News

Can one species of beetle wipe out Oregon’s entire population of ash trees? Yes. Has that species of beetle been detected in Oregon? Yes. On June 30, 2022, the emerald ash borer, an exotic beetle that feeds on and kills ash trees, was discovered in Forest Grove, Oregon. When the news broke, scientists with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership were devastated. A long email chain quickly formed

For the first time in 60 years, the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge floodplain was inundated by water from the Columbia River. From June 10-24th, the Columbia River below Bonneville Dam experienced a minor flood event. At times during this event, over 600 acres of the refuge was inundated by floodwaters, including small portions of the trail system and the Channel 3 bridge – though these

The Steigerwald Reconnection Project, a $32 million restoration project covering nearly 1000 acres of floodplain habitat at the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, was the largest of its kind. Led by the Estuary Partnership, the enormous restoration project required the support of dozens of partners, funders, and other project advocates. To celebrate the project’s completion and the

The grand reopening ceremony of Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge was held on Saturday, May 7. We embraced the spring rains as we welcomed the community back to their Refuge. On behalf of all the project partners, we are thrilled to see the community back enjoying the Refuge. Thanks to all of our speakers and others who made the day special. Special gratitude to the drummers of the Cowlitz

Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge reopened to the public on May 1. After nearly two years of closure to construct the largest habitat restoration project ever along the lower Columbia River, the Estuary Partnership, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and all the other project partners are excited to welcome the community back to the Refuge. Public Reopening Ceremony A public reopening

April is Earth Month, and we are recognizing the 52nd anniversary of the beginning of the modern environmental movement by teaming up with four great businesses. These business partners are showing their support for our mission to restore and care for the waters and ecosystems of the lower Columbia River.

After two years of closure to complete the largest habitat restoration project in the history of the lower Columbia River, Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge reopens to the public on May 1. Construction on the Steigerwald Reconnection Project began in 2019 to reduce flood risk, reconnect 965 acres of Columbia River floodplain, and increase recreation opportunities at the refuge. The

Large, walkable floor maps of the entire Columbia River watershed will soon appear in classrooms throughout the state. The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Portland State University’s Center for Geography Education in Oregon are debuting the walkable watershed floor map and classroom lessons with primary-school students. Supplementing traditional tabled-sized watershed models, massive

This spring, head outdoors with one of our printable, interactive maps and explore Salmon Creek or Vancouver Lake.

“Snake! Snake!” cried a cluster of 5th grade students from the banks of Salmon Creek in Vancouver, Washington. Within moments, the cluster of kids had grown as students raced across the Salmon Creek Greenway Trail to see the garter snake, held carefully by Sarah, 12. “I’ll let it go over here,” she said after her classmates got a closer look, and she gently set the snake down in the grass to