And That’s a Wrap: 2025 Auction a Resounding Success
Steve Light, Amy and John Hazel, and DRA Executive Director Sarah Cloud casually discussing the order of events at the Redd last Saturday Feb. 22nd.
Building a Campaign for the Lower Deschutes
The 2025 Deschutes River Alliance Annual Auction and Gathering is in the books. Fund-raising goals were exceeded, but just as importantly, the community of good people who know and love the Deschutes spent a damp February afternoon galvanizing its commitment to bring cooler, cleaner water back into the lower river.
As the DRA’s Executive Director Sarah Cloud pointed out in her opening remarks kicking off Saturday’s event, the accomplishments of the past year, and the momentum generated, are cause for infectious optimism.
Look What We Did
In 2024, over a thousand people wrote letters to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, asking for her to step in and press DEQ to enforce existing law and policy that would hold Portland General Electric accountable for its ongoing water quality violations.
Thousands of people also attended screenings for The Last 100:The Fight for the Lower Deschutes River. The documentary film succinctly lays out the scientific and legal arguments for the path to a brighter future for the Deschutes. The documentary, by the way, can now be streamed for free here.
The DRA also worked closely with other NGO’s and willing partners to push water quality troubles to the front and center of environmental issues in the state.
Look What We’re Going to Do Next
Goals for 2025: as Board Chair Pat Becker hinted in his Saturday afternoon remarks at The Redd, the DRA will benefit from the help of some key legislators, who are championing the cause to hold PGE accountable for water quality issues on the lower Deschutes River.
An expansion of the science program will include outreach and education in communities affected by declining water quality on the lower river. The vital work that our thousands of supporters offer–a critical mass of voices that make the health of the river we all love an issue for politicians and policy makers that can’t be ignored–will continue and expand as well. That’s the grand purpose behind our biggest annual event.
In the Meantime, Everyone Had a Good Time
A lot of fun was had on Saturday as well.
Raffle winners:
Brad White hit the golden ticket jackpot and chose two days of guided steelhead fishing with Barrett Aames. In one of the most generous gestures of the day, Aames in turn announced he would make another trip available for bid at the live auction.
Around lunch Tuesday, DRA Development Director Peter Anderson drew Aron Buffen’s McKenzie River raffle ticket out of the fish bowl. Aron will enjoy a day of trout fishing on the upper McKenzie with guide Clay Holloway.
Amy and John Hazel were honored as the DRA’s 2025 River Champions, and received a sustained standing ovation from the 250 people in attendance. True to form, they turned the honor they received back on those in attendance and the many others who weren’t there but support the DRA too. “This award is not ours alone,” said Amy, “It belongs to everybody who has heeded the call and given selflessly to the Deschutes River Alliance.”
The good times rolled into Monday and into Tuesday morning where a flurry of bidding rounded out the silent auction before it closed out at 9 a.m.
A heartfelt thanks to all the guides, shop owners and gear manufacturers who donated their services and wares. Thanks to all who attended, and to all who so tirelessly and passionately support the Deschutes River Alliance.
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