Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council

Oakshire Inspires
2022-08-03 11:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Oakshire Public House, 207 Madison St, Eugene, OR, 97402
On Wednesday, August 3rd Oakshire Brewing will be donating $1 of every pint purchased to the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council! Visit the pub anytime between 11 am and 10 pm to take and advantage of the fundraiser and join Council staff from 5 pm till 7 pm for an evening of beer, music, and conversation at the Oakshire Public House in the Whitaker.
We will have live music by local musician Cuchulain (cuchulainkelly.com) from 5 pm-7 pm. So come listen to some tunes, support the watershed and chat with staff while we all support a local business dedicated to giving back to the waters that make its beer so delicious!

Education Volunteer Training
2022-06-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Elijah Bristow State Park, 38267 Wheeler Rd, Dexter, OR 97431, Dexter, OR, 97431
Are you interested in helping kids explore their watershed through field trips and outdoor schools? Join us for an informational training on Saturday, June 11th. Attending this training will help you decide if this volunteer role is right for you and provide basic training to allow you to assist our Youth Education Coordinator. We will introduce you to our field trip and outdoor school programs, familiarize you with the different roles available, and provide basic skills on specific lesson plans. While this training will provide a basic understanding of the volunteer role, additional specific training will be provided for individual volunteer opportunities. Snacks and drinks will be provided and accommodations can be made for anyone needing additional assistance. Registration is required and can be found via the registration link below. A successful background check is required to work with children and will be provided at the completion of this training. Please contact gale@middleforkwillamette.org with any questions or requests. We hope to see you there!
Register Now

Elijah Bristow State Park Scotch Broom Pull
2022-05-21 10:00 - 13:00 | Elijah Bristow State Park, 38267 Wheeler Rd, Dexter, OR 97431, Dexter, OR, 97431
Join us and Oregon State Parks for a day of volunteering, pulling Scotch broom along the confluence of Lost Creek and the Middle Fork Willamette River. Your work will help support previous watershed restoration done in this location and help reduce this noxious weed in the park.
This is part of the Oregon State Parks Centennial celebration and their 100 volunteer projects for 100 years! Celebrate Oregon State Parks Centennial and participate in the legacy of service that has sustained the state parks system for a century.
We will meet at the Lost Creek parking lot and hike about 1/2 mile on trail to the worksite. There will be a vehicle on-site if anyone isn’t able to hike in. All tools, gloves, and supplies will be provided. We ask that you wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring a water bottle. Families and children are encouraged to join, although we do ask that young children be accompanied by an adult.
We ask that you register for this event so we can have the appropriate number of tools and gloves for everyone joining.
Register Now

Releasing the Oak: Restoration at Thurston Hills Talk
2022-05-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Dorris Ranch, 205 Dorris St, Springfield, OR, 97477
Join us for our first live Fermenting Ideas talk in over two years! Our Restoration Projects Manager, Ka-Voka Jackson, will be joined by Natural Resource Planner at Willamalane Park and Recreation District, Fraser MacDonald at the Dorris Ranch Barn. They will talk about why oak restoration is needed at Thurston Hills Natural Area, our past project there, and our plans for upcoming restoration. At the end of the talk, we will take a short walk into Dorris Ranch to explore a past oak restoration site at the park. Our experts will be on hand to explain how restoration like this works in an active park and how the habitat has responded after the restoration. Registration is not required, but if you would like to sign up we will send you reminder emails and information.
Register Here

Spring For Your River - Clearwater Park Cleanup
2022-05-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Clearwater Park, 2400 Clearwater Lane, Springfield, OR, 97478
Join Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council, Willamalane Parks and Recreation District, and Willamette Riverkeeper to clean up along the Willamette River and the Middle Fork Trail at Clearwater Park. We will be walking on trails and through the park and in well-maintained areas. Families and children are encouraged to join along with an attending adult.

We will be meeting in the upper parking area near the Middle Fork Trail entry in Clearwater Park. Please be on time as we will disperse in teams to different areas after a welcome and safety briefing. Please dress for the weather and bring water, and sturdy closed-toe shoes. We will provide trash bags, gloves, and trash grabbers.
Register Here

Oakridge/Westfir Tree Planting Festival
2022-05-06 - 2022-05-08 | Oakridge
The Oakridge/Westfir Tree Planting Festival honors the connection between the prosperity of Oakridge and the life of the trees. In 1953 community leaders started an annual festival tradition that celebrates tree planting, and that festival continues today. There are events happening throughout the weekend across a wide variety of interests. Join the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council at the Banner Park Booths on Saturday, May 7th to experience our stream table and fun activities for kids and adults!
Find Out More

