CSWC Partner Happy Hour

Join us for an informal partner gathering to get to know each other! Whether you are a new or long-time partner of the Council, we'd love to see you and this event will have lots of time for networking opportunities. Drinks and food will be available for purchase from Oakshire Brewery on NE 42nd Ave. Registration is free and all are welcome to attend.

This training is for those who wish to support Columbia Slough Watershed Council's on-water events for Russian/Ukrainian speakers in 2024. Volunteers are welcome to volunteer to sign up for any volunteer shift, however will receive a stipend of $120 per event requesting Russian/Ukrainian support.

We are excited to welcome you to our 2024 Paddle Team - thank you for being here!

This training will be held in person and is required for all new and returning Paddle Team volunteers. In addition to attending this training, to become a Paddle Team Member, you must also watch the Webinar Orientation Recording and are in the process of submitting t a background check. If you have questions, contact Valeria Villanueva at: valeria.villanueva@columbiaslough.org.

This training will be hosted by Columbia Slough Watershed Council and the Slavic Community Center in English. Russian and Ukrainian interpretation will be available throughout the day.

As a reminder, previous paddling experience is not necessary. By the end of the training, all participants will walk away with knowledge of how to load/unload boats, assemble bimarans, how to give a safety talk, how to be safe on the water, radio protocols, how to fit life vests, how to get in/out of canoes, and more! 

Getting there: Meet us at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park! Free parking is available. Public transportation is encouraged! Bus #75 stops at NE 47th Ave and Columbia Blvd. Walk north on NE 47th Ave about 0.25 miles, and Whitaker Ponds Nature Park will be on your right. Restrooms will be available throughout the training.

What to bring: Come dressed for the weather! We will be training rain or shine, and outside for the majority of the training. Pack along water and any extra snacks that you might want. 

Columbia Slough Watershed Council will be providing: morning coffee, lunch and soda/soda water throughout the day. For the ~1 hour that we will be spending on water, we will be using Columbia Slough Watershed Council boats and PFDs. If you prefer to bring your own PFD, you are welcome to, however, please do not bring your own boat.

If you plan to attend, you must register by the end of day March 29th.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and the Portland Water Bureau for a free 17 mile bike ride through Portland's Columbia South Shore Well Field! Experts from the Portland Water Bureau and Columbia Slough Watershed Council will lead this moderately paced and scenic trip. Our group will be making frequent stops to break up the ride and offer opportunities for conversation about how groundwater provides flexibility and reliability to the City’s water supply, and how we can all protect this important resource. This is event is recommended for those 12+. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Please register in advance. Check in begins at 8:15, event begins at 8:45.

Getting There: Check in opens at 8:15, please do not arrive prior. We'll be starting and ending our ride at Aloft. Free parking is available. Taking public transportation?  The Cascades Max Station is 0.2 miles from Aloft. Or, participants can ride bus #87 to NE 105th & Simpson St located 0.9 miles from Aloft. 

What to bring: Pack along water, any necessary snacks and come prepared for the weather - we will be riding rain or shine. Helmets will be required for all riders throughout the event. Additional snacks will be available, as well as a water refill station along the ride.

Accessibility: A restroom will be available at Aloft (our start/end location), as well as one additional stop on the route. We will have a bike mechanic with us during the ride, should any issues arise. This event is best suited for intermediate riders.

Questions? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

The official route will be sent out approximately 1 week prior to the event.

In early-spring the days are long and cool. Birds have started migrating north to Portland and many of the birds that over-winter in Portland haven’t left yet.

So, for the 3rd year in a row, our bird walk leaders Thomas Meinzen and Ryan Gilpin will set out trying to break their record of seeing 100 species in a day without using a drop of gasoline. This year, they are inviting the community on this prep ride, to celebrate Earth Day weekend, and to check out some of the best birding spots in Portland. The group will ride ~8 miles from Vanport to Smith and Bybee and back, hitting some of the best bird habitat that Portland has to offer. Come check out, how Thomas and Ryan bird watch while biking and help them decide which are the best spots to spend their time on the big day.

Getting There: This event will start and end at 1809 N Broadacre Rd, Portland, OR 97217, a short ride from the Delta Park/Vanport MAX Station. Free parking is available on site.

