Interested in becoming a Paddle Team Volunteer? Join us for a Buddy Shift!
This opportunity is reserved for Ukrainian and/or Russian speakers. Other Buddy Shift opportunities are available throughout the month and into July for others.

Paddle Team Volunteers support all paddling events at Columbia Slough Watershed Council. They set up and take down events, provide safety information, and lead groups on the water. Volunteers must have an interest in learning, interest in supporting community events and be 16 or older - no previous paddling experience necessary!

1. Watch the 2024 Orientation Webinar to learn more about the program - recordings are available in English and Spanish.

2. Submit the required Paddle Team Agreement and Background Check to Liz Coll at lizzy.coll@columbiaslough.org.

3. Sign up for this Buddy Shift! You’ll join a Watershed Council event, and be paired with a seasoned volunteer who will go over everything you need to know. There will be Buddy Shift opportunities through early July should this Buddy Shift be full.

4. After the Buddy Shift, you’ll receive access to the Paddle Team Portal where you can sign up for future volunteer shifts.

Getting There: Meet us at 16650 NE Airport Way. When you arrive, turn left into the gate to find our group. Free parking is available. Please carpool if you are able to, the lot is small.

What to Bring: Wear comfortable clothing for moving, bending, lifting, and bring your own water. The event will take place rain or shine. Leave large bags and backpacks at home. Dry bags, life jackets, drinks, and dinner will be provided.

The Event: The Council is partnering with the Slavic Community Center for the paddle. Volunteers will support event set up, welcome participants, lead the group on the water, and clean up at the end. A picnic lunch will be provided.

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

Únete a una paseo de canoe con Columbia Slough Watershed Council, Ryan Gilpin, Melissa Orozco, y Thomas Meinzen para ver aves en el parque Whitaker Ponds. Este evento es gratuito, abierto para todas las edades, y será en español y ingles.

Qué traer: Empaca agua, unos bocadillos, binoculares (si tienes), y ven vestido para el clima. ¿No tienes binoculares? ¡Ningún problema! Tendremos unos disponibles para prestarte durante el evento.

Cómo llegar: Nos vemos en Whitaker Ponds. Hay estacionamiento gratuito disponible. ¿Vas en transporte público? Toma el autobús #75 que te dejará en NE 47th y Columbia Blvd.

Accesibilidad: Los participantes deben estar cómodos sentados durante dos horas. Hay un baño en el parque.

¿Preguntas?  Escríbele un correo a la organizadora del evento, Amanda: amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and birders Ryan Gilpin, Melissa Orzoco, and Thomas Meinzen for a birding paddle at Whitaker Ponds. The event will be in Spanish and English.

What to bring: Pack along water, a snack, binoculars if you have them, and come dressed for the weather. Don't have binoculars? No problem! We will have some available for borrow during the event.

Getting There: We will meet at the parking lot furthest from the park entrance - free parking is availble. Taking public transportation? Take the #75 bus which will drop you off at NE 47th & Columbia Blvd.

Accessibility: Participants should be comfortable sitting for ~2 hours. There is a porta potty in the park.

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

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for a conversation about the cleanup project at Moore and Wright Island Natural Area, located on the Columbia Slough.

Sarah Miller and Heidi Nelson, both from DEQ, will discuss project updates, the anticipated 2025 project schedule, and more. Space will be reserved for questions at the end of the presentation.

RSVP is necessary to receive the Zoom link.

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

Interested in becoming a Paddle Team Volunteer? Join us for a Buddy Shift!

Paddle Team Volunteers support all paddling events at Columbia Slough Watershed Council. They set up and take down events, provide safety information, and lead groups on the water. Volunteers must have an interest in learning, interest in supporting community events and be 16 or older - no previous paddling experience necessary!

1. Watch the 2024 Orientation Webinar to learn more about the program - recordings are available in English and Spanish.

2. Submit the required Paddle Team Agreement and Background Check to Liz Coll at lizzy.coll@columbiaslough.org.

3. Sign up for this Buddy Shift! You’ll join a Watershed Council event, and be paired with a seasoned volunteer who will go over everything you need to know. There will be Buddy Shift opportunities through early July should this Buddy Shift be full.

4. After the Buddy Shift, you’ll receive access to the Paddle Team Portal where you can sign up for future volunteer shifts.

Getting There: Meet us at 16650 NE Airport Way. When you arrive, turn left into the gate to find our group. Free parking is available. Please carpool if you are able to, the lot is small.

