family friendly

Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area

Venue:

Graham Oaks Nature Park

Venue Details:

Explore trails, restored oak woodlands, a conifer forest and rich wildlife at Metro's new Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville. Ride your bike on the Tonquin Trail, stroll through a conifer forest or spot birds from a wetland overlook at Metro's Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville.  This 250-acre destination is a playground not just for people, but also for wildlife. With restored oak woodlands growing bigger every year, Graham Oaks provides important habitat for native birds and mammals. Bring your family, bring your camera, bring a picnic to the sustainable new picnic shelter. Bring your curiosity, and learn how voters helped renew this special landscape.  Three miles of trails traverse Graham Oaks, allowing visitors to explore several habitats in a single park. Cyclists and joggers can take the paved Tonquin Trail, which eventually will connect Wilsonville, Tualatin and Sherwood. A spur trail leads to a wetland overlook, perfect for bird-watchers; Coyote Way meanders through young oak woodlands. For a bit of shade, follow the Legacy Creek Trail through a rich conifer forest where thousands of species thrive. Be sure to visit Graham Oaks’ five plazas – perfect spots to rest, reflect and learn about the park. Be on the lookout for native wildlife such as white-breasted nuthatch, Western bluebird, orange-crowned warbler and Western gray squirrels.  A historical landscape Graham Oaks has a long and storied history, from the Kalapuyan tribes who gathered food here to the family that farmed the land – and the voters who helped purchase the site, restore its habitat and open it as a nature park.   Greening Graham Oaks Did you know Graham Oaks is one of the region’s greenest parks? At Graham Oaks, pervious pavement in the parking lot manages stormwater and removes pollutants. Solar panels on the restroom feed into the City of Wilsonville’s electric grid, and the beautiful stonework at the plazas and overlooks is Columbia River Gorge basalt stone. Find out about sustainable strategies used in the design, materials and construction.   A living laboratory Graham Oaks serves as an outdoor classroom for Inza Wood Middle School, Boones Ferry Primary School and CREST, the environmental education center operated by the West Linn-Wilsonville School District. Students study the rich wildlife, habitat and cultural history of Graham Oaks – an undertaking that helped create artwork and books showcased at the grand opening.  Access Graham Oaks Nature Park is free and open from 6:30 a.m. to legal sunset. Many of the park features are wheelchair accessible, although some trails offer a higher level of challenge. There is limited parking at the park entrance. Parking is not allowed at any of the schools. There is a permanent bike parking structure at the entrance of the park, accommodating a total of six bikes. Bikes are permitted only on the Tonquin Trail.  Typically, dogs are not allowed at Metro parks and natural areas in order to protect sensitive habitats, local wildlife and plants. Metro is making an exception by allowing dogs on the Tonquin Trail at Graham Oaks because it is a regional throughway. Dogs must be on-leash at all times, and are not allowed anywhere else in the park.

Cost:

$6 per adult or $11 per family, required in advance

Metro's Winter birds at Smith and Bybee Wetlands

Saturday, February 16, 2013 - 10:00am to 12:30pm

Metro

Address:

5300 N. Marine Drive

Portland, OR 97203

United States

Park/Trail:

10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saturdays, Feb. 16 and March 16

Winter is an active time at the wetlands with lots of water birds - ducks, geese, coots and grebes. Raptors such as red-tailed hawks and bald eagles are common; sightings of falcons and other hawks are possible. The wetlands' year-round residents as well as a few winter songbirds are easier to see because all the leaves are gone. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair on site; spotting scopes provided. Suitable for ages 9 and older. Meet Metro naturalist James Davis in the parking lot at 5300 N. Marine Drive. Registration and payment of $6 per adult or $11 per family required in advance. You can register and pay online for Metro activities. Go to www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar, find your event by searching or browsing, and follow the instructions. For questions, call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-797-1650

Contact Email:

parks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Venue:

Smith and Bybee Wetlands

Venue Details:

Home to beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles and Western painted turtles, this 2,000-acre natural area offers accessible wildlife watching, a canoe launch and more.  At nearly 2,000 acres, Metro’s Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is the largest protected wetlands within an American city. This beautiful natural area is one of the region’s best-kept secrets, hiding in a part of Portland surrounded by port terminals, warehouses and other commercial developments. Most visitors to the natural area are surprised to find beaver, river otter, black-tailed deer, osprey, bald eagles and Western painted turtles living only minutes from downtown Portland.  Recent improvements at the wetlands include a new canoe launch area and improved access for paddlers as well as restrooms, interpretive displays, a covered shelter, parking for 40 cars, a bus drop-off and public art.  Wind your way through the wetlands on the Interlakes Trail, a paved, accessible trail that includes two wildlife viewing platforms. Another great way to explore the natural area is by boat.  Another interesting feature of the natural area is the now-closed St. Johns Landfill, a former wetland that was filled and served as the region’s primary garbage disposal site from 1940 to 1991. Since then, Metro has been implementing environmental protection measures to safely reintegrate the 238-acre landfill site into its natural environs.