Thurston Hills City Nature Challenge Birding Tour
2022-04-27 17:30 - 19:30 | Thurston Hills Natural Area, 7575 Main St, Springfield, OR, 97478, United States
This year as part of the City Nature Challenge we are partnering with Willamalane Park and Recreation District to host a birding tour at Thurston Hills Natural Area. We will have experts on hand to help identify birds and teach you how to use eBird and iNaturalist. This tour will explore the new trails at the South entrance to Thurston Hills and highlight both past and future restoration projects undertaken by the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council and Willamalane as well as the birdlife found there.
We will be walking about two miles up and downhill on well-maintained trails as our guides share their insights on the birds found at the park, how restoration has affected the bird population there, and how community scientists (like yourself) can help further our understanding of birds at Thurston Hills.
Registration is required for all attendees as we are limiting the size of our group to allow for effective birding. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to gale@middleforkwillamette.org.
Register Here

Cornucopia Main Street Fundraiser
2022-03-29 | Cornucopia Main Street, 521 Main St, Springfield, OR, 97477
Craving delicious food? Want to help support our work? We are so honored to be partnering with Cornucopia on Main Street in Springfield to host a fundraiser going towards our programming. Visit Cornucopia Main Street on Tuesday, March 29th, show this flyer and 20% of your meal will go towards the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council. Just show the flyer linked here (either by phone or on paper) so they know you are eating with us. So simple, so delicious! A huge thanks to Cornucopia Main Street for their partnership – we are so lucky to have such amazing partners in the watershed! Want to get inspired before the 29th? Check out their Facebook (@cornucopiamainstreet) and Instagram (@cornucopia_main_street).

What Time Will Tell: Monitoring Over Time at Elijah Bristow State Park - Virtual Talk
2022-03-22 18:00 - 20:00 | OR
Ongoing monitoring is key to how we understand the habitats around us, it allows us to see change (both good and bad) and better understand how restoration might benefit an area. At Elijah Bristow State Park there has been significant research over many years that has helped experts understand how and where fish are utilizing the waterways in the park. Matthew Collver, Biologist with the Oregon Chub Monitoring Project, will join us to talk about this extensive research and what that tells us about fish populations there, including the very special Oregon chub.
Matthew Collver is a project biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Native Fish Investigations Program in the Oregon Chub Monitoring Project. He has worked for ODFW since 2013, filling a number of positions and gaining fisheries science experience throughout the state. He pursued this field of work because of his curiosity and love of all things outdoors. His professional interests include ecosystem ecology, fisheries management, and native fish conservation. His current position focuses on Oregon Chub research and recovery and allows him the opportunity to study and observe many other species using backwater and off-channel habitats in the Willamette River basin, including fish, amphibians, mammals, and aquatic vegetation. When not on the job he can often be found fishing, hunting, and recreating on the land and water he works to preserve and protect.
Registration is required for this event. A recording of the event, including closed captioning, will be shared with all those registered whether you attend or not. Please contact gale@middleforkwillamette.org with any questions.

Click Here to Register

Town Hall Meeting: The Future of Restoration at Elijah Bristow State park
2022-02-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Lowell State Recreation Area, 850 Shore Line Dr, Lowell, OR, 97452
Join us for a town hall meeting to learn more about habitat restoration at Elijah Bristow State Park and how you can get involved. Watershed council staff, State Park staff, and technical team experts will be available to answer questions about the planning process and will also share other opportunities to get more involved.
Light refreshments, warm drinks, and heaters will be available to make this event enjoyable for everyone. We are happy to work with folks to provide any additional accommodations for this event.
Please register here and send any additional questions or requests to contact@middleforkwillamette.org.

Eggs-to-Fry Fish Reselease
2021-12-10 13:00 - 14:30 | Clearwater Park, 2400 Clearwater Lane, Springfield, OR, 97478
Calling kids of all ages to help us release our Spring Chinook fry at Clearwater Park in Springfield! As part of the Eggs-to-Fry program we have been raising about 100 salmon in a tank at our office, and it’s now time to release them into the Middle Fork Willamette River. Join us anytime between 1:00 and 2:30pm at the Clearwater boat ramp to release a fry of your own. We will have all the tools you need to release them, but please wear boots or bring dry shoes as your feet may get a little wet making sure the fish are released where they need to be. Emma Garner, our Youth Education Coordinator, will be on hand to share info about the fish, their habitat, and what the rest of their journey will look like.

