celebration

Celebrate the 30th annual Great Blue Heron Week and join bird expert Rick Balazs to view the Owl Woods heron colony. Thirty to fifty pairs of herons nest in this stand of Douglas fir trees on the east edge of Jackson Bottom. Rick has spent hundreds of hours monitoring the birds over the years and knows the behaviors and antics of nesting herons very well. Meet at the Education Center at 10 am. Be prepared for a two mile (round-trip) leisurely walk over mostly flat terrain. Dress for the weather, the trails may be muddy. Bring binoculars. A variety of other birds including bald eagles, osprey and songbirds may be seen. Free. A donation of $2 / person to the Education Center is welcomed. Group size limited to 15, registration required.

10 -- Adult

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Education Center

Rick Balazs

50949    Sat          5/28    10 am -- 1 pm

50951    Sat          6/11    10 am -- 1 pm

Free. Pre-registration required.

Celebrate the 20th annual Tualatin River Bird Festival on Saturday, May 21, at the Tualatin National Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood, 19255 SW Pacific Hwy, Sherwood. Spend the day outdoors and get acquainted with this wonderful place. This is a free, family-friendly event with activities for everyone.

Start the day with an early morning bird walk. Listen to the "dawn chorus" and learn to identify birds by sight and sound with experienced birders. Family activities start at 10 a.m. and will include hands-on educational arts and crafts to help children learn about nature, building a bird and butterfly house for their backyard, storytelling, and a scavenger hunt. Visitors can learn to catch a fish, try their hand at archery, practice shooting a BB gun, or play migratory putt-putt golf. The always popular and exciting Audubon Birds of Prey show will be featured. Conestoga wagon rides around the Refuge, always a big hit, will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check out the conservation exhibits presented by local environmental groups and browse in the Nature Store. 

Festival parking is available at the office building at 12205 SW Tualatin Road, corner of SW 124th and Pacific Highway. Free ADA-compatible shuttle buses will provide continuous transportation to the Refuge from 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be no on-site parking at the Refuge. For complete information on this event, please visit http://www.friendsoftualatinrefuge.org/ or call 503-625-5944, ext. 227.

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.

Bald Eagle, Osprey and Great Blue Heron all nest and raise their young at Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. This class introduces you to the life-styles of each of these species and includes a walk of about two miles to view the birds at their nest sites.  Ages 12 -- Adult.
To register visit website (below) or call 503-681-5397. Program #: 49509    

For general program information contact Steve Engel.    
 

Learn how to make a Scottish-style ribbed carrying basket out of locally available materials! Bring a sharp knife and hand pruners and keen ears and eyes for paying close attention to the teaching demonstrations. Learn the basic skills you need to weave while emphasizing the magic of the process and deepening your appreciation for the incredible strength and vitality of the plants in our area. Includes harvesting demonstration. Materials provided.  Ages 16 - adult.

Instructor:  Tracy Harrison

To register visit website (below) or call 503-681-5397. 

Program #: 49502

For general information on class call or email Steve Engel (below).