The Clackamas River Basin Council is pleased to present:

About the Conference:

On March 9, 2021 the Clackamas River Basin Council launched a year-long series of free seminars about our unique watershed and its natural resources, from the river’s birth in alpine springs to its confluence with the Willamette River.

Subjects range from geology, water quality and forestry to fish, recreational, cultural and public policy issues. The series consists of 33, one-to-two hour sessions, taught by local and internationally-recognized experts.

The Clackamas provides drinking water to more than three hundred thousand humans who live and work in suburban Portland and is a resource, classroom and playground for tens of thousands more, including conservation professionals, anglers, rafters, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts as well as timber producers, nursery farmers, agricultural landowners and many others.

Attending the Conference:

There is no charge for the seminars, which will be held via Zoom. Register for ALL CLASSES by clicking THE BUTTON below.

Live sessions will offer time at the end each for questions and answers. They will be recorded for viewing on YouTube at a later date if attendees cannot make the live seminar date. Registration is requested in order to provide attendees with the correct links.



Certificate of Completion

Workshop attendees who would like Certificates of Completion, please e-mail the ELC: elcatccc@clackmas.edu to request and write Certificate of Completion request in the subject line.

In order to receive a Certificate of Completion you must both:

1) Register for this class through CRBC

2) E-mail the ELC at: elcatccc@clackamas.edu

Conference Schedule:

Below is a list of seminar subjects, their dates and content. All classes are on Tuesdays. Please visit our site regularly to see updates to this list and instructions to access each class.

