Birding Paddle on Alton Baker Canoe Canal (Wings on the Willamette Bird Festival)

NOTE 10/11/2025: Due to poor weather, this birding paddle has been cancelled. Please contact Luke Stuntz at 617-834-8727 with any questions.

WHAT: Join Willamette Riverkeeper and the Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance for a birding paddle on the Alton Baker Canoe Canal shortly before the start of the 2025 Wings on the Willamette Bird Festival. Over the course of 1.5 hours, we will paddle roughly two miles and search for birds in a variety of wetland and riparian habitat. This entire stretch of the canal is calm and shallow flatwater, making it a great opportunity to get on the water for those who don't have previous experience paddling.

WHEN & WHERE: Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 11AM - 1PM

Please meet at the gravel parking lot immediately northeast of the Alton Baker Dog Park, off of Leo Harris Parkway. This parking lot is just east of the Eugene Science Center and immediately south of Autzen Stadium, and it can be roughly mapped via GPS at 2550 Leo Harris Parkway. Please see the map below for the specific parking location and our planned paddling route. Note that while Alton Baker park does have several public restrooms, there is not one immediately adjacent to the parking area or paddling route.

Please be on time and alert event personnel if you are running late! We will begin following a quick safety briefing at 11AM.

DETAILS: Please bring water, sunscreen, binoculars, and shoes that you don't mind getting wet. Willamette Riverkeeper will provide canoes, paddles, and PFDs (although you are welcome to bring your own boat). If you do not own your own binoculars, please reach out and we will try to find a pair for you to borrow.

This will be a very straightforward, safe, and accessible paddle for even complete novices – don't let a lack of experience on the water hold you back from joining us! Minors are welcome to join this event if they will be accompanied by an adult in their boat who is responsible for the minor and is authorized to sign their participation waiver. 

QUESTIONS? Reach out to event coordinator, Luke Stuntz at lukestuntz@willametteriverkeeper.org.

Willamette Riverkeeper thanks our partners at the Coast to Cascades Bird Alliance and all those who have worked to organize the 2025 Eugene Bird Festival!