For the past four years, Pacific University’s Outdoor Pursuits (OP) program has participated in the Clackamas Down River Cleanup event, as well as the SOLVE Oregon Wilson River Cleanup.
All students are welcome to participate in these river clean up trips offered by OP.
OP took a group of students to the Clackamas River on Sept. 9, and to the Wilson River on Sept. 29.
“This year we had over 20 students sign up and participate,” Assistant Director of OP Sam Morrison said.
On these free trips, students take out whitewater rafts, inflatable kayaks and stand up paddle boards to float on while they pick up trash.
Though most students on these trips are on some type of flotation device, other students opt for snorkeling to get to the deeper items in the water.
While in the river, students can get down low in the river bed to find and remove trash, fishing tackle, cans and other debris.
“I enjoy helping to keep a few places around us free from human debris and plastics,” Morrison said.
OP helps to clean the Wilson River in the Coast Range and the Clackamas River, East of Portland, from Mclver State Park down to Barton Park. OP’s next clean up trip will likely be next fall, though they may fit a trip in later in spring term if possible.
“Most river clean ups take place in the fall when the water levels are low,” Morrison said.
Morrison, whose love for being on the river began 13 years ago when he first took a kayaking class, has been devoted to keeping the waters beautiful and clean ever since.
He appreciates that students share his love for the river and are willing to help keep it clean.
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