What to Bring: Wear comfortable clothing for moving, bending, lifting, and bring your own water. The event will take place rain or shine. Leave large bags and backpacks at home. Dry bags, life jackets, drinks, and dinner will be provided.

The Event: The Council is partnering with People of Color Outdoors for the paddle. Volunteers will support event set up, welcome participants, lead the group on the water, and clean up at the end. Light snacks and drinks woill be provided.

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

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and Portland Parks & Recreation for a trash cleanup at Kelley Point Park! This event is free and open to all ages, minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting There: When you turn onto Kelley Point Park Rd, follow the road until you reach the final parking lot - our group will be in this area. Free parking is available. Taking public transportation? Bus #11 drops riders at N Columbia Blvd & N Kelley Point Park Rd. Please note that service is limited in the evenings.

What to bring: Pack along water, wear close toed shoes, and come prepared for the weather as the event will happen rain or shine. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

Accessibility: Restrooms are available in the park. Participants will have the option to walk flat paved trails, grassy areas, or the sandy beach.

Questions? Reach out to Caitlin Costello, at caitlin.costello@columbiaslough.org.

Registration and waitlist are closed for this event.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and community song holder, Ary Solomon, for a morning of Songs on the Slough! Learn some short, simple, water-themed songs we'll sing together on the Columbia Slough. This will be an exploratory and experimental paddle where we will play with sound and see how it feels to sing on the water together. No prior singing experience required! This event is for all people of all ages - minors must be accompanied by an adult. This will be a fully masked event.

What to bring: We encourage you to pack light, bring along water, and dress for the weather. Boats, life jackets, paddles, light snacks, and drinks will be provided, as well as extra masks if you need one. Leave large bags and pets at home. Bringing your own boat? Don’t forget your life jacket, and feel free to arrive a bit earlier to get set up.

Getting There: We will meet at the boat launch located at Portland Water Bureaus Pump Station - when you arrive at the address, turn left into the gated area. Free parking is available. You must arrive by 10:10 AM 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. 

Accessibility: Previous paddling experience is not required. Participants must be able to sit for 1 - 1.5 hours during the paddle. There is no restroom on site. There is a short gravel/dirt hill participants must navigate to get to/from the boat launch area.

Questions or want to be added to a waiting list? Reach out to Amanda at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Ary Solomon (they/them) is a song holder and teacher living on the ancestral lands of the Chinook tribes, also known as Portland, OR. They host monthly song circles and have been facilitating music and song spaces for 15 years. Stay up to date with their events by joining their mailing list here.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and facilitators Ryan Gilpin of Nidus Consulting, and Julie Jansen of Earthbody Presence for a unique experience combining bird watching and forest bathing!  This event is free and open to those 16 and older.

Forest bathing, also called forest therapy, is inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku.  It is a guided experience that allows us to slow down while connecting with nature, community, and with ourselves.  Julie will start our time together with two forest bathing invitations that will help us step out of the fast pace of daily life and connect us with our senses.

Then we will move our focus more specifically to the plants and life around us. Slowing down can help us to patiently and deeply observe any visible birds. Ryan will help participants listen for and learn to identify bird songs. If the birds are quiet and hiding, Columbia Children’s Arboretum has hundreds of trees to explore. 

Our time together will end with tea in the forest! Julie sustainably harvests plants and leaves from many places around Portland to create hand-forged tea.  We will sip tea together as we share about our experiences from the day.  

Getting There: We’ll meet at the east entrance of the Columbia Children’s Arboretum. Follow directions to 974 NE Meadow Ln - please note this is a private address, but the closest location to map to. Free street parking is available. Taking public transportation? Bus #6 makes stops nearby.

What to bring: Pack along water and come prepared for the weather as the event will happen rain or shine. Light snacks, tea at the end, and binoculars will be available.

Accessibility: Porta potties are available in the park. Our group will be walking along mostly flat paved and flat dirt 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.

Julie Jansen guides individuals and groups in meditation, movement, and land-based practices.  Through her gentle, trauma-informed guidance Julie empowers individuals to bring presence-based practices into their lives.  She is a certified Forest Therapy Guide and co-founder of Earthbody Presence.  Currently, Julie teaches meditation and movement at Portland State University along with facilitating retreats, forest bathing, and other offerings with Earthbody Presence. 

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.