What To Bring: Bring a bike, helmet, lock, water, binoculars, and your sense of adventure on this unique ride. Snacks will be available, as well as extra binoculars!

Accessibilty: The ride will be mostly paved with some gravel. This ride is best suited for intermediate riders. Participants can also expect to walk ~0.5 miles throughout the event.

Questions? Reach out to Amanda at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

The stewardship portion of this event has reached capacity. We welcome participants for the afternoon walk and and free plant giveaway! Questions about the event? Contact Yoko Silk from Portland Parks & Recreation at yoko.silk@portlandoregon.gov or 503-278-1341.

Join Friends of Trees, Verde, Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Portland Parks & Recreation, and Oregon Bird Alliance (formally Portland Audubon) to celebrate Earth Day!

Stewardship activities end at 12:45, followed by free lunch and bird walk through the neighborhood, led by Oregon Bird Alliance. And, free native plants and trees will be available for you to take home!  

If you want to continue celebrating Earth Day, join Columbia Slough Watershed Council at Level Beer from 2-4pm for a pint! This year, Level has brewed a special Witbier as part of their Earth to Beer campaign. Proceeds will be donated to CSWC! Cheers!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering to keep Portland's natural area parks healthy, beautiful, and safe for people and wildlife! 

What to bring: Dress for the weather and in long sleeves/pants, wear close toed and sturdy shoes, and be ready to get dirty! Gloves, tools, snacks, and drinks will be provided.

Accessibility: Mulching activity will involve lifting and carrying heavy buckets and wheelbarrows of mulch across un-even ground.

Questions? For more information contact Yoko Silk from Portland Parks & Recreation at yoko.silk@portlandoregon.gov or 503-278-1341.

A reminder email will be sent to registered participants 1-2 days before the event from Friends of Trees; please read the reminder email for updated and detailed instructions and location information. 

Join Irene Bailey, Program Director of Temenos Rising, City of Wood Village, and Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a free guided 2-hour forest bathing walk at Donald L Robertson City Park in Wood Village. This event is open to all community members, although recommended for those 16 and older.

Forest bathing is a nature connection experience inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku. These immersive experiences offer the chance to break away from the stress of daily life and to find healing and nourishment through intimate engagement with the beings with whom we share this Earth home.

While offering a renewed sense of interconnection with the natural world, forest bathing also allows access to beneficial nervous system states that can support our long-term health and well-being. Research has proven that forest bathing boosts immune strength, improves cognitive functioning, and reduces stress, anger, anxiety, depression, and sleeplessness.

Offered through a series of guided invitations, the walk will help participants move beyond the chatter of the thinking mind and find a deeper sense of embodied engagement, enabling access to new ways of being while exploring relationship to self and others. This intentional practice of embodied presence cultivates access to powerful experiences of curiosity, awe, and wonder thatare essential for resilient engagement with this era of dramatic change and transformation.

Getting There: Parking is free near the City Hall. Bike parking is also available. Taking public transportation? Bus #77 and #21 will drop riders off close to the park.

What to bring: Pack along water, maybe a hot beverage, and come prepared for the weather as the event will happen rain or shine.

Accessibility: No restroom is available at the park (currently under construction). Our group will be walking along mostly flat paved and gravel paths. 

This event has a limited capacity. If you register and find later that you are unable to attend, please reach out to cancel your spot. If the event is full, we will create a waitlist.

Questions or want to join the waitlist? Reach out to Amanda Gallegos, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Join CSWC for an educational speaker event at Level Beer! Sean Payne, a Hydrologist at USGS, will be discussing a recent study that found PFAS in fish tissues sample from the Columbia Slough. PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals that may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. Come learn about this study and its implications for the watershed!

About the Speaker: Sean Payne began his career as a Hydrologist with the USGS Oregon Water Science Center in May, 2016, working on various National Water Quality Assessment (NAWQA) projects including water-quality sampling in both surface-water and ground-water. Current research interests and projects include assessing contaminants in surface water, studying contaminant concentrations in aquatic species, and applying statistical analysis to help better understand contaminant and water-quality trends.

Accessibility: Level Beer has a large parking with free parking. Parking lot is paved, with a gravel section at the back.