Wild and Scenic Film Festival
2021-11-16 | OR
A CELEBRATION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT!
For the third year in a row, we are joining with our partners at the Upper Willamette Stewardship Network to host the Wild and Scenic Film Festival. This festival tours the country inspiring environmental activism and a love for nature–through film. Each festival is unique, our selection of films were chosen by the Upper Willamette Stewardship Network to address issues important to our community. We will be holding a live virtual event again this year, so you can join us from the comfort of your living room. Your ticket purchase not only gets you “in” the night of the event, but you will also have access to the Wild and Scenic films for 5 days after!
We strive to inspire our community to enjoy and protect the wild and scenic places close to home. The stories give us a sense of place and help us to view the world through unique perspectives. Together we can learn what it means to be responsible stewards to the earth.
Tickets can be purchased at upperwillamette.org, we can’t wait to watch along with you!

Elijah Bristow Restoration Walking Tour
2021-10-26 16:00 - 17:30, 2021-10-23 10:30 - 12:00, 2021-09-28 17:00 - 18:30, 2021-09-25 10:30 - 12:00 | Elijah Bristow State Park, 38267 Wheeler Rd, Dexter, OR 97431, Dexter, OR, 97431
Join us and Oregon State Parks as we walk the River Trail and talk about the need for restoration at Elijah Bristow State Park. We will walk about a mile and a half and talk about human impacts on the park, where habitat is already healthy, and what restoration might look like on the ground. Our tour guides will be Ka-Voka Jackson, Restoration Projects Manager at the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council, and Sean Stewart, Park Ranger at Elijah Bristow State Park.
We will be walking on a level trail with some uneven surfaces for about a mile and a half. We are also offering accommodations via motorized vehicle if you are unable to walk this distance.
Registration is required and can be found here. We will be holding several tours over the course of September and October so we hope you can join us!
We ask that everyone who attends wears a mask as physical distancing will be difficult as we walk the trail. All Lane County public health recommendations will be followed.

Oakridge Great Willamette Cleanup
2021-10-17 09:00 - 12:00 | OR
Over the past 18 months, the Willamette River and many other places in our great outdoors have experienced record usage in terms of visitors and recreation. Unfortunately, this has lead to a lot of trash and debris left behind. Your river needs you more than ever!
Sign up and volunteer with us, the City of Oakridge, the Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative, and Willamette Riverkeeper on October 17th at Greenwaters Park for a land-based volunteer day. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing, pack along water, a face mask to be worn during check-in and when working in close proximity to others, work gloves if you have them, and sturdy close-toed shoes. We will provide trash bags, non-latex gloves, and trash pickers.
Please register online at https://bit.ly/GWCU21Oakridge. We hope to see you there!

Planning for Wildfire: How Land Managers are Working for a Resilient Watershed
2021-06-30 18:00 - 20:00 | OR
Join us for a panel discussion on how watershed land managers are working to make our landscape more fire resilient. We will be joined by a Natural Resource Planner at Willamalane, Molly Juillerat, District Ranger for the Middle Fork Ranger District, and Justin Patten, Fire Planning Forester at Oregon Department of Forestry. These experts will discuss how they are working for a fire resilient landscape, how these practices may have changed over the last several fire seasons, and what you can do to help make your own home more resilient to fire. We will also have plenty of time to answer your questions on the topic! Please RSVP to attend the event and receive a recording afterward.

Elijah Bristow Restoration Meet and Greet
2021-06-29 17:30 - 19:00 | Elijah Bristow State Park, 38267 Wheeler Rd, Dexter, OR 97431, Dexter, OR, 97431
Join the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council and Oregon State Parks to learn more about the need for restoration in the park, our partnership, and what we hope to achieve.
Come and meet staff from Oregon State Parks and the Watershed Council. From Oregon State Parks we will be joined by District Manager Sarah Steele, Park Manager John Mullen, and Park Ranger Sean Stewart. You will also have a chance to meet our new Executive Director Dov Weinman and Restoration Projects Manager Ka-Voka Jackson. They will be available to chat and answer questions about the park, restoration, and how you could get involved in the process.
Please RSVP for this event online here. The event will be at the Big Leaf Maple group picnic sight at the end of the entrance road to allow for adequate social distancing.

