New Invasive Beetle Devastating to Oregon Ash
This September, Willamette Riverkeeper’s Co-Executive Directors navigated the length of the Willamette River, 194 miles in total, including 187 miles of mainstem and 7 miles of the Middle Fork above Springfield. For eleven days, through sun, rain, exhaustion, and awe, we carried not just ourselves, but the stories of this river and the people who depend on it.
From the headwaters to the Columbia River, we witnessed the Willamette in all its moods: dawn mist lifting over gravel bars, salmon leaping like stones skipping upstream, owls calling across the floodplain, and the flash of otters, minks, herons, and osprey reclaiming restored habitats. Each mile reminded us that the Willamette is not simply a river; it is a lifeline. It is memory, sustenance, recreation, resilience, and home to more than 70% of Oregonians.
Sit back, sip your coffee, and join us for a day-by-day behind the scenes look at our adventure down the Willamette River.
In December 2020, Willamette Riverkeeper brought a civil action against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“the Corps”) for unlawful violations of the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”). This action was brought after the Corps made no progress in releasing the documents requested by Willamette Riverkeeper, amounting to an unreasonable delay.
Willamette Riverkeeper is deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of our Executive Director, Bob Sallinger, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Bob joined Willamette Riverkeeper in 2023 as our Urban Conservation Director, and his commitment quickly extended across every facet of our organization as he took the helm in June 2024 as our Executive Director. His leadership and vision were instrumental in advancing our mission to protect and restore the Willamette River and its ecosystems.
Willamette Riverkeeper takes pride in our Willamette River Festival partner, Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC), as a primary partner in education and water conservation. This year, MWMC was awarded $4M in federal drought resiliency funds for Class A recycled water development, by the Bureau of Reclamation this past May. The $4 million came from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This money will be used to upgrade existing infrastructure for water filtering, disinfection, storage, and conveyance. Once completed, the MWMC can deliver up to 1.3 million gallons of Class A recycled water daily for public works and industrial uses by community partners rather than pulling water from the Willamette River or using drinking water.
Mailing Address:
454 Willamette Street #218
Eugene, OR 97401
Physical Office: Green Anchors PDX
8940 N Bradford St, Portland, OR 97203
501(c)(3) EIN: 93-1212629
503-223-6418 | [email protected]