Adelante Mujeres Honored with 2025 Tualatin Riverkeepers’ Watershed Champion Award
On a crisp October evening, our friends at Tualatin Riverkeepers (TRK) hosted their annual Green Heron Fundraiser. Between laughter, conversation, and even feeding the alpacas who once called Oakwood Gardens home, guests celebrated the importance of passing the love, care, and protection of our watershed to future generations. That message resonated deeply with our team. It’s exactly what our Chicas program strives to do every day: empower Latina youth to lead, to explore, and to become stewards of their communities and environment.
This year’s event was especially meaningful for Adelante Mujeres. Our Chicas Youth Development Program was honored with the 2025 Watershed Champion Award, a recognition that fills our hearts with pride and gratitude.
What This Award Means to Us
Being named a Watershed Champion is a reminder of what’s possible when we come together in community. It symbolizes the shared commitment between Adelante Mujeres and Tualatin Riverkeepers to protect our rivers, the ecosystems, families, and futures our waterways sustain.
Our team feels immense gratitude for this recognition, which reflects the heart of our partnership: nurturing environmental stewardship through access, education, and joy.
A Partnership Rooted in Care
Thanks to our collaboration with TRK, our Chicas students and families experienced the river in new and transformative ways—many for the first time. Our annual Rumbo al Río outing, for example, offers families a free, accessible opportunity to connect with nature, strengthen bonds, and boost overall well-being. When young people feel that connection, they naturally want to protect what they love.
This past summer, our middle school and high school Chicas went kayaking, canoeing, and discovered the thrill of teamwork and courage. Many paddled solo for the first time, finding confidence in their own strength. These moments spark curiosity and care for the environment, and they often ignite dreams of pursuing careers in fields where women, and especially Latinas, are underrepresented.
Looking Ahead
We’re inspired by the restoration projects TRK leads across the watershed and look forward to bringing our Chicas into that work next year. Together, we’re building environmental awareness, leadership, empowerment, and a sense of belonging in nature.
"We are deeply thankful for Tualatin Riverkeepers’ partnership and the beautiful recognition of our shared mission,” says Brianda Regalado, our Chicas Partnership Coordinator, who accepted the award on behalf of Adelante Mujeres. “We can’t wait to see what we create together next!”
