The Mid-Willamette Outreach Group (MWOG) partners, including the City of Keizer, City of Salem, Marion County, and the Marion Soil & Water Conservation District, collaborate to provide water quality outreach and to inspire behaviors that result in healthy streams and communities.
We coordinate virtual and in-person learning opportunities to help everyone connect with the precious waters of the Willamette Valley.
Our River is a multi-pronged outreach campaign of Mid-Willamette Outreach Group. The Willamette River is our river to protect and enjoy; as residents of the mid-Willamette Valley, what we do in the watershed impacts the quality and quantity of water available, which in return impacts our own vitality. Through Our River events, everyone is invited to connect with the Willamette in fun and thoughtful ways.
Our River Goals
- Actively connect residents to the Willamette River through ongoing adventures and opportunities that put people in, on or near the water,
- Reduce the barriers of participation by providing activities at low or no cost, and providing needed supplies.
- Provide participants with the opportunity to build pride in our Willamette River and our community.
- Provide opportunities to serve and steward the Willamette River.
Our River Activities 2026
| Date | Event | Description | Partners |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 1st-31st | Great Raindrop Scavenger Hunt | In celebration of World Water Day, The Great Raindrop Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided scavenger hunt that will get you exploring the outdoors at Salem’s Bush’s Pasture Park and Keizer Rapids Park. | Mid-Willamette Outreach Group (MWOG) |
| Saturday, May 9th 9:00AM – 11:30AM | Learn to Fish at Keizer Rapids Park | Learn key concepts and the basic skills needed to start fishing. | Keizer Police Department, Marion SWCD, City of Keizer, Marion County Sheriff Marine Patrol, Oregon State Marine Board, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), Salem NW Steelheaders |
| February 14 – 15 June 6 – 7 November 27-28 | Free Fishing Weekend | Visit the ODFW for details. | Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) |
| July 23rd | Learn to Kayak at Keizer Rapids Park | Learn how to safely kayak and canoe. Space is limited! | Oregon State Parks, Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon Kayak Tours, Polk and Marion County Sherriff Marine Patrol, Willamette Riverkeeper |
| TBD | River Clean-ups | River clean-ups with Willamette Riverkeeper. | Willamette Riverkeeper, City of Salem, City of Keizer Trashy Tuesdays |
| Saturday June 13th | ‘Our River’ Celebration at Minto Brown Park | 2200 Minto Island Rd SE Salem, OR 97302 Find us in the back parking lot! Play games, make crafts, practice science and more! | MWOG, OSU, Salem Environmental Education & more! |
Erosion Control Summit
The Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Summit is for builders, developers, planners, architects, contractors, engineers, landscapers, and municipal staff and crews. This one-day summit is held in late January. Participants learn techniques in construction erosion prevention, green storm water infrastructure maintenance, permit updates, impacts of pollution from storm water runoff, and more. Registration link will be posted here when available.
Click here to sign up to receive email updates and notifications about registration dates, pricing, speakers, presentations, and more for the annual Erosion Control & Stormwater Management Summit.
Great Raindrop Scavenger Hunt
The Great Raindrop Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided scavenger hunt that will get you exploring local parks. Search for these raindrops featuring QR codes with fun water facts! At the end of the scavenger hunt, you will find a prize! We will be celebrating World Water Day (March 22nd), with the theme “Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.” By drawing attention to our water resources, we hope to spark inspiration for you to get involved locally to improve water quality.
‘Our River’ Celebration
Mid Willamette Outreach Group is hosting a ‘Our River’ Celebration (formerly known as Stream Celebration) at Minto Brown Island Park on Saturday June 13th.
The ‘Our River’ Celebration is a fun, family and community friendly event for all ages, featuring hands-on activity stations all about our local rivers, streams, and water systems. The goal is to help people connect with the Willamette River and our other local waterways, learn why they matter, and build pride in and connection to our shared environment and community.
As you explore, you’ll stop by different stations to learn about topics like water quality (how clean our water is), the small creatures that live in our local rivers and streams, including fish – like salmon, and the plants and habitats along the river’s edges. You’ll also discover simple ways you can help protect and improve our local waterways.
This is a relaxed, move-at-your-own-pace, free-choice learning event. We hope you’ll join us and get to know your local rivers and streams a little better!
Social Media Campaigns
MWOG Partners
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