The Freshwater Trust Benefit Raises Record $644,000.

George Gadbury, Lynne Gadbury, Maurice Fykes III and Edvige Fykes

Portland, February 28th, 2014. The Freshwater Trust, an Oregon-based water conservation non-profit, held the organization’s 31st annual gala and auction. George Gadbury, Lynne Gadbury, Maurice Fykes III and Edvige Fykes enjoyed the celebration.

The Freshwater Trust president Joe Whitworth and board member and ACME Business Consulting principal Scott Demorest enjoyed the after party, held in the Sunken Ballroom of the Art Museum following the dinner and auction in the Grand Ballroom.

With a mission to restore freshwater ecosystems, The Freshwater Trust fixes river throughout the state. The nonprofit uses new tools to restore rivers and improve wild fish habitat. The gala highlighted its innovations in science and technology in the restoration field. From the use of an iPad app to streamlined data collection to creating “Basin-Scout “to determine the best sites for restoring stream-side vegetation, The Freshwater Trust understands that new conservation solutions are needed to fix every river.

Natural art pieces by Portland artist Scott Sutton filled the room.

Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter for Jacques Cousteau, delivered the keynote speech on how technology shaped her grandfather’s craft to how technology and data will shape the science of freshwater conservation.

Conservation group The Freshwater Trust celebrated its innovations in science and technology at the 31st annual gala and auction.

From the Freshwater Trust:

Our river systems are the backbone of agriculture, industry and recreation. Yet millions of river miles across the United States fail to fully support aquatic life. Over the last 50 years, human impacts have altered stream habitat, resulting in poor water quality and damaged ecosystems – creating a significant need to restore them.
Current conservation solutions are not addressing fundamental issues of water quality, climate change and species survival in time to fix these issues. This is why The Freshwater Trust is pioneering the next generation of conservation – new tools, methods, technologies and partnerships.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.