Nature and Human Health

Help us maintain our recreational and educational facilities while having fun! This welcoming and relaxed volunteer experience features projects of every kind. We end the day with an activity; previous activities have included planting flower seeds to take home, weaving baskets from English ivy, building bird feeders, and guided hatchery tours. Kids must be age 7 or older to participate. Kids under age 16 must have a parent/guardian with them to volunteer. Kids ages 16-17 must have a parent/guardian sign them in at the beginning of the event. While registration is not required, participation is limited to the first 30 participants. Those who registered prior to the event are given priority.  Go to columbiasprings.org/events to learn more.

Bud Grafting
Saturday July 16th, 10am - 1pm
SE Portland, Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood

In this hands-on workshop you will learn the basic techniques of bud grafting (budding). This method of grafting will allow you to combine different varieties and species of fruit into a single tree more quickly and with greater success rates than other grafting methods. This fun workshop will be an opportunity for you to gain a basic understanding of different bud grafting methods and when they should be used.

<<Click here to register now>>

About the instructor: 

Rick Shory has always worked with plants. In addition to gardening, he has grown and pruned fruit trees, including over 30 years experience grafting. In 2010, he returned to the Pacific Northwest after ten years in Colorado, where he worked in environmental field research and had a home orchard and permaculture. His botanical specialization is grasses.

The location address and other details will be provided after you register.

<<Click here to register now>>

Summer Pruning
Saturday June 25th, 10am - 1pm
NE Portland, East Columbia neighborhood

In this hands-on workshop you will learn the basics of summer pruning in order to increase the health and abundance of local fruit trees! Summer Pruning is a great time to de-invigorate an overgrown tree and encourage the continued development of fruiting laterals. This fun workshop will be an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the different types of pruning cuts and when these cuts should be used.

<<Click here to register now>>

About the instructor:

Instructor TBA

 The location address and other details will be provided after you register.

<<Click here to register now>>

Where:  Cathlapotle Plankhouse at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge: 28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642

When:  April 17, 2016

What: The Cathlapotle Plankhouse re-opens for the 2016 season on April 17th, 2016. The season will kick off with a special second Sunday event featuring the latest in Cathlapotle Village archaeology, artifacts excavated from the Cathlapotle site on display, and guided hikes highlighting spring and a family friendly hike focusing on Refuge Wildlife. The Plankhouse will be open for visitors from 12pm-4pm, and there will be kids' activities as well. 

**The Cathlapotle Plankhouse will now be open most weekends from 12pm-4pm. Every second Sunday of the month the Plankhouse will host a special event with speakers, guided hikes, and children's activities. For more information on the upcoming events, visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org.**

12pm: Naturalist Lead Family Hike

Join a Naturalist on the trail exploring the wildlife that live at the Refuge. This hour long walk will meet at the Plankhouse, and is geared towards families. Meet in front of the Plankhouse.

1pm: Presentation "What's new at Cathlapotle? Lots!"

Cathlapotle is one of the best preserved Chinookan Village sites along the Lower Columbia River, making it a tremendous window into the lives of Chinookan Peoples before contact with Euro-Americans in the early 1800s. Ken Ames, Professor Emeritus at Portland State University and one of the leading scholars in Lower Columbia River Archaeology will share the latest findings to come out of Cathlapotle, and connect these stories to the lands we all call home.

2pm: Spring Ethnobotany Hike

Join a Refuge Naturalist for a walk on the Oaks to Wetlands Trail discussing spring plants and their relationship with Chinookan culture. Participants should be prepared for a 2 mile hike on moderately uneven terrain. Meet at the Plankhouse.

12pm - 4pm: Plankhouse Tours and Children's Activities

Tour the Plankhouse on your own or guided by our experienced volunteers. Children's activities will be available as well.

Cost:   Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle

Contact: Sarah Hill, Plankhouse Coordinator; 360.887.4106/plankhouse@gmail.com

For wheelchair access to this event, please contact Sarah prior to the event date.

Join us for free urban nature adventures every third Wednesday, February through November!  April theme:  Ethnobotany!  Travel back in time as you embark on a short guided hike at Columbia Springs to learn some of the ways different native plants have been used as food, medicine, and tools for thousands of years!  This hike is best suited for students aged 7-77 and is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.  We can accommodate twenty people maximum on a first come first served basis.