Cost:

$6 per adult or $11 per family, required in advance

Metro's Native Plant Center seed scout training

Saturday, March 16, 2013 - 9:00am to 3:00pm

Metro

Address:

2661 SW Borland Road

Tualatin, OR 97062

United States

Categories:

celebration

seasonal natural interest

preregistration required

Interested in tracking phenology of native wildflowers? Would you like to learn to identify flowers from their seed heads? Volunteering as a seed scout with Metro's Native Plant Center may be a good fit for you. Volunteer requirements: a field application, two training days and a commitment to 40 volunteer hours, March through September. To register, call Marsha Holt-Kingsley at 503-701-7554 or download the application online at www.oregonmetro.gov/nativeplantcenter.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-701-7554

Contact Email:

parks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Venue:

Metro's Native Plant Center

Venue Details:

Metro's Native Plant Center provides an essential supply of rare native seeds and plant stock to support Metro's restoration projects.  Metro’s Native Plant Center, located near Wanker’s Corner in Tualatin, provides an essential supply of rare native seeds and plant stock to support Metro’s restoration projects.  In its first year more than 4,650 native trees and shrubs grown at the plant center went into the ground at ten different Metro natural areas. A long-term goal of the project is to be able to share stock and seeds with other organizations working on restoration throughout the region.

Cost:

free

Metro's Native Plant Center volunteer venture

Saturday, February 2, 2013 - 9:00am to 1:00pm

Metro

Address:

2661 SW Borland Road

Tualatin, OR 97062

United States

Categories:

celebration

seasonal natural interest

preregistration required

Volunteer at Metro's Native Plant Center in Tualatin and help care for the rare native seeds, bulbs and plant materials that support regional restoration projects. Winter activities include harvesting and planting native bulbs, planting seeds, transplanting seedlings and nursery maintenance tasks. No experience necessary. Gloves, tools, water and snack provided. Advance registration required; call 503-797-1653.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-797-1650

Contact Email:

parks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Venue:

Metro's Native Plant Center

Venue Details:

Metro's Native Plant Center provides an essential supply of rare native seeds and plant stock to support Metro's restoration projects. Metro’s Native Plant Center, located near Wanker’s Corner in Tualatin, provides an essential supply of rare native seeds and plant stock to support Metro’s restoration projects. In its first year more than 4,650 native trees and shrubs grown at the plant center went into the ground at ten different Metro natural areas. A long-term goal of the project is to be able to share stock and seeds with other organizations working on restoration throughout the region.

Cost:

free

Raptor Road Trip

Saturday, February 9, 2013 - 9:00am to 2:00pm

Metro

Address:

Kruger’s Farm Market

17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd

Portland, OR 97231

United States

Park/Trail:

Howell Territorial Park

Categories:

bicycling

celebration

seasonal natural interest

wildlife watching

Annual event celebrates birds of prey

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9

Explore Sauvie Island in search of magnificent bald eagles, hawks and falcons that spend the winter on the island. On this special day devoted to raptors, experienced naturalists and hawk experts host activities and answer questions at four locations around the island. Enjoy guided bird viewing, meet live raptors up close and sharpen hawk identification skills. Hot drinks and doughnuts are available in the morning. Have breakfast with the birds!

How does the road trip work?

Begin at Kruger's Farm Market and pick up an event map and raptor identification guide. The event fee is $10 per vehicle, cash only, and includes a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area parking permit, which is needed to park at the sites. To reach Kruger's, take Highway 30 to the Sauvie Island Bridge and go straight on Sauvie Island Road 1.5 miles (past Howell Territorial Park). Kruger's Farm Market is located on the right. Carpooling is encouraged. Three of the four event locations offer wheelchair access.

Spotting scopes help with raptor identification and are provided, with naturalists on hand to point out the birds. Field guides are available. Bring binoculars and dress for the weather. This event takes place rain or shine. The road trip is suitable for birders of all ages and skill levels, and families are welcome. While you don't have to be an early bird and get up at the crack of dawn to see these birds of prey, allow approximately three hours to visit all four locations.

What will you see?

It all depends on what nature has in store. Regularly sighted raptors include bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, American kestrels and Northern harriers. With a little luck, you might spot a rough-legged hawk, Cooper's hawk, merlin or peregrine falcon. Beautiful snow geese, sandhill cranes and great blue herons are commonly seen at this time of year, as well as abundant waterfowl.