Directions:

BUS
Coming from East (Fairview): 
Take 21 from Parkrose TC to NE Sandy & 148th (Stop ID: 10822) 
Coming from West (Parkrose):
Take 21 from Gresham TC to NE Sandy & 148th (Stop ID:10790)

DRIVE 
When on NE 148th, Level Brewery is on the left side of the street just North of NE Airport Way. 

BIKE
Coming from East (Fairview):
NE 162nd > NE 158th > NE Airport Way > NE 148th
Coming from West (Parkrose): 
 NE 122nd > NE Airport Way

Questions? Reach out to event organizer, Maya, at maya.hurstmayr@columbiaslough.org.

Únete a una caminata con Columbia Slough Watershed Council y Wood Village para ver 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.

Qué traer: Empaca agua, unos bocadillos, binoculares (si tienes), y ven vestido para el clima usando varias capas de ropa abrigadas/impermeables. ¿No tienes binoculares? ¡Ningún problema! Tendremos unos disponibles para prestarte durante el evento, y bocadillos tambien.

Cómo llegar: Aparcamiento gratuito disponible junto al City Hall. Hay aparcamiento para bicicletas disponible. ¿Tomar transporte público? El autobús 77 Y 21 dejará a los pasajeros cerca al parque.

Accesibilidad: No baño está disponible en el parque. Nuestro grupo caminará por senderos pavimentados y de grava en su mayoría planos.

¿Preguntas?  Escríbele un correo a Amanda: amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

UPDATE: This event has been canceled. We plan to reschedule later in the spring.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and HOKA for a group run along the Columbia Slough Trail! Together we will be running 2 - 3 miles. Meet up starts at 7:45am, run begins at 8am.

Interested in learning more about HOKA shoes? This event is your chance, as all participants who are interested in demoing shoes will be welcome to! All who demo shoes will be entered into a raffle to win a pair of shoes at the end of this event.

What to bring: Dress for the weather and pack along water. Columbia Slough Watershed Council will be providing morning snacks and coffee after the run.

Getting there: We will be meeting at the NE corner of N Columbia Blvd & N Fiske Ave (this is right next to the Columbia Wastewater Treatment Plant). There is a free gravel lot available for parking located to the right once you cross the train tracks. Biking? There are multiple access points to travel via the Columbia Slough Trail, the 40 Mile Loop, etc. Public Transportation? Bus 4, 11, & 35 all make stops nearby.

Accessibility: There is no public restroom available during this event. All running paces welcome, however we expect the group to run at a 9 - 10 minute pace and can break into groups as needed. The trail is primarily flat pavement, with no incline.

Questions? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for an on-water cleanup of the Columbia Slough in NE Portland. Participants can bring their own boat, or reserve a seat in one of ours. This is for people 16 and older, minors must be accompanied by an adult. 

Getting There: Street parking is available along the shoulder of NE Glassplant Rd. Taking public transportation? Bus #87 makes the closest stop to the area by dropping riders off at NE 105th & Simpson, a 0.2 mile walk. 

What To Bring: Pack along water, weather appropriate clothing and sturdy close toed shoes/muck boots - be prepared to get dirty! Work gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, drinks and light snacks will be provided for you. *Don't have a warm/waterproof jacket? Reach out to Amanda.

Accessibility: This event requires participants to nagigate uneven/gravel terrain from the parking area to the launch. This is a relatively short distance, and support will be provided by all event leaders to get everyone and their boats to the water. There will be no restroom on site. Previous paddling experience is not required. 

Questions? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Esta capacitación es para aquellos que deseen apoyar los eventos de remo del Columbia Slough Watershed Council, para la comunidad Latinx en 2024. Los miembros del equipo de remo son voluntarios que apoyarán en los eventos, sin embargo, recibirán un incentivo de $120 por evento que requiera apoyo en español.

Nos emocionamos en darle la bienvenida a nuestro equipo de remo 2024. ¡Gracias por estar aquí!

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 alguna pregunta, comunícate con Valeria Villanueva: valeria.villanueva@columbiaslough.org.

