wildlife watching

The rare white oak woodlands of Mount Talbert offer refuge for migrating warblers, tanagers, orioles and cedar waxwings. Move quietly through shaded groves in search of the elusive Western gray squirrel and learn to identify poison oak. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair on site. Trails are rough and steep in places. Suitable for ages 10 and older. $5 for adults; under 18 free. Advance registration required; call 503-794-8092.

Join Metro naturalist Dan Daly at Oxbow Regional Park to learn how to make fire without matches by carving your own bow drill friction fire kit to take home with you. Learn about fire safety, construction and fuel selection. Participants use knives; the safe conduct of young children is the responsibility of their guardians.

Family Nature Explorers brings kids and adults together for open-ended nature exploration in Metro natural areas. Families meet other families with the same interests in nature and the outdoors. Kids meet other kids who love to touch, smell and study all things natural. Led by Metro naturalists and volunteers, each adventure explores a special theme – but trip leaders seize the moment when nature presents any unexpected learning opportunity. Bring a sack lunch. Children 4 and older are welcome with a parent, grandparent or guardian. $11 per family per program. Register for each program separately; come to one or come to all. Register online or call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Take a relaxing walk at Smith and Bybee Wetlands on a long summer evening. Dusk is one of the best times to view wildlife, especially during summer. It’s about the only time mammals such as beaver, muskrat, otter, raccoon, deer and bats can be seen. A Metro naturalist teaches basic techniques of wildlife watching and identification. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair onsite. Suitable for ages 10 and older; participants must be able to be quiet, sneaky and patient. Meet in the parking area on North Marine Drive. Registration and payment of $6 per adult or $11 per family required in advance. Register online or call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Bring your family with kids ages 3+ for water bug discovery! Join Education Director Sheilagh Diez for an hour of games and water bug hunting with nets and buckets. Learn how damselfly larvae breathe underwater and how water boatmen swim. 

Help search for and remove the invasive ricefield bulrush (Scirpus mucronatus) from wetlands. This invasive sedge is threatening wetlands on the refuge by competing with native plants that wildlife need for food and shelter. Due to volunteer efforts, the amount of ricefield bulrush at the refuge has dramatically reduced over the last 10 years. Come be a part of this downward trend and remove ricefield bulrush from the Pacific Northwest! Easy to remove and fun to search for, let's get this plant out of its only known NW location!

*Depending on conditions these work party days may include the removal of yellow-flag iris or other targeted invasive plants.

All work days are Wednesday and Saturday from 9AM - 12:30PM; rain or shine. Bring rubber boots and dress for the weather. Meet by the visitor kiosk in the River 'S' Unit. Gloves, tools, snacks, and drinks will be provided to keep you fueled up and restoration ready.

Event dates by month: June 23, 27, and 30. July 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, and 28. August 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, and 29. September 1st

Work parties are sponsered by the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1965 along with 3 other refuges in the Southwest Washington State, to secure vital winter habitat for Dusky Canada geese and other wintering waterfowl. With subsequent changes to nesting habitat and reduction in dusky populations following the violent earthquake of 1964 in Alaska, the need for secure wintering habitat became even more important.

Currently, Ridgefield NWR has a total of 5,218 acres of marshes, grasslands and woodlands. Preservation of the natural Columbia River floodplain is the management objective of the Carty (2-mile self-guided hiking trail), Roth, and Ridgeport Dairy units. The River 'S' (4.2 mile auto tour route and 1.2 mile seasonal hiking trail) and Bachelor Island units are managed to maximize habitat for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife.