to plant native trees and shrubs along salmon-bearing streams and rivers.
The 2022-23 planting season has ended and we couldn't be more excited to share what you all accomplished. 466 volunteers planted nearly 15,000 trees and shrubs across six parks and natural areas in Oregon and Washington.
“Volunteering with the Estuary Partnership this season has been a great way to get outside and pitch in to help restore and protect the natural habitats and biodiversity of our area,” said Dan Rubado (pictured above). “It was a lot of fun – and a lot of and digging. I was glad to be able to contribute a small bit to the Estuary Partnership's larger restoration efforts.”
Volunteer with us! Get out there and make a difference!
Each year, hundreds of volunteers plant thousands of native trees and shrubs along creeks and in floodplains to improve habitat for fish and wildlife, lower water temperature, and reduce erosion. Now, it's time to help these new plants thrive by applying mulch and removing weeds.
Volunteer events are family-friendly, and teenagers aged 15 and older can volunteer without an adult (additional waiver required). New events will be added to our volunteer calendar so check our website often and follow our social media channels to stay updated.
Great news! East Fork Lewis restoration project fully funded
We are thrilled to announce that the East Fork Lewis Floodplain Reclamation Project has secured $20 million in funding! This project addresses long-standing issues with salmon and steelhead habitat, as well as flooding and erosion threats to homes, county property, and businesses. Not only does it solve these problems, but it also brings economic benefits, sustaining over 300 jobs in the region.
“I greatly appreciate the legislature’s Floodplains by Design investment in Southwest Washington. The East Fork Lewis Floodplain Reclamation Project will restore the river’s path through its historic floodplain while also protecting investments made by homeowners, businesses, and taxpayers, and enhancing prime salmon and steelhead habitat. The East Fork is a gem and future generations will be grateful for the investments we are making today.”
-Clark County Councilor Sue Marshall
This funding marks the culmination of decades of work by numerous individuals and organizations who share our vision of restoring the East Fork Lewis River. We are honored to be a part of this effort.
Linnton residents: join us for a Big Canoe paddle!
Join your community in a fun, free paddling adventure on the Willamette River on our Big Canoes! See wildlife, natural areas being restored, and views of Linnton from the water. The 2.5 mile, leisurely, 2-hour paddle is specifically for Linnton area residents on July 27, 2023 at 5:30 pm. A picnic dinner will be provided. No paddling experience necessary. Children ages 7 and above are welcome.
Did you miss the 2023 Columbia River Estuary Conference? More than 170 people gathered at the Liberty Theatre in Astoria, Oregon in May to learn and share research and other information about the lower Columbia River, its estuary, plume, and nearshore ocean.
Researchers, scientists, resource managers, and local Tribal members convened to share the latest findings on topics including climate adaptation and mitigation, salmon recovery, habitat restoration, hypoxia and ocean acidification, monitoring techniques and results, toxic contaminants, predictive modeling, and more. Local community college students, teachers, and community members attended some sessions of the conference.
Outdoor Learning Grant provides more environmental education to students
The 2022-23 school year was the inaugural year of the Outdoor Learning Grant program, administered through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office and the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The grant increased the time Educators with the Estuary Partnership spent with students by 400% — allowing for three field trips and five on-campus environmental education lessons throughout the school year.
