Swampathon! 2025

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, and

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17

It’s that time of year again: SWAMPATHON! Come join us on the water at Blind Slough to help remove purple loosestrife from this amazing habitat. This property contains the largest remaining old-growth Sitka spruce swamp in the state, and benefits immensely from this work.

Invasive purple loosestrife grows along the lower Columbia and spreads easily, threatening to overwhelm the diverse wetland ecology of this area and crowding out native plants such as cattail and wapato, which feed native wildlife.

We will be accessing the banks of the river from boats, so you must be very comfortable paddling on the water and working together with a partner in a canoe. The work is strenuous and includes disembarking from a canoe onto a steep and slippery bank, walking through dense jungle-like vegetation, and balancing on uneven ground while working with sharp tools.

NCLC will provide the needed tools (claw mattocks and hand saws), but feel free to bring your own. Bring your own drinking water and lunch. There are no toilets or potable water at our work sites.

Since this is a two-day work party, we will have the option to camp out nearby the property. Please let us know if you plan to stay overnight, if you want to join us for dinner Saturday evening, and if you have any dietary restrictions. You can email this information to Stewardship Manager Eric Owen at [email protected].

We will provide a simple, delicious meal with vegan options. Camping accommodations will be very rustic. You will want to bring a sleeping pad and bag to set up on the floor. Additionally, you may want to consider your tent and earplugs for privacy. There is limited outdoor space to set up a tent. In past years, people have mostly set up their sleeping pads on the floor or on wooden benches. There are bathrooms but no showers.

We have eight NCLC canoes (16 seats) open for staff and volunteers. We can also accommodate up to six additional canoes (12 volunteers) who bring their own canoes. If you bring your own boat, please also bring a canoe partner, life jackets, paddles, safety gear, etc. If you plan to bring your own canoe, please select the "Bring Your Own Boat" ticket rather than "General Admission" and sign up yourself and the person sharing your canoe.

Questions? Contact NCLC at 503-738-9126 or [email protected].

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