trails and greenways

It's spring time at SOLVE, which means lots to do across our state to connect Oregonians and enhance our environment! This season join thousands of Oregonians at SOLVE Planting Day, Invasive Removal or Litter Cleanup project near you! There are nearly 200 family friendly events to choose from between now and the end of April, with new projects added daily. Just a few hours on a Saturday will result in improved water quality, increased wildlife habitat and carbon storage to slow climate change. So what are you waiting for - join SOLVE for some fresh air and fun at an event near you!

Events Happening This Saturday:

4/4 - Rock Creek - Troge Land Care Day:  http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/rock-creek-troge-land-car...

4/4 - Seaside's "Treasure the Beach" April Beach Cleanup:  http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/seasides-treasure-beach-a...

4/4 - Forest Litter Pickup: http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/forest-litter-pickup

A Big Event You Won't Want to Miss This Spring:

4/18 SOLVE IT, Presented by Portland General Electric - Oregon's Largest Earth Day Event: http://solveoregon.org/what-we-do/solve-it Part of Global Youth Service Day!

Don't miss out. View our full calendar of events today at http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/event-registration

Questions? Contact SOLVE at 503-844-9571 ext. 332 or info@solveoregon.org

Have fun, learn, and help out at Columbia Springs! This family-friendly event is a great opportunity for community members to participate in environmental restoration and projects that improve Columbia Springs' 100-acre natural area and the historic Vancouver Trout Hatchery. Projects may include gardening, painting, trail maintenance, and more. Every Stewardship Saturday includes a lesson about local ecology to start the day and concludes with a fun activity like a craft or nature hike. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome! Children under 14 are welcome with parent or guardian supervision and teens under 16 with parent or guardian permission. Snacks and tools provided. Please bring sturdy shoes, appropriate outdoor work clothing, a water bottle, and your enthusiasm for helping the community! To sign-up or for more information, email volunteer@columbiasprings.org. 

Learn about landscapes, wildlife, and interpretation techniques to prepare for the many students that come to both Ridgefield and Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuges.  We will meet at Ridgefield NWR three Fridays in April and then one Friday in May to learn how to apply these lessons to Steigerwald Lake NWR.

Contact Park Ranger Josie Finley at 360-887-4106 or by email at Josie_Finley@fws.gov to learn more about this training series at the complex and other ways you can get involved.

Connect with your community and your local Wildlife Refuge! Become a Volunteer Naturalist with the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge and learn about the amazing wildlife who call the Refuge home while giving back.

As a Volunteer Naturalist, you have the opportunity to instill a sense of wonder for nature in youth and adults alike. Naturalists receive indepth training in environmental education basics, interpretive storytelling, and the history of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Lead and assistant positions are available based on your comfort level and interests. Additional educational opportunities are available to all participants throughout the year.

Help kick off the training series by joining your peers for an evening get together on February 25th! We'll discuss the upcoming training, introduce Refuge and Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge staff, and introduce you to the wonderful Volunteer Naturalists who will serve as your mentors throughout the program. The full day training series begins February 26th and continues March 5th, 12th, and 19th.

Once trained, volunteers commit to providing support to the Conservation Education program as field trip leaders, group guides, and classroom based informal educators. Field trip season begins in April and continues through July, with opportunities extending beyond the spring season. Additional opportunities to work with varying age groups (including adults) and at different venues are available.

For more information and to register, please visit www.friendsoftualatinrefuge.org or contact Jenna Mendenhall, Conservation Education Lead Coordinator, at jmendenhall@friendsoftualatinrefuge.org

American Trails is hosting the next International Trails Symposium right here in Portland from May 17-20, 2015, at the Oregon Convention Center.

The Symposium addresses every aspect of trails, greenways, and blueways. Learn from dozens of educational sessions and mobile workshops, and network with experts and enthusiasts from across the globe.

The theme for this year's Symposium is "Solutions for Success."

The Intertwine Alliance will coordinate volunteers for the event. 

Registration now open.