habitat restoration

Do you have an appreciation for birds and want some experience on how best to see them? Or are you an experienced birder wanting to help with bird surveys? Then Let's Go Birding is for you!  On our introductory walk, we'll help you understand binoculars - from choosing sizes and magnifications to proper use. We'll also give you some birding tips and techniques to help you become better acquainted with our feathered friends. Birding is also a great opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy nature!  Binoculars and guide books are provided. Please bring your own water and sunscreen, dress appropriately for the weather, and wear good hiking shoes. Ages 8 years old and above welcome; children 8-14 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Learn the ancient art of saving seeds in this hands-on workshop held at one of Portland's oldest and most established urban Permaculture gardens. Each participant will get to collect unusual and interesting varieties of seeds to take home with them.

Sign up on Growing Gardens workshop page: http://growing-gardens.org/our-programs/workshops/

Presenter Information: Connie Van-Dyke is a master of self-sufficiency and grows a large percentage of her food, year round in her urban Permaculture garden.  Connie has been an instructor at Portland Community College for 16 years.  Inviting people to come to her urban garden she shows them ways to close the loop and be more self-reliant.  Courses like urban farming, permaculture, rug making, weaving, medicine making, natural dyeing, cannin, raising meat in the city and seed saving show students how to get their needs met without money.  She gleans, barters, wildcrafts, and grows most of her daily needs.

Growing Gardens believes the seeds of a healthier world are planted in our own back yards! To find out more about Growing Gardens visit us at www.growing-gardens.org

Summer is here and so is ricefield bulrush pulling season! Invasive ricefield bulrush threatens wetland ecosystems by pushing out native plants necessary to wildlife habitat. Volunteers are the reason we have been able to contain and reduce ricefield bulrush on the Refuge, where we have the only known population in Washington. Volunteers get to work in areas typically closed to public use. Please waterproof shoes, and a waterbottle. Gloves and snacks will be provided. 

On June 22nd the Sauvie Island Center will host Pollination Celebration on the grounds of Howell Territorial Park and the Sauvie Island Organics farm. This event is for elementary school aged kids and families. Attendees will search the farm and native hedgerow for pollinators. Using kid-sized magnifying glasses they'll get a close-up look at how bees use their bodies to gather pollen. Magnifying glasses will also help attendees see how flowers and plants attract pollinators and facilitate the pollination process. Kids will even have the chance to play the role of a pollinator, transferring pollen from one plant to another. Other activities include a look at bee hives and honey combs, instructions for making Mason Bee houses and attracting pollinators to their gardens. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, enjoy the grounds of Howell Territorial Park and visit one of the many neighboring u-pick berry farms on Sauvie Island. The event is part of National Pollinator Week, June 17th - Sunday, June 23rd. Six years ago the U.S. Senate's unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as "National Pollinator Week" marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations.  Pollinator Week has now grown to be an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles. 

Family Nature Explorers - Oxbow Regional Park

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 23

Bring your family into the woods for nature games with Metro staff and volunteer naturalists. Kick off your shoes, run in the grass, use your "owl eyes," stalk like a fox and play "nutty squirrels." Suitable for ages 4 and older. $5 per vehicle ($7 per bus) fee. Registration and payment of $11 per family required in advance. Register and pay online by visiting www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar. Find your event by searching or browsing and then follow the instructions.