We hope you'll join us for a fun, family-friendly volunteer event to restore a local greenspace, improve water quality, and create habitat for birds and other wildlife.
During these events, you will have the opportunity to learn about native plants, including how to identify and install them for optimal growth.
These volunteer opportunities include 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.
You’re invited: Rigler Elementary School green stormwater project celebration
In the past five months, the implementation of the Rigler Schoolyard Vision has helped transform the campus of the Northeast Portland elementary school. The vision plan reimagined the schoolyard to better serve students and the community and helped shape a more than $500,000 construction project that includes green stormwater infrastructure, thousands of plants, dozens of new trees, pervious pavement, and playground upgrades.
To commemorate the project's end, we're teaming up with partners to host a celebration on November 4, 2025, from 1-2:00 p.m. at the Rigler Elementary schoolyard. We hope to see you there!
Year 1 of the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project is complete. Salmon are already spawning in their newly restored habitat, and beavers began checking out their new river home immediately after the river was reconnected to its historic floodplain.
Check out the highlights from the first year of this two year construction project on our website!
WATCH: Clark County Sustainble Forestry & the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project
Large logs are essential to the restoration of the East Fork Lewis River. Learn about our partnership with Clark County to secure logs from the cuonty's sustainble foresty operation at Spud Mountain.
Watch the video on Youtube
Congratulations to our 2025 Steward of the Year: Councilor Sue Marshall
We are thrilled to celebrate Clark County Council Chair Sue Marshall as our 2025 Steward of the Year. This award honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to protecting and restoring the lower Columbia River and its tributaries.
Councilor Marshall was recognized for her strong advocacy of the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project. Her leadership included initiating a letter of support from the Clark County Council, authoring an editorial in the Ridgefield Reflector, and testifying before the state legislature to secure project funding. She has also visited the project site multiple times, observing lamprey surveys and restoration construction firsthand.
“Councilor Marshall’s efforts in support of the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project helped turn a 10-year planning process into a reality,” stated Elaine Placido, Executive Director of the Estuary Partnership, “She exemplifies what it means to be a steward of the Columbia River, its tributaries, and its communities. I am proud to honor her leadership and commitment to restoring this river for the benefit of people, salmon, and wildlife.”
Greenhouse gas monitoring begins at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge
A device to monitor the carbon and methane fluxes of floodplain habitat was installed in September at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge as part of a study aimed at better understanding how floodplain and estuarine habitat conditions can support net greenhouse gas sequestration. This knowledge can then be applied to the design of future habitat restoration projects to maximize the climate benefits of habitat restoration.
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of several sites along the lower Columbia River where greenhouse gas data are being collected by the Estuary Partnership and partners. In partnership with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, data was collected for a year near Astoria at Tongue Point. That device is now gathering data at Steigerwald. A second monitoring device is located at the Wallooskee-Youngs restoration site near Warrenton managed by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
This work is supported by research partners at Oregon Health & Science University and Portland State University. Thank you!
Celebrating 30 Years of Estuary Partnership action
On September 21, 2025, more than 120 guests gathered in the ballroom of Vancouver’s Hotel Indigo, overlooking the Columbia River, to celebrate the Estuary Partnership’s 30th Anniversary. With sailboats gliding across the water and a stunning sunset viewed from the patio, the evening was filled with laughs, connection, and reflection.
The celebration was not only a tribute to three decades of impactful work, but it was also a powerful investment in the future. Thanks to generous attendees and sponsors, the event raised over $60,000 to support the Estuary Partnership’s continued mission. These funds will help ensure the next 30 years are just as strong, successful, and inspiring as the first. If you missed the celebration, you can still make a tax deductible gift to support our next 30 years.
The 30th Anniversary Celebration was made possible by the incredible support from sponsors. Thank you for making the evening such a resounding success.
Estuary Partnership wins Local Heroes Award
The Elder Pride Services at the Friendly House Community Center honored us with their 2025 Local Heros Award in September! Environmental educators (and Big Canoe paddle guides) Sam Dumont and McKenzie Miller accepted the award ceremony on behalf of the Estuary Partnership.
Here is what one Elder Pride Services paddler said about our Big Canoe program: “As always, thank you for being so willing to listen and engage with our elders. While some of them are able to easily make their way in this world, others struggle to find connection and become isolated. This trip helps all of them connect with the land, the river, other elders, as well as another organization of folks who willingly share their love of our area. Thank you so much!”
Our ability to provide memorable (and now award-winning) Big Canoe paddle programs this summer was made possible with the support of Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District; Oregon State Marine Board Waterway Access Grant (Funding comes from the purchase of Waterway Access Permits by boaters with paddlecraft 10 feet in length or longer); City of Portland BES Portland Harbor Community Grant; the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; Port of Vancouver; City of Vancouver; and Clark County.
2 ways to support the Estuary Partnership in your daily life
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.
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