Sponsored by Metro, Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and HawkWatch International. For more information, www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar.

Contact Name:

Metro Parks

Contact Phone:

503-797-1650

Contact Email:

parks@oregonmetro.gov

Contact Website:

Venue:

Metro's Howell Terrirotial Park

Venue Details:

Located on Sauvie Island, Howell Territorial Park is a great place for picnickers, bird watchers and history buffs.  Visit a piece of Oregon history on Sauvie Island. Within this 120-acre park, the region's natural and cultural history come together in one serene, pastoral setting.  Attractions include reservable picnic areas, a pioneer orchard, large natural wetlands and an authentically restored farmhouse built in the 1850s.

Cost:

$10 per car

Plant trees with SOLVE!

Saturday, February 2, 2013 - 9:00am

SOLVE

Address:

2000 SW 1st Ave. Ste. 400

Portland, OR 97201

United States

Categories:

http://solv.org/get-involved/event-registration

volunteer

Dig in with SOLVE this year at restoration and cleanup sites across the Portland-metro area. Get your hands dirty planting native trees, removing invasive species, and helping restore critical habitat for native plants and wildlife. Over time, this work will improve water quality, create wildlife habitat, and store carbon to slow climate change.

These are family-friendly events. Plus, it's a great way to earn community service hours. Project dates and times will vary and events happen rain or shine. All tools, gloves, and supplies will be provided.

Visit the SOLVE calendar of events for a project near you!
http://solv.org/get-involved/event-registration

For more information or to register, visit: www.solveoregon.org, email morgan@solv.org, or call 503-844-9571 ext. 332.

Upcoming events:

Saturday, March 30th
Council Creek Planting Day - Cornelius
Johnson Creek Stonebridge Planting Day - Portland
Boardman Wetlands Planting Day - Milwaukie

Please register through our website: www.solveoregon.org

Contact Name:

Morgan Parks

Contact Phone:

15038449571

Contact Email:

morgan@solv.org

Contact Website:

Cost:

0$

Join Friends of Trees to Plant Neighborhood Trees in SE Portland!

Saturday, January 19, 2013 - 8:45am to 1:00pm

Friends of Trees

Address:

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

5415 Southeast Powell Boulevard

Portland, OR 97206

United States

Categories:

http://www.friendsoftrees.org/

tree planting

volunteer

Join Friends of Trees to plant neighborhood trees in SE Portland! Specifically, we'll be planting in the neighborhoods of Creston-Kenilworth, Foster-Powell, S. Tabor, and Reed. Please arrive around 8:45am to be registered and assigned to a crew. The planting will start promptly at 9:00am. We provide breakfast snacks and hot chocolate/coffee, as well as gloves, tools and guidance.

Thanks for considering joining us! This will be one of our largest neighborhood plantings of the season and every additional volunteer will be a huge help!

RSVPs are not required (although we do appreciate knowing about groups larger than 5 members). Please contact Andy or Jenny at (503) 595-0213 if you have any questions or need more information. We look forward to seeing you out there!

Contact Name:

Jenny Bedell-Stiles or Andy Meeks in the Volunteer & Outreach Program

Contact Phone:

(503) 595-0213

Contact Email:

JennyB@FriendsofTrees.org

Contact Website:

Venue:

St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Cost:

Free!

Fourth Annual Garden Home Sustainability Fair

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 - 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Garden Home Rec Center

Address:

7475 SW Oleson Road

Portland, OR 97223

United States

Categories:

gardening/farming

green living

http://www.thprd.org/facilities/gardenhome/home.cfm

Fourth Annual Garden Home Sustainability Fair

Free and open to the public - family friendly. Peruse booths on various sustainable topics and businesses from natural gardening to recycling to resource conservation to green living to saving money in your home.

This year the Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation Dept. is a partner and will be participating!

Previous participants include: Master Recyclers, One Stop Sustainability Shop, Portland Purple Water, Tualatin Valley Water District, Regional Green Building Hotline, New Seasons Market, Happy Baby Organic Baby Food, and Green Depot.

For more info or to get a booth contact Heather at 503-245-9932 or heatherw@wccls.org.

Contact Name:

Heather Waisanen

Contact Phone:

503-245-9932

Contact Email:

heatherw@wccls.org

Contact Website:

Venue:

Garden Home Rec Center

Cost:

free

Volunteer with the Clackamas River Basin Council!

Saturday, January 12, 2013 - 9:00am to 12:00pm

Clackamas River Basin Council

Address:

17951 SE Hemrick Road

Damascus, OR 97089

United States

Categories: