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The Estuary Partnership requests bids to remove a derelict vessel and pilings from Coal Creek Slough, a slough of the lower Columbia River near Longview, WA. Bids are due Friday, July 11, 2008 by 4:00 pm at the Estuary Partnership office. For questions about the RFB process contact Kenny Weiner at 503.226.1565 x. 223. View the full Coal Creek Slough Restoration Project Request for Bids.
More then 100 people converged in Astoria on April 29-30 for the fifth in a series of Columbia River Estuary Conferences. This year's focus - Ecosystem Restoration - generated a wide range of presentations. The Estuary Partnership was one of the primary sponsors of the conference. Presentations and summary notes will be posted on the Conference Website in early June.
The report "Protocols for Monitoring Habitat Restoration Projects in the Lower Columbia River and Estaury" was released April 25. The document describes a series of standardized protocols for monitoring the effects of habitat restoration projects in the lower Columbia River and estuary. The protocols were developed by the National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the Columbia River Estuary Study Task Force with the support of the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Help the Esutary Partnership plant trees at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge, and Lacamas Creek Park during one our upcoming Volunteer Planting projects. Projects take place on Saturdays from 9:30 - 12:30. All ages are welcome and no skills or tools required. Check out the Volunteer Opportunities page for dates and additional details.
Often referred to as the RM and E Plan, the
"Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation
for the Federal Columbia River Estuary Program" final report aims to provide the framework from which to asess the progress of estuary restoration projects to improve ESA listed salmonid populations. The report was prepared for the Bonneville Power Administration by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in conjuction with NOAA Fisheries and the US Army Corps of Engineers with the
collaboration of the Estuary Partnership.
The latest student artwork from classes throughout the lower Columbia River area graces our 2008 Kids for the Columbia Calendar ($10) as well as new specially designed note card sets ($8). Lower Columbia River Water Trail T-Shirts also make great gifts. It's all available from the Estuary Partnership Store!
More than 800 students, teachers, parents, and volunteers sampled water qualtiy along the lower Columbia River and its tributaries in September as part of the Estuary Partnership's Seventh Annual Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Event. Check out the Daily Astorian's coverage of two Lewis and Clark Elementary School classes monitoring along the Lewis and Clark River at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park. Daily Astorian Article
The Estuary Partnership, USGS, and NOAA recently released the "Lower Columbia River and Estuary Ecosystem Monitoring: Water Quality and Salmon Sampling Report." The report details the results of the Estuary Partnership's juvenile salmon and water quality monitoring efforts. Check out the What's New page for some of the report's key findings.
VIA Magazine, AAA Traveler's Companion Magazine profiles the Lower Columbia River Water Trail with a cover story in the May Issue of the Oregon/Idaho and California/Nevada/Utah editions. The story describes Tim Cahill's journey down the river and highlights parks and rental outfits that make accessing the trail easy. Read the Story
Bring the Lower Columbia River Water Trail inside with the new Water Trail Poster. Blues, greens, and an overhead shot of a solo kayaker will make you feel like you're paddling the lower Columbia River wherever you are. Posters are available from the Estuary Partnership office for only $10.00 and proceeds benefit the Partnership's Stewardship Programs. Contact Vanessa Bird or 503.226.1565 x. 231 to purchase.
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Registration is open for the Estuary Partnership's Summer Nature Day Camp July 14-18 in Astoria, Oregon. The camp is based and conducted in collaboration with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park at Fort Clatsop. Campers will explore Fort Clatsop, paddle the Lewis and Clark River, investigate plants and track wildlife. The week will be packed with scientific investigations, games and unique adventures. Download a Registration Form Word; PDF. View the Summer Camp Flyer. Cost is $85 and registration is due June 27. A limited number of partial scholarships are available.

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Join the Estuary Partnership for two Willamette River paddles in June. The two-hour trips will leave from the Madison Dock on east side of the Willamette just north of the Hawthorne Bridge. Ross Island is the destination. Trips are scheduled for:
Wednesday June 18th 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday June 25th - 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Costs are $5 for adults and $3 for children and space is limited. To sign up or for more information - call or email Jennie Klein at 503.226.1565 x. 222. Check out the Big Canoe Page for more information on these special boats.
May 7-9, 2007, the Estuary Partnership and US Geological Survey hosted a forum followed by two days of technical presentations about conditions in the lower 146 miles of the Columbia River. It was a robust and informative three days thanks to the exceptional discussions. The Science to Policy Final Report summarizes the day one forum, the technical presentations, and next steps.
Three new Estuary Partnership brochures are in circulation. They include a Program Brochure with updated numbers on Estuary Partnership activities, an Education Brochure that highlights educational offerings, and a Water Trail Brochure that showcases the new water trail web site. If you haven't seen them in person, check them out on-line.
The Estuary Partnership's Nature Adventure Day Camp attracted more than 30 North Coast summer campers in early June for a week of outdoor activities. Staff from Lewis and Clark National Historic Park provided a big assist with the camp which engaged students in a wide range of outdoor education activities, many of which campers were doing for the first time. Ten year old Alex was typical saying "Before this week, I've never been kayaking, tide pooling, or hiked that far in my life!"
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Like its cousin the zebra mussel, the freshwater quagga mussel can grow on many surfaces and form dense colonies that impact water pipes, fish screens and ladders, native species and water recreation. Their arrival in the Pacific Northwest could have serious impacts. Boaters and the general public are asked to be on the lookout for any sign of these invasive mussels, and to take special precaution when transporting boats between waterbodies. Additional information and what you can do to stop their spread is available at: www.protectyourwaters.net or www.100thMeridian.or
During the last few years, the Estuary Partnership has secured millions of dollars for habitat restoration projects in the lower Columbia River. Now, there is an interactive map that allows you to easily explore the projects in detail. more
The Columbia River Estuary Recovery Plan Module is one element of a larger effort to develop recovery plans for ESA listed fish species in the Columbia Basin. The module is intended to help account for the degree which the estuary and plume can contribute to basin wide recovery efforts. The Estuary Partnership developed the draft Columbia River Estuary Recovery Plan under contract to NOAA Fisheries. To view the module: more
The Columbia River joins six other Great Water Bodies in Goal 4 of the EPA's 2006-2011 Strategic Plan. Goal 4 - Healthy Communities and Ecosystems focuses on protecting, sustaining, and restoring the health of critical natural habitats and ecosystems. For more on the Great Water Body designation and EPA's Strategic Plan visit EPA's new Columbia River Basin page. | |