  1. To Register for all Zoom Meetings, click HERE
  2. Seminars that begin at 6:00 p.m. are intended for a general audience.
  3. Seminars that begin at 2:00 p.m. will contain more technical content and are intended for practicing scientists, engineers and agencies personnel, although anyone is welcome to attend.
  4. Seminar prerequisites are suggestions only.
  5. Sign up for our newsletter to receive notifications about the conference’s development: http://eepurl.com/gkj9lz
  6. Sign up to VOLUNTEER to help run the Conference
  7. PRESS RELEASE
Date & TimeSeminarsContentSuggested Prereq.Speakers
3/9/21
6:00pm
WATER1: Intro to the Clackamas River Watershed (Event Recording)An introduction to the basin, including stakeholders and users, key concerns and how you can get involvedNoneCheryl McGinnis, Executive Director, Clackamas River Basin Council & David Bugni, Board Member, CRBC
3/23/21
6:00pm
GEOLOGY1: An Introduction to Western Oregon Regional Geology (recording)Geologic overview of the western CascadesNoneSheila Alfsen, Portland State University
4/6/21
6:00pm
GEO2: An introduction to the Lower & Upper Clackamas River Basin: Geology and Earth Resources (recording)Geologic overview of the lower and upper Clackamas River BasinNoneClark Niewendorp, Geological Society of the Oregon Country
4/20/21
6:00pm
GEO3: Geologic Hazards in the Clackamas River Basin (recording)Geologic hazards from rock falls and landslides to seismic issues.GEO1Charlie Hammond & Brent Black, Cornforth Consultants
5/4/21
6:00pm
GEO4: The Soils of the Clackamas River Basin (recording)Soils of the basin – common types, how they originated and what they can supportGEO2Katie Chambres, Natural Resources Conservation Service
5/18/21
6:00pm
AGRICULTURE1: Agriculture within the Clackamas River Basin (recording)An overview of agriculture in the basinNoneMike Bondi, OSU Extension
6/1/21
6:00pm
CLIMATE1: Clackamas River Basin Climate (recording)Weather & climatology, projected changes in temperature, rain and snow through 2050/2100,
climate and land use change impacts on water quality and water quantity,
current and future fire risk,
potential basin adaptation & mitigation strategies
NonePaul Loikith, Andy Martin, Max Nielson-Pincus, Junju Chen, Andrés Holz, Portland State University
6/15/21
6:00pm
GEO6: Hydrology, Geomorphology and Stream Processes (recording)GEO6: Geomorphology and Stream Processes of the Clackamas River BasinGEO4Peter Wampler, Grand Valley State University
6/29/21
6:00pm
GEO7: Hydrology, Geomorphology and Ecology (recording)GEO7: Interactions of Geomorphology and Ecology of the Clackamas RiverGEO6Mike Cole, Cole Ecological, Inc.
7/13/21
6:00pm
FORESTRY1: Historic, current and future tree species distributions, forest types & forest stressors within the basin (recording)Forested areas within the basin, how have forests changed over the millennia and stressors to, or within, our forestsNoneSteve Acker, John Kim, & Holly Kearns, US Forest Service
7/27/21
6:00pm
FOR2: The importance of forests along streams (recording)Extents (by species, age class and geographic distribution) and benefits of riparian areas and canopy cover.FOR1
Glenn Ahrens & Jon Souder, OSU Extension
8/10/21
6:00pm
FOR3 Wildlife in the forest (recording)An overview presented of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians that frequent the forests in the basin. The interconnection of wildlife in the forest and their relationships to the forbs, shrubs and trees also will be discussed as well as wildlife conservation measures.FOR2Claudine Reynolds, Port Blakely Tree Farm
8/24/21
6:00pm
FOR4  Wildfires in the Clackamas River basin (past & present) (recording)History of wildfire in the basin, mitigation strategies (community and individual levels). Post wildfire assistance for landowners & communitiesFOR1Matthew Reilly & Becky Flitcroft, US Forest Service
9/7/21
2:00pm
FOR5: Effects of climate change on forests in the basin and projected wildfire intensity and frequency (recording)What do current models say and how should we better prepare our community and surrounding forestlands?FOR4David Peterson & Jessica Halofsky, University of Washington
9/21/21
6:00pm
FOR6:  Benefits of the Clackamas River basin’s forests: from enjoyment and resource to carbon storage (recording)Economic benefits of wood and non-wood forest products and forest recreation in Clackamas River basin. Other benefits of forestsFOR1Glenn Ahrens, OSU Extension & Bonny Glendenning, Port Blakely
10/05/21
6:00pm
NAT1: Native American Focus on First Foods and Importance of Healthy Water (recording)Throughout the conference series, presentations provide the story of Clackamas River’s evolving social, ecological and economic history. This session will focus on Native American presence and care for the Basin and including a focus on First Foods and the importance of water quality.NoneJeremy FiveCrows, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
10/19/21
6:00pm
FISHERIES1: How clean is the water? An introduction to the water chemistry of the Clackamas River basin (recording)An overview of the main chemical constituents in surface waters. How are constituents related to one another and what do they tell us about the waters in the basin? Publication list available here.NoneKurt Carpenter, US Geological Service
11/02/21
6:00pm
FIS2: Stream Food Webs and Energetics in the Clackamas River (recording)Gain a better understanding of interspecies relationships (from algae, insects and freshwater mussels to fish and mammals), Food web dynamics, and how do these things change seasonally & spatially across our watersheds?FIS1Patrick Edwards, Portland State University
11/16/21
6:00pm
FIS3  Anadromous fish, trout and lamprey species (past and present) within the Clackamas River basin (recording)A description of the primary native salmonid, trout and lamprey species present in the basin, historical context (fish species distributions and abundances). Migration patterns of each species. A description of the primary non-native or invasive fish species present and their interactions with native species.FIS2Ris Bradshaw, Clackamas River Basin Council Board of Director, Forrest Foxworth, & Michael Hayworth, ODFW
11/30/21
2:00pm
FIS4: Habitat capacity, restoration potential and other factors considered in fish habitat restoration (recording)Linking habitat capacity and restoration potential, high intrinsic potential, habitat requirements and the importance of cold water. Limiting factors common in the Clackamas River basin.FIS3Nick Ackerman, Portland General Electric
12/14/21
6:00pm
FIS5: Overview of fish hatcheries in the Clackamas River basin (recording)Update on fish hatcheries: The current hatchery genetic management plan – What is the role of hatcheries now and in the future? What has worked/not worked? (link to presentation)

