We spent part of last lazy Sunday at Whittaker Ponds after hitting Beacon Rock State Park. We watched fish, herons, swallows, and enjoyed the breeze through the trees.

Want to get a real feel for the Columbia Slough this summer? The Watershed Council has a variety of events that are just right for you!

Great Slough Clean Up, Saturday, July 11th, 9am – noon
Whitaker Ponds Nature Park, 7040 NE 47th Ave, Portland

The Council knows to to clean up the Slough in style – with kayaks, canoes, and lots of mud! Come join us for a fun morning of hauling old garbage out of beautiful Whitaker Slough. If you’re lucky, you too can have bragging rights by pulling out: tires, shopping carts, kitchen sinks, bottles, toilets, and TVs. We promise you’ll go home tired, muddy, and happy!

Bring your own boat, or sign up to borrow one of ours at www.columbiaslough.org. We will provide snacks, water, gloves, bags, and possibly even prizes for the coolest pieces of trash! For more information: contact Nathaniel or Haley, or call 503-281-1132

Paddle Club, Thursday, July 16th, 6pm – 8pm
Smith and Bybee Wetlands, 6700 N Marine Drive, Portland OR

Join Troy Clark, of the Friends of Smith and Bybee Wetlands, for a free guided paddle of the largest urban wetland in the United States. Bring your own kayak or canoe and personal floatation device, as well as binoculars and sunscreen if you’d like. Evening is always a great time to see beavers, otters, and great blue herons! Please RSVP: www.columbiaslough.org, or call Haley at 503-956-8558

Columbia Slough Regatta, Sunday, July 26th, 9am – 1pm
St Johns Launch site, 9363 N Columbia Blvd, Portland

Celebrate the Columbia Slough at this year’s 15th Annual Small Craft Regatta! Grab your canoe or kayak and join us for the largest one-day paddle in Oregon. Don’t have a boat? Complimentary 45-minute rentals are available thanks to Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe, Willamette Riverkeeper, and the Council. This year we have a special treat: Metro and the City of Portland will be offering first-come-first-served tours of the closed and capped St Johns Landfill. Normally closed to the public, you have a special opportunity to check out the unique meadow habitat supporting our state bird, the Western Meadowlark, and to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of Portland.

$7 per person suggested donation.

Bringing your own boat?: Great! We’ll have crews to help you unload whenever you arrive. No reservations are required, but you can RSVP to let us know you’re coming at www.columbiaslough.org. For more information: contact Melissa at 503-281-1132.

Rental Reservations: www.columbiaslough.org or 503-956-8558 — boats fill quickly, so sign up asap!