Join Black Men’s Wellness and Columbia Slough Watershed Council for their annual Wellness Week, Can I Kayak?! event at Kelley Point Park in N Portland! This free event is open to all ages, minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting There: We will meet at the boat launch at Kelley Point Park - look out for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council sign. Parking is free, however, limited. Carpooling is recommended! Taking public transportation? Bus #11 drops riders at N Columbia Blvd & N Kelley Point Park Rd, a short walk to the launch area. Please note that service is limited in the evening.

What to bring: Pack along water, shoes you don't mind getting a little dirty or wet! 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 light snacks and cold drinks to share!

Accessibility: There is no restroom available at the boat launch area, however there is one available further in the park/near the last parking lot for before or after the event. Previous paddling experience is not required. Participants must be able to sit for 1 - 2 hours. There is a low grade incline dirt/gravel hill that leads to the waters edge and our launching area.

Questions? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org or Darrell, at blackmenswellnesspdx@gmail.com.

This event is a part of Black Men's Wellness' annual Wellness Week, a series of events hosted in honor of Juneteenth. Visit their IG (@blackmenswellnesspd) to learn about other events!

Join facilitator and educator Jo Linden from Temenos Rising, and Columbia Slough Watershed Council, for a free guided 2 hour nature connection and mindfulness exploration walk. This event is for our LGBTQIA2S+ community and is recommended for those 16 and older.

This offering is an opportunity to connect more deeply with our authentic selves, with each other, and with the larger webs of community, humanity, and nature within which we are all nested. By slowing down and being present, we offer our bodies, minds, and hearts a nourishing breakfrom the stress and challenges we are currently facing. This offering offers support in calming the nervous system with reminders to be present to the gift of life. You will be invited to wander, be curious, and open to your childlike wonder and playfulness. 

Through a series of guided prompts and invitations, this offering 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 that are essential for resilient engagement with this era of dramatic change and transformation.

Getting There: When you turn onto Kelley Point Park Rd, follow the road until you reach the final parking lot - our group will be in this area. Free parking is available. Taking public transportation? Bus #11 drops riders at N Columbia Blvd & N Kelley Point Park Rd. Please note that service is limited in the evenings.

What to bring: Pack along water and come prepared for the weather - we will be hosting this event rain or shine. Snacks and drinks will be available at the beginning of the event.

Accessibility: Restrooms are available in the park. Our group will be walking along mostly flat paved and gravel paths, with an option to go down to the sandy beach area. 

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 waiting list? Reach out to Amanda Gallegos, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Join CSWC, Patagonia, and Oregon Walks for a group run and walk at Blue Lake Park! Whether you are just getting into running or are a seasoned runner, we’d love to see you running the Slough with us! There will be a 3.3-mile loop and a 1.5 mile walking route available. Meet up at 5:45 and run starts at 6pm. No drop, all speeds welcome, good times guaranteed.

Raffle: All participants will have the opportunity to enter our raffle for Patagonia items and Oregon Walks goodies. Winners will be drawn after the run.

What to bring: Dress for the weather and pack lots of water. Snacks and drinks will be available after the run. Dogs are not allowed in this park because they can damage sensitive habitat and threaten wildlife.

Getting there:

We will meet in Blue Lake Park in area C between the fishing pier and swim beach area. The meeting spot can be found here on Google Maps. DO NOT PAY FOR PARKING - We will provide you with a parking pass at the meeting spot, which you must display on your windshield.

By Bus: Take Bus line 21 to NE Sandy & 223rd, then walk about 1 mile up 223rd to Blue Lake Park.

By bike: Use bike lanes east on Marine Drive to Blue Lake Road or east on Halsey to 223rd Avenue and follow the signs north to the park. Bicycles are welcome inside the park on paved paths.

Accessibility:

There are a couple of restrooms and water fountains located inside the park. All paces welcome. The route will have mostly paved, flat trails with little gravel. We will run along the shoulder of the road for a short time.

Questions? Reach out to Maya.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for the monthly Slough Science event series! This month we are excited to welcome Doug Wise, Groundwater Protection Manager, at the Portland Water Bureau for a conversation about Portland’s groundwater system and the Columbia South Shore Well Field. The event will offer an opportunity to better understand how groundwater provides flexibility and reliability to the City’s water supply, and what we as individuals can do to protect this important resource.

