Early Summer 2026

Spring community science went swimmingly, and summer is off with a buzz and a □!

View this email in your browser Hello Community Science Friends, Spring community science was wonderful — and smoother than ever! We've been growing a dedicated team to support this sweet project, and it shows. Meet the people behind the scenes in our □ Ode to the Community Science Dream Team□ below. Also in this issue: □ Spring Recap ☀️ Summer Happenings □️  Save the Date: Grande Ronde Public Lands Day  Saturday, September 26 at Riverside Park Wishing you adventure, watershed caretaking, and some well-earned rest along the way. ☀️ Summery regards, Carrie Carrie Caselton Lowe Community Science Coordinator Grande Ronde Community Science Project Click on the Spring Recap Video --> --> for some warm, fuzzy community science moments!    This spring, 858 youth — from 1st grade through high school — investigated our watershed, representing schools in Cove, Elgin, Imbler, La Grande, Union, Walla Walla, Portland, Pendleton, and Baker Web Academy! Spring data is being updated as we speak!! Check out our data webpage for more details. Photo: James Stolen Summer Buzz! Training and Employment Consortium's Oregon Youth Corps  These youth are helping us sample bumblebees this summer via the PNW Bumblebee Atlas and filling some watershed monitoring gaps for our community! Camp Waľáwa Descendents of the Nimipuu Waľáwa Band spent a week at the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland language camp. We were honored to support and highlight community science - including their longstanding cultural practices - like making dogbane hemp cordage, paddling a cottonwood canoe, and investigating the qualities of water. Cottonwood Crossing by Rural Engagement and Vitality Center For the 3rd year in a row, we provided this important program held at Cottonwood Crossing State Park along the John Day River with watershed investigation supplies. What's more, one of our dedicated instructors, Christopher, was able to teach on site this year. A Win-Win! Oregon Ag Teacher Assocation  We spent an afternoon with agriculture teachers from across Oregon highlighting our community science efforts. Though intended to be a tour of the incredible Bird Track Springs restoration project and continuing Community Science there, an interstate closing afforded the opportunity to tour Riverside Park instead : )   □Ode to our Community Science Dream Team□  Here's to the crew who make it all flow, A team so stellar, we just had to let you know! Mary keeps the finances in perfect balance — no question, Managing funds with a grand sense of direction. When it comes to the numbers, she never overdraws, The budget stays current — give this woman some applause! □ Christopher wears two hats and wears them well, From Community Science to Cove Outdoor School, he's got a story to tell. He teaches with heart, never missing a beat, Because when outdoors and science confluence — life is complete! □ Ethan writes science by night, then by day hits the field, Tracking snowfields on peaks that few dare to yield. He's a man of few flakes — well, except on the mountain -- His knowledge of watersheds? An overflowing fountain! ❄️ Lexzi keeps supplies so ready and right, Every net, boot, and water kit — a glorious sight. She nurtures the little ones at Blue Mountain Nature School too, From preschool to field kits — there's nothing she can't wade through! □ And the Youth 360 crew — oh, what a team! They organize kits and keep waders streamlined and clean. With smiles so bright they could illuminate any river, Each one a top-notch caretaker and giver! □ Once Spencer, now Toby keeps our data flowing free, Entering it on GLOBE for the whole wide world to see. From qualitative notes to open source — he filters through it all, Making sure no data drop gets lost, however big or small! □ So here's to the people who are our headwaters and our heart, The Community Science Dream Team — Water'd we do if you didn't take part? Save the Date: Grande Ronde Public Lands Day Click here for more information. Want to get involved? Have questions, comments, or ideas? Reach out anytime!   email: [email protected] www.granderondecommunityscience.org Thank You to our AWESOME Partners!  www.redtwig.org   Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.