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Get out there and make a difference! Volunteer planting season begins soon!
Fall marks the beginning of an exciting time of year: volunteer planting season! 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.
Currently, we have four opportunities to pitch in and make a difference, but new events will be added to our volunteer calendar so check our website often and follow our social media channels to stay updated.
Volunteer planting events are family-friendly, and teenagers aged 15 and older can volunteer without an adult (additional waiver required). We provide all the tools, equipment, warm beverages, and training. All volunteer planting events are from 9:00 a.m. - noon on either a Saturday or Sunday, unless noted otherwise.
After a two-year hiatus, we were thrilled for the return of our Annual Celebration! Hosted at Rossi Farms in northeast Portland, our Annual Celebration was attended by nearly 150 friends of the Estuary Partnership. Together, we raised over $60,000 to continue our ambitious habitat restoration projects, fun and effective environmental education, and critical estuary monitoring programs!
Memories are made while paddling a river. This summer, our Big Canoes – two 29’ canoes with room for 12 passengers – helped 756 people make new memories while learning about the lower Columbia River estuary.
“Our goals for the first trip were to gain experience paddling, learn about the ecosystem, and have fun. And we did all those things,” said Ashley Shawcroft, Girl Scout leader. “The trip was magical. We saw a lot of wildlife and many of our girls had never been on a canoe before. The goal for our second trip was to collect trash from the river, specifically a very large piece of Styrofoam that we were able to rope to the canoe and drag back with us!”
We are hiring a Research Scientist to support our ecosystem monitoring and habitat action effectiveness monitoring programs. The position supports these programs by collecting field data, providing data quality assurance, management, analyses and reporting as well as assisting with managing subcontractors and ensuring environmental compliance. Application deadline is November 4, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Details about this position and instructions on how to apply can be found on our website.
Environmental Education Coordinator Tonya McLean celebrated her tenth year with the Estuary Partnership in September! Tonya has inspired thousands of students to learn and explore the lower Columbia River ecosystem in classrooms, on field trips, and in our Big Canoes.
“Sparking excitement in students by connecting them to new outdoor experiences is one of the things I love most about my job,” said Tonya. “I feel lucky to be able to share my love of science with the next generation of stewards of the lower Columbia River.
Erica joined the Estuary Partnership in September as a Technical Contracts Specialist, and she supports the Science Team with contract and grant development, reporting, and project administration. Erica has over 10 years of experience evaluating, managing, and negotiating greenhouse gas emission reduction projects with The Climate Trust. She serves on the Grout PTA Board and volunteers promoting garden education and sustainability in schools. In her free time, Erica enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, getting crafty, and gathering with friends to enjoy seasonal foods. Erica holds a B.A. in Economics with a focus on Environmental Studies from St. Olaf College.
Partner Promotion: Portland Harbor Superfund Community Grant
The City of Portland is now accepting applications for the 2023 Portland Harbor Superfund Community Grants funding cycle and the Portland Harbor Superfund Community Grants Review Committee! A total of $500,000 is available for activities, projects, and programs that amplify the voices and support the involvement of Portlanders disproportionately affected by the Portland Harbor Superfund contamination and cleanup. These include Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC); people with current, traditional, or cultural connections to this stretch of the river; people who eat shellfish and non-migratory fish like carp, catfish, and bass caught in Portland Harbor; and housed and unhoused residents who live in neighborhoods near the Superfund site. Grant applications are due 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
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