WINTER 2019 Wetlands VOLUME 11 ISSUE 2 transitions reflections Angela Calabrese CELEBRATIONS Angie Windhelm Angie THE STATE OF WETLANDS Wetlands were in the news this year—they headlined the UN’s biodiver- GLOBAL Recent protests by millions sity report, will be impacted by deregulation of The Waters of the United of youth worldwide participating in the Global Climate Strike remind us of the urgent need States, and found themselves at the center of three different bills in the for action. Timed to coincide with the United Oregon legislature. While the news was rarely good, what we see is the Nations Climate Action Summit in September, fight for wetlands gaining both voice and power from new organizations, protests echo the concern and warning of UN climate scientists. Oregon Representatives and community members. It is not uncommon now to hear wetlands showcased as a climate change solution. They have risen to the top of the list for their ability to sequester carbon and protect communities, shorelines, and wildlife as the ecosystems slowly morph. As we reflect on the year, it is abundantly clear that there is much work to do, and we hope you will join us. 2 Angie Windhelm Angie Joe Bettis From the global level to the local level, com- Loss of wetlands munities and politicians are grappling with the impact of climate change and possible solutions. is currently three 2019 has been a sobering year, with the release times faster, in of the United Nations’ first global biodiversity assessment since 2005. The report, put together percentage terms, by scientists across the globe, found over one than forest loss. million species are threatened with extinction, in large part because 85% of the world’s wetlands have been lost to human development and 75% of the world’s freshwater is impacted Biodiversity and by agriculture. However, “The Report also tells us that it is nature’s contribu- not too late to make a difference, but only if we start now at every level from local to global. tions to people Through ‘transformative change’, nature can still are our common be conserved, restored and used sustainably – this is also key to meeting most other global OREGON In the most recent legisla- heritage and goals.” – report Chair, Sir Robert Watson. tive session, Oregon saw the passage of HB2437. humanity’s This bill rolls back progress towards the protec- tion of Oregon’s wetlands and puts intermittent most important UNITED STATES In Sep- streams across the landscape at risk. While the tember the EPA repealed Obama era regulations bill was characterized as an ag-ditch cleaning life-supporting by redefining, the “Waters of the United States,” bill, in reality, it allows farmers to clean all inter- ‘safety net.’ threatening wetlands across the USA. Under mittent waterways of up to 3,000 cubic yards of the EPA’s proposal, only wetlands adjacent to material. The material can be placed on carbon- a major body of water, or ones connected to a sequestering wetlands for up to a year without major waterway by surface water will be federally a permit or giving public notice (WaterWatch). protected. This repeal will allow polluters to discharge Michael Wilhelm potentially harmful substances into streams and wetlands without a permit, further endanger- ing wetlands that play a critical role in cleaning and recharging our water supply and mitigating the effects of climate change. Though wetlands account for only 3% of the Earth’s surface, they sequester 30% of all soil carbon. Here in North America, we have 37% of the planet’s wetlands, and preservation of them can significantly re- duce the increase of greenhouse gases. 3 HONORING TRANSITIONS AND LEGACIES Together, we have inspired and motivated thousands of people to care for and appreciate Oregon’s wetlands. We have a lot to celebrate!! We have “done this through grassroots steward- ship, bridge building, research, land conservation and protection, education and advocacy. The role that wetland ecosystems can play in mitigating climate change and improving ecosystem resiliency cannot be overstated. Our voices are needed more than ever and louder than ever. Our Loyal Friends and Together, we can raise our voices in Supporters Come action and serve as a national model Together to Celebrate for preservation, community building, We recently held an event to appreciate our longtime supporters, and celebrate Executive education, and science. Director Esther Lev’s tenure and legacy. Former board members, donors and staff enjoyed We will continue to build our commu- connecting with one another while gazing out “ nity of people who love and appreciate at the newly restored Clackamas Community College Environmental Learning Center wetlands. wetlands. More of Oregon’s greatest Photos: upper, Samantha Lev shared her heartfelt appreciation for the Sharka; lower, Jesse Velarde work we have accomplished during her wetlands will be