Follow The Water Blog

Why I Said Yes to Oregon: Water

By Annie Bronez / July 3, 2023

I still can’t quite believe that I live in this special place. I’m constantly in awe of the stunning land, plants, and water that surround me. The rivers and lakes glisten like nothing I’ve ever seen before and they’re so easy to access. The water that flows from my faucet is the best I’ve ever… Continue Reading Why I Said Yes to Oregon: Water

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What Would Captain Kirk Do About Pests?

By Roy Iwai / May 16, 2023

In a pivotal scene from the 2013 Star Trek film Into Darkness, young Captain Kirk tries frantically to save his ship from imminent destruction. When Mr. Spock urges him to reconsider a risky plan to engage the enemy ship, Kirk retorts, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I only know what I CAN… Continue Reading What Would Captain Kirk Do About Pests?

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An Invitation for People of Color Outdoors

By Roy Iwai / February 20, 2023

It is heartbreaking to hear a story about someone who has felt unwelcome walking along a forest trail or sitting with friends at a river park. But it is a true story. It’s a true story for many people, in fact. It wasn’t that the outdoors were too harsh or too rugged for them. It… Continue Reading An Invitation for People of Color Outdoors

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What Are Street Planters, Anyway?

By Roy Iwai / February 1, 2023

Have you noticed those sunken planters along the side of a city street? I’m guessing you might like to walk along those plants and trees away from traffic when you’re out with your dog. Some of you probably wonder why your city is building planters that only seem to collect drink cups, candy wrappers, and… Continue Reading What Are Street Planters, Anyway?

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Salmon & Tires

By Roy Iwai / February 1, 2023

Have you ever seen salmon spawning in a river? It’s kind of magical. I saw my first salmon spawning when I was in my early twenties. I was on the Clackamas River with my buddy. We were scoping out water to practice our casting. Flyfishing was new to both of us. I saw something splashing… Continue Reading Salmon & Tires

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Good Things Come From Small Places

By Roy Iwai / October 20, 2022

I hear this line often when I’m out working in a stream: “There’s no fish in that ditch!” I used to think that, too. I realize now that it’s a bit of a myth to think that. In my exploration of the streams that flow through farms and cities, I’ve been surprised how much life… Continue Reading Good Things Come From Small Places

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No dumping, drains to river. Not kidding, it really does!

Drains to Stream – It Really Does!

By Roy Iwai / March 24, 2022

Let’s talk about things going down the drain for a minute… We use a lot of “drain” metaphors in our English language to describe our culture. We hate to have “money go down the drain”. We say a loss of talent is a “brain drain”. When something goes bad, we say it’s “circling the drain”. … Continue Reading Drains to Stream – It Really Does!

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Video thumbnail of someone looking at a waterfall

Follow The Water Chapter One: Connection

By Roy Iwai / March 24, 2022

Water is the reason this planet is so special and unique. Everything that lives here relies on water. Listen to personal stories about the powerful connection we have with water, our food supply, and our well-being. The purity of our water sources is crucial to this connection but recovery for our water, our health, and… Continue Reading Follow The Water Chapter One: Connection

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Video thumbnail of interview with MJ

Follow the Water Chapter 2: Disconnection

By Roy Iwai / March 24, 2022

Do you know where your drinking water comes from? Do you know where your rainwater goes? We have an expectation that we can turn on the tap and we know that good clean water is there but we have lost our connection to our water. In this video we explore How disconnection impacts our health… Continue Reading Follow the Water Chapter 2: Disconnection

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Video thumbnail of Portland joggers near a river

Follow the Water Chapter 3: Reconnection

By Roy Iwai / March 24, 2022

Begin the journey to reconnect. We all take an active role with our water. Sometimes it can be beneficial, sometimes it can be detrimental but we all have an impact. In this video local members of our community share personal stories on the simple ways they were able to reconnect with our water in positive… Continue Reading Follow the Water Chapter 3: Reconnection

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