open house

September 8, 2013 

12pm-4pm: Children's activities, Plankhouse tours, and displays highlighting other First Foods of the Columbia River will be available. 2pm: Historian Melissa Darby presents a talk on Wapato, and its use by Native People of the Columbia River and beyond. 

Historian and archeologist Melissa Darby will present "Wapato for the People" on September 8 at 2pm in the Cathlapotle Plankhouse. Darby will explore the use of wapato, Sagittaria latifolia ,  throughout the world using archeological evidence. The root of this important plant was a staple food of Native Americans who lived on the Lower Columbia and Fraser Rivers and it was a heavily traded commodity out to the coast and east to the mountains. This root has also been found in archeological sites in the Great Basin and in sites in Europe and it is now cultivated in Asia.  In addition to this presentation children's activities, and displays highlighting other First Foods of the Columbia River will be included from 12-4pm.  There is a $3.00 entrance fee per vehicle visiting the Refuge.  For more information contact Sarah Hill at

Sarah_Hill@fws.gov or call 360-887-4106 or visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org.

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse on the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge:  28908 N Main Ave; Ridgefield, WA 98642

This event is part of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse Second Sunday Series.  The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a full- scale replica Chinookan Plankhouse located on the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge at 28908 N Main Ave., Ridgefield, WA.  It interprets the village of Cathlapotle that once existed on what is now Refuge property. Lewis and Clark mention Cathlapotle in their journals and noted that there were fourteen of these houses and 900 people living in the village at the time of their encounter in 1805.

** If you require wheelchair access, please make sure to call and arrange this ahead of time.**

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...
 

New volunteer orientation April 13th, 9am - 3pm.

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a full-scale Chinookan Plankhouse located on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. It was built based on archaeological evidence from the Cathlapotle archaeological site located on the refuge property. This archaeological site is what remains of the town of Cathlapotle, a Chinookan town encountered by Lewis and Clark on their expedition.

The Plankhouse and the objects inside of it offer a tangible link to those who lived here in the past and provides a unique site for the interpretation of the natural and cultural heritage preserved on Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Washington.

We are looking for new people to join our team of amazing docents that staff the Plankhouse during the weekends or help us teach school groups during the week. Open to everyone, there is no special experience needed, just a desire to learn and share the natural and cultural history of the refuge with others. By the end of the orientation you will understand what our docents do, learn more about Chinookan lifeways and archaeology, and be ready to take the next steps to become a part of the team. For more info or to RSVP please contact Sarah Hill at sarah_hill@fws.gov or call (360) 887-4106 . 

No Experience necessary. We provide training, reading materials, ongoing volunteer support, and opportunities for professional development. If you can't make the training, but still want to get involved, contact Sarah Hill at sarah_hill@fws.gov and she can arrange an alternate training plan. 

Check out the PDF: http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges/ridgefield/pdf/PH%20Volunteer%20fly...(1).pdf

1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24

Have you ever wished you could tell one evergreen from another, or identify a tree in winter by its bark or buds? Can you read the history of a piece of land by looking at its forest? Join Metro naturalist Deb Scrivens for a walk in the woods to unravel these mysteries and more. The forest at this natural area is a living laboratory of Northwest trees. Suitable for ages 12 and older.

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.

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.