Lots of people are meeting and talking about Columbia River watershed issues.  Pick your event!

TODAY, Columbia River, somewhere near Hanford Reach.   The Voyages of Rediscovery crew are paddling two hand-carved dugout canoes up the Columbia River, 1,240 miles from the Pacific Ocean to Canal Flats, B.C.   Their goal is to bring attention to the lack of fish passage into the upper watershed (including in Spokane and British Columbia).  Follow their journey on Facebook.

August 27 and more, on the web.  The River Mile is a wonderful network of educators, students, scientists, resource managers and environmental educators sharing what they know and learn about the Columbia River Watershed.   Teachers – get connected through several upcoming training webinars.

September 20, Seattle.  The Center for Environmental Law & Policy and Futurewise will sponsor a legal education conference, “Hot Environmental Issues for Puget Sound,” including a panel on Spokane River PCB litigation – which has statewide implications for Washington’s fish consumption standards controversy.  Also, upcoming on November 14:  “Blue Meets Green: Growth Management and Water Law.”

September 26, Seattle.  The American Water Resources Association, Washington chapter will hold its annual conference, “Future Directions in Water Resource Management” at the Mountaineers Center.  This blog’s author will present on Columbia Basin issues.

September 28-30, Wandermere, British Columbia.  The Canadian Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission hosts the 2nd Annual Columbia Salmon Festival at Wandermere and Fairmont, B.C. (in the headwaters) followed by a two-day conference inviting you to “Think Like a Watershed.” The salmon are being called home.

November 19-20, Spokane.  The bi-annual Lake Roosevelt Forum conference will cover multiple topics relating to Columbia River environmental issues.

Spring 2014, Spokane. “Ethics, Water, & the Columbia River Treaty: The Columbia River Pastoral Letter and Creating a Water Ethic in the Northwest,” co-sponsored by Sierra Club and others.  Stay tuned for more info.