No Watershed Group Presentations in November and December
There are no Watershed Group presentations in November and December for our annual break. Our next presentation will be in January. Join our newsletter mailing list for more information.
Recording – Mt. Hood Fire History Study
View a recording of the Mt. Hood Fire History Study presentation here.
Dr. Andrew Merschel, Dendroecologist with the USFS PNW Research Station and Oregon State University, presents on his recent research conducted on the Hood River and Barlow Ranger Districts. The results of the study provide new information about the historical role of fire in shaping the structure, composition, and ecological functions of local forest ecosystems.
Watershed Group Annual Celebration – November 9th, 6-9pm, at The Ruins
Please join us for our Annual Watershed Group Celebration on November 9th,
from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at The Ruins in downtown Hood River.
from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at The Ruins in downtown Hood River.
Every year we gather as a community to celebrate the Hood River Watershed and our accomplishments over the past year. Our 2023 Celebration will feature short films and presentations showcasing recent projects. The evening will include several raffle opportunities, including a chance to win a very exciting grand prize!
Patricia Robles will be serving her famous tacos, and dessert will follow. The Ruins will be providing beer and wine for purchase (non-alcoholic beverages available for free).
$45 tickets include dinner, dessert, & one $5 raffle ticket.
Recording – Environmental Justice & River Restoration Presentation
Watch a recording of Dr. Leslie King’s presentation on Environmental Justice & River Restoration.
Dr. Leslie King is a medical doctor with environmental training — a combination she uses in service as a Commissioner for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. She is also an adjunct professor at Portland State University teaching environmental justice. For the Watershed Group presentation, Dr. Leslie King shares a shortened version of a lecture on environmental justice and river restoration, touching on the inequalities of many environmental improvement projects. By examining past projects through an environmental justice lens, we can gain a deeper understanding and knowledge, leading to more informed and equitable future choices.
Recording – Pesticide Stewardship Presentation
Watch a recording of our Pesticide Stewardship Presentation.
Three speakers present on pesticide stewardship in the Hood River Watershed, including long-term watershed monitoring results, improving pesticide application practices, and integrated pest management efforts. David Gruen, the Columbia River Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), provides an overview of DEQ’s Pesticide Stewardship Program and monitoring results in the Hood River Watershed. Kris Schaedel, Conservation Specialist with the Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District, shares information on their training programs for orchardists and farm workers. Chris Adams, assistant professor and tree fruit entomologist with the Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, talks about integrated pest management work with local orchardists.
Recruitment Announcement for Seasonal Monitoring & Watershed Assistant
The Watershed Group is seeking interested applicants for a Seasonal Monitoring & Watershed Assistant position. This will be a paid, seasonal position between approximately June 19th and September 15, 2023. Applications are due by Sunday, May 28th. Send application materials electronically to Cindy Thieman, cindy@hoodriverwatershed.org. Find the full position description here.
Recording – Freshwater Mussels Presentation
Emilie Blevins, Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist and Freshwater Mussel Lead with the Xerces Society, presents on the biology, ecology, and presence of Oregon’s native freshwater mussel species in the Hood River and surrounding watersheds. She also shares information about regional conservation efforts to protect and restore freshwater mussel populations in the western U.S.
Recording – Bull Trout Presentation
Lindsay Powell, Assistant District Fish Biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Mid-Columbia District, presents on an on-going bull trout population monitoring project in Laurance Lake tributaries, Clear Branch and Pinnacle Creek. Lindsay reviews bull trout life history, distribution, and abundance within the Hood River Watershed and will provide an update on current work to evaluate population abundance utilizing underwater video weir technology.
Recording: Oregon Forest Practices Act
Rebecca McCoun, Riparian & Aquatic Specialist with the Oregon Department of Forestry Monitoring Unit, presents on the recently passed Forest Practices Act rules that came out of the Private Forest Accord report and legislation. Rebecca provides an overview on the Private Forest Accord Report, draft Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan, and the resulting new and revised Forest Practice Act rules that will further protect Oregon’s aquatic resources. She also highlights the development of the Small Forestland Office and the new programs and resources available to small landowners.
Recording: Update on Lower Columbia River & Hood River Salmon and Steelhead Population Levels from ODFW’s 12-year Recovery Plan Assessment
Jim Brick, Implementation Coordinator of the Lower Columbia River Salmon & Steelhead Recovery Plan at Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, provides a brief background on the Lower Columbia River Conservation and Recovery Plan for Salmon and Steelhead Populations, including how recovery is evaluated through population abundance measurements, and progress in conservation and restoration actions. The talk includes an overview of how spring Chinook, winter and summer steelhead, and coho populations are doing across the lower Columbia, and specifically in the Hood River Watershed.