For thousands of years, the Columbia River has cut a magnificent channel through the volcanic plateaus of the Pacific Northwest. It brings power and energy, food, and endless recreation opportunities. But for the treasure it is, the Columbia River is in trouble. In the last 120 years, we have destroyed more than half of the habitat and we have left toxic contaminants in fish tissue and sediment. We have made some choices that, given the chance, we can change. Join us. The stewardship we build lasts a lifetime.

  
 

Funding Available for Habitat Restoration Projects within the Lower Columbia River and Estuary

The Estuary Partnership's latest Habitat Restoration Request for Proposals seeks habitat restoration projects that benefit salmon species and their habitats within the tidally influenced areas of the lower Columbia River and estuary and its tributaries. Proposals are due by 4:00 PM, Friday, March 12. To discuss your project or questions, contact Evan Haas at 503.2261565 x. 238

Click Habitat Restoration RFP to view the full Request for Proposals application. Interested parties should also view the Estuary Partnership's updated Criteria for Identifying Prioritizing Habitat Protection and Restoration Projects.

Annual Dinner 09Annual Dinner, Art Show & Sale A Success

 

The Portland Art Museum was a-buzz with 275 guests of the Estuary Partnership for our Annual Dinner and Art Sale on November 14! This year’s fundraiser featured artists and art of the lower Columbia River basin who generously donated 50%of their evening’s profits to the Estuary Partnership. Congressman David Wu welcomed the guests and Oregon State Senator Jackie Dingfelder also participated in the evening. Read more here.

Volunteer!Volunteer for an Estuary Partnership Planting Project



The Estuary Partnership's Volunteer Planting Projects are a great way to get some fresh air, warm up your muscles, meet new people, and be great stewards! There are several tree plantings scheduled through fall 2009 and winter 2010 at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge. Click here for details.

South County Spotlight Highlights Estuary Partnership Big Canoe Trip

 

The Scappoose/St. Helens area newspager the South County Spotlight highlighted the Estuary Partnership's on-river and service learning programs in a story in the October 1, 2009 issue. The article highlights a big canoe trip with a 4th grade class from St. Helens Lewis and Clark Elementary School that included a paddle to Sand Island and an invsive species removal project. View A Sand Island Adventure in the South County Spotlight.

kids with shovels
Groundbreaking Cermony Kicks Off Phase 1 Construction at Humboldt Learning Garden

Humboldt School celebrated with a dirt turning ceremony the start of construction on their long awaited dream of an on-site Learning Garden. The project is the latest in the Estuary Partnership's Schoolyard Stormwater series. Learning Garden elements will include an outdoor classroom, garden boxes, and in Phase 2 a buried cistern that captures stormwater runoff from the school's roof to irrigate the garden.

Habitat Restoration Effectiveness Monitoring Protocols Document Released


The final NOAA Technical Memorandum - "Protocols for Monitoring Habitat Restoration Projects in the Lower Columbia River and Estuary" was released in February 2009. The document describes a series of standardized protocols for monitoring the effects of habitat restoration projects in the lower Columbia River and estuary.

Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation for the Federal Columbia River Estuary Program" Final Report Released
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 assess 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 conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the US Army Corps of Engineers with the collaboration of the Estuary Partnership.

Water Quality and Salmon Sampling Report Released

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.

water trail poster

Lower Columbia River
Water Trail
Poster For Sale

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 Pam Andrews or 503.226.1565 x. 234 to purchase.

quagga mussel

Zebra Mussel Relative Found in Lake Mead, CA. Boaters and Public Asked to be Extra Vigilant

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
2008 Columbia River Estuary Conference Proceedings Released


In late April more than 100 people gathered in Astoria for the Columbia River Estuary Conference on Ecosystem Restoration. Now, the Conference Proceedings are available in PDF format. Most individual presentations are available as well through the CREC web site too: http://cerc.labworks.org/abstracts.stm
Lower Columbia River Summit: Toxic Contaminant Reduction Action Agenda


The Lower Columbia River Summary Report details progress and next steps.

