open house

Join us for a day of fun and learning at Family Fun on the Farm. School is out for the day on 10/14 and you're invited to join us from 10 am to 1 pm. We'll explore the 16-acre Sauvie Island Organics farm and the grounds of Howell Territorial Park while learning about food, farming and the land. Our staff will guide you and your family through an exploration of our curriculum, designed for elementary school-aged children, including:

Soil Exploration. Dig in and learn about healthy soil.
Seed to Harvest. Plant, tend and harvest the Grow Lunch Garden.
Plant Parts Investigation.Explore the farm and plants we can eat.
Wildlife & Food web. Who else has been foraging on the farm?
Pollination Station. Meet these hard-working farm friends.

The event is free, but pre-registration is requested here:

Back by popular demand, Seaport Celebration is coming to a terminal near you! Join the fun on the waterfront at the family-friendly event of the summer!

On Saturday, August 13, the Port of Portland's Terminal 2 will open up for a unique opportunity to go inside the fences of a working marine terminal, normally closed to the public.

Experience Portland's thriving working harbor by jumping on a jet boat ride, or throw on a helmet and try your hand at welding. Enjoy interactive booths from harbor businesses. From great musicians and delicious food, to thrilling activities for all ages, Seaport Celebration is the event not to be missed! Best of all, parking and admission are free!

For more information or to register now, visit www.seaportcelebration.com  

Government issued photo ID required for all adults.

Where:           Cathlapotle Plankhouse at the Ridgefield National                            Wildlife Refuge - Carty Unit

                         28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642

When:             Sunday, July 10th, 2016, 12:00pm - 4:00pm

What:             Contemporary Native Masks inspired by Cultures of the Columbia River - Mask Exhibit and Artist Talks with Lillian Pitt and Bill Rutherford

When renowned artist, Lillian Pitt (Wasco, Yakama, Warm Springs), challenged her friend Bill Rutherford, a Portland artist, to creatively explore his Native American heritage, neither knew what would emerge. Though part Chickasaw, Rutherford drew inspiration from childhood visits to Celilo Falls and reading about Chinookan legends to create a group of nine masks. These artworks, as well as pieces by Lillian Pitt, will be on display Sunday, July 10, at the Cathlapotle Plankhouse. Though mask making is not traditionally a part of Chinookan culture, it can be a powerful contemporary medium.   The artists will talk about how they were inspired by local Native cultures and why they use masks to express themselves.

12:00pm - 4:00pm:    Artwork on Display, Plankhouse Tours, Children's Activities

1:00pm:          Artist Talks

Lillian Pitt and Bill Rutherford share how Native cultures of the Columbia River influence their work, and why they use masks as a medium.

 2:30pm:         Ethnobotany Hike

Join a Refuge Naturalist to explore the relationship that the Cathlapotle People had with their landscape and the connection between environment and culture. Participants should be prepared for a 1 mile hike on moderately uneven terrain. Meet at the Plankhouse.

Cost:               Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle; Save resources                            carpool with a friend!

Contact:         Sarah Hill, Cathlapotle Plankhouse Coordinator;                                360.887.4106/Sarah_Hill@fws.gov

The Tryon Creek Watershed Council invites you to this annual event to learn about the great work going on in the Tryon Creek watershed.

Don't miss this fun evening of learning, networking, and celebrating Tryon Creek! This event is open house style where the public can peruse visual displays from partners and volunteers about recent projects in the watershed.

Topics include water quality, fish surveys, culvert removal projects, interactive maps, and more!   

All members of the public are welcome to attend. Light refreshments provided, including free beer from Sasquatch Brewery! 
 
RSVP is not required but appreciated. 

Where:  Cathlapotle Plankhouse at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge - Carty Unit:

28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642; www.ridgefieldfriends.org

When: Sunday, May 8th, 2016

What: Take mom out for a stroll at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to connect with wildlife and Native culture this Mothers' Day at 1:00pm. Learn how the traditional roles of Native women in Pacific Northwest helped maintain gender equality and how evidence of women's labor show up in the archaeological record. The Plankhouse will be open for visitors from 12pm-4pm, and there will be activities for the kids as well. 

1pm: Presentation "Where the Women Are: Gender and Power in the Archaeological Record of the Pacific Northwest"

The Pacific Northwest has a rich ethnographic record which details the lifeways of Native Americans at the time of Euro-American contact. Despite the wealth of data on gender division of labor in indigenous groups of the 19th-20th centuries, archaeological research on gender is rare. Activities traditionally associated with women such as plant gathering cooking, basketry, and mat making remain poorly understood in comparison to activities typically associated with men. In this presentation doctoral student, Tiffany Fulkerson, will explore the relationship between women's labor and their social power through evidence in the archaeological record.

2pm: Ethnobotany Hike
Join our speaker and a Refuge Naturalist for a walk on the Oaks to Wetlands Trail discussing spring plants and their relationship with Chinookan culture. Participants should be prepared for a 2 mile hike on moderately uneven terrain. Meet at the Plankhouse.

12pm - 4pm: Plankhouse Tours and Children's Activities
Tour the Plankhouse on your own or guided by our experienced volunteers. Children's activities exploring local nature and culture will be available as well.

Cost:   Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle - save money and carpool with a friend!

Contact:  Sarah Hill; 360.887.4106/Sarah_Hill@fws.gov For wheelchair access to events, please contact Sarah prior to the event date.