walking

September 8, 2013 

12pm-4pm: Children's activities, Plankhouse tours, and displays highlighting other First Foods of the Columbia River will be available. 2pm: Historian Melissa Darby presents a talk on Wapato, and its use by Native People of the Columbia River and beyond. 

Historian and archeologist Melissa Darby will present "Wapato for the People" on September 8 at 2pm in the Cathlapotle Plankhouse. Darby will explore the use of wapato, Sagittaria latifolia ,  throughout the world using archeological evidence. The root of this important plant was a staple food of Native Americans who lived on the Lower Columbia and Fraser Rivers and it was a heavily traded commodity out to the coast and east to the mountains. This root has also been found in archeological sites in the Great Basin and in sites in Europe and it is now cultivated in Asia.  In addition to this presentation children's activities, and displays highlighting other First Foods of the Columbia River will be included from 12-4pm.  There is a $3.00 entrance fee per vehicle visiting the Refuge.  For more information contact Sarah Hill at

Sarah_Hill@fws.gov or call 360-887-4106 or visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org.

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse on the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge:  28908 N Main Ave; Ridgefield, WA 98642

This event is part of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse Second Sunday Series.  The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a full- scale replica Chinookan Plankhouse located on the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge at 28908 N Main Ave., Ridgefield, WA.  It interprets the village of Cathlapotle that once existed on what is now Refuge property. Lewis and Clark mention Cathlapotle in their journals and noted that there were fourteen of these houses and 900 people living in the village at the time of their encounter in 1805.

** If you require wheelchair access, please make sure to call and arrange this ahead of time.**

Special Half-Day Event 9am-12pm: The Washington Trails Association (WTA) seeks youth and families (and hikers of all ages) to participate in a work party right in Vancouver's "backyard". Bring your child (and inner child) to connect with nature while building a new section of trail for future generations to enjoy.

WTA provides all tools and instruction plus post work party refreshments. No prior experience with trail work needed, just a willingness to lend a hand. On this project the crew is building a new trail reroute that will replace a section of trail that is often muddy. The new trail will shed water better and provide a much nicer hiking experience.

Whipple Creek Park is a 300-acre green oasis in the midst of farmlands to the west of the Clark County Fairgrounds. This hike loops through colossal Douglas fir trees and waist-high sword ferns to provide a primordial experience where you are dwarfed by nature. There is a small meadow for a picnic and the remnants of a grist mill to explore. This hike is a great way to escape urban life and be immersed in a peaceful forest environment.

Let's Go is a series of fun, organized, ranger-let activities at major Oregon State Parks this summer.

Oregon State Parks boasts miles of hiking trails.  Hiking is an easy sport to begin and is the perfect way for you and your family to go outside and get some exercise together. What better way to experience some of Oregon's most beautiful scenery than to join us on a Let's Go Hiking at Night trip!  Be sure to wear hiking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a water bottle, and any other necessary personal items.  Ages 8 years old and above welcome (children 8-14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian).

For more information, check out: www.oregonstateparks.org and find Let's Go under "Things To Do".