You are invited to join the Oregon Invasive Species Council on Wednesday, July 16th, at Willamette Mission State Park (9:30 am - noon) on a field tour celebrating Mid-Willamette aquatic weed partnerships and other aquatic invasive species activities. This event will highlight the critical work being done along the mid-Willamette River to prevent and manage invasive aquatic species and identify future challenges. The tour will showcase three Oregon Lottery-funded grant projects, providing participants with a firsthand look at key projects and partnerships along the Willamette River. These projects, undertaken by the Benton County Soil and Water Conservation District, the Yamhill County Soil and Water Conservation District, and Willamette Riverkeeper, address aquatic weeds and their adverse effects on water quality and water users, encompassing a range of stakeholders from irrigators to recreational users. 

Lottery-funded grants bring together government agencies, non-profits, and volunteers to keep the Willamette open, accessible, and healthy.

Without public-private partnerships, outreach efforts, and the involvement of concerned Oregonians, invasive weeds can rapidly overwhelm the many uses of the Willamette River.  Participants will receive an overview of how invasive species management plays a crucial role in protecting investments in the Willamette Valley and will learn about the importance of coalition building across multiple jurisdictions for successful invasive species prevention, planning, and capacity building, what is at risk if these efforts aren’t undertaken, and the successes and challenges facing invasive species management in the mid-Willamette. Participants will have the unique opportunity to hear from and interact with experts in the field as well as with entities whose investments, livelihoods, and culture are impacted or threatened by invasive species.

The target audience for this event includes members of local media organizations, elected officials, municipal managers, other key decision-makers, local stakeholders, and water users. The field tour will feature brief presentations of ongoing projects and prevention efforts along the route, including a walking tour of invasive aquatic weed efforts in Willamette Mission State Park, as well as a question-and-answer session with project leaders and state agencies involved in invasive species management.

Pre-registration for the event is available here: https://airtable.com/appyid24cLE8SwT82/pagum5fB9gI7DYQLh/form