You’re invited: East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project groundbreaking celebration
It’s time to celebrate! The East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project is a $23.5 million habitat restoration, flood and erosion risk reduction, and recreational enhancementproject in Southwest Washington. Restoration projects of this scale require strong partnerships, years of dedication, and local support. We’re celebrating all these things at the groundbreaking event on May 9, 2025, and we hope to see you there!
After the on-site groundbreaking celebration, we’ll move on to Podunk Pizza (630 E. Birch Ave., La Center) for a pint of Restore the River IPA. This commemorative IPA was brewed by La Center’s Exit 16 Brewing to celebrate the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project.
We’re so excited to celebrate the 500+ volunteers who planted over 11,000 native trees and shrubs this past planting season (October 2024-March 2025). Rain or shine, you brought the smiles and the dedication to make meaningful and important habitat restoration possible. We enjoyed every minute of it, and we hope that you did too!
But wait! The fun isn’t over. There are still a few stewardship events for you and your friends to attend. Check out the volunteer schedule below. We look forward to seeing you soon.
In addition to you, our volunteer planting program is made possible by support from the Washington Department of Ecology, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and One Tree Planted Foundation.
Welcome to the Estuary Partnership, Katarina Lunde
Please welcome Katarina Lunde to the Estuary Partnership team. Katarina was hired in February as a Research Scientist III. In this role, she is supporting the Ecosystem Monitoring Program and Action Effectiveness Monitoring Program.
Katarina has a background in plant ecology, with experience researching plant population ecology, biological invasions, and plant-insect interactions. Her past work includes assessing impacts of biological control agents on a native host plant in the Oregon Cascades and Coast Range. She has extensive experience with remote sensing and GIS data analysis, including using LiDAR, multispectral, and hyperspectral imagery to classify tree species and health across landscapes. She holds an M.S. in plant ecology and a graduate certificate in GIS from Oregon State University, and a B.A. in biology from Oberlin College. Welcome Katerina!
Welcome Carl Cruz, Vetswork Intern
Please welcome Carl Cruz to the Estuary Partnership team! Carl is a seven-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He joined us in March as a full time VetsWork Intern through January 2026. VetsWork is a career development internship program for military veterans interested in natural resources management, public lands, and the environmental sector.
Carl holds a Bachelor of Science in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from Colorado State University. Carl completed Fluvial Geomorphology and Fisheries Technician internships at CSU and worked as a Biological Science Assistant with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. He is trained in fish and stream survey work, sediment sampling and analysis, and electrofishing. Carl is already busy at work supporting our monitoring and restoration efforts, applying his GIS skills to the Water Trail guide, and learning how to steer our 29’ Big Canoes!
Happy 15th work anniversary, Sam Dumont!
Please join us in celebrating the 15th work anniversary for our Volunteer Coordinator, Sam Dumont. Sam is an energetic and skilled science educator. When she isn’t in the classroom or on field trips teaching students about the wonders of the natural world, she is at her desk coordinating dozens of people-powered planting and stewardship events for community members, social clubs, and businesses. Through Sam’s masterful coordination, people are provided with the tools to create a cleaner Columbia River and a more bountiful environment for pollinators and wildlife.
“Planting events provide people with a direct, immediate way to make a difference. Rain or shine, folks are always smiling when they have a shovel in one hand and a plant in the other,” said Sam. “Knowing that my work facilitates these meaningful experiences for people is a great feeling.”
Volunteer stewardship opportunities
Join us for fun, family-friendly volunteer stewardship events where you will help tend to newly installed native plants by cutting back invasive species. This simple act provides native plants the necessary room to grow by reducing competition for sunlight, water, and soil nutrients.
During each event, volunteers learn about native plants, including how to identify and the conditions needed for optimal growth. It’s also a great way to explore a local natural area.
Volunteer opportunities includes a 10–20-minute walk on trails with uneven surfaces. Gloves and tools are provided. Long-sleeved shirts, pants, sturdy shoes, and other weather-appropriate clothing are strongly recommended.
For more information, please visit the event registration page. If you have any questions, contact the Estuary Partnership’s Volunteer Coordinator, Sam Dumont, at SDumont@estuarypartnership.org.
The Estuary Partnership thanks the Washington Department of Ecology, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Clark County, One Tree Planted, the USFWS Urban Wildlife Conservation Program, and Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s Promise the Pod Program for supporting volunteer restoration.
Baker Bay Stormwater Project wraps up in Ilwaco
The Ilwaco waterfront looks very different now that the $2.1 million green stormwater infrastructure project is complete. The project will reduce toxic pollution in Ilwaco’s Baker Bay while also beautifying the popular waterfront area that serves as the start of the popular Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail.
Since November, construction crews with Rognlin’s, Inc. have been busy removing impervious surfaces, building biofiltration facilities, installing mechanical stormwater treatment mechanisms, planting trees, pouring concrete valley gutters and curbing, and installing a host of other project elements designed to reduce the harmful impacts of stormwater on Baker Bay’s water quality.
Today, stormwater from more than three-acres of the Port of Ilwaco’s public parking flows into the new green stormwater infrastructure, rather than directly into Baker Bay. The new stormwater facilities will help filter out pollutants that settle on parking lot surfaces such as oils, grease, and tire dust.
The Baker Bay Stormwater Project was built in partnership with the City of Ilwaco and the Port of Ilwaco. It was engineered by KPFF and the landscape architecture firm Learning Landscape Designs. The project was funded by the Washington Department of Ecology, a Natural Resource Damage Assessment settlement resulting from a 2014 oil spill, and the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Paddling the Columbia for a cause
Two paddlers are completing a kayak trek from Lake Okanagan in British Columbia to the mouth of the Columbia River, to bring awareness about the importance of healthy waterways and to raise funds for groups focused on river restoration, including the Estuary Partnership.
Register for the Columbia River Estuary Conference today!
NEW: the conference is now split into two single-day events. The first day will be May 13th in Troutdale, OR at McMenamin’s Edgefield and the cost is $25 (optional). The second day will be in October, details TBD.
The Columbia River Estuary Conference brings together restoration practitioners, scientists, researchers, and others interested in the ecosystems and restoration of the lower Columbia River, its estuary, plume, and nearshore ocean.The all-day event on May 13th will include technical presentations, a poster session, and an evening social.
Three ways to support the Estuary Partnership in your daily life
Enjoy a class at Columbia Flow
Columbia Flow is hot yoga and Pilates studio in Troutdale. Columbia Flow recognizes the power of movement to inspire positive change, both personally and within the community. During the month of April, 10% of Columbia Flow’s profits will be donated to the Estuary Partnership. Book a yoga or Pilates class today!
Fred Meyer Community Rewards
Link your Fred Meyer Rewards card to the Estuary Partnership by searching for "Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership" or using the code EG199. Every time you shop, a portion of your total comes to support hands-on restoration and education.
BottleDrop
Supporters in Oregon can donate their BottleDrop credit to the Estuary Partnership! Just contact us to request the special blue bags designated for nonprofits. Once your bag is full of redeemable cans and bottles, drop it off at any BottleDrop Redemption Center, and the refund will automatically be donated to the Estuary Partnership, supporting efforts to restore and care for the lower Columbia River. You can also donate proceeds from your personal BottleDrop account to the Estuary Partnership here.
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership 400 NE 11th Avenue Portland, OR 97211
To restore and care for the waters and ecosystems of the lower Columbia River, for current and future generations of fish, wildlife, and people.
.jpg)