Getting There: Free parking will be available at 5904 NE 112th Ave. Follow Columbia Slough Watershed Council signs to the west of the parking area to find the group. Public Transportation? Bus 87 and 21 make stops nearby.

What to Bring: We will be sitting outside for the duration of this event. Bring your own water, blanket/chair, and any feel free to pack a picnic. Light snacks and cold drinks will be provided.

Accessibility: There is no restroom on site. The parking lot to event site is all paved. The event site is flat and has options for grass or pavement seating.

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

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District for a Tackle the Weeds: Hands-On Tool Training for Gardeners workshop! This hands-on workshop will be focused on effective weed removal using a variety of gardening tools. Participants will have the opportunity to work with tools such as trimmers, garden forks, pruners, and weed wrenches. We'll cover proper tool usage, safety tips, and how to choose the right tool for different types of weeds. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, this workshop will equip you with practical skills to tackle invasive plants more efficiently and confidently.

Getting There: Meet us at Wilkes Park (3655 NE 154th Ave), street parking is available. Taking public transportation? Take the #21 bus line to NE 154th and Sandy. Walk ¼ mile south on NE 154th and Wilkes Park will be on your right. More information at trimet.org.

What to bring: Please come prepared by wearing long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes to stay safe and comfortable while working outdoors. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

Accessibility: This event will require bending over and walking on uneven surfaces. A portable restroom will be available at this site.

Questions? Reach out to Cat at cat@emswcd.org or Caitlin at Caitlin.costello@columbiaslough.org.

Приєднуйтесь до Слов'янського громадського центру та Ради з вовідділу Колумбія Слау (CSWC), щоб покататися на веслах! Це захід для різного віку, неповнолітні мають бути в супроводі дорослих. Учасники можуть принести свій власний човен або забронювати місце в одному з наших! Цей захід призначений виключно для членів слов'янської громади. Під час заходу буде забезпечено український та російський переклад.

Присоединяйтесь к Славянскому общественному центру и Совету по водоразделу Колумбия Слау (CSWC), чтобы покататься на веслах! Это мероприятие для всех возрастов, несовершеннолетние должны быть в сопровождении взрослых. Участники могут принести свою собственную лодку или забронировать место в одной из наших! Это мероприятие предназначено исключительно для членов славянской общины. Во время мероприятия будет обеспечен украинский и русский перевод.

Join the Slavic Community Center and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a paddle in NE Portland! This is an all ages event, minors must be accompanied by an adult. All paddling gear will be provided! This event is exclusively for Slavic community members. Ukrainian and Russian interpretation will be available throughout the event.

Getting There: We will meet at the Portland Water Bureau Pump Station (16650 NE Airport Way)! Free parking is available. 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: Leave large bags and backpacks at home. Pack along water and come prepared for the weather. Boats, life jackets, and paddles will be provided. Additionally, once we are done with the paddle, dinner will be provided.

Accessibility: A porta potty is available. This event requires participants to be able into and out of a canoe from a dock as well as stay seated for ~1.5 hours. Previous paddling experience is not required. 

Questions or want to join the wait list if the event is full? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Interested in becoming a Paddle Team Volunteer? Join us for a Buddy Shift!
This opportunity is reserved for Ukrainian and/or Russian speakers. Other Buddy Shift opportunities are available throughout the month and into July for others.

Paddle Team Volunteers support all paddling events at Columbia Slough Watershed Council. They set up and take down events, provide safety information, and lead groups on the water. Volunteers must have an interest in learning, interest in supporting community events and be 16 or older - no previous paddling experience necessary!

1. Watch the 2024 Orientation Webinar to learn more about the program - recordings are available in English and Spanish.

2. Submit the required Paddle Team Agreement and Background Check to Liz Coll at lizzy.coll@columbiaslough.org.

3. Sign up for this Buddy Shift! You’ll join a Watershed Council event, and be paired with a seasoned volunteer who will go over everything you need to know. There will be Buddy Shift opportunities through early July should this Buddy Shift be full.

4. After the Buddy Shift, you’ll receive access to the Paddle Team Portal where you can sign up for future volunteer shifts.

Getting There: Meet us at 16650 NE Airport Way. When you arrive, turn left into the gate to find our group. Free parking is available. Please carpool if you are able to, the lot is small.

What to Bring: Wear comfortable clothing for moving, bending, lifting, and bring your own water. The event will take place rain or shine. Leave large bags and backpacks at home. Dry bags, life jackets, drinks, and dinner will be provided.

