The Willamette River Festival is a one-day celebration of recreation and community directly on the banks of Oregon’s iconic river. This event is a collaborative passion project for a variety of organizations in the Eugene-Springfield area, and it provides an opportunity to connect new people to the river in an accessible and fun-filled setting. This year’s festival will feature both on-land and on-water activities, spirited paddling competitions, music, food, and more. We invite you to access the official website to learn more about River Fest — and we hope to see you out on the river on August 22nd!

Join Willamette Riverkeeper and the City of Corvallis Parks team for a paddling cleanup effort from Crystal Lake to Michael's Landing, including the area within the Marys River confluence. We will collect trash from both the waterway and the adjacent riverbanks. Seats are available in both rafts and inflatable kayaks, and volunteers are also welcome to bring their own boats!

Limited space is available, please reserve your spot using the link below!

Join City of Eugene Recreation and Willamette Riverkeeper for a paddling cleanup effort along the Willamette River through Springfield and Eugene. We will start from Eastgate Woodlands at the end of Aspen Street (aka: D Street Boat Ramp), pick up trash along two miles of the river, and take out at the Alton Baker Boat Ramp. Reserve a seat in one of our rafts or bring along your own boat! Limited seating is available. More information available at the registration link below.

Join Willamette Riverkeeper, Yamhill Soil & Water Conservation District, and Oregon Parks & Recreation Department for the third "Paddle & Pull" event of the summer. Come spend the day with us to paddle a beautiful Willamette River side channel from Ediger Landing to Grand Island Greenway and help hand-pull aquatic invasive species Ludwigia (water-primrose), Myriophyllum aquaticum (parrotfeather), and more.

Bring your own boat, or reserve a seat in one of ours!

Join Willamette Riverkeeper, Benton Soil & Water Conservation District, and Oregon Parks & Recreation Department for our second "paddle & pull" event of the summer. Come out with us to paddle the Willamette River from Corvallis to Albany and help hand-pull aquatic invasive species Ludwigia (water-primrose), Myriophyllum aquaticum (parrotfeather), and more.

Bring your own boat, or reserve a seat in one of ours!

Celebrate identity, belonging, and outdoor joy with an affinity-based canoe skills workshop taking place at the beloved Willamette Narrows. This on-water workshop welcomes LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities in a joyful gathering to learn skills, grow confidence, and give gratitude for the diverse abundance of nature. This affinity-based, free 5-hour skills clinic will take us to where flatwater meets flow. All gear is provided, including canoes, ACA-certified canoe instruction, paddles, and PFDs.

Join Willamette Riverkeeper and the City of Corvallis Parks team for a paddling cleanup effort from Crystal Lake to Michael's Landing, including the area within the Marys River confluence. We will collect trash from both the waterway and the adjacent riverbanks. Seats are available in both rafts and inflatable kayaks, and volunteers are also welcome to bring their own boats!

Limited space is available, please reserve your spot using the link below!

LGBTQIA+ community and allies, join Oregon Paddle Sports and Willamette Riverkeeper as we celebrate Pride with an after-work paddle on the Willamette River! We’ll start at the Aspen Street Boat Ramp and paddle downstream to Alton Baker Park. Bring your own boat, borrow one of ours, or reserve a seat in a raft. More information and registration below.

Join City of Eugene Recreation and Willamette Riverkeeper for a paddling cleanup effort along the Willamette River through Eugene. We will start from the River House Outdoor Center, pick up trash along two miles of the river, and take out at the Beltline Bridge. Limited seating is available. More information available at the registration link below.

Join Willamette Riverkeeper, Benton Soil & Water Conservation District, and Oregon Parks & Recreation Department for our first "paddle & pull" event of the summer. Come out with us to paddle the Willamette River from Corvallis to Albany and help hand-pull aquatic invasive species Ludwigia (water-primrose), Myriophyllum aquaticum (parrotfeather), and more.

Bring your own boat, or reserve a seat in one of ours!

