North Umpqua Summer Steelhead Hatchery Program Update
By Ken Carloni
Those of you who are following Umpqua Watersheds’ reports and recent newspaper articles may be concerned about the status of the North Umpqua summer steelhead hatchery program. UW has been working with a coalition of conservation organizations including the Native Fish Society, the Steamboaters, the North Umpqua Foundation, the Conservation Angler, Pacific [...]
Education and Diversity Committees
Do you want to be part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or Education Committees? We are currently having a combined meeting on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm PT.
Are you passionate about getting kids into nature?
Many of you may remember the innovative new program, Kids for Nature, that was [...]
Presidents Corner
By Janice Reid
We have many things going on at Umpqua Watersheds. Members of our committees continue to keep abreast of issues on public lands and waterways and provide public comment on these. Community engagement is strong through our environmental education and outreach programs. We are also changing, growing, and adapting. Our volunteer Executive Director, [...]
Wilderness Committee Update
Robbin Schindele
Spring, a time of rejuvenation and renewal, is here and almost over. In a few weeks, it will be Summer, a time of fun and recreation. I’d like to begin this article with a shout-out to some Wilderness Committee members.
First, to Bob Hoehne for the fine wilderness update presentation he gave at [...]
An AmeriCorps Farewell
As we move into summer, the school year ends and my role in local science classrooms draws to a close. It was a great year full of fun activities including water quality labs, animal tracks, owl pellet dissections, art projects, and more. The fun, however, does not end with Spring! This June brings Kids for [...]
Archie Creek Fire Danger Tree challenge to the Umpqua National Forest
In the aftermath of the 2020 Archie Creek Fire, the Umpqua National Forest issued a decision to clearcut post-fire forest along 65 miles of roads above the North Umpqua River under the guise of safety. The Forest Service had exempted the logging from any environmental review, arguing that this logging was just routine road maintenance. [...]
Umpqua Watersheds Annual Banquet
New Climate Change Page
UW IS PROUD TO PRESENT TWO AWESOME NEW FEATURES!
Check out the new Climate Change page on the UW website…
It contains lots of great information about the ins and outs of the climate crisis, how it affects us here in the PNW, and how we can mitigate against it. Includes links to other credible [...]
KQUA has a new Android App!
Download it now from the Google Play Store
Don’t despair iPhone fans…an Apple app is coming soon!
Remembering Larry Flanagan
LARRY’S STORY
Umpqua Watersheds lost a dear friend recently. Larry Flanagan, known and loved by many in the greater Roseburg and environmental community, has died. Larry was a Watersheds board member in 1998 and 1999. Every organization could use a psychologist and peacemaker on their board. For us he was also a sage, councilor and a stand-up [...]
CONSERVATION COMMITTEE UPDATE
Our Conservation Committee has a great deal to report since our last newsletter, but I want to first share some personal news.
July to December of last year was a very difficult time for me. Along with the ongoing pandemic, life presented many personal challenges that distracted me from the work I love. As [...]
AMERICORPS UPDATE
It’s been almost four months since I joined the United Communities AmeriCorps and Umpqua Watersheds teams as an Environmental Education and Outreach Leader. In this time, I’ve had the delight of being introduced to all sorts of fun and important indoor and outdoor activities, such as helping to host 99.7 KQUA [...]
OUTREACH UPDATE
In 2020 and 2021 we had to cancel most of our in-person events because of the pandemic. We had several virtual events, including our banquet both years, and I am very proud of our staff and volunteers for pulling those off and for the support it generated from our members. We are very excited that [...]
THE FATE OF NORTH UMPQUA SUMMER STEELHEAD: The Problem and the Solution
In 2021, 347 summer steelhead crossed the Winchester Dam to head up to their ancestral spawning streams in the upper reaches of the North Umpqua River. When settlers first arrived, a man could catch a wagon load with a net in one morning. Even when accurate counts began in 1948, after decades of habitat loss [...]
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
I recall on social media that progressives were being referred to as “snowflakes.” I am not sure where the term originated. However, judging by who was using it and knowing that it was meant as an insult, I believe it means people who melt under pressure or heat. Well, it also has another meaning, and [...]
Teaching Teachers and Connecting Kids with the Environment
Last year, we held our first training event for local educators, which we called “Learning in the Umpqua Watershed: Engaging K-12 Students through Nature Connections & STEAM Activities.” This is now an annual event, and this year it will take place over three days (April 13th – 15th), allowing us to focus our attention on [...]
Tell President Biden – U.S. Climate Strategy Must Protect Forests
Our mature and old-growth are some of our most powerful climate solutions. But these forests are still being logged when they should be set aside for carbon storage, wildlife habitat, and clean water.
We need the Biden administration to understand that forest defense is climate defense!
When we protect our older forests [...]
Umpqua Valley Audubon seeks AmeriCorps applicants
Do you want to spend your days “connecting people with nature to inspire protection of our natural world” while serving as our Outreach Coordinator with Umpqua Valley Audubon Society (UVAS) in Roseburg, Oregon? UVAS is expanding our conservation outreach and education programs using local and migratory bird species as a focus. You will [...]
Discovery of process to create clean hydrogen
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3 Ways 2021 can be called a win for energy policy
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