The Estuary Partnership is pleased to announce the Honorable Congressman Earl Blumenauer as its 2024 Steward of the Year
Beginning in the halls of Oregon’s Capitol and all the way to the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Blumenauer has been a tireless advocate for his constituents and the environment. The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership is thrilled to name Congressman Earl Blumenauer as its 2024 Steward of the Year.
The Estuary Partnership’s Steward of the Year award recognizes the outstanding stewardship and dedication of an individual or organization to the protection and restoration of the Columbia River. Throughout his 28-year tenure representing Oregon’s Third Congressional District, Congressmen Blumenauer’s sustained leadership was pivotal to efforts protecting and restoring the Columbia River.
Congressman Blumenauer was a champion of the Estuary Partnership from the start. His faithful support for the National Estuary Program, the EPA-managed program that supports the Estuary Partnership, is a testament to the Congressman’s commitment to clean water, environmental justice, and the power of nature-based solutions to combat climate change.
Congressman Blumenauer was the leader in the US House of Representatives who championed the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act. The importance of this landmark legislation to our region cannot be understated. It is quickly becoming the driving force providing critical funding for salmon, watershed restoration, and efforts to reduce toxic pollution throughout the Columbia River Basin.
The results of Congressman Blumenauer’s steadfast support for the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act have delivered nearly $75 million in grants to the region.
These accomplishments would not have been possible without Congressman Blumenauer's outstanding leadership. His belief in the protection and restoration of the iconic Columbia River was apparent in the way he tirelessly fought for it. His record of advocacy is truly exceptional. The Estuary Partnership is honored to recognize Congressman Blumenauer as the 2024 Steward of the Year.
Past Stewards of the Year:
2023: Corlee Frederick, Educator
2022: Dave Pinkernell, Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards and Camas-Washougal Community Chest
Rudy Salakory, Cowlitz Indian Tribe
2019: Lee Ellen Gilronan, Teacher
2018: Charity Powell, Teacher
2017: Patrick Lee, Clark County Public Works
2016: Dave Ripp, Executive Director, Port of Camas-Washougal
2015: Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Founders
2014: Hillary Barbour, Office of US Congressman Earl Blumenauer
2013: The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
2012: The Honorable Joan Dukes, Northwest Power & Conservation Council
Louise Solliday, Oregon State Government
2011: Amy Borde, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Lyndal Johnson, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Jennifer Morace, US Geological Survey
2010: The Honorable Jeff Merkley, US Senate
The Honorable Earl Blumenauer, US House of Representatives
2009: Susan Holveck, Beaverton School District
2007: Alice Ott Middle School students, teachers, and principal
Girls Scouts of the Columbia River Council
2006: Jeff Rooklidge & Wahkiakum High School students, Wahkiakum High School
2005: Wilson Cady, Georgia-Pacific
2002: Louise Solliday, Office of Governor Kitzhaber
2001: Terry Hussman, Washington Department of Ecology (posthumous)
About the Award
Restoring and protecting the lower Columbia River and Estuary requires the efforts of many people and groups. We recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication it takes to protect and restore the river with our Steward of the Year Award.
The annual award, instituted in 2001 and presented during our Annual Dinner & Gala, recognizes exceptional stewardship by a group, entity, organization, business, government agency, or individual towards the restoration and protection of the lower Columbia River and Estuary.
Stewards of the Year represent any sector of the community and any area of focus of the Estuary Partnership: habitat protection, water quality, land conservation and protection, education and community engagement, or leadership. These recipients have all demonstrated this outstanding stewardship and commitment to the protection and conservation of the lower Columbia River.