The History of Elijah Bristow State Park: From Pre-Colonization to today
2021-05-27 18:00 - 20:00 | OR
Join us for a virtual presentation on the history of Elijah Bristow State Park from pre-colonization till today. We will be joined by Tribal historian David Lewis and State Park Ranger Sean Stewart as they share how we got to now at the park. Registration online at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SEBCaQbkQzOHX9H8nVKWnA
David Lewis, is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, a descendant of the Santiam, Takelma, and Chinook people of Oregon. He has a PhD from the UO and teaches at OSU. He is a researcher, presenter, and writer of many histories of the tribes of the region, and many essays are collected on his blogsite ndnhistoryresearch.com. David lives in Salem with his wife Donna and sons Saghaley and Inatye.
Sean Stewart is an Oregon Park and Recreation District Park Ranger at Elijah Bristow State Park. Over his 15 years at the park he has worked tirelessly keeping things running and ecologically healthy.

City Nature Challenge 2021
2021-04-30 - 2021-05-03 | OR
Join us and organizations across the Upper Willamette in the City Nature Challenge. Observe and document the natural world in our backyards, on our sidewalks, and in our homes while contributing to research around the world.
The City Nature Challenge (CNC) is a community science bioblitz with the goal of observing and identifying as many species as possible in urban communities. Participants from more than 200 cities worldwide will contribute and so can you!
You may be wondering – what is a BioBlitz? ‘Bio’ means ‘life’ and ‘blitz’ means ‘to do something quickly and intensively’. Together they make ‘BioBlitz’, a collaborative race against the clock to discover as many species as possible, within a set location, over a defined time period. Plants, animals, fungi, it all counts! Even tracks and other evidence of a species can be recorded.
Find out the name of that mystery plant growing nearby with iNaturalist, a free and easy-to-use app and website with a community of experts helping you identify what you found. If you are in the Eugene/Springfield area and you make an observation on iNaturalist from April 30th-May 3rd, it will automatically contribute to our total. Want to learn how to use iNaturalist? Check out our how-to video!
Please follow all travel and social distancing guidelines as we bring technology and nature together. Discover the nature around you during the City Nature Challenge!

Favorite Plants of Western Cascade Butterflies with Tanya Harvey
2021-03-22 18:00 - 19:00 | OR
Join the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council and the North American Butterfly Association for a virtual talk by Tanya Harvey on native plants and butterflies.
Butterflies are very closely tied to plants, both for food for the caterpillars and nectar for adult butterflies. Many species have a limited number of host plants, sometimes only one, that they can feed on. To find these butterflies, it can be very helpful to know how to identify their host plants and favorite nectar flowers. Learn more about our native butterflies and plants or just enjoy the beautiful photographs!
Tanya Harvey is a graphic designer and artist who has been in love with plants and butterflies since she was a child. She maintains a website focused on the plants and butterflies of Oregon’s Western Cascades at https://westerncascades.com.
This event is free, register and receive your link to the talk here.
It is also time for our annual board elections. You are eligible to vote if you have attended any event or board meeting in the last six months. Please read the short bios and then vote online. They are not running against anyone but rather running for their individual seats. Please contact gale@middleforkwillamette.org with any questions!

Wild and Scenic Film Festival
2020-11-19 19:00 - 21:00 | OR
Join us along with our partners in the Upper Willamette Stewardship Network (UWSN) for an evening of short films showcasing our earth’s natural wonders and the amazing stories of those working in conservation, streamed virtually in HD to your home. The virtual waiting room opens at 6:30PM, the event begins at 7:00PM. Only one person per household needs to register. Proceeds from the 2020 Wild & Scenic Film Festival will be used for fire response and post-fire watershed restoration efforts in the Upper Willamette watershed. The UWSN is made up of the following conservation nonprofits working together and with communities to care for land and water in the Upper Willamette: Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council, Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council, Long Tom Watershed Council, McKenzie River Trust, Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah, and the McKenzie Watershed Council

Fermenting Ideas Pub Talk - David Lewis
2020-10-20 18:00 - 19:00 | OR
Join us for a virtual edition of our Fermenting Ideas pub talk with David Lewis to explore the Indigenous connection to the watershed. This talk will span millennia, first exploring the formation of the valley through both Missoula floods, Kalapuyan stewardship, and the effects that the removal of the Kalapuya’s stewardship have had on modern forest stewardship.
David Lewis, is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, a descendant of the Santiam, Takelma, and Chinook people of Oregon. He has a PhD from the UO and teaches at OSU. He is a researcher, presenter, and writer of many histories of the tribes of the region, and many essays are collected on his blogsite ndnhistoryresearch.com. David lives in Salem with his wife Donna and sons Saghaley and Inatye.
Register for the event here.