The Event: The Council is partnering with the Slavic Community Center for the paddle. Volunteers will support event set up, welcome participants, lead the group on the water, and clean up at the end. A picnic lunch will be provided.

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

Columbia Slough Watershed Council’s Board 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 on Zoom.

Questions or trouble accessing the link? Please reach out to Acting Executive Director, Amanda Gallegos at, amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

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. 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.

Interested in becoming a Paddle Team Volunteer? Join us for a Buddy Shift!

Paddle Team Volunteers support all paddling events at Columbia Slough Watershed Council. They set up and take down events, provide safety information, and lead groups on the water. Volunteers must have an interest in learning, interest in supporting community events and be 16 or older - no previous paddling experience necessary!

So what now?

1. Watch the 2024 Orientation Webinar to learn more about the program - recordings are available in English and Spanish.

2. Submit the required Paddle Team Agreement and Background Check to Liz Coll at lizzy.coll@columbiaslough.org.

3. Sign up for this Buddy Shift! You’ll join a Watershed Council event, and be paired with a seasoned volunteer who will go over everything you need to know. There will be Buddy Shift opportunities through early July should this Buddy Shift be full.

4. After the Buddy Shift, you’ll receive access to the Paddle Team Portal where you can sign up for future volunteer shifts.

Getting There: Meet us at Whitaker Ponds! Free parking is available on site.

What to Bring: Wear comfortable clothing for moving, bending, lifting, and bring your own water. The event will take place rain or shine. Leave large bags and backpacks at home. Dry bags, life jackets, drinks, and snacks will be provided.

The Event: The Council is hosting an elementary school field trip - this is part of a larger series called Canoe Weeks. Volunteers will support event set up, welcome participants, lead the group on the water, and clean up at the end.

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

Join facilitator and educator Jo Linden from Temenos Rising, Butch Support Group, and Columbia Slough Watershed Council, for a free guided 2 hour nature connection and mindfulness exploration walk. This event is for our LGBTQIA2S+ community and is recommended for those 16 and older.

This offering is an opportunity to connect more deeply with our authentic selves, with each other, and with the larger webs of community, humanity, and nature within which we are all nested. By slowing down and being present, we offer our bodies, minds, and hearts a nourishing breakfrom the stress and challenges we are currently facing. This offering offers support in calming the nervous system with reminders to be present to the gift of life. You will be invited to wander, be curious, and open to your childlike wonder and playfulness. 

Through a series of guided prompts and invitations, this offering 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 that are essential for resilient engagement with this era of dramatic change and transformation.

Getting There: Keep an eye out for the Columbia Children's Arboretum sign, just past the school bus yard. When you arrive, walk along the path, away from NE 6th Dr, towards the round-about area to find our group. Parking is free, however very limited at the Arboretum. Give yourself extra time to find parking in a nearby neighborhood if necessary. Taking public transportation? Bus #11 and #6 make stops near by.

What to bring: Pack along water and come prepared for the weather - we will be hosting this event rain or shine. Snacks and drinks will be available at the beginning of the event.

Accessibility: A restroom is available. Our group will be walking along mostly flat paved and gravel paths. 

Butch Support Group: Working to build an inclusive Butch community through monthly meetups and events in Portland. Follow them on IG, @butchsupportgroup

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 waiting list? Reach out to Amanda Gallegos, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Interested in becoming a Paddle Team Volunteer? Join us for a Buddy Shift!

Paddle Team Volunteers support all paddling events at Columbia Slough Watershed Council. They set up and take down events, provide safety information, and lead groups on the water. Volunteers must have an interest in learning, interest in supporting community events and be 16 or older - no previous paddling experience necessary!

So what now?

Watch the 2024 Orientation Webinar to learn more about the program - recordings are available in English and Spanish.

1. Submit the required Paddle Team Agreement and Background Check to Liz Coll at lizzy.coll@columbiaslough.org.

2. Sign up for this Buddy Shift! You’ll join a Watershed Council event, and be paired with a seasoned volunteer who will go over everything you need to know. There will be Buddy Shift opportunities through early July should this Buddy Shift be full.

3. After the Buddy Shift, you’ll receive access to the Paddle Team Portal where you can sign up for future volunteer shifts.

Getting There: Meet us at Whitaker Ponds! Free parking is available on site.

