A rare cloudy and cool day in August on the lower Deschutes River. Photo by: Jesse Robbins, WaterWatch Development Officer

Friend,

Our 22nd Annual Celebration of Oregon Rivers is quickly approaching, and you're invited to join WaterWatch's diverse community of anglers, birders, boaters, conservationists, and river lovers to celebrate another year of victories for our treasured waterways. Mark your calendars now for Saturday, Oct. 5th, at the World Forestry Center in Portland's Washington Park — and we'll see you there!

To share our excitement for this year's event, we're showcasing some of the amazing auction items that will be available to bid on. Keep reading or scroll down for a preview of an incredible getaway to Mexico's Baja Peninsula in our live auction, along with a spotlight on our longtime WaterWatch event sponsor and supporter, the Portland-based Dean Runyan Associates.

Tickets to the greatest river party of the year are on sale now with seats available for the early bird price of $125 through Sept. 5th, after which they go to $140. Discounted tickets of $50 are available for students and active military members. Auction prizes and packages are updated weekly on our event page, so stay tuned and check back for more!

For rivers,

The WaterWatch of Oregon Team

Live Auction Item Preview:
Six Nights at Casa Luna in Loreto, Baja California Sur

You can't do better than a relaxing seven days and six nights at Casa Luna on the Baja Peninsula! This three-bedroom home comes with two master suites and an unparalleled experience along Nopolo Bay, just south of Loreto on the Sea of Cortez. The house comes fully stocked, and is a mere 300 feet from the beach with access to two separate pools. An incredible location!

Loreto Bay was established as a National Marine Park in 1996 and is home to over 800 fish species, including 90 endemic fish, and a third of the world’s aquatic mammal species. A prime area for snorkeling, whale watching, diving, hiking, birding, kayaking, and paddleboarding, dozens of recreational opportunities are also available on nearby islands where you can see marine wildlife from dolphins to sea lions and tropical birds. Casa Luna guests can venture out on their own or book a tour through local outfitters.

If you surf, kayak, or paddleboard, this is the trip for you with equipment rentals and beach access available steps from your door. Birding tours are popular, hiking opportunities are available in the nearby in the Sierra  de la Gigantas range, and Historic Loreto offers shopping opportunities and local food — including wonderful restaurants in nearby Nopolo Bay Loreto.

Auction Sponsor Spotlight:
Dean Runyan Associates

Dean Runyan Associates has offered insightful travel and tourism research and economic impact analysis since 1984. Their team of experts specialize in collaborating with facilities and destinations on projects of all sizes to provide clear and direct market reporting for planning, policy, evaluation, marketing, and facility design. Whether partnering with a single facility, event, state, or national agency, Dean Runyan Associates take pride in delivering high quality research using methodologies rooted in transparency and attention to detail.

Dean Runyan Associates is also a longtime WaterWatch of Oregon auction sponsor. Thank you for your  kind and generous support for Oregon's rivers!