In celebration of Earth Day, the Department of History and Lane County History Museum are teaming up with the Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah for a special History Pub/Pints for Pisgah collaboration:

“Speaking for the River: A History of Citizen Involvement in Willamette River Protection” featuring Willamette River historian James Hillegas-Elting

Monday, April 22, 2019
Viking Braggot, 2940 Willamette Street
6:00–7:00 p.m., social and music by Meadow Rue
7:00–8:30 p.m., talk and Q&A

This event is a Pints for Pisgah Fundraiser for the Friends of Buford Park and Mt. Pisgah, to support their ongoing habitat and restoration work along the Willamette River.

A History of Citizen Involvement

This talk connects nationally-recognized river cleanup work in Portland, Oregon to the habitat and restoration conservation efforts of organizations along the mainstream and tributaries in overall river health. James Hillegas-Elting will discuss the history of citizen involvement in conversation of the Willamette River, with opening remarks by the Lane County History Museum.

In addition, the Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah will briefly discuss their 30 years of work protecting and enhancing native ecosystems, river and water quality, and compatible recreation of the great Mount Pisgah. Their efforts include restoring former landfills and gravel mines, replacing invasive plants with native plants, enhancing habitat for native species like western pond turtles and waterfowl, and improving trails throughout the park.

About the Speaker

James V. Hillegas-Elting is an environmental historian from Portland with an extensive body of work on Willamette River conservation. His book, Speaking for the River: Confronting Pollution on the Willamette, 1920s–1970s, gives a historical analysis of the pollution of the Willamette River and contentions surrounding cleanup efforts.

This event is cosponsored by the UO Department of History, Lane County History Museum, and the Friends of Buford Park & Mount Pisgah.