educational course

Visitors can enjoy bird, plant and nature tours and presentations by regional experts who will share fun facts and information about Southwest Washington's unique ecoregion. Archeologist-led walks will follow in the footsteps of Native Americans and Lewis & Clark to notable sites within
the refuge. These include a visit to a replica of a Cathlapotle plankhouse built by hand using ancient techniques
and tools. A traditional salmon bake will be held Sunday afternoon with complimentary samplings.
Children's activities in downtown Ridgefield will include the Audubon Society Live bird show and birds on display,
craft stations, games, a storytelling tent and more. Special offerings on both days include guided kayak and canoe tours, a night hike, Kiwa Trail tour and the spectacular sandhill crane tours at dawn and dusk. These tours are offered on a limited basis and fill quickly, with reservations and fees required. Visitors can also get an early start on Christmas shopping. An expanded birders' marketplace will offer great buys
on garden items, pottery, art, photography, birdhouses, clothes, books and other items. Food booths will be open
throughout the weekend.
 

Birdfest and Bluegrass is a non-profit festival hosted by Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to encourage
appreciation for the wonders of nature and this special wildlife refuge.

Design your own tee-shirt, handkerchief or other cloth item using fabric paints and animal track stencils. Let your creativity and imagination go wild to make a unique gift for the holiday season. Life-size stencils of many different kinds of animal tracks, fabric paints, brushes and directions are provided; bring your own light-colored cotton or cotton-blend tee-shirt or other item to decorate.

6 -- Adult

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Education Center
Steve Engel
48278       Sat          12/12       1 -- 4:00 pm
$10 resident, $15 non-resident

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.

16 -- Adult

Tracy Harrison

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Education Center

48276   Sat       11/14    11 am -- 5:00 pm

$30 resident, $45 non-resident

Fall is a perfect time to learn about hawks and other raptors, also known as birds of prey. Many raptors migrate south through Oregon this time of year.  This class will focus on how to identify the most common birds of prey that occur in Oregon. An optional field trip with transportation provided visits Bonney Butte, a hawk migration study site near Mt. Hood, where up to two hundred raptors a day fly by.

12 -- Adult

Jackson Bottom Wetlands Education Center

Steve Engel

48271   Thu       10/8      7 -- 8:30 pm     Class only

48272   Sat       10/10    8 am -- 5 pm    Field trip includes class

Class only    $10 resident, $15 non-resident

Field trip and class        $45 resident, $55 non-resident

Learn step-by-step how to plan, design, and build your own rain garden!  Topics include determining the right size and location for a rain garden, how to build it, and advice on choosing plants that will thrive in it.  The workshop includes a field trip to a nearby rain garden.