Join Willamette Riverkeeper as we take to the water to clean up Ross Island. Ross Island is home to nesting eagles and herons and provides shallow water habitat for fish species as they migrate along important waterways. By pulling as much trash from the area as possible, we'll improve the quality of habitat for wildlife in our city and beyond. WRK will provide motor boat support to safely transport trash and dispose of it properly. Come steward Ross Island with us by reserving a seat in one of our canoes or bringing your own boat. Invite a friend and Get Dirty for Good with us!

Join Willamette Riverkeeper and the City of Corvallis Parks team for a paddling cleanup effort from Crystal Lake to Michael's Landing, including the area within the Marys River confluence. We will collect trash from both the waterway and the adjacent riverbanks. Seats are available in both rafts and inflatable kayaks, and volunteers are also welcome to bring their own boats!

Limited space is available, please reserve your spot using the link below!

Join City of Eugene Recreation and Willamette Riverkeeper for a paddling cleanup effort along the Willamette River through Eugene. We will start from the Alton Baker Park boat ramp, pick up trash along two miles of the river, and take out at the River House Outdoor Center. Limited seating is available. More information available at the registration link below.

Join Willamette Riverkeeper as we take to the water to clean up Ross Island. Ross Island is home to nesting eagles and herons and provides shallow water habitat for fish species as they migrate along important waterways. By pulling as much trash from the area as possible, we'll improve the quality of habitat for wildlife in our city and beyond. WRK will provide motor boat support to safely transport trash and dispose of it properly. Come steward Ross Island with us by reserving a seat in one of our canoes or bringing your own boat. Invite a friend and Get Dirty for Good with us!

Join Willamette Riverkeeper and Salem Audubon for a guided bird walk through one of the Willamette River's largest riparian forests – this stretch of protected land is a great location to spot some highlights of the spring migration. Over the past five years, Willamette Riverkeeper has planted more than 100,000 native plants at this site to restore vital riparian habitat, while Salem Audubon has been conducting bird surveys here since 2016. This beginner-friendly walk offers a chance to see how these ongoing efforts help both the landscape and the bird species that depend on it.

Already paddled a bit and ready for the next step? Join Willamette Riverkeeper and our professional paddling partners at eNRG Kayaking for Paddling 102, a moving water class designed to help you build confidence and control on flowing river sections. This free 5-hour workshop is set in Oregon City near Willamette Falls. You’ll gain hands-on instruction in basic river navigation, current reading, and intermediate boat handling techniques.

For full details and event registration, click the link below!

Join Willamette Riverkeeper and the City of Corvallis Parks team for a paddling cleanup effort from Crystal Lake to Michael's Landing, including the area within the Marys River confluence. We will collect trash from both the water and the adjacent riverbanks. Bring your own boat, or reserve a seat on our raft or in one of our inflatable kayaks.

Limited space, please reserve using the link below.

In collaboration with BigJoy Bird Club and the Bird Alliance of Oregon, Willamette Riverkeeper is hosting a free birding paddle to Ross Island. BigJoy Bird Club Outings are affinity-based nature experiences reserved for members of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities in joyful, welcoming outdoor spaces. Whether you are an experienced birder or an avian novice, we encourage you to join us for a morning of exploring the wildlife of the Willamette River in Portland. No paddling experience required, and boats are provided — register now!

Join City of Eugene Recreation and Willamette Riverkeeper for a paddling cleanup effort along the Willamette River through Springfield and Eugene. We will start from Eastgate Woodlands at the end of Aspen Street (aka: D Street Boat Ramp), pick up trash along two miles of the river, and take out at the Alton Baker Boat Ramp. Reserve a seat in one of our rafts or bring along your own boat! Limited seating is available. More information available at the registration link below.

Ready to dip your paddle into something new? Join Willamette Riverkeeper for a fun, hands-on paddling class designed for beginners and those looking to refresh their canoe skills! This free 5-hour class combines land-based instruction with a guided paddle along Eugene’s scenic Alton Baker Canoe Canal, led by the WRK on-water recreation team. The Alton Baker Canoe Canal is calm, protected, and shallow flatwater, making it a great opportunity to get on the water for those who don't have previous experience paddling.

