Zoo Animal Presenters (ZAPs) is a grantfunded youth program at the Oregon Zoo that employs young people as educators. The ZAPs work with live animals to provide free conservation programming to historically marginalized communities throughout the Portland metro area. For years, the ZAPs have volunteered at our bilingual event Explorando el Columbia Slough, and most recently at Aquifer Adventure.
Image: Zoo Animal Presenters at Aquifer Adventure
“We are happy to have these connections with the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and look forward to continuing this partnership. It’s a great way for ZAPs to get hands-on education about local waterways and the water system.”
Holiday Tree Toss is this weekend! This event is full, but you can sign up for the wait list below!
With all the tinsel and lights removed, we will re-purpose discarded holiday trees by strategically inserting them into existing log jams to increase beneficial salmon habitat in the lower Columbia Slough.
We provide the trees, boats, and hot cocoa. You provide rain gear and holiday cheer!
Thank you to Stephen Rice for producing our event poster! Check out his work on Instagram: @yahwth
Join the Portland Water Bureau and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council for Groundwater 101 – a FREE educational workshop that teaches groundwater basics including local geology and hydrology and what we can do to protect this important resource.
This interactive workshop is presented with a mix of hands-on and classroom-style teaching and is appropriate for adults and high school students aged 17 & up. Light refreshments will be provided.
Stewardship Saturday: Columbia Park Nature Patch
Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Help us build a “nature patch” at Columbia Park! We’ll plant native trees and shrubs to create habitat for pollinators and birds at this North Portland park. Nature patches help manage stormwater and improve the health of rivers and streams. Training, gloves, tools, snacks, and warm drinks are provided. Please dress for the weather and wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and closed-toed shoes.
The Slough Celebration Gala is our signature benefit where we raise vital support for environmental stewardship, education and community access to nature.
The Council will recognize Nestor Campos and Levee Ready Columbia at our 25th Annual Slough Celebration Gala. Join us on April 23 at the Exchange Ballroom to honor the accomplishments and hard work of the people who make the Columbia Slough watershed a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
Save the date for Slough Celebration Gala in your calendar!
So far in the 2019 school year, Slough School has done:
•68 classroom lessons to 1675 youth student contacts and 24 adult students!
•31 field programs for 705 Student Contacts
•3 paddles for students from NAYA Resurgence, Saturday Academy, and Verde’s Club Aves.
To finish off 2019, all Fairview 5th graders who planted goldenrod and snowberry at Wilkes Creek Headwaters in WINTER WEATHER received a planting button. We salute them!
Get Involved
Board Meetings
Want to get more involved in our work? Join us for our monthly Board Meetings!
The next meeting is scheduled: Jan. 27, 5 - 7:30 p.m.; location TBD
Community Corner
EMSWCD Native Plant Sale & Free Workshops
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District's Annual Native Plant Sale is right around the corner! Online ordering of bare-root native trees and shrubs will open at 6:00 am on Wednesday, January 15th. All plants are just $3.
EMSWCD also holds free workshops to learn about the native plants available at this year's sale, the benefits of native plants, and how to choose the right plants for your space. Workshops will be held Jan. 8-13.
Portland Parks & Recreation, Metro, and the Oregon Department of Transportation are excited to begin working on the next major step in developing the Willamette River Greenway Trail (also known as the North Portland Greenway Trail) - determining the size, type, and location of the bridge over Columbia Blvd.
From now through January 6th at 9:00 am, complete their survey to provide feedback that will help them understand how you will use this bridge and how it will affect how you use Chimney and Pier Parks!
THANK YOU to everyone who made a donation to the Council in 2019! You make everything we do possible! Your tax-deductible donation ensures our community can keep planting, paddling and learning in our watershed.