What to Bring: Wear comfortable clothing for moving, bending, lifting, and bring your own water. The event will take place rain or shine. Leave large bags and backpacks at home. Dry bags, life jackets, drinks, and snacks will be provided.

The Event: The Council is hosting a youth paddle in partnership with local nonprofit, Verde. Volunteers will support event set up, welcome participants, lead the group on the water, and clean up at the end.

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

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for the monthly Slough Science event series! This month we are excited to partner with East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District for a workshop on Climate Resilience: At Home, In Your Yard, and Beyond.

Learn how climate change is impacting soil & water resources, and what that means for local plants, wildlife, and people. We’ll share how our choices and actions at home, in the yard, and in the community can increase our resilience to a changing climate. Tips range from building healthy soil and conserving water to selecting the right plants. You can be a part of the solution, starting right at home!

Getting there: This event will be held in community space at StormBreaker Brewing in St Johns. Free street parking is available. Public Transportation? Bus lines 4, 16, 44, and 75 make stops nearby.

StormBreaker Brewing: This is an all ages venue. Food and drinks (alcoholic and NA) can be purchased in the brewery throughout the event.

Accessibility: Seating will be available throughout the event. A restroom is available on site.

Questions? Reach out to Amanda at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org, or Cat at cat@emswcd.org

Приєднуйтесь до Слов'янського громадського центру та Ради з вовідділу Колумбія Слау (CSWC), щоб покататися на веслах! Це захід для різного віку, неповнолітні мають бути в супроводі дорослих. Учасники можуть принести свій власний човен або забронювати місце в одному з наших! Цей захід призначений виключно для членів слов'янської громади. Під час заходу буде забезпечено український та російський переклад.

Присоединяйтесь к Славянскому общественному центру и Совету по водоразделу Колумбия Слау (CSWC), чтобы покататься на веслах! Это мероприятие для всех возрастов, несовершеннолетние должны быть в сопровождении взрослых. Участники могут принести свою собственную лодку или забронировать место в одной из наших! Это мероприятие предназначено исключительно для членов славянской общины. Во время мероприятия будет обеспечен украинский и русский перевод.

Join the Slavic Community Center and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a paddle in NE Portland! This is an all ages event, minors must be accompanied by an adult. All paddling gear will be provided! This event is exclusively for Slavic community members. Ukrainian and Russian interpretation will be available throughout the event.

Getting There: We will meet at the Portland Water Bureau Pump Station (16650 NE Airport Way)! Free parking is available. 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: Leave large bags and backpacks at home. Pack along water and come prepared for the weather. Boats, life jackets, and paddles will be provided. Additionally, once we are done with the paddle, a light lunch will be provided.

Accessibility: A porta potty is available. This event requires participants to be able into and out of a canoe from a dock as well as stay seated for ~1.5 hours. Previous paddling experience is not required. 

Questions or want to join the wait list if the event is full? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Interested in becoming a Paddle Team Volunteer? Join us for a Buddy Shift!
This opportunity is reserved for Ukrainian and/or Russian speakers. Other Buddy Shift opportunities are available throughout the month and into July for others.

Paddle Team Volunteers support all paddling events at Columbia Slough Watershed Council. They set up and take down events, provide safety information, and lead groups on the water. Volunteers must have an interest in learning, interest in supporting community events and be 16 or older - no previous paddling experience necessary!

1. Watch the 2024 Orientation Webinar to learn more about the program - recordings are available in English and Spanish.

2. Submit the required Paddle Team Agreement and Background Check to Liz Coll at lizzy.coll@columbiaslough.org.

3. Sign up for this Buddy Shift! You’ll join a Watershed Council event, and be paired with a seasoned volunteer who will go over everything you need to know. There will be Buddy Shift opportunities through early July should this Buddy Shift be full.

4. After the Buddy Shift, you’ll receive access to the Paddle Team Portal where you can sign up for future volunteer shifts.

Getting There: Meet us at 16650 NE Airport Way. When you arrive, turn left into the gate to find our group. Free parking is available. Please carpool if you are able to, the lot is small.

What to Bring: Wear comfortable clothing for moving, bending, lifting, and bring your own water. The event will take place rain or shine. Leave large bags and backpacks at home. Dry bags, life jackets, drinks, and a picnic lunch will be provided.

The Event: The Council is partnering with the Slavic Community Center for the paddle. Volunteers will support event set up, welcome participants, lead the group on the water, and clean up at the end. A picnic lunch will be provided.

