PORTLAND, Ore. – The mighty Willamette River now has its own poster, in the style of the well-known National Parks posters.
The nonprofit Willamette Riverkeeper commissioned artist Chris Marron to create the Willamette River tribute.
With pink, red and green colors highlighting a busy riverscape, Marron’s Willamette River poster celebrates the river’s “187 miles of wonder,” “home to deer, trout, salmon, osprey, eagles, beavers, bobcats, wood ducks & river otters.”
The first National Parks posters were created during Franklin Roosevelt's presidency, as part of the New Deal.Thirteen posters were initially created for 13 national parks. Over the years, more have been added – all in the same distinct style, with bold painterly colors and simplistic illustrations.
Willamette Riverkeeper’s Executive Director, Travis Williams, said the new poster will honor the river’s wildlife opportunities that local residents sometimes overlook.
“It seems a fitting time to honor an amazing natural feature that is so close to so many people -- and one that belongs to the public. Frankly what the Willamette River offers for wildlife and people has been under-recognized over the years,” Williams said.
The Willamette River one of the largest rivers in the U.S., home to many species of fish and wildlife. It also acts as a lifeline for Portland and other surrounding communities, and for the last 100 years has been subject to devastating levels of pollution from industrial sources. The river is home to the Portland Harbor Superfund site. The EPA is leading cleanup of the Superfund site, work for which is projected to top $1 billion and take around 20 years to complete.
The Willamette Riverkeeper is selling prints of the poster on its website. The proceeds will go toward the protection and growth of the Willamette River Greenway.