Como recordatorio, no es necesaria la experiencia previa al remo. Al final de la capacitación, todos los participantes se irán con conocimientos básicos de como cargar/descargarlas canoas, ensamblar bimaranes, cómo dar una charla de seguridad, cómo estar seguro en el agua, protocolos de radio, cómo ajustar chalecos salvavidas, cómo subir y bajar de las canoas, ¡ y más!

Cómo llegar: ¡Estamos en el Parque Natural Whitaker Ponds! Estacionamiento disponible y gratuito. ¡Se recomienda el transporte público! El autobús #75 para en NE 47th Ave y Columbia Blvd. Camina hacia el norte por NE 47th Ave aproximadamente 0.25 millas, y el Parque Natural Whitaker Ponds estará a su derecha. Habrá baños disponibles durante todo el entrenamiento.

Qué traer: ¡Vístete de acuerdo con el clima! Este entrenamiento se llevará a cabo si llueve o hace sol. La capacietmayor parte de la capacitación será afuera. Favor de traer agua y snacks.

Columbia Slough Watershed Council proporcionará: café por la mañana, almuerzo y refresco/agua mineral durante todo el día. Chalecos Salvavidas: parte del entrenamiento requiere un paseo de 1 hora en canoas, el Columbia Slough Watershed Council proporcionará los chalecos, pero si prefieres traer el tuyo, puedes hacerlo. 

Si planeas asistir, debes registrarte antes del 29 de marzo al final del día.

This training is for those who wish to support Columbia Slough Watershed Council's on-water events for Spanish speakers in 2024. Volunteers are welcome to volunteer to sign up for any volunteer shift, however will receive a stipend of $120 per event requesting Spanish support.

We are excited to welcome you to our 2024 Paddle Team - thank you for being here!

This training will be held in person and is required for all new and returning Paddle Team volunteers. In addition to attending this training, to become a Paddle Team Member, you must also watch the Webinar Orientation Recording (recording with Spanish subtitles coming soon) and submit a background check. If you have questions, contact Valeria Villanueva at valeria.villanueva@columbiaslough.org.

As a reminder, previous paddling experience is not necessary. By the end of the training, all participants will walk away with knowledge of how to load/unload boats, assemble bimarans, how to give a safety talk, how to be safe on the water, radio protocols, how to fit life vests, how to get in/out of canoes, and more! 

Getting there: Meet us at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park! Free parking is available. Public transportation is encouraged! Bus #75 stops at NE 47th Ave and Columbia Blvd. Walk north on NE 47th Ave about 0.25 miles, and Whitaker Ponds Nature Park will be on your right. Restrooms will be available throughout the training.

What to bring: Come dressed for the weather! We will be training rain or shine, and outside for the majority of the training. Pack along water and any extra snacks that you might want. 

Columbia Slough Watershed Council will be providing: morning coffee, lunch and soda/soda water throughout the day. For the ~1 hour that we will be spending on water, we will be using Columbia Slough Watershed Council boats and PFDs. If you prefer to bring your own PFD, you are welcome to, however, please do not bring your own boat.

If you plan to attend, you must register by end of day March 29.

We are excited to welcome you to our 2024 Paddle Team - thank you for being here! 

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 20 Webinar Orientation and are in the process of submitting background checks. If you have questions, contact Valeria Villanueva at valeria.villanueva@columbiaslough.org.

As a reminder, previous paddling experience is not necessary. By the end of the training, all participants will walk away with knowledge of how to load/unload boats, assemble bimarans, how to give a safety talk, how to be safe on the water, radio protocols, how to fit life vests, how to get in/out of canoes, and more! 

Getting there: Meet us at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park! Free parking is available. Public transportation is encouraged! Bus #75 stops at NE 47th Ave and Columbia Blvd. Walk north on NE 47th Ave about 0.25 miles, and Whitaker Ponds Nature Park will be on your right. Restrooms will be available throughout the training.

What to bring: Come dressed in warm clothes and prepared for the weather. We will be training rain or shine, and outside for the entirety of the training. Pack along water, maybe a thermos of something warm to drink, an extra set of clothes in case you take an unintended swim from a boat, and any extra snacks that you might want. 

Columbia Slough Watershed Council will be providing: morning coffee, lunch and soda/soda water throughout the day. For the ~1 hour that we will be spending on water, we will be using Columbia Slough Watershed Council boats and PFDs. If you prefer to bring your own PFD, you are welcome to, however, please do not bring your own boat.

