News

Three recent grant awards support the Estuary Partnership Education Program’s ongoing work to prepare our next generation to take care of the Columbia River. The Education Program engages elementary school students, offering classroom lessons on subjects such as watersheds, water quality, and native plants. The lessons come to life when the students then head outdoors to improve nearby natural

Salmon aren't the only species that return to the lower Columbia River and its tributaries in spring. Smelt, small ocean going fish that spawn in fishwater, once swarmed into rivers like the Cowlitz and Sandy in late winter and spring. However in the late 1980's smelt runs started a decline that eventually led to their listing in 2010 as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. So

Want to compare how floodplain habitat in the lower Columbia River has changed since the late 1880's? Now you can! Check out the Estuary Partnership's new on-line habitat change analysis maps . They mark the first time a comparison of "pre-development" conditions to current habitat conditions have been calculated for the entire lower Columbia River. You can also find out how the maps were created

Nutria are a common site along the lower Columbia River and its tributaries. Large, semi-aquatic rodents, they burrow into the sides of river banks and munch on river vegetation, creating erosion and impacting shoreline vegetation. Like many invasive species, Nutria have detrimental impacts to the local ecosystem and are the focus of management efforts to control their population. On March 28, PSU

Paddlers using Oregon's waters, including the Lower Columbia River Water Trail need to carry up to date aquatic invasive species prevention permits. The 2013 permits are now available through the Oregon State Marine Board and the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife. Permits are requred for paddlecraft and non-motorzied vessels 10 ft and longer for residents and non-residents. Costs range from $5-$14

The Estuary Partnership, Hosford Middle School and Portland Public Schools recently completed swale construction at Hosford Middle School.

Over 350 supporters of the Estuary Partnership dined, bid on art and generously raised their paddles at our 13th Annual Dinner and Art Gala on November 3rd at the Portland Art Museum. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici honored us by welcoming guests and addressing the importance of the Columbia River and the Estuary Partnership to the vitality of our region. Joan Dukes, former

The in-development Lewis River-Vancouver Lake Water Trail being developed by the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation gets kudos from this Columbian Editorial for their "forward thinking." It notes that an offical water trail and a well-designed web site would "coodinate kayaking and canoieing activites" and promote paddling safety. Along the way it praises two existing trails - the Cascadia

After a few hours of lively discussion at the Water Trail Signage workshop this August one thing was clear - people signage on the Lower Columbia River Water Trail will enhance both the trail's identity, but more importantly the use experience as well. The workshop's 25 participants discussed the purposes and goals of signage while critiquing three signage concepts. After much debate, general

On June 20th the Washington Department of Agriculture collected approximately 10,000 lbs. of unused pesticides in Longview, WA.