 

 

 

 

  

Monitoring Coordinator Position Open Until February 19, 2010

We are seeking a full time Monitoring Coordinator. This position oversees implementation of the Estuary Partnership’s Ecosystem Monitoring Program. Submit formal letter of application that addresses the job description and related experience along with a resume with dates of employment and specific duties by 4:00 pm, February 19, 2010 to 811 SW Naito Pkwy, Suite 410, Portland, OR 97204. Electronic submissions must be sent as PDF attachments to lcrep@lcrep.org. Please click here for a complete job description. The Estuary Partnership values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Seasonal Environmental Educator Applications Due: Monday, February 22

The Estuary Partnership seeks a 32-hour per week Environmental Educator to work through October, 2010. The Seasonal Educator will focus on the Estuary Partnership’s On-River Program, and assist with classroom lessons, field trips, and service learning projects. Applicants should have environmental education experience and the ability to paddle 34-foot canoes on a regular basis in difficult water and weather conditions. Experience working with youth required. Submit a formal letter of application that addresses the job description and related experience and a detailed resume by 4:00 pm, February 22, to 811 SW Naito Pkwy, Suite 410, Portland, OR 97204 or to lcrep@lcrep.org. Electronic applications must be sent as a PDF attachment and include Seasonal Educator in the subject line. Hard copy applications must be submitted in duplicate. No faxed applications will be accepted. View a full Position Description. The Estuary Partnership values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


Start Your Year Off Right
Make a Donation to the
Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership

Your taxable donation can benefit the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership's education and stewardship programs. The Estuary Partnership is a 501 (C)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Donations can be made securely on-line or by calling Laura O'Keefe at 503.226.1565 x. 226.

Note: Due to technical issues - please use the donate button above or the Make a New Year Contribution Link to make a donation.

Monitoring at South SloughEstuary Partnership Science Work Group Will Meet
January 26, 2010


The Estuary Partnership’s Science Work Group meets monthly to discuss key scientific and estuary issues. The January meeting will focus on action effectiveness monitoring – post project monitoring of restoration projects to measure their success toward the restoration goal. Meetings are open to the public and are held at the Estuary Partnership office from 9:00-11:00 a.m. For more information, call Catherine Corbett at 503.226.1565 x. 240 and visit the Science Work Group page.

Year_In_ReviewNew 2009 Year- In-Review now available

 

 

 

 

The 2009 Estuary Partnership Year-In-Review Brochure is now available online below. The Estuary Partnership is pleased to provide this review of our activities through 2009, and we are grateful for the agency, organization, and individual support that help us achieve these
results! 2009 Year-In-Review Brochure
(pdf 1.5 MB)

Habitat Restoration BrochureHabitat Restoration 2000-2009 Brochure Now Available

 

 

 


In the last 10 years, over 100 partners have been protected or restored 15,700 acres of habitat in the lower Columbia River! The Habitat Restoration 2000-2009 Brochure provides a moment to celebrate and pause to assess the successes, challenges and changes in the system and knowledge.
Habitat Restoration 2000-2009 Brochure
(pdf 1.7 MB)

Estuary Partnership Expands Habitat Restoration Goal to 19,000 Acres


On July 30, 2009, the Estuary Partnership Board of Directors voted unanimously to expand their habitat restoration goal to 19,000 acres by 2014.  Amending their Management Plan’s original goal of 16,000 acres aligns the Estuary Partnership with the US EPA’s 2009-2014 goal for the lower Columbia River region and estuary. View the Press Release and the related Oregonian Article.
Technical Assistance Available for Restoration Project Scoping and Design


Restoration practitioners who need technical assistance help with restoration project scoping, design, or planning have a new option to turn to with the Estuary Partnership's announcement of Technical Assistance Availability. Technical assistance funds are available to help project sponsors develop, design, and implement larger, more complex estuary restoration projects. Available services will include conceptual designs, engineering, hydrology, geotechnical and other technical skill sets. Applications are accepted on a rolling first come first served basis. View the Technical Assistance Announcement and Application.
EPA Releases Columbia River Basin State of the River Report for Toxics


EPA's Columbia River Basin State of the River Report for Toxics compiles data about four widespread contaminants in the Columbia River basin and identifies the risk they pose to people, fish, and wildlife. Mercury, PCBs, PBDE flame retardants, and DDT and its breakdown products are profiled. Download the complete Report for Toxics here or visit the EPA web site for more information or specific sections


NOAA Fisheries Estuary Recovery Plan Module Available

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

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The Estuary Partnership focuses on the lower 146 miles of the Columbia River. We work in three areas to:

Protect the ecosystem and species - restoring 16,000 acres of wetlands and habitat by 2010 and promoting improvements in stormwater management.
Reduce toxic and conventional pollution - conducting long term monitoring and advocating to eliminate persistent bioaccumulative toxics, bring water bodies up to water quality standards, reduce hydrocarbon and heavy metal discharges and reduce bacterial contamination.
Provide information about the river to a range of audiences - compiling and evaluating data, offering education programs for children and building public and private partners.