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KAYAK & CANOE RENTALS!
The Council is excited to announce that starting as soon as Tuesday, June 30th, anyone will be able to reserve our kayaks and canoes and explore the Slough, for free!
Given the current circumstances with COVID-19, we are all feeling an increase in isolation and stress, and hope that by providing our community with an opportunity to get out onto the water, you can all reclaim some needed peace and reflection.
Public boat rentals will be available starting on June 30th, every other Tuesday from 3-7pm at Whitaker Ponds, and select Saturday’s at both Kelley Point Park, and NE 166th and NE Airport Way from 9-5pm. To read more about this opportunity, our newly implemented health protocols, and how to make a reservation, visit our Boating Blog HERE.
SUMMER EVENTS UPDATE
 While the outbreak of COVID-19 has presented a number of challenges in terms of public events, we are still planning to host a modified version of the Great Slough Clean Up during the month of August. In addition, we will be hosting a Bat Night at Whitaker Ponds on Friday, August 28th. We are also working with Portland Water Bureau to move Aquifer Adventure on-line for a full week of educational opportunities for you and your family. More details on all three of these events will be coming soon! Unfortunately, both Regatta and Explorando el Columbia Slough have been canceled, but we look forward to revisiting these events in the future.
TEACHERS IN THE WATERSHED 
Our Education Director wants all of our school partners to know that she is here for you in any way possible! Are you interested in brainstorming ways to serve your students this upcoming school year? Would you like to explore possible field trip sites? Interested in organizing a paddle time with your class? Let's talk! Send an email to Jennifer.Starkey@columbiaslough.org
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES & NEWS
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Conversation on Systemic Racism in Outdoor and Urban Spaces
On Wednesday the 17th from 6:00 - 7:30pm, Oregon Wild will be hosting an important conversation on Systemic Racism in Outdoor and Urban Spaces. The speakers will include James Mills from The Joy Trip Project, Chad Brown of Soul River, Sharon Ross of Afrovivalist, and Richard Thornton of Patagonia. Register for this event HERE.
"I'm a Black Climate Expert. Racism Derails our Efforts to Save the Planet."
If we are concerned about, and organize around issues of Climate Change, then we all must show the same level of concern, if not more, and commitment to organizing around racial justice… and here’s why. The Washington Post published a great article written by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson that articulates how “our racial inequality crisis is intertwined with our climate crisis.” We can, and we must engage in the movement for racial justice. Read the full article HERE.
The Portland EcoFilm Festival
The Portland EcoFilm Festival is the premier environmental film festival in the US Pacific Northwest, showcasing the very best films about nature, the environment, outdoor pursuits and eco-conscious living. In exciting news, they’ve decided to add a Youth-Made Short Films category to the festival this year and are looking for submissions. The new Youth-Made Short Films category is open to films made by middle school and/or high school aged students. Film submissions are accepted June 1st - July 22nd, 2020. To learn more and submit your film, please visit: portlandecofilmfest.org/submityourfilm
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The Council officially completed its 1st-ever virtual Gala, and we wanted to take a moment to personally thank everyone who made this moment such a success. Thank you to all of our event sponsors who stood by us and supported us even without an in-person event. Thank you to the host of local businesses who donated auction items during a time of such uncertainty. Thank you to the countless individuals and families who participated in the silent auction or made a contribution, and to everyone else who tuned in and watched the Gala. This was a community effort, and nothing went unnoticed. We are incredibly grateful to this community, and look forward to moments in the not-so-distant-future where we can get together for a paddle and enjoy the Slough!