Great Willamette Cleanup - Oakridge
2020-10-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Oakridge Greenwaters Park, 48362 Highway 58, Oakridge, OR, 97463, United States
Your river needs you more than ever so join us in the Great Willamette Cleanup! Keeping volunteers and the community safe from the spread of COVID-19 is the number one concern this year. Therefore, rather than one day of fun, this year’s cleanup will be spread out throughout the month of October. We will be adhering to social distancing guidelines, wearing masks, and working in smaller groups in order to protect ourselves while we improve the Willamette River.
Join us and our friends at City of Oakridge and the Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative on October 10th at Greenwaters Park for a land-based volunteer day. Please bring water, face mask, hand sanitizer, and sturdy closed-toe shoes for safety against sharps and walking in uneven terrain. We will provide trash bags, non-latex gloves, trash pickers and masks for those without their own. Volunteers are required to wear masks and practice social distancing for the duration of the event. This clean up is limited to no more than 15 volunteer participants, please register to ensure your spot.

Great Willamette Cleanup - Springfield
2020-10-04 10:00 - 13:00 | Clearwater Park, 2400 Clearwater Lane, Springfield, OR, 97478
Your river needs you more than ever so join us in the Great Willamette Cleanup! Keeping volunteers and the community safe from the spread of COVID-19 is the number one concern this year. Therefore, rather than one day of fun, this year’s cleanup will be spread out throughout the month of October. We will be adhering to social distancing guidelines, wearing masks, and working in smaller groups in order to protect ourselves while we improve the Willamette River.
Join us and our friends at Oregon Wild on October 4th at Clearwater Park in Springfield for a land-based volunteer day. Please bring water, face mask, hand sanitizer, and sturdy closed-toe shoes for safety against sharps and walking in uneven terrain. We will provide trash bags, non-latex gloves, trash pickers and masks for those without their own. Volunteers are required to wear masks and practice social distancing for the duration of the event. This clean up is limited to no more than 15 volunteer participants, please register to ensure your spot.

Annual Celebration
2020-10-03 - 2020-10-08 | OR
Join us for a celebration of our watershed and all the amazing partners who help make our work possible. This year we will be gathering virtually with a library of activities to remotely explore the watershed, a live event where we can all come together, and a raffle thanks to our generous donors! Visit middleforkwillamette.org/celebration for the full information!

Discover Your Watershed - Bird Walk at Thurston Hills Natural Area
2020-05-30 09:00 - 13:00 | Thurston Hills Natural Area, 7575 Main St, Springfield, OR, 97478, United States
Join us for a morning out on the trails with John DeLuca, District Wildlife Biologist for the Bureau of Land Management and birding enthusiast, as we look for native birds at Thurston Hills Natural Area. John will help identify birds spotted on the tour and share other species you might expect to see throughout the year. He will also discuss how our recent oak restoration project with Willamalane helped to increase habitat for birds and what we might expect to see at Thurston Hills going forward. Project managers from the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council and Willamalane will be present to share how we planned and implemented this restoration project.

Birding in the Middle Fork - Postponed
2020-05-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Hilltop Bar & Grill, 35831 OR-58 #2, Pleasant Hill, OR, 97455
We are working on making this a digital event. Stay tuned for more information!
Do you find yourself wondering about the birds you see when out exploring your watershed? Join us and John DeLuca, District Wildlife Biologist for the Northwest Oregon District of the Bureau of Land Management, for an evening learning about the identification and ecology of birds in our watershed. Bring your questions and pictures to discuss with John as he shares his passion for birding in the Willamette Valley.

Postponed - Love Your Middle Fork Day at Elijah Bristow State Park
2020-04-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Elijah Bristow State Park, 38267 Wheeler Rd, Dexter, OR 97431, Dexter, OR, 97431
In compliance with Governor Kate Brown’s executive orders and in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, Oregon State Parks have temporarily shut down all Oregon State Parks and related services until May 8th. In accordance we have postponed our Love your Middle Fork Day until further notice. Please stay tuned for a new date to show our watershed some love later this summer. Thanks for you understanding.
Join us and Oregon State Parks for a day of community volunteering at Elijah Bristow State Park and show your love for the Middle Fork. This event is part of an ongoing volunteer effort in the park to help foster the growth of native oak trees and restore our backyard!
After a morning of hard work we will gather back at our office for a potluck celebrating our wonderful community. Please feel free to bring a bite to share with our watershed community, or simply join us to learn more about us and our work.
Registration is requested for this event, please click here to register. Please contact Gale Darling at 458-215-8200 or gale@middleforkwillamette.org with any questions.
Please note:

This event will be happening rain or shine so please dress appropriately. We recommend rubber boots if possible, but any waterproof footwear will work. We also have some rubber boots that we can lend out if you need.
We will be gathering at our office for warm drinks and introductions before heading out to the park and then will return to the office for our potluck.
All tools and gloves will be provided.
