native plants

Help our new trees and shrubs planted in March survive through their first summer season! As a volunteer you'll learn native plant identification and care techniques with Friends of Trees staffers and volunteers, as well as help maintain the new native plants through mulching recently planted trees and shrubs. Without these efforts these newly planted natives would have a lower survival rate through their first season. Meet great new people, learn tree skills, and make a difference in just a few hours!

At Friends of Trees we always provide breakfast snacks and hot chocolate/coffee for all of our volunteers. Please arrive by 8:45am dressed for the weather and wearing boots or sturdy shoes. We'll be done with our activities by 12:00pm. We also provide the tools, gloves, and trained guidance. Thank you for considering this important and fun work!

Calling on all families in the watershed to come out for our Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 20th! It will be a day to celebrate the natural areas in the Columbia Slough Watershed. 

On the 20th, we will be at multiple sites, including Whitaker Ponds Nature Park, Conifer Parks and Force Lake. Starting at 10:00, we will be learning about the watershed, doing work at our site and ending at around 1:00. 

Depending on which site you head out to, you will be picking up garbage, pulling invasive plants or planting native plants. 

Arrive early for coffee and light snacks. All equipment will be provided. Remember to dress with the possibility of rain and mud.

Spring is here and so are morels! Early spring morels, Morchella elata and false morels, Verpa bohemica can both be found in the Willamette Valley. Come learn the habitat of Morels and other edible and medicinal mushrooms. The best way to find mushrooms is to know their habitat. If you know what to look for, you just might find it. We won't be collecting wild foods on this trip, but we will be collecting the knowledge that allows us find where to go to eat. Riparian, river side,  habitats, and the edible and medicinal mushrooms that can be found at this time of year in the Willamette Valley and surrounding area. The class will be held at Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge across the river near Vancouver Wa. We will have ample opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing. You might also have the opportunity to see one of the newly translocated Columbia White Tailed Deer!

When: April 7th, 10am-2pm

Where: Meet at the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. There is the option to meet up and carpool from St. Johns area in Portland.

Cost: $25
There are limited spaces for this workshop. You must register at http://www.rewildportland.com/educational-programs/workshops/spring-mush...

About Our Instructor
Richard Gaines has a B.S. in Natural Science and over 30 years experience in identifying fungi. He has taught identification and medicinal mushrooms workshops for Evergreen
College.

Explore the views and wildflowers of Canemah Bluff this Mother's Day, May 12 with Metro naturalist Dan Daly.

1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 12

Walk with Metro naturalist Dan Daly and learn about common wildflowers. Enjoy the serenade of nesting songbirds and views of the Willamette River and historic Canemah Cemetery. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair on site. The walk covers 2 miles over uneven trails, mostly flat with some inclines. Suitable for ages 6 and older. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Registration and payment of $6 per person or $11 per household required in advance. To register and pay online, visit Metro's online calendar at www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar, find your event and follow the instructions.

April 16&17 9am-3pm.  

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is seeking new volunteers to join thier team of environmental and cultural educators. 

Every year the refuge hosts over 4,000 students, along with hundreds of teachers and parents to learn about the rich natural and cultural resources of the area. The Refuge only has one staff person and one Friends employee that are dedicated to public cultural and environmental education programs, and they just cannot do it all themselves.  Luckily, it is not only fun but easy to engage youth in this beautiful outdoor classroom!  We will start off at the Fire Station by the Ridgefield/I5 junction for indoor presentations and activities, then move to the refuge in the afternoon. 
 
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!  Learn how to work with youth of many ages and backgrounds, the basic ecological concepts that they are learning and can see on the refuge, and the cultural and natural resources that make this place a thriving historical and natural destination.

To register or for more info contact Josie Finley at (360) 887 4106 or josie_finely@fws.gov

Check out the flyer here: http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield/pdf/Education%20Training...