OLWC and Tryon Creek Watershed Council’s partnership to expand watershed council coverage to uncovered areas from Wilsonville to Forest Park, the West Willamette Watersheds (W3) Collaboration, continues to grow! We’re connecting with community members, partner organizations, and watershed advocates to shape the future of watershed stewardship across the region. Spanning tributaries of the Willamette River from Wilsonville to Forest Park, W3 is focused on building stronger connections between communities, science-based watershed planning, and long-term ecological resilience.
Over the past several months, the W3 team has been engaging in conversations with community members, exploring new ideas, and building relationships across the region. As this work continues to evolve, community input remains central to shaping what W3 will become.
This summer, the collaboration is placing a strong emphasis on community input and engagement as it works to define priorities and guide future efforts. Community members are invited to help shape the direction of W3 through new volunteer opportunities, public information sessions, and emerging working committees. Read on below for more information and how to get involved.
New W3 Working Committees: Sign up!
For those who have been wondering how to get more involved, this is your opportunity to jump in and help shape the future of W3. As part of this next phase, W3 is launching two new working committees designed to expand community participation and strengthen watershed planning efforts.
Community-Building Working Committee
The Community-Building Working Committee will focus on increasing public awareness, strengthening relationships across communities within the W3 geography, and helping residents find meaningful ways to get involved. The group will support outreach efforts, community conversations, public engagement, and relationship-building throughout the watershed.
This committee is especially focused on helping W3 connect with communities across the region, increasing awareness about watershed issues, and creating opportunities for more people to participate in stewardship and restoration efforts.
Community members with interests or experience in event planning, communications, public outreach, writing, graphic design, data management, website support, public speaking, media, or community organizing are encouraged to participate. The committee is expected to meet approximately twice monthly, primarily over Zoom with occasional in-person gatherings.
Watershed Planning Working Committee
The Watershed Planning Working Committee will bring together community members, scientists, technical experts, and restoration practitioners to help guide science-based watershed planning efforts across the W3 region.
This group will work to identify data gaps, support watershed assessment efforts, and help develop long-term planning guidance that informs future restoration and conservation work. Community priorities and local knowledge will play an important role alongside technical and scientific expertise. The committee is expected to meet monthly, primarily over Zoom with occasional in-person meetings.
As W3 grows, this work will help establish the scientific and community-informed foundation needed to guide future restoration priorities throughout the watershed.
May: Wed 27th, 5-7pm; Thurs 28th, 11-12, 2-3pm; Fri 29th, 12-3pm
June: Mon 1st, 2-7pm; Tues 2nd, 3-5pm.
Community Input and Public Engagement
Throughout the summer, W3 will continue gathering community feedback to ensure future watershed work reflects the needs and priorities of the communities it serves. The collaboration is working to expand watershed engagement into areas that historically have had limited watershed council representation while building connections across the broader geography. W3 is also partnering with the The Intertwine Alliance to host a community input session aimed at connecting with residents and voices not yet fully represented in watershed conversations.
Building stronger relationships across communities is a major focus for W3 this year, and the collaboration is actively looking for ways to connect with people who may not have previously participated in watershed-related work.
Monthly Community Information Sessions
To help community members stay informed and connected, W3 is launching monthly community information sessions open to everyone. These sessions are intended both for individuals new to the collaboration and longtime supporters interested in updates and opportunities for involvement.
Whether you are just learning about W3 or have been following the collaboration from the beginning, these sessions are designed to provide a welcoming space to ask questions, hear updates, and learn about ways to participate.
Upcoming dates: June 3rd, 1-2; July 1st, 1:30-2:30; August 5th, 1:30-2:30
Additional Emerging Groups
Additional groups currently being developed include a Development Committee focused on fundraising and grant support, as well as an Academic Workgroup designed to strengthen partnerships with colleges and universities throughout the W3 geography.
Current academic collaborations already include partnerships with:
- Lewis & Clark College
- Portland State University
- Portland Community College Sylvania
These partnerships help expand watershed education opportunities, strengthen research and restoration capacity, and provide students with hands-on career-building experiences.
Moving Forward Together
The W3 Collaboration continues to grow through the energy, expertise, and commitment of community members across the region. By combining community knowledge, scientific planning, and collaborative stewardship, W3 aims to strengthen watershed health and resilience for generations to come.
The W3 team has shared that they are energized by the many conversations, ideas, and connections emerging through this work and are excited to continue building momentum alongside community members throughout the region.
Community members interested in learning more or getting involved are encouraged to connect with the W3 team and participate in upcoming meetings and events. Feel free to reach out to Ruth Howell at ruth@westwillamettewc.org.