Looking to continue your paddling journey from here? Make sure to sign up for our Paddling 102 class to master your skills on moving water!

For registration and full event details, click the link below!

In collaboration with the Western Michigan University Alumni Association, Willamette Riverkeeper is hosting an on-water cleanup of the Willamette River in Salem. This is a stretch of the river with serious aquatic trash pollution issues, and the support of volunteers is needed to keep our waters healthy and our riverfront beautiful!

We will paddle from Wallace Marine Park to Keizer Rapids Park, collecting trash from both the waterway and the adjacent riverbanks along the way. Seats are available in both rafts and inflatable kayaks, and volunteers are also welcome to bring their own boats!

Join Willamette Riverkeeper and the City of Corvallis Parks team for a paddling cleanup effort from Crystal Lake to Michael's Landing, including the area within the Marys River confluence. We will collect trash from both the water and the adjacent riverbanks. Bring your own boat, or reserve a seat on our raft or in one of our inflatable kayaks.

Limited space, please reserve using the link below.

Join City of Eugene Recreation and Willamette Riverkeeper for a paddling cleanup effort along the Willamette River through Eugene. We will start from the River House Outdoor Center, pick up trash along two miles of the river, and take out at the Beltline Bridge. Limited seating is available. More information available at the registration link below.

Join Human Access Project and Willamette Riverkeeper for a riverbank cleanup event at Swan Island! This wide, sandy beach located in North Portland has huge potential for community recreation. Together we’ll remove trash and wooded debris from the water’s edge to improve native habitat and increase public access to our beloved Willamette River. Let's build a beach that is safe, accessible and enjoyable for all. Come lend a hand, and Get Dirty for Good with us! For registration and full event details, click the link below.

Join Willamette Riverkeeper and the City of Corvallis Parks team for a paddling cleanup effort from Crystal Lake to Michael's Landing, including the area within the Marys River confluence. We will collect trash from both the water and the adjacent riverbanks. Bring your own boat, or reserve a seat on our raft or in one of our inflatable kayaks.

Limited space, please reserve using the link below.

Join our Corvallis-based friends at Peak Sports and Freshwaters Illustrated for an evening of short river-focused documentaries produced by FWI. The films screened will cover topics such as salmon habitat restoration, federal water protection, and the recovery of lamprey in our Oregon waters. This free screening will be accompanied by a raffle for river-related merchandise, free snacks and drinks, and discussion among community members about how we can unite to protect our rivers in the face of mounting environmental threats. Optional donations collected at this event will go towards supporting both Willamette Riverkeeper and Freshwaters Illustrated.

This event will take place at Peak Sports in downtown Corvallis on Friday, March 13th, starting at 6pm. Attendance is free and registration is not mandatory, but we do request that interested folks use the signup link below so that we can collect a rough head count!

Join City of Eugene Recreation and Willamette Riverkeeper for a paddling cleanup effort along the Willamette River through Eugene. We will start from the Alton Baker Park boat ramp, pick up trash along two miles of the river, and take out at the River House Outdoor Center. Limited seating is available. More information available at the registration link below.

Join Willamette Riverkeeper and our incredible volunteers as we take to the water together to clean up the Ross Island Lagoon. Located just one mile upstream from downtown Portland, Ross Island is home to nesting birds such as Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons, and the area provides shallow water habitat for migratory fish species such as Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead.

Removing rubbish from Ross Island Lagoon supports healthy habitats and keeps trash from flowing downriver to the confluence with the Columbia and ultimately our ocean. Our team of safety paddlers along with motor boat support will help volunteers access and transport trash back to shore where we can dispose of it properly.

Reserve a seat in one of our canoes, or bring along your own boat for the cleanup! All necessary materials will be provided. For registration and full event details, please see the link below.