conservation education

Find creative inspiration within Forest Park’s native forest during an afternoon of story-writing, illustrating and sharing.  Discover your muse from the park’s history and ecology, all beneath the forest’s lush summer canopy.  Ages 10-14.  Meet at NW 53rd & Dogwood Trail.  Kids’ Discovery Hikes are limited to 15 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Click here to reserve a place for your young forest explorers today!  Advance reservations are required by 12 noon on the day before each hike.

Join the 17th year of the Columbia Slough’s paddling festival and canoe in search of eagles, otters and fish. Launch into the safe slack water of the slough and enjoy hands-on nature activities and tasty snacks for purchase. Meet at the St. Johns Canoe Launch at 9363 N. Columbia Blvd. in Portland. T-shirt provided. $7 suggested donation. Bring your own boat or make a reservation for a 45-minute rental through the council. For more information, visit www.columbiaslough.org. Hosted by Columbia Slough Watershed Council

Reconnecting with Life: Biomimicry and the Nature Principle with Richard Louv

In his most recent book,The Nature Principle, Richard Louv makes the case that the more technological our society becomes, the more we need nature--not only for our physical and spiritual health but also for our long-term survival. Louv will be in Portland to deliver the opening address of the 2012 Biomimicry Education Summit, held in conjunction with a special Science Pub. The address will connect his call for a "New Nature Movement" with the promise of biomimicry, a new discipline based on the premise that nature's innovations hold the solutions to our toughest design challenges.

More than simply emphasizing conservation or nature appreciation, Louv advocates that we embrace the reality that we are an interconnected part of the planet and take action to create new and deeper ways of bringing the natural world into all aspects of human life. Similarly, biomimicry offers a hopeful strategy for living gracefully on the earth, as other organisms have done for billions of years. Biomimicry can be a doorway to the natural world for technology enthusiasts and a window for nature-lovers into technological and sustainable solutions to pressing problems. As we strive to bring nature into our cities, schools, workplaces--so too must we bring it into our design processes and technology itself.

Through a nature-balanced existence--driven by sound economic, social, and environmental solutions--the human race can and will thrive. This timely, inspiring, and important message will give audience members renewed hope while challenging them to rethink the way we live.

Richard Louv is best-known for his 2005 book, Last Child In The Woods http://richardlouv.com/books/last-child/, which started a national conversation about the need for children to be connected to the natural world. His more recent book, The Nature Principle http://richardlouv.com/books/nature-principle/ (2011) reaches even further with a powerful call to action for the rest of us.

This special Science Pub is offered in partnership with the Biomimicry 3.8 Institute and serves as the opening address to the 6th Annual Biomimicry Education Summit http://edsummit.biomimicry.net. The Institute is a non-profit organization based in Missoula, MT that promotes the study and imitation of nature's sustainable designs and supports biomimicry education and professional development.

Copies of The Nature Principle and Last Child in the Woods will be available for purchase and signing at this Science Pub.