conserved in perpetu- 20-plus year tenure. We are thrilled to celebrate our friends who have shown continued commit- ity. TWC will build upon and strengthen ment to TWC and helped us acquire and steward our highly successful community thousands of acres of wetlands over the years. We look forward to gathering more friends and science and education programs. supporters next year! – From Esther Lev’s comments at the TWC appreciation event 4 HONORING TRANSITIONS AND LEGACIES DID YOU KNOW Bequest to TWC Continues THAT TWC ACCEPTS Life-Long Passion for Wetlands DONATIONS OF STOCK OR FROM YOUR IRA? Liz and Dr. Robert Frenkel were often referred to as the power couple for wetlands in Oregon. Liz tapped into the expertise of her husband It’s easy to make a and his many graduate students at OSU who conducted research on gift of stock to TWC— salt marsh restoration at Oregon’s Salmon River Estuary to inform her and the benefits to analysis of policy and legislation. Liz thrived on doing policy work you are big! A gift of and protecting our precious wetlands in the political sphere. In life, through research, passion for appreciated stock wetlands, water, the outdoors and advocacy Bob and Liz helped build a strong foundation for the allows you to make conservation of Oregon’s wetlands. a larger contribution Liz passed away in March of this year. Her life long passion for wetland preservation will be than a cash dona- sustained through a bequest that she left for The Wetlands Conservancy. This legacy gift will help us build our grassroots activism, expand tion; it also helps our community-based stewardship, you save on taxes. and increase our research, education For more information and conservation programs. Through and to set this up, Liz’s leadership and generosity, more please contact Patty of Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands will be Lyons: pattylyons@ protected in perpetuity. For this we are wetlandsconser- incredibly grateful. vancy.org Jim Rapp GIVE FROM YOUR IRA You can make TWC a beneficiary of your retirement plan. For more information on We Welcome New Partners how to make gifts This fall, the Wisdom of the Elders workforce development program from your IRA, please will be bringing some much needed care/enhancement to our Mint- talk with your tax horn Springs Preserve. Wisdom of the Elders is a Portland non-profit dedicated to preserving traditional cultural values, oral history, prophesy from indigenous consultant and elders in order to regenerate the greatness of culture among today’s and future generations contact Patty Lyons: of native peoples. Our partnership will be focused on building native plant populations and pattylyons@wetland- controlling invasive species while developing Traditional Ecological Knowledge for both TWC sconservancy.org and Wisdom of the Elders program participants. “We are delighted to be joining the Wetlands Conservancy in the necessary and fulfilling work of conservation and stewardship of our natural resources. Our partnership is in direct alignment to our shared mission and vision” states Teresa Montana, Executive Director of Wisdom of the Elders. We are excited to grow this partnership in the coming year to expand to more preserves and educational programs. 5 Gaining a New Perspective Canoeing up Catching Slough So often we look out at water, as it ebbs and Association, says, “paddling up Catching Slough flows, meanders and floods. It is rare that as was poignant, after driving alongside the slough guests to estuaries, creeks and rivers we can thousands of times on our way to Matson, for the Matson Creek be in them, feeling the change of the water and first time the students were in the water, look- Preserve looking back at the land. Nine students in the ing out. We didn’t make it into Matson because LOCATION Coos Watershed Association Community Stew- the current was too strong, but being in Catch- Coos County ardship Corps got to kick-off their school year ing Slough was great.” The group also visited with a 3-day canoe trip, in the water they had TOTAL ACRES the University of Oregon’s Charleston Marine been looking at for years. 165 Life Center, learned about salmon and rivers, Our Matson Creek Preserve, near Coos Bay, TWC ACQUIRED and built their knowledge of local history from has become the hub and home for the Coos 2001 the Coquille Indian Tribe and the Confederated Watershed Association Community Steward- Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw In partnership with ship Corps programs. During the school year, Indians. students from the alternative high school spend Coos Watershed “It was a lot of fun, and really rewarding to days tending native plants in the nursery, watch our students push their individual limits Association and building rain gardens in town and learning the while learning and growing as a team over the best use of native plants for landscaping.