Columbia Slough Award Winners honored at 13th Annual Celebration

The Columbia Slough Watershed Council gave out five Slough Awards at the gala. Hillary Wilton, Shannah Anderson, Deb Lev, Leif Anderson, Megan Hanson, Alan Hipolito & daughter Isabela, Ricardo Moreno, Nestor Campos, David Kennedy, Jamie Stamberger, and Jane Van Dyke.

Portland, February 10th. The Columbia Slough Watershed Council handed out five “Slough Awards” at its annual gala. Honorees included: Hillary Wilton, Shannah Anderson, Deb Lev, Leif Anderson, Megan Hanson, Alan Hipolito & daughter Isabela, Ricardo Moreno, Nestor Campos, David Kennedy, Jamie Stamberger, and Jane Van Dyke. (Photo credit, Kenny MacDonald)

City Commissioner Amanda Fritz and Wilkes East Neighborhood Association member Alice Blatt chat before the program.

The 200 attendees enjoyed a silent auction, fine wines and beers, humorous videos, and live music by the Andre St James Trio. The event raised $23,000. All proceeds support the Columbia Slough Watershed Council’s work improving the health of the Columbia Slough waterway in Portland, Fairview, and Gresham.

Mary Pat Porter, David Porter (General Manager of Aloft Portland Airport at Cascade Station, event sponsor), Susan Barthel, and Stuart Ticknor take advantage of the photo station at the end of the evening.

Award video editor and photographer Kenny MacDonald of Recorded History, event coordinator Melissa Sandoz, and volunteer Kathy Balogh pause for a quick photo before running back to work.

Emcee Inessa Anderson of KINK FM talked about the important work of the nonprofit

From the Columbia Slough Watershed Council:

The Columbia Slough Watershed Council is a diverse group of neighbors, property owners, businesses, environmental groups, recreation advocates, and government agencies who work to restore and enhance the 60 miles of waterways, wetlands, and slow moving channels known as the Columbia Slough.

The nonprofit plants native plants in the watershed and encourages residential and business land owners to restore watershed health by planting native plants on their own property. The Columbia Slough Watershed Council offers classes and workshops year round including Slough 101, Wetlands 101 and Ground Water 101. Other educational events include Canoe the Slough trips, the Annual Columbia Slough Regatta, and Soup on the Slough.

The organization provides a monthly forum for our more than 40 different interest groups. We believe that it is through these partnerships that we can make the best decisions for the future of the watershed. The Columbia Slough Watershed Council works to find common ground in land use, restoration and enhancement projects as it advocates for the environmental and economic health of the watershed.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.