Executive Director Update Winter 2020
by….Kasey Hovik
For many of us, 2020 started with such high hopes. Just the thought of starting a new decade is always exciting, as we imagine what will happen in the next ten years. None of us imagined that the first year of the 2020 decade would include a global pandemic. In our country alone, [...]
Grateful & Hopeful
As we transition from the season of thanks-giving to the season of hope, I find myself reflecting on all of the things that I have to give thanks for, and the reasons I have to be hopeful. This year has pushed us to our limits in so many ways, and by doing so, it has [...]
America Recycles Day is Next Sunday!
At the school where I used to teach, many of the students that I taught – and families that I worked with – didn’t recycle. I think many saw it as a status thing; to them, reducing and reusing was for people who didn’t have enough money to buy more, buy new, buy whatever they [...]
Bat Week
October 24th-31st is known as “Bat Week”. As we gear up for Halloween, I wanted to share a few facts about one “spooky” species – bats.
According to Oregon’s Department of Fish & Wildlife, Oregon is home to 15 different species of bats, all of which eat insects. There are a lot of misconceptions [...]
What a Wonderful Day for a Hike
On Saturday, I got my first real taste of Oregon wilderness. Umpqua Watersheds led a hike to Rogue River/Natural Bridge, and we enjoyed an abundance of natural beauty at every turn. I began learning the names of some of the native flora, and enjoyed seeing the diverse array of trees and other plants all around [...]
Flavors of Autumn
There are so many ways to live lightly on the earth. Each year when fall comes around, I’m eager to partake in one of them – locally grown fruits and vegetables. You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to enjoy a meatless recipe. There’s an abundance of non-meat recipes, from hearty soups to salads [...]
New Opportunities to Get Involved
We are excited to announce that we have new opportunities for you and your family to get involved with Umpqua Watersheds! Starting this month, we will be hosting two book clubs and a contest!
Book Clubs
- For the youngest readers, check out our Little Leaves page to find books and art projects that match [...]
Serving a Watershed-Based Organization: Why Natural Boundaries Matter
Published September 28th, 2020This is my second term of AmeriCorps and the second term in which my host site is focused at the watershed level. Last year, people often expressed confusion about what a watershed is, and why an organization would establish themselves based on such a region. Put simply, a “watershed” is all of the land area [...]
The Importance of Peace
Published September 21st, 2020Typically, my Home Explorer activities will primarily focus on scientific or environmental exploration, so why did I choose to have the most recent set of activities relate to interconnectedness and peace? Today, September 21st, is the International Day of Peace, and this year, it is falling at a time in most people’s lives that feels [...]
From one AmeriCorps to the Next…
Published September 15th, 2020
My last day as Umpqua Watershed’s AmeriCorps was on July 31st, 2020. While we couldn’t have a big goodbye party, or attend Twin Lakes Campout or River Appreciation Day, I still had a lot to celebrate. Today’s article is my service’s highlight-reel, a chance to demonstrate the opportunities my [...]
