Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for the monthly Slough Science event. This month we are headed to Level Beer for a discussion on trees of Vanport, potential survivors of the 1948 flood with Ryan Gilpin, Dave Hedberg, and Thomas Meinzen.

Vanport, once Oregon’s second largest city was wiped out by floodwaters in 1948. While few physical remnants of Vanport exist today, several trees may have survived. Using archival research and field surveys, Ryan, Dave, and Thomas have documented several living trees that likely once grew alongside Vanport schoolchildren, shaded WWII shipyard workers returning from their shifts, and survived the catastrophic flood that destroyed Vanport in 1948. Vanport’s story has gained widespread attention from scholars, community activists, storytellers, and artists. Yet little has been documented about the landscape features of the site that connect back to its time as a city. Ryan, Dave, and Thomas would like to change that by sharing with you what they found and asking for your help in deciding about next steps to recognize this living history.

An aerial view of Vanport flood waters looking west from N Denver Ave. Taken June 16, 1949.

Getting there: This event will be held in the “Annex” at Level Beer. Keep an eye out for Columbia Slough Watershed Council signs when you arrive. Parking is free in their lot. Public Transportation? Bus 87 and 21 make stops nearby.

Level Beer: This is an all ages venue. Drinks (alcoholic and NA) can be purchased in the brewery throughout the event. Food is also available for purchase through on site food carts Pita Giovanni, Tidal Boar “Shuck Truck”, Flor de Guilaguetza.

Accessibility: This site has restrooms and seating available. There is a small door frame lip at the entrance to the event area, but otherwise no stairs present.

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

Ryan Gilpin is the Principal Consultant at Nidus Consulting in Portland, Oregon. Ryan spends most of his days looking at, thinking about, and writing about trees. When not working as a consulting arborist, Ryan is often looking for birds. For the past 4 years, Ryan has been leading bird and tree walks as a volunteer for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council.

Dave Hedberg is the Principal Historian at Outdoor History Consulting in Portland, Oregon. Dave wants to help people tell stories and connect them to places. He believes that, if we connect our history to place, we can understand change over time. Dave is author of From Stumptown to Tree Town: A Field Guide for Interpreting Portland’s History through its Heritage Trees. 

Thomas Meinzen is the Neighborhood Trees Specialist in North Portland & Vancouver for Friends of Trees. In addition to organizing tree planting efforts, Thomas is the Operations Director for the Vanport Placemarking Project and created the Vanport History Audioboxes. Thomas is also an avid birder, and leads bird, butterfly, and dragonfly walks for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council.