family friendly

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.

Earth Day is a global celebration, and here in Oregon we take extra pride in caring for our environment and communities. Be part of our tradition of care by volunteering at SOLVE IT, presented by Portland General Electric on Saturday April 18th!

Litter and invasive plants have settled into the areas where we live, work and play. Now's your chance to join thousands of Oregon volunteers as we take back our city streets, local parks and natural spaces. Projects include litter cleanup, invasive plant removal, planting native trees and shrubs, and more. Sign up to volunteer by going to www.solveoregon.org, clicking "Get Involved" and selecting your favorite project from over 100 family friendly events.

Events happening on 4/18 still in need of volunteers include...

Mary S Young Beautification in West Linn: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/mary-s-young-park-earth-day-b...

Champeog State Park Cleanup in St. Paul: http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/champoeg-earth-day-cleanup

Gardening At Blue Lake in Fairview: http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/gardening-blue-lake-park

Helen Altheaus Woods Cleanup in Troutdale: http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/helen-althaus-woods-cleanup

Trail Work at Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville: http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/trail-work-graham-oaks-na...

Cozine Creek Restoration at Shadowood in McMinnville: http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/cozine-creek-restoration-...

Lower Gales Creek Restoration Project in Forest Grove: http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/lower-gales-creek-restora...

Errol Heights Plant Maintenance in Portland: http://www.solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/errol-heights-plant-maint...

Help improve our state this April and be part the SOLVE solution at Oregon's largest Earth Day event. Learn more at http://www.solveoregon.org/what-we-do/solve-it

Questions? Contact SOLVE at 503-844-9571 ext. 332 or info@solveoregon.org

The Washington County Master Gardener Association is hosting their annual plant sale with $5 perennials and annuals for shade and sun as well as natives, shrubs, herbs, berries, trees and drought-tolerant plants. There will also be Master Gardeners on site to answer any questions.

Multnomah County Master Gardeners'

Incredible Edibles Plant Sale 2015

From seedlings to supper, grow your own!

Give new meaning to "Picking up something for dinner!" with organic veggie starts and herbs for your home garden at the fourth annual Multnomah County Master Gardeners' Incredible Edibles Plant Sale.

Plant starts from the Incredible Edibles Plant Sale  are local, organically-grown varieties specifically selected for their ability to thrive in Pacific Northwest conditions, so you'll soon be harvesting nutritious, fresh-picked goodness for your table! Look for a luscious array of both heirlooms and hybrids among the proven varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuces, herbs, edible flowers and more.

OSU Extension-trained Master Gardener volunteers will be on hand so you can 'Get the Real Dirt'  on plant problems, pest control and other gardening questions.

'Plant. Grow. Eat.' workshops  are scheduled throughout the day to inspire and provide education for new adventures in growing your own food. New to growing edibles? The Incredible Edibles Plant Sale is the place for you, with lots of information and helpful Master Gardeners to launch you successfully on growing your own food.

Bop while you shop to fun, lively, musical entertainment  and check out the art and food vendors.

Proceeds  from the sale further the work of the Multnomah County Master Gardeners, whose mission is to support the OSU Extension Service Master Gardener program and to educate the public about all aspects of successfully and sustainably growing and caring for plants.

You've seen Multnomah County Master Gardener volunteers at your neighborhood Farmers Market and other community events, but Master Gardener volunteers also:

*Donate produce from the Multnomah County Community Demonstration Garden to local food banks

*Host a monthly Speaker Series, free and open to the public, where guest horticulture experts share their knowledge on a range of relevant gardening and environmental topics.

*Provide horticulture lessons to young people being treated at Doernbecher Children's Hospital

*Instruct Seed to Supper classes in partnership with the Oregon Food Bank

*Teach gardening methods that support successful gardening and environmental stewardship at area schools, libraries, parks, and community gardens throughout Multnomah County

For more information go to www.multnomahmastergardeners.org/edibles or email

multmastergardeners@gmail.com, or call (503)445-4608

Free admission. Everyone welcome.

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