If you plan to attend, you must register by the end of day March 29th.

Al darnos la oportunidad de cultivar atención plena, de escucharnos y de conectar con lo que nos rodea, nos abrimos a vivir en el momento presente. La naturaleza nos brinda el espacio ideal para recalibrar energías tanto a nivel físico como emocional y espiritual. En esta caminata por el bosque vas a explorar y a conectar con el ecosistema que da vida a este bosque y a nosotros mismos. También va haber momentos para cultivar una actitud de reflexión y juego; conectar con tu ser creativo y niño interior; y profundizar en nuestra relación con la tierra.

Únase a la facilitadora Ceci Orozco de Temenos Rising, ciudad de Wood Village, y 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. Esta oferta se recomienda para mayores de 16 años.

Cómo llegar: Aparcamiento gratuito disponible junto al City Hall. Hay aparcamiento para bicicletas disponible. ¿Tomar transporte público? El autobús 77 Y 21 dejará a los pasajeros cerca al parque.

Qué llevar: Lleve consigo agua y prepárese para cualquier clima.

Accesibilidad: No baño está disponible en el parque. Nuestro grupo caminará por senderos pavimentados y de grava en su mayoría planos.

Este evento tiene un aforo limitado. Si se registra y más tarde descubre que no puede asistir, comuníquese para cancelar su lugar. Si el evento está lleno, crearemos una lista de espera. ¿Tienes preguntas o quieres unirte a la lista de espera? Comuníquese con Amanda Gallegos, en amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

UPDATE: There are no remaining seats in Columbia Slough Watershed Council boats. We still welcome volunteers, however they must bring their own boat.

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. 

Getting There: Street parking is available along the shoulder of NE Glassplant Rd. Taking public transportation? Bus #87 makes the closest stop to the area by dropping riders off at NE 105th & Simpson, a 0.2 mile walk. 

What To Bring: Pack along water, weather appropriate clothing and sturdy close toed shoes/muck boots - be prepared to get dirty! Work gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, drinks and light snacks will be provided for you. *Don't have a warm/waterproof jacket? Reach out to Amanda.

Accessibility: This event requires participants to nagigate uneven/gravel terrain from the parking area to the launch. This is a relatively short distance, and support will be provided by all event leaders to get everyone and their boats to the water. There will be no restroom on site. Previous paddling experience is not required. 

Questions? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Our meetings are open to the public! Join us this month to get involved with the Council’s behind-the-scenes operations. This meeting will be held virtually over Zoom.

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). The park includes over 100 acres of natural area and hosts a variety of wildlife, including beavers, otters, deer, ospreys, and bald eagles. We will be continuing restoration efforts to improve the riparian area next to the Columbia Slough.

At this event we will be lending a hand to mulch our newly planted shrub and tree friends and help them get settled into their new home at Kelley Point Park. This work is particularly important at Kelley Point Park due to its sandy soil and dry summer conditions, making mulching necessary for plants to retain enough moisture in the summer months.

Meeting Location: Follow event signs to the middle parking lot (circled in black on map below). A Google Maps pin is here.

Tri-met: Trimet Line #11 will drop you off at Simonds and N Lombard. From here, walk N less than 1/4 mile and go left on N Kelley Point Rd.  Continue to parking lot.

UPDATE: Due to some equipment repairs taking longer than anticipated, we are sadly canceling this event. Please browse the rest of our event calendar as we have many spring options to explore, and more paddles coming soon!

Bundle up and join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a free community paddle to celebrate the final day of winter and the Spring Equinox! This event is for all ages, however minors must be accompanied by an adult. This event will be held on the water - participants are welcome to bring their own boat, or reserve a seat in one of ours! 

Getting There: We will meet at the boat launch located at Portland Water Bureaus Pump Station - look out for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council sign and go through the gate to the free parking area. You must arrive by 5:35 PM as we will be locking the gate once the event begins. Taking public transportation? Bus 74 & 87 drop riders off at the 16400 block on Airport Way, ~0.2 miles from the meeting location. 

