Member Spotlight

Courtney Rae

Columbia Riverkeeper held an Earth Day clean-up event at the Smith & Bybee Wetlands in Portland, organized by volunteer Courtney Rae. Courtney is a former Canvasser with Columbia Riverkeeper's Citizen Outreach Team and has been an environmental activist for many years in the city. She has recently accepted a new position as a Community Organizer with Bark, and continues to be an active supporter and volunteer for Columbia Riverkeeper.

Courtney Rae
Courtney Rae

"When I first arrived in Oregon, I came through the Columbia River Gorge. The dynamic landscapes and ecology were so enthralling; I turned what would have been a 4-hour drive into a 4-day excursion." says Courtney.

The group of 15 volunteers picked up 25 bags of garbage and removed several hundred pounds of blackberry. Although surrounded by port terminals, warehouses, and commercial areas, Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife including beaver, bald eagles, osprey, snakes, skunks and western painted turtles. At around 2,000 acres it is one of the largest urban freshwater wetlands in the United States.

We wish Courtney well in her new position with Bark and are grateful to have her as an active member of Columbia Riverkeeper as well. Thank you Courtney!