conservation education

Discover the fascinating and weird world of mushrooms. Join mushroom enthusiast Leah Bendlin on this woodland hike to learn about the ecological roles of fungi and how they eat and reproduce. We'll have hands-on exercises and learn how to identify mushrooms. Field guides will be provided.

Register:  www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar

Where:  Mt. Talbert Nature Park

When:  9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Cost: $6/person, $11/family

Ages: All ages welcome but geared toward adults

Wheelchair accessible:   No

Pets Policy:  To protect plants, wildlife and people, Metro does not allow pets at most regional parks and natural areas.  Pets can damage sensitive habitat and threaten wildlife the region has worked to protect.  In natural areas where dogs are not allowed, people see more wildlife and get closer to it.  Seeing eye dogs or other service animals are allowed.  Please bring cleanup materials.  http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/pets-policy

Where:  Cathlapotle Plankhouse at the Carty Unit on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642

When:  September 11th, 2016

What:  Please join us for our final Second Sunday event of the season. We invite you to enjoy an exceptional presentation on contemporary curatorial practices regarding indigenous art, a naturalists lead ethnobotany hike, and family friendly activities. In addition to scheduled activities the Plankhouse will be open for visitors from 12:-4:00 pm for informal tours and Q&A for visitors to learn about local indigenous culture.

 1:00 pm:  The Power of Indigenizing Curatorial Practice with Dr. Deanna Dartt

Over the past five years, the Portland Art Museum has gained national attention for its efforts to bring Native American Art to the forefront of its exhibitions and programming, and for the way its Native American Art collection is curated.

In this intimate presentation Dr. Deana Dartt, outgoing curator of the Native American Collection for the PAM, will discuss her role in guiding this effort to ethically address the impact of native representation in the Museum and her vision for the future of the Museum's collection of indigenous art after she steps down in September.

Additionally, Dr. Dartt will also share her plans for the future as she prepares for her transition from curator to author; including finishing her book Negotiating the Master Narrative, to be published by the University of Nebraska Press. This examines how art, historical, and anthropological institutions are moving towards incorporating indigenous voices in their curation practices.

3:00 pm:  Guided Naturalist Hike
Join a Refuge Naturalist looking at the relationship that the Chinookan People of Cathlapotle had with their landscape. We will identify culturally significant plants, as well as explore how the environment influences culture and culture influences the environment. Participants meet in front of the Plankhouse and should be prepared for a 1 mile hike on moderately uneven terrain.

12:-4:00 pm:  Plankhouse Tours and Children's Activities
Ongoing guided Plankhouse tours are available or feel free to explore the House on your own. Activities exploring local culture and nature are designed give kids a hands-on connection to the Refuge.

Cost:  Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle. Save money, carpool with friends and family!

Contact:  Sarah Hill - Cathlapotle Plankhouse Coordinator - 360.887.4106 or sarah_hill@fws.gov.

Funding for this program has been generously provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this event for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language, interpreting services, closed captioning, or other accommodation needs to Sarah Hill at the contact information provided above.

Explore the incredible diversity of fungi in Oxbow's ancient forest.  In this hands-0n, beginners class, learn the basics of mushrooms and other fungi.  This is not an edible mushroom class.

Meet at Group Camp 1. 

Time:  11:00-1:00 p.m.  OR  2:00-4:00 p.m.

Ages:  8 and older

Registration:  No registration required

Cost:  Free of charge

Pets policy:  To protect plants, wildlife and people, Metro does not allow pets at most regional parks and natural areas.  Pets can damage sensitive habitat and threaten wildlife the region has worked to protect.  In natural areas where dogs are not allowed, people see more wildlife and get closer to it.  Seeing-eye dogs or other service animals are allowed.  Please bring cleanup materials.  http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/pets-policy

Nothing says "Pacific Northwest" like the annual return from the ocean of the salmon, fighting upstream to spawn and die in the rivers of their birth.  In October, witness this ancient, iconic phenomenon at Oxbow Regional Park along the Sandy River, one of the nation's designated Wild and Scenic rivers.  During the annual Salmon Homecoming, naturalists are on hand to help you see the salmon and explore other aspects of the park's 1,000 acres of old-growth forest, hiking and equestrian trails and river beaches.  Take the chill off around the campfire.  Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or cider around the campfire.  Guaranteed to take the chill off and lift your spirits for a walk in the autumn woods. 

Join naturalists at the river's edge.  They'll help you spot spawning salmon and tell you about the salmon's behavior and life cycle.  Borrow a pair of polarized fish-viewing glasses onsite.

Learn more:  http://www.oregonmetro.gov/oxbow

Free of charge.  No registration required.

Vehicle charge:  $5 per car/$7 per bus

Pets policy:  To protect plants, wildlife and people, Metro does not allow pets at most regional parks and natural areas.  Pets can damage sensitive habitat and threaten wildlife the region has worked to protect.  In natural areas where dogs are not allowed, people see more wildlife and get closer to it.  Seeing-eye dogs or other service animals are allowed.  Please bring cleanup materials.  http://www.oregonmetro.gov/parks/pets-policy