What to bring: Pack along water and come prepared for the weather - think warm and waterproof. If you are bringing your own boat, don't forget your life jacket and paddle! If you are borrowing a seat in one of our boats, make sure to register in advance - space is limited. We will have snacks and drinks and to share! *Don't have a warm/waterproof jacket? Reach out to Amanda. 

Accessibility: Previous paddling experience is not required. Participants must be able to sit for 1 - 2 hours during the paddle. There will be no restroom on site.

Questions or want to join the waiting list if the event fills up? Reach out to Amanda at, amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Enjoy one of the final days of winter with Columbia Slough Watershed Council 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. We can use the size, species, and some of these finer details to tell a story of the life of the tree, and through this story, gain insights about the history of a place itself. This event is free and open to all ages.

What to bring: Pack along water and snacks if you’d like.

Getting There: We will meet near Alberta Park in NE Portland at the corner of NE 25th & NE Ainsworth . Free neighborhood parking will be available. Taking public transportation? Bus lines 8, 17, and 72 make stops near the park.

Accessibility: The group will be walking along flat paved paths and potentially some flat dirt paths. No public restroom access.

Questions? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Ryan Gilpin is a consulting arborist, founder of Nidus Consulting, and trip leader on bird walks throughout the Columbia Slough watershed. Ryan is chair of the Tree Care for Birds committee, has written Best Management Practices for arborists to minimize impacts to nesting birds and trains arborists to improve habitat in urban forests.

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. 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. His favorite site is Shwah kuk (pronounced “Show Cake”) wetlands that is a co-designed and co-managed site with Portland’s Indigenous community in the Columbia Slough Watershed. He is also a regular contributor to The Nature of Cities website and has given talks and led workshops at conferences, churches, schools, and natural areas.

Accessibility: Level Beer has a large parking lot with free parking. 

Directions:

BUS
Coming from East (Fairview): 
Take 21 from Parkrose TC to NE Sandy & 148th (Stop ID: 10822) 
Coming from West (Parkrose):
Take 21 from Gresham TC to NE Sandy & 148th (Stop ID:10790)

DRIVE 
When on NE 148th, Level Brewery is on the left side of the street just North of NE Airport Way. 

BIKE
Coming from East (Fairview):
NE 162nd > NE 158th > NE Airport Way > NE 148th
Coming from West (Parkrose): 
 NE 122nd > NE Airport Way

Questions? Reach out to event organizer, Maya, at maya.hurstmayr@columbiaslough.org.

*If this event fills up, we will create a waiting list. Email Maya, to join the list!

Come join Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Bark and Portland Parks & Recreation to plant native trees and shrubs in the beautiful Wilkes Creek Headwaters natural area. This unique natural area is home to (you guessed it) the headwaters of Wilkes Creek, one of the only remaining surface creeks flowing into the Columbia Slough! As a group we will work to diversify the native plant community and help improve the park for water quality, habitat and for visitors!

Meeting Location: There are multiple entrances to this park, please meet at the the intersection of NE Fremont and NE 154th Ave on the north east corner of the park.

Trimet: Take bus line #21 and get off at NE Sandy & 154th. Walk south on NE 154th Ave for about 5 minutes and make a right turn where the road curves left and becomes NE Fremont. Look for Columbia Slough event signs

Accessibility: This event is rain or shine and will involve bending over and walking on uneven terrain. We provide gloves, tools, plants, and planting instructions. Please dress comfortably for the weather, bring water, wear sturdy shoes and long pants, and in case of rain, bring rain gear!

Join us for an in-person event to get to know and plan events with our local partner organizations! CSWC will be presenting some of our strategic planning goals for the next 3 years and asking for partner feedback. We will also have a speed-networking session. Please register if you work for a non-profit/organization that collaborates with or is interested in collaborating with CSWC. This Partner Roundtable will take place at McMenamins Kennedy School!

This event will include:

- Introductions from each partner representatives

- Going over CSWC’s Strategic Planning and getting feedback on this

- Speed networking with partner organizations

- Beverages available for purchase from McMenamins

Through these roundtables, CSWC hopes to be a connection point for the diverse organizations throughout our watershed, working together to build partnerships that help our communities thrive.

If you are new to working with the Council or haven’t attended a Partner Roundtable before, please reach out to Maya.

One of the best places in the Columbia Slough Watershed got a make-over last year. Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council, bird walk leader, Ryan Gilpin, and Portland Parks Ecologist, Laura Guderyahn for a walk around the Columbia Children’s Arboretum. The group will learn about restoration efforts at the park, spot some great birds and enjoy a diversity of trees planted throughout the years. This event is open to all people, of all ages.

What to bring: Come dressed for the weather, and pack along water, snacks, and binoculars if you’d like. Extra binoculars will be available for those that don’t have their own. *Don't have a warm/waterproof jacket? Reach out to Amanda.

Getting There: Follow directions to the intersection of NE Meadow Dr & NE Meadow Ln located on the east side of the Arboretum. From here you’ll turn onto NE Meadow Ln and look for available neighborhood parking. The group will meet at the gate at the end of Meadow Ln. Taking public transportation? Bus #11 will drop riders off at NE Middlefield & 6th Dr, 374 ft. from the west end of the Arboretum. Bus #6 drops riders off at NE Vancouver Way & Freightliner/3rd, 0.3 miles from the west entrance of the Arboretum. From the west entrance, participants can follow the paved path through the park to the east entrance.

Accessibility: The group will be on flat paved paths, and if the group is interested, some flat dirt paths as well. An ADA accessible port potty is on site.

Questions? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Ryan Gilpin is a consulting arborist, founder of Nidus Consulting, and trip leader on bird walks throughout the Columbia Slough watershed. Ryan is chair of the Tree Care for Birds committee, has written Best Management Practices for arborists to minimize impacts to nesting birds and trains arborists to improve habitat in urban forests.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council, local archivist Marti Clemmons and Han Lyons of Birdhers for a birding and history walk. Throughout the walk, we’ll discuss the historical context of the area, Vanport (1942-1948), and Japanese American detainment at the Expo Center in the summer of 1942. This free event is open to all people of all ages.

What to bring: Pack along water, warm layers, and binoculars. Extra binoculars will be available for those that don’t have their own. *Don't have a warm/waterproof jacket? Reach out to Amanda.

Accessibility: The walk will be ~1 mile along a mostly flat trail. There is no restroom on site. Free parking is available.

Getting there: Follow the road past 11415 North Force Ave to find a larger parking lot. Keep an eye out for Columbia Slough Watershed Council signs. Public Transportation: Bus #11 drops riders off at Marine Dr/Middlefield Rd, a ~0.4 mile walk to Force Lake. Yellow MAX line drops riders at the Expo Center Station, a ~0.7 mile walk.

Birdhers: Birdhers is a local community organization that facilitates weekly free bird walks for Womin, Non-Binary, and Trans folks. Visit their website, or follow them on Instagram to learn more (@birdherspdx).

There is limited space for this event. If you would like to be added to a waiting list, or have other questions, reach out to Amanda at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for an on land cleanup along the Columbia Slough Trail located near NE 138th Ave. This area contains a high concentration of litter that poses a threat to public safety and environmental quality. This cleanup is not family-friendly or suitable for anyone under the age of 16 due to an increased presence of hazardous materials. Safety guidelines will be put in place before the cleanup begins.

Getting There: Free parking is available in the NE corner of the Costco parking lot. This is the side closest to the Columbia Slough. Taking public transportation? Bus 87, 21, and 22 make stops close by!

What To Bring: Pack along water, weather appropriate clothing, and sturdy close toed shoes. Work gloves, trash bags, trash pickers, drinks, and light snacks will be provided for you.

Accessibility: Volunteers can expect to work along a dirt trail, with options to work on more uneven and sloped terrain. Please note that if it has been raining, this site will be muddy. There are no restrooms on site.

Questions? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Join CSWC, Portland Parks and Recreation and Bark for a group work party at our favorite natural area, Whitaker Ponds. This natural area is home to 186 birds throughout the year and is the central hub for so many CSWC programs.  Come out and support improving wildlife habitat and water quality at this natural area that serves as an “introduction to the Columbia Slough” for so many people (and birds) every year.

Meeting Location: Whitaker Ponds Natural Area, 7040 NE 47th Ave, Portland, OR 97212.  Parking is available on site. Restrooms are available on site.