Also fish introductions and historical hatchery activities in the Clackamas Basin 1875-2000 from a retired fish biologist.
FIS2Ben Walczak, Michael Hayworth, OR Dept of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW), & Doug Cramer, retired PGE Fish Biologist
12/28/21
2:00pm
FIS6: Interactions and behaviors of native and hatchery-reared fish (recording)Opinion on hatchery and native fish genetics and probable impact on the survival of targeted species. Genetic differences and what they mean.FIS5Ian Courter, Mt Hood Environmental, & Maureen Kavanagh, BPA
1/11/22
6:00pm
FIS7: Fish field surveys – what are they telling us? (recording)Spring Chinook spawning distribution and population update for the upper Clackamas River. What are current bull trout, salmon, steelhead and lamprey ODFW spawner and juvenile snorkeling surveys telling us? Update on adult and juvenile passage at PGE’s hydro-complex.FIS4Luke Whitman & Steve Starcevich, OR Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW)
1/25/22
6:00pm
CANCLELLED: FIS8: Historic and probable current and future effects of human development & population growth, fishing, dams and hatcheries on the Clackamas River basinImpacts to date: The 4 Hs (harvest, hydropower, hatcheries (see FIS4), habitat). What does it take to maintain healthy populations of fish (salmon & trout) and lamprey species?NoneGarth Wyatt, PGE, Ben Walczak, ODFW
2/8/22
6:00pm
FIS9: An introduction to stream restoration and protection practices for the landowner (recording)Man-made restoration measures (appropriate for the landowner): Fish passage barrier removals and replacements, road modifications/removals, water quality improvements, removal of non-native plant species and replacement with native plant species. Funding possibilities.(Reference list available here.)FIS3Dave Stewart, ODFW, Dave Bugni, CRBC Board of Directors
2/22/22
6:00pm
FIS10: Fish habitat restoration effort successes, the ODFW STEP program and restoration partnerships (recording)Update on restoration efforts in streams. Update on the ODFW STEP program. Important partnerships in stream restoration and outreachFIS3Jon Cox, ODFW, and Cheryl McGinnis, Clackamas River Basin Council
3/8/22
2:00pm
FIS11  Advanced stream restoration and protection practices – natural river design approach (recording) Human-made restoration measures: placements of engineered log jams, boulders & spawning gravels, construction of channel modifications. Urban placements and their effectiveness. FIS3Brian Bair, USFS, and Geoff Hales, McBain & Associates
3/22/22
2:00pm
FIS12: Advanced stream restoration and protection practices – biological aspects (recording)Biological aspects:
biological response to wood placements. Limitations of artificial placements, effects of stream size.
FIS3Bruce Zoellick, USFS
4/5/22
6:00pm
FIS13: Wetlands and beavers (recording)Biological: An introduction to beavers. Physical: landslides, windfalls, wildfiresGEO7Kyla Zaret, PSU Institute for Natural Resources & Michael Krochta, BARK
4/19/22
2:00pm
FIS14: Large-scale restoration plans within the Clackamas River Basin (recording)Clackamas Partnership Strategic Restoration Action Plan and other locally-created, related, current plans. Update on the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) of the federal Northwest Forest Plan. How resilient is the basin and its watersheds to fish population recovery?FIS12John Runyon, Cascade Environmental Group,
5/3/22
6:00pm
FIS15: Economic Investments & Biological Response in the Clackamas River Watershed (recording)Economic studies of the effectiveness of restoration strategies (large wood, boulders, spawning gravels, fish passage). Fish habitat models.FIS14Geoff Hales, McBain & Associates, and Tim Shibahara, PGE
5/17/22
6:00pm
HRS1: Community-based science in the Clackamas Basin: the contributions of amateur scientists to managing streams in the watershed (recording)The principles supporting, and benefits of, community-based science will be presented, focusing on some of the work currently being conducted in the Clackamas River Basin along with the data, findings and recommendations resulting from monitoring efforts. WAT1Patrick Edwards, PSU, Gail Shaloum, Water Environment Services and member of the CRBC Board of Directors, Glenn Ahrens, OSU Extension, and Dave Bugni, member of the CRBC Board of Directors
6/14/22
6:00pm
HRS2: Policies providing success in the Clackamas River Basin and a look to future policies (recording)Update on the successes and failures of public policy (local, state and federal levels) regarding the protections of threatened fish species within the basin as well as other protections of threatened flora and fauna that affect riparian areas. Socioeconomic implications of any policy recommendationsHRS1Jan Lee, Oregon Association of Conservation Districts, Tom Byler, Oregon Water Resources Department, Jim Brick, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, and Representative Jeff Reardon, District 48

Previous Conference Presentations:

Senator Wyden’s Inaugural message
Conference Teaser

Press: