lecture

Learn the ancient art of saving seeds in this hands-on workshop held at one of Portland's oldest and most established urban Permaculture gardens. Each participant will get to collect unusual and interesting varieties of seeds to take home with them.

Sign up on Growing Gardens workshop page: http://growing-gardens.org/our-programs/workshops/

Presenter Information: Connie Van-Dyke is a master of self-sufficiency and grows a large percentage of her food, year round in her urban Permaculture garden.  Connie has been an instructor at Portland Community College for 16 years.  Inviting people to come to her urban garden she shows them ways to close the loop and be more self-reliant.  Courses like urban farming, permaculture, rug making, weaving, medicine making, natural dyeing, cannin, raising meat in the city and seed saving show students how to get their needs met without money.  She gleans, barters, wildcrafts, and grows most of her daily needs.

Growing Gardens believes the seeds of a healthier world are planted in our own back yards! To find out more about Growing Gardens visit us at www.growing-gardens.org

On June 9th the Cathlapotle Plankhouse will be hosting a Summer Celebration and Salmon Bake in partnership with OMSI. 12pm- 2pm: Special presentations in the Plankhouse will focus on NW Tribal Canoe Journeys and the Pacific Lamprey, a mysterious eel-like fish important to Native People of the Columbia River. 2pm: Free Chinookan-style salmon bake and seafood stew tastings until supplies last. Docent led Plankhouse tours, live lamprey encounters, and children's activities will be available from 12pm-4pm.

This event will highlight the relationship of Native people of the Columbia River to fish such as Pacific Lamprey, a little known eel like fish that migrates from fresh water, to the ocean, and back again. It will also serve to educate the public about the upcoming Tribal Canoe Journeys. There will be presentations focused on current efforts of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and area Tribes to protect and restore Pacific Lamprey and other important fish of the Columbia River ecosystem, and the role that Canoe Journeys play in NW Tribal cultures today. There will also be opportunities to meet live live Lamprey up close and personal, guided Plankhouse tours, and children's activities from 12-4pm. Special presentations on Lamprey conservation efforts and their importance to local Tribes, and Canoe Journeys will be from 12pm-2pm, with a FREE Chinookan style salmon bake and tasting at 2pm while supplies last.

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a modern Chinookan Plankhouse built to interpret the Chinookan village of Cathlapotle that once existed on what is today Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge property. At the time Lewis and Clark visited Cathlapotle, it had 14 large plankhouses and over 900 people living there. The modern Cathlapotle Plankhouse is used to provide educational programs to youth and the general public through our Lifeways, Landscapes, and Wildlife Interpretive Program. To learn more about the plankhouse visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org or contact Sarah Hill at Sarah_Hill@fws.gov or (360) 887-4106.

Forest Park Conservancy's Volunteer Crew Leader Training: Trails Edition will prepare you to lead a small group of volunteers at larger trail work parties in Forest Park. With your leadership support, more people can get dirty improving the park's trail network, perform quality work, and receive a safe and enjoyable volunteer experience. Topics covered will be volunteer leadership and safety, trail maintenance practices, and trail repair techniques.   

Crew leaders must commit to leading at one or more of the following FPC stewardship events:

• National Trails Day: Saturday, June 1st
• National Public Lands Day: Saturday, September 28th
• Ongoing Trail Saturdays throughout the year.

Meet at the Audubon Society of Portland in the morning for classroom instruction. Afternoon hands-on training will take place in Forest Park. Lunch will be provided.  

Crew Leader Requirements:

• Hike upwards of 3 miles (sometimes over steep, uneven terrain), carry loads upwards of 40 pounds, wield tools, get dirty, and love it.
• Willingness and ability to actively engage, lead, and supervise volunteers.

Registration is required! Sign up here: http://www.forestparkconservancy.org/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=171460

On May 30, 1948 at 4:17pm the railroad dike burst, allowing high water from the Columbia River to flood Vanport City. Learn about the history of Vanport (the second-largest city in Portland at the time and predominantly African-American) and the specifics of the flood at this outdoor tour at the historic site. We'll meet at the Delta Park/Vanport Park & Ride and carpool from there. Suitable for adults and children aged 10+; RSVPs appreciated.

April 16&17 9am-3pm.  

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is seeking new volunteers to join thier team of environmental and cultural educators. 

Every year the refuge hosts over 4,000 students, along with hundreds of teachers and parents to learn about the rich natural and cultural resources of the area. The Refuge only has one staff person and one Friends employee that are dedicated to public cultural and environmental education programs, and they just cannot do it all themselves.  Luckily, it is not only fun but easy to engage youth in this beautiful outdoor classroom!  We will start off at the Fire Station by the Ridgefield/I5 junction for indoor presentations and activities, then move to the refuge in the afternoon. 
 
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!  Learn how to work with youth of many ages and backgrounds, the basic ecological concepts that they are learning and can see on the refuge, and the cultural and natural resources that make this place a thriving historical and natural destination.

To register or for more info contact Josie Finley at (360) 887 4106 or josie_finely@fws.gov

Check out the flyer here: http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield/pdf/Education%20Training...