seasonal natural interest

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse will be kicking off its 2013 Second Sunday Series on Mother's Day, May 12.

Garden Historian and Humanities WA speaker Joan Hockaday will be presenting The Lewis and Clark Wildflower Discoveries in the Cathlapotle Plankhouse. She will discuss the lasting legacy of Lewis and Clark in the exploration of the American West, and the contributions that Native Americans have made to the expedition and western science. This presentation will speak to the question: "What do we discover today from Lewis and Clark's daily accounts about our early Washington landscape, natural history and native peoples?"

Guided tours of the Plankhouse and children's activities will be available from 12-4pm. Those feeling up for it can also join Joan on the trail after the talk to explore some of the plants along the adjacent Oaks To Wetlands Trail.

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.

Join Metro Naturalist James Davis and look for songbirds and spring migrants before settling down to a delicious lunch provided by the Council. $5 suggested donation, suitable for adults and teens aged 12+. Bring your own binoculars if you have them. Advanced registration required.

Spring is here and so are morels! Early spring morels, Morchella elata and false morels, Verpa bohemica can both be found in the Willamette Valley. Come learn the habitat of Morels and other edible and medicinal mushrooms. The best way to find mushrooms is to know their habitat. If you know what to look for, you just might find it. We won't be collecting wild foods on this trip, but we will be collecting the knowledge that allows us find where to go to eat. Riparian, river side,  habitats, and the edible and medicinal mushrooms that can be found at this time of year in the Willamette Valley and surrounding area. The class will be held at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge across the river near Vancouver Wa. We will have ample opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing. You might also have the opportunity to see one of the newly translocated Columbia White Tailed Deer!

When: April 7th, 10am-2pm

Where: Meet at the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. There is the option to meet up and carpool from St. Johns area in Portland.

Cost: $25
There are limited spaces for this workshop. You must register at http://www.rewildportland.com/educational-programs/workshops/spring-mush...

About Our Instructor
Richard Gaines has a B.S. in Natural Science and over 30 years experience in identifying fungi. He has taught identification and medicinal mushrooms workshops for Evergreen
College.

Explore the views and wildflowers of Canemah Bluff this Mother's Day, May 12 with Metro naturalist Dan Daly.

1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12

Walk with Metro naturalist Dan Daly and learn about common wildflowers. Enjoy the serenade of nesting songbirds and views of the Willamette River and historic Canemah Cemetery. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair on site. The walk covers 2 miles over uneven trails, mostly flat with some inclines. Suitable for ages 6 and older. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration and payment of $6 per person or $11 per household required in advance. To register and pay online, visit Metro's online calendar at www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar, find your event and follow the instructions.

Meet at noon at the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center for a guided tour of the blooming magnolias. Wear comfy walking shoes and bring a jacket, camera and water. Family-friendly. No registration required.