reĀ·silĀ·ience
1. The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties
Resilience is Key to a Healthy Tualatin Watershed
Climate change, drought, wildfires, landslides, urban growth - these are just a few of the challenges facing our ecosystem now and in the future.
We don't know what the long-term impacts of these disturbances on the Tualatin River and watershed will be. What we do know is that we have a responsibility to do everything we can to ensure that these changes have as minimal an impact as possible on the Tualatin.
Tualatin Riverkeepers is Working to Help Make the Tualatin a Resilient, Healthier River
We partner with other groups and work with local governments and agencies to promote policies for a healthy Tualatin ecosystem. Some of the areas of our work include:
Urban Growth Management
Cooper Mountain's Urban Growth Boundary project is currently being planned, surrounding the Cooper Mountain Nature Park. We are working with local residents who would like to see environmental protection prioritized in this planning. We are also helping advocate for an expansion of the park and coordinating with local governments regarding land acquisition for this. Find out more here.
Forest Management
The Oregon Department of Forestry's proposed Tillamook Habitat Conservation Plan will govern forest management in the home to the headwaters of the Tualatin
The health of the Tillamook Forest is crucial because the Tualatin River provides drinking water to more than half a million people. Additionally, the wester Oregon state forests provide critical habitat for several federally-protected species.
Tualatin Riverkeepers is working with partner organizations to support a Habitat Conservation Plan that is science-based and conservation-focused.
Community Education
Pint-Sized Science is our popular speaker series focusing on innovative science and natural climate solutions being used in Washington County to improve watershed health.
Paddling events like our Weed Watchers Paddle with the Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District are a fun way to learn how to identify native versus invasive plants and animals, and best practices on how to control them.
Dam Removal and Minimizing Impact on Native Fisheries
The process of removing the Balm Grove Dam has begun this summer. This will allow fish such as lamprey to once again migrate upstream from the Dam. Our advocacy team is pushing for the area to once again be a public access site to the river.
Public Funding for Parks Improvements
The Tualatin Parks Bond Measure will be on the November ballot and is an opportunity to fund a new river access site, new trail connections, improvements to existing parks, and protecting new natural areas. You can find more information from the City of Tualatin here.
The River Runners is a volunteer group at Tualatin Riverkeepers who are our eyes on the river. They gather information on current threats to the health of the Tualatin, including potential invasive species, agricultural runoff, pollution, and erosion concerns. If you are interested in becoming a River Runner volunteer, please reach out to victoria@tualatinriverkeepers.org.
Learning Resources
What are the benefits of trees in watersheds? How can this be quantified? This link will take you to the Treekeepers' website with specific information on the benefits of trees.
What are the benefits of wetlands? Click this link to learn what benefits wetlands provide.
About 35% of the Tualatin basin is made up of agricultural land. The management of agricultural runoff and waste is important to keeping the waters clean. See this link for management suggestions on mud, manure, and pastures.
Invasive plant species can crowd out natives and remove vital habitat for other organisms. Plant native species to encourage a healthy ecosystem.
Yards and gardens can be utilized to grow healthy food, create a cooling effect, and cultivate healthy soils. A pesticide-free yard is key to protecting wetlands, streams and rivers. Find out ways to manage pests without pesticides.
Pesticides contain dangerous chemicals that are not only environmentally harmful but can also cause health issues for humans. This link will provide more information on what to do if you are exposed to pesticides and become sick.
A few salmonid species live in the Tualatin Watershed, including Coho and Steelhead. The Department of State Lands has an essential habitat map for salmonids that shows the salmonid species that occupy waterways across the country. Zoom in on the area West of Portland and look at what type of species are found here.