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

Interested in becoming a Paddle Team Volunteer? Join us for a Buddy Shift!

Paddle Team Volunteers support all paddling events at Columbia Slough Watershed Council. They set up and take down events, provide safety information, and lead groups on the water. Volunteers must have an interest in learning, interest in supporting community events and be 16 or older - no previous paddling experience necessary!

So what now?

1. Watch the 2024 Orientation Webinar to learn more about the program - recordings are available in English and Spanish.

2. Submit the required Paddle Team Agreement and Background Check to Liz Coll at lizzy.coll@columbiaslough.org.

3. Sign up for this Buddy Shift! You’ll join a Watershed Council event, and be paired with a seasoned volunteer who will go over everything you need to know. There will be Buddy Shift opportunities through early July should this Buddy Shift be full.

4. After the Buddy Shift, you’ll receive access to the Paddle Team Portal where you can sign up for future volunteer shifts.

Getting There: The Columbia Slough Watershed, exact event location TBD. Additional details will be provided closer to the event.

What to Bring: Wear comfortable clothing for moving, bending, lifting, and bring your own water. The event will take place rain or shine. Leave large bags and backpacks at home. Dry bags, life jackets, drinks, and a picnic lunch will be provided.

The Event: The Council is hosting a group of students from POIC for birding and/or trash cleanup on the Slough. Volunteers will support event set up, welcome participants, lead the group on the water, and clean up at the end.

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

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council and community bird walk leaders Thomas Meinzen and Ryan Gilpin for a day of biking, birding, and Earth Day celebrating! 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. This year, we’ll also be giving away a brand new pair of Nocs binoculars and a guide book!

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 (just in case), 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.

Join Irene Bailey, Program Director of Temenos Rising, and Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a free guided 2-hour forest bathing walk at Kelley Point Park in N Portland. 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: When you turn onto Kelley Point Park Rd, follow the road until you reach the final parking lot - our group will be in this area. Free parking is available. Taking public transportation? Bus #11 drops riders at N Columbia Blvd & N Kelley Point Park Rd. Please note that service is limited in the evenings.

What to bring: Pack along water and come prepared for the weather as the event will happen rain or shine. Light snacks will be provided.

Accessibility: Restrooms are available in the park. Our group will be walking along mostly flat paved and gravel paths, with an option to go down to the sandy beach area. 

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.

Mark your calendars for Earth Day, April 22nd, and join us at McMenamin's Kennedy School Courtyard Restaurant for dinner and drinks. This location has ample indoor seating, as well as a beautiful patio! Half of all sales from the evening will be donated to the Council. Eat at McMenamin’s Courtyard Restaurant, or order Doordash, UberEats, and takeout food from this restaurant. All you have to do is pay your bill like normal and McMenamins’ will take care of the rest!

RSVP is welcome but not required and does not reserve a spot for you. All ages are welcome.

Getting there: Free parking is available on the east side of the Kennedy School, as well as in the surrounding neighborhood area. Bike parking is available at the front of the building. Taking public transportation? Bus # 70, 72, and 17 make stops nearby.

Questions? Email Maya at, maya.hurstmayer@columbiaslough.org.

Come join the Columbia Slough Watershed Council and Portland Parks and Recreation as we continue work to restore one of the great hidden gems of the watershed, The Columbia Children’s Arboretum! 

We are partnering with the City of Portland Natural Areas Stewardship Team, run by Portland Parks & Recreation's Natural Area Stewardship program. They works with volunteers of all ages to help enhance and restore Portland Parks natural areas, to provide habitat to wildlife and insects, and provide safe trails to park visitors. We are grateful for their partnership!

Come and help us lay down mulch around the beautiful plants that volunteers installed on March 1st.

People of all ages and abilities are welcome at this event, no experience necessary.  We will provide all the tools and help you need to participate in the event. As well as snacks, hot coffee and hot water for tea/cocoa.  This is rain or shine, so please dress appropriately for the weather, wear close-toed shoes, bring a water bottle, and be ready to get dirty!

**Note: Please register for the event in order to be notified for any updates or cancellations!**

Date & Time: Saturday, April 19th, from 10am to 1pm

Location: Columbia Children's Arboretum.  Park/enter through the NE 6th Dr entrance and follow the event signs into the park where we will be set up.  Parking will be available in the parking lot and along NE 6th Dr.

