Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership

08/26/2026

Thank you to ENRG Kayaking for partnering with us on another amazing paddling day! We provided the Big Canoes, eNRG provided the kayaks, and we led a fun exploration upriver to Willamette Falls. Willamette Falls are the largest waterfall by volume in the Pacific Northwest and is important to many Tribal peoples throughout the region as a harvest location for lamprey, in particular. Paddlers learned a little of that history, as well as learning about the redevelopment projects happening on each side of the river that will eventually increase access to this natural gem. But the best way to see the falls these days is on a boat! This trip engaged community members who paddled on our Big Canoes once earlier this season, giving them a second opportunity to get out and explore the water - some in their own paddlecraft. Thanks also to Oregon State Marine Board for supporting this and other community paddles this summer!

08/25/2026

We love to get the Bigs and Littles out on the water in our Big Canoes!

08/21/2026

Lovely day on the water with Friendly House Elder Pride Services🏳️‍🌈! We paddled on the lower Willamette, exploring the industrial areas, spotting birds, and sharing information about the history and future of the Portland Harbor Superfund site.

08/19/2026

Just over one month until Celebrate the Columbia! We're excited to share some of the generous donors who've contributed to an exciting event auction, including:
🍫 delectable chocolates package from Creo Chocolate
🛶 kayak rentals on the Scappoose Bay from The Paddle Shack - Scappoose Bay
🎟 enjoy the threatre! show tickets from Portland Center Stage and Portland'5 Centers for the Arts
🐟 a fishing sling pack from Orvis
🛳 happy hour cruise passes on the Portland Spirit Cruises and Events
🔥 a social sauna along the banks of the Columbia River at

Please support these generous businesses, *AND* get your tickets to join us and bid on these awesome items with us at Celebrate the Columbia on September 20! https://www.estuarypartnership.org/celebrate

08/18/2026

An opportunity to help with native plant tending at Sandy River Delta coming up in 2 weeks!

On September 3rd, join Confluence, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, local Indigenous partners, and the US Forest Service as we work together on the repatriation and rematriation of the Sandy River Delta. This work is being done through land tending and traditional cultural and ecological knowledge focused on enhancement and rehabilitation of traditional harvesting areas.

08/17/2026

Big thanks to the kids of the Dylan Jude Harrell Community Center for helping to keep our stormwater planters on the Ilwaco waterfront weed-free! A couple of weeks ago, we hosted a weeding party with them, and the kids were eager to show off how many weeds they pulled. And they've agreed to periodically help remove unwanted plants throughout the year! We're so thankful they'll be helping as stewards of this project. 💙

Last year, we completed a project that is treating stormwater runoff at the Port of Ilwaco's large, 525-space parking lot and adjacent streets before it flows into Baker Bay. Read more about the project https://www.estuarypartnership.org/our-work/stormwater-projects/baker-bay-stormwater-project

08/14/2026

Big thanks to Makarios "Mak" Macris, who is finishing up his summer internship with us today! Mak is a student at University of Portland and worked with us thanks to their environmental internship program. He split his time with us helping to lead our Big Canoe community paddles and out in the field, assisting with assessments of fish passage barriers throughout Southwest Washington. Thank you, Mak!

08/12/2026

We 🖤 getting out on the water with The Blueprint Foundation!