PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland-area environmental organizations are inviting the public to paddle to Ross Island later this month for a unique event that combines invasive blackberry harvesting with environmental advocacy and ecological restoration efforts along the Willamette River.
The Portland Fruit Tree Project (PFTP) will host its seasonal “If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Eat ‘Em!” blackberry harvest and eradication campaign on Saturday, July 25, encouraging volunteers to safely forage invasive Himalayan blackberries while helping reclaim overgrown natural areas.
Now in its second year, the on-the-water event is being organized in partnership with the Human Access Project (HAP), Mosquito Fleet, and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. Participants will paddle from Willamette Park to Ross Island, where organizers hope to raise awareness about the island’s ecological condition and the need for long-term restoration.
According to organizers, the event is intended to highlight community-led efforts to improve Ross Island and the surrounding Willamette River corridor. Human Access Project has been advocating with city and state officials for increased investment in addressing toxic algae blooms, shoreline degradation, and other environmental concerns affecting the island and river users.
The nonprofit is also raising funds for a multi-phase restoration campaign that includes debris removal, water quality monitoring, and long-term ecological rehabilitation. Organizers say the initiative has already received support from local donors and environmental organizations.
The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership will provide two 29-foot Big Canoes capable of transporting up to 22 paddlers, while participants are also welcome to bring their own non-motorized watercraft, including kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Mosquito Fleet will provide safety support and loaner paddlecraft for registered participants.
“Ross Island is a forgotten gem with incredible potential,” said Scott Fogarty. “Through this collaboration with the Estuary Project and Portland Fruit Tree Project, we’re showing what it looks like when grassroots environmental justice meets joyful action. We want the public to see the island up close and understand what’s at stake—and how we can all take action to enjoy our city and take back the Willamette.”
Heather Keisler Fornes, executive director of Portland Fruit Tree Project, said the annual campaign encourages residents to make productive use of an invasive plant while supporting broader environmental goals.
“Blackberries may be invasive, but they’re also a symbol of resilience, and they are delicious to boot,” Fornes said. “This campaign gives Portlanders a tangible way to confront land mismanagement, use what we have abundantly all around us, and support ongoing advocacy to restore access to our river.”
Event Details
- Event: Ross Island Harvest & Action Day
- Date: Saturday, July 25
- Meeting Time: 10:30 a.m.
- Launch Time: 11 a.m.
- Location: Willamette Park, South Macadam Avenue and Nebraska Street, Portland
- What to Bring: Personal kayak or stand-up paddleboard (non-motorized), personal flotation device, and appropriate outdoor gear. Loaner boats will be available through Mosquito Fleet for registered participants.
Organizers note that Oregon law requires a Waterway Access Permit for most non-motorized boats and paddleboards. Borrowed boats provided by Mosquito Fleet already meet the permit requirements.
Advance registration is required for all participants.
Portland Fruit Tree Project is a nonprofit organization that promotes a more equitable and resilient local food system through community harvests, educational workshops, and environmental stewardship. Human Access Project works to improve public access to the Willamette River through cleanup, restoration, and advocacy, while the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership focuses on protecting and restoring the lower Columbia River ecosystem. Mosquito Fleet is a BIPOC- and Queer-led collective that works to expand equitable access to waterways through environmental education and community paddling programs.
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