Transit: Trimet Line #6 to NE Vancouver way and NE Walker, from here follow NE Walker to NE 6th DR and continue less than 1/4 mile to the park on your right.

Accessibility: This event will involve bending and stooping to dig and plant on soft, uneven ground. There are 2 ADA Porta Potties on site at either entrance of the park. Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any contagious illness or have had recent contact with someone exhibiting symptoms of any illness.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact our Stewardship Director, Caitlin, at caitlin.costello@columbiaslough.org.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for a free educational urban tree walk this spring! Local leaders and tree experts Brittany Gadbury, Ryan Gilpin, and Thomas Meinzen will facilitate conversations about the trees between NE Ainsworth Street and NE Alberta Street. The canopy here reflects the reality of racist historical zoning and neighborhood design in NE Portland. The trees here tell stories about the past that can be felt today and force us to talk about people and trees in the city. Join us for a dynamic, outdoor conversation bouncing from tree to tree, story to story, street to street. This event is free and open to all ages.

What to bring: Pack along water and snacks if you’d like. Drinks and light snacks will also be provided. Wear shoes comfortable for walking.

Getting There: We will meet at the NE corner of Alberta Park (NE 19th Ave and NE Ainsworth) in NE Portland. 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 or want to be added to a waiting list? Reach out to Amanda, at amanda.gallegos@columbiaslough.org.

Brittany Gadbury is a NW grown, rain-obsessed, book nerd who has been immersed in community resource development and advocacy for over a decade. She’s honored to work in Urban Forestry’s Community Stewardship, supporting our tree ecosystem, population health, and community stories. Britt's education is in the arts and geopolitics, with postgraduate study at Manipal University in Karnataka, India in Peace and Gandhian Studies. Outside of work, she cooks, folds laundry, plays tennis, and outlines a book about African Americans in forestry.

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.

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 theVanport History Audioboxes. Thomas is also an avid bicycle birder and transit user, and leads bird, butterfly, and dragonfly walks for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council.

Come join the Columbia Slough Watershed Council to restore a beautiful walking path near NE 166th and Airport Way!  We will be installing a variety of native plants, including spirea, snowberry, goldenrod, and more!

People of all ages and abilities are welcome at this event, no experience necessary.  We will provide all the tools and help you need to participate, as well as snacks, coffee and hot water for tea/cocoa.  This is rain or shine, so please dress appropriately for the weather, wear close-toed shoes, bring a water bottle, and be ready to get dirty!

**Note: Please register for the event in order to be notified for any updates or cancellations!**

Date & Time: Saturday, April 12th, from 10am to 1pm

Location: NE 166th Pump Station, NE 166th and Airport Way (45.555797, -122.492570).  There is a small parking lot onsite.

Transit: Going East, take the Trimet Line #87 toward 182nd and Powell, stop at 16400 Block NE Airport Way.  From here, continue walking East about a quarter mile to the driveway. Look for Columbia Slough event signs.

Accessibility: This event will involve bending and stooping to dig and plant on soft, uneven ground. Restrooms are not available onsite.

Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of any contagious illness or have had recent contact with someone exhibiting symptoms of any illness.

Questions? Reach out to our  Stewardship Director, Caitlin, at caitlin.costello@columbiaslough.org.

Join Columbia Slough Watershed Council for the monthly Slough Science event series! This month we are excited to welcome Leah Bendlin for a conversation about the basics of mushroom identification and common spring mushrooms of the PNW. We will focus on common edibles like oysters and morels, indicator species, as well as other interesting and beautiful non-edible species. We will learn how to tell edibles apart from poisonous or just otherwise tricky potential look alikes, noting particular physical features and habitats that will help you to identify them on your own.

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.

Leah Bendlin is a Portland based mushroom and community science enthusiast. She caught the mycology bug after her first outing hunting chanterelles with a friend. She was amazed at the diversity of other mushrooms that day, and set out to learn the science of identification. That curiosity proved insatiable, and now, 12 years later, she has become an expert taxonomist and aspires to learn the name of every mushroom she encounters, and delights in teaching others. Leah has special interests in taxonomy, uncommonly known edibles, mycoheterotrophic plants, slime molds, ascomycetes (cup fungi) and social justice. She regularly leads mushroom ID classes and walks through various Pacific Northwest organizations and has volunteered as a teacher, identifier and board member of the Oregon Mycological Society. Find her on Instagram at @leah_mycelia!