The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership invites the community to participate in a series of canoe paddles on the lower Columbia River this summer. Come aboard stable 34-foot big canoes led by Estuary Partnership educators. Participants paddle the canoes, observe wildlife and experience the area from a unique on-water perspective. Children older than 5 and adults are welcome. The Estuary Partnership provides personal flotation devices in standard sizes for ages 5 and older. Space is available on a first come, first served basis.
There is no charge for this paddle adventure. Reservations are required. To reserve a seat, contact Environmental Educator McKenzie Miller at (503) 226-1565, Ext. 229, or mmiller@lcrep.org. See details at www.lcrep.org
Schedule
• June 10 – Vancouver Lake, Vancouver, Wash. (REI Paddle Demo), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• June 16 – Scappoose Bay, Warren (Scappoose Watershed Fair), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• July 25 – Coffenbury Lake, Fort Stevens State Park, Warrenton, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 1 – Willamette Park, Willamette River, Portland, 10 a.m. to noon
• Aug. 14 – Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Ridgefield, Wash., 10 a.m. to noon
• Aug. 21 – Sauvie Island, Gilbert Boat Ramp, 10 a.m. to noon
• August 29 – Willamette Park, Willamette River, Portland, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Sept. 12 – Willow Grove Boat Launch, Longview, Wash, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Oct. 2012 – Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, (Birdfest), 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Estuary Partnership was established in 1995 by the governors of Washington and Oregon and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate and convene, to advance science and to get on-the-ground results in the lower Columbia River and estuary. The Estuary Partnership is a National Estuary Program and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. It is a collaborative program of the states of Oregon and Washington, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses and economic interests and citizens. The Estuary Partnership works to restore and protect habitat, improve water quality and reduce pollution, and provide information about the river to a range of audiences. The lower Columbia River and estuary is designated an “Estuary of National Significance,” one of only 28 in the nation. The National Estuary Program was created in 1987 amendments to the Clean Water Act and is administered by the U.S. EPA.