Tri-met: Take the #75 bus to NE 47th and Columbia blvd, walk south on NE 47th ¼ mile to Whitaker Ponds on your right. 
Accessibility: This event will require bending over and walking on uneven surfaces.  All tools, gloves and training to do the task is provided, but this is a rain or shine event, so please wear closed toed shoes and clothes appropriate for the weather.

Join CSWC for an educational speaker event at Level Beer in which Elaine Murphy will be discussing Mason Bees. Pollinators play an amazing role in nature. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of our native mason bees. They are not aggressive and fun to observe. You'll learn simple ways to start a colony in your own backyard and other ways to attract other native pollinators.

About the speaker:

Elaine has been a birder for nearly 40 years and has been teaching nature classes and leading bird walks since 1990. She currently leads bird walks and teaches classes for the Backyard Bird Shop and several local park districts and has appeared as a guest speaker for numerous garden clubs. While her primary interest has been birds, she also teaches classes about bats, mason bees, and other kinds of wildlife.

Accessibility: Level Beer has a large parking lot with free parking. 

Directions:

BUS
Coming from East (Fairview): 
Take 21 from Parkrose TC to NE Sandy & 148th (Stop ID: 10822) 
Coming from West (Parkrose):
Take 21 from Gresham TC to NE Sandy & 148th (Stop ID:10790)

DRIVE 
When on NE 148th, Level Brewery is on the left side of the street just North of NE Airport Way. 

BIKE
Coming from East (Fairview):
NE 162nd > NE 158th > NE Airport Way > NE 148th
Coming from West (Parkrose): 
 NE 122nd > NE Airport Way

Questions? Reach out to event organizer, Maya, at maya.hurstmayr@columbiaslough.org.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council, and local archivist and Birdhers co-lead, Marti Clemmons, for a birding and history walk. Throughout the walk, they’ll discuss the historical context of the area, Vanport (1942-1948), and Japanese American detainment at the Expo Center in the summer of 1942. This free event is for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color of all ages.

What to bring: Pack along water, warm layers, and binoculars. Extra binoculars will be available for those that don’t have their own. *Don't have a warm/waterproof jacket? Reach out to Amanda.

Accessibility: The walk will be ~1 mile along a mostly flat trail. There is no restroom on site. Free parking is available.

Getting there: Follow the road past 11415 North Force Ave to find a larger parking lot. Keep an eye out for Columbia Slough Watershed Council signs. Public Transportation: Bus #11 drops riders off at Marine Dr/Middlefield Rd, a ~0.4 mile walk to Force Lake. Yellow MAX line drops riders at the Expo Center Station, a ~0.7 mile walk.

Birdhers: Birdhers is a local community organization that facilitates weekly free bird walks for Womin, Non-Binary, and Trans folks. Visit their website, or follow them on Instagram to learn more (@birdherspdx).

There is limited space for this event. If you would like to be added to a waiting list, or have other questions, reach out to Amanda at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Join Columbia Slough Waterhshed Council, local archivist Marti Clemmons and Han Lyons of Birdhers for a birding and history walk. Throughout the walk, we’ll discuss historical context of the area, Vanport (1942-1948), and Japanese American detainment at the Expo Center in the summer of 1942. This free event is for those who identify as Womin, Trans, and/or Non-Binary of all ages.

What to bring: Pack along water, warm layers, and binoculars. Extra binoculars will be available for those that don’t have their own. *Don't have a warm/waterproof jacket? Reach out to Amanda.

Accessibility: The walk will be ~1 mile along a mostly flat trail. There is no restroom on site. Free parking is available.

Getting there: Follow the road past 11415 North Force Ave to find a larger parking lot. Keep an eye out for Columbia Slough Watershed Council signs. Public Transportation: Bus #11 drops riders off at Marine Dr/Middlefield Rd, a ~0.4 mile walk to Force Lake. Yellow MAX line drops riders at the Expo Center Station, a ~0.7 mile walk.

Birdhers: Birdhers is a local community organization who facilitate weekly free bird walks for Womin, Non-binary and Trans folks. Visit their website, or follow them on Instagram to learn more (@birdherspdx).

There is limited space for this event. If you would like to be added to a waiting list, or have other questions, reach out to Amanda at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.