native plants

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.

This is our first event along the I-205 Multi-Use Path for 2013! We will be planting a few replacement trees and re-mulching previously planted trees. 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. Please come dressed for the weather and wearing sturdy shoes and get ready to have fun!

Are you a bicyclist? Please note that we will have a bike crew at this planting where a group of volunteers will transport tools, trees, and themselves between our two planting sites. Please sign up to join our bike crew and learn more here: http://bit.ly/BikePlanting

We are very excited to continue reforesting the transportation corridor that runs from the Columbia River in the North to the City of Gladstone in the south. Metro, ODOT, EMSWCD are partnering this season with Friends of Trees to increase livability, habitat and air quality along the I-205 corridor. This planting is generously sponsored by REI.

RSVPs are not required. 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!

Help plant and protect native trees in critical riparian habitat! Volunteer in the presence of swans, red-tail hawks, and bald eagles.

All work days are from 9 am to 12:30 pm rain or shine. Wear waterproof footwear, bring gloves, and dress for the weather. Light refreshments and hot drinks will be provided. All volunteers must sign a volunteer service agreement (if under 18 must be signed by parent or guardian) which can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield/getinvolved.html.

Attend a FREE Native Plant Workshop before placing your online plant sale pre-order! We will show you the defining characteristics and desired growing conditions of the species that will be available during our 2013 Pre-order Native Plant Sale so you can make an informed decision about which plants will work well in your yard. Discover how putting the right plant in the right place helps it thrive, and lets you enjoy more time and less work in the garden! Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Don't delay - register today at http://www.emswcd.org/workshops-events/register-for-a-workshop.

Interested in planting trees? Meeting some neat people? Obtaining a few service learning hours? Then please join us!

As part of the Rock Creek Partnership with SOLVE and the Clackamas River Basin Council, Friends of Trees is leading volunteer restoration events along the banks of Rock Creek and its tributaries. Rock Creek is a tributary to the Clackamas River and supports numerous species of wildlife, including salmonids. This project is supported with funding from Clackamas County Water Environment Services, on behalf of Clackamas Service District No. 1.

Please arrive by 8:45am to enjoy some hot coffee and breakfast treats and get assigned a crew. The planting starts promptly at 9:00am. We provide gloves and tools, so all you need to do is show up dressed for the weather and wearing sturdy shoes or boots.

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!