conservation education

Sundays this summer, join a naturalist for free tours of the region's nature parks. Guided walks will introduce participants to the local plants and animals that inhabit the parks.  Each tour will leave the parking lot area promptly at 10am and 1pm.

All ages welcome

Difficulty Rating: 1 out of 3 boots

Wheelchair accessible

Sundays this summer, join a naturalist for free tours of the region's nature parks. Guided walks will introduce participants to the local plants and animals that inhabit the parks.  Each tour will leave the parking lot area promptly at 10am and 1pm.

All ages welcome

Difficulty Rating: 3 out of 3 boots

Not wheelchair accessible

Sundays this summer, join a naturalist for free tours of the region's nature parks. Guided walks will introduce participants to the local plants and animals that inhabit the parks.  Each tour will leave the parking lot area promptly at 10am and 1pm.

All ages welcome

Difficulty Rating: 2 out of 3 boots

Not wheelchair accessible

Join Clark County staff at Whipple Creek Hollow, one of our key urban wildlife areas in the heart of Salmon Creek, for a volunteer work party.  Join a team to help restore trails and trailheads throughout the site. This 40-acre site hosts a variety of upland trees, flowers and wildlife.  Enjoy a hike through the site after the work party is complete and learn about the restoration efforts along Whipple Creek.  Light refreshments will be provided but bring a water bottle.  RSVP suggested.

Mother's Day Presentation: Native Woman's Views on Lewis & Clark Expedition, Presented by Pat Courtney Gold

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

When: May 10, 2015
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.

2pm: Presentation: Native Women's View of Lewis and Clark Presented by Pat Courtney Gold

All the books written about Lewis and Clark were from a white man's perspective.  In this presentation, you will learn about the Native People's view of Lewis and Clark. Pat will explore questions like: How did the Columbia River matriarchal society see Lewis and Clark? What did they think of the smelly bearded men who ignored the sacred salmon in preference for dog meat? This talk will present a point of view not often talked about in regards to the expedition, and one that deserves to be heard.

Cost:   Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle

Take mom for a walk, a talk, and wildlife watching at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge this Mother's Day! At 2pm in the Cathlapotle Plankhouse Pat Courtney Gold, member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and accomplished weaver and artist will be speaking about the perspective that Native Women had of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. There will also be activities for families to connect with the culture and wildlife at the plankhouse, hiking trails, in addition to ample wildlife watching opportunities on the River 'S' Unit Auto Tour Driving Route. Check the Friends website ridgefieldfriends.org for maps of Refuge trails, or contact Plankhouse Director Sarah Hill at sarah_hill@fws.gov, or call (360) 887-4106.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, and the house will now be open 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/plankhouse/programs . 

Funding for these programs has been generously provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, the Community Foundation for SW Washington, and Umpqua Bank.  

For wheelchair access to this event, please contact Sarah at Sarah_Hill@fws.gov or (360) 887-4106 prior to the event date.