Upper Willamette Riverkeeper details restoration work, volunteer programs and safety efforts

Michelle Emmons, co-director of Upper Willamette Riverkeeper, walked attendees through the group's advocacy, education and restoration efforts along the Willamette River, saying the organization connects volunteers with monitoring and cleanup work and partners with cities and counties on projects. "We engage people in three different areas: advocacy, education and restoration," Emmons said, noting a recent 187-mile river trip and partnerships from headwaters to Portland.

Emmons gave program specifics and numbers: Riverkeeper engaged more than 700 volunteers and recorded roughly 2,807 volunteer hours last year; volunteers removed about 27.2 tons of trash and completed mussel and invasive-plant monitoring. She described large projects including a $3,200,000 investment at Willamette Mission and a feasibility study for Millrace Dam removal, and emphasized safety: "We're seeing an uptick in rescues — 40 people last year," she said, and Riverkeeper runs learn-to-paddle classes and works with Oregon State Parks and the Marine Board on a Willamette Water Trail. Emmons asked for community participation in events such as Trashy Tuesdays and other volunteer opportunities.