preregistration required

A rain garden is a sunken garden bed that captures stormwater and allows it to soak back into the ground naturally. Part of a larger effort to reduce stormwater runoff and pollution from entering local waterways, this workshop provides step-by-step details on how to decide the best size & placement, which plants to choose, and how to build and maintain your new rain garden. Learn how a rain garden can add beauty to your yard and help restore overloaded urban streams at the same time! Participants receive a free how-to manual, and where possible, take a field trip to a nearby rain garden. Space is limited and advanced registration is required. Register at www.emswcd.org. Information: 503-222-7645

Journey into the forest to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature at night.  There are creatures that only come out at night so it is a perfect opportunity to see and hear them. Spend the first part of the program indoors learning about our nocturnal residents then head out into the park for a guided night hike.  Advanced registration required; call 503/629-6350. $17 Fee is a family rate - covers one adult and up to two additional family members (children or adult). An assessment fee will be charged to out-of-district patrons.

Owl Prowl:  Journey into the forest at night to look and listen for courting owls, watch a slideshow, listen to recordings of owl calls and see preserved specimens up close. 

Get ready to brighten up this winter by learning how to attract birds to your backyard and learn some basic bird identification techniques.  Build a wooden hopper feeder for yourself or a gift.  $32 fee includes one adult and up to two additional family members (child or adult) and supplies for a backyard birdfeeder.  Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advanced registration required. Suitable for all ages. An assessment fee will be charged for out-of-district patrons.

Join West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District in helping clean up and restore McCarthy Creek:

Saturday, September 22

9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Meet in parking lot at NARA NW, 17645 NW St. Helens Highway (Hwy. 30)

Register at: http://www.solv.org/get-involved/events/mccarthy-creek-clean

McCarthy Creek flows into the Multnomah Channel and eventually into the Columbia River.  It's an important tributary but it's been a dumping ground of trash and debris from householdsand roadway accidents in the west hills for many years.  All of this debris harms fish and other wildlife habitat.  We want to restore water quality and habitat so that cutthroat trout, salmon and other native wildlife such as red-legged frogs can thirve again in the creek.

Beside picking up trash and debris, we'll be removing invasive weeds such as ivy, vinca and herb Robert from the areas around the creek.

We need your help!!

A great chance for parents to have a night out while the kids get to experience the Nature Park in a way few others ever do.  Gather in the Interpretive Center, have dinner (pizza and veggies), then head out into the Park after dark to explore and look for wildlife. No flashlights needed! Suitable for ages 6-12 years. Advanced registration required; call 503/629-6350. $25 per patron, in-district. An assessment fee will be charged to out-of-district patrons.  

Harry, Ron, and Hermione wouldn’t want to miss out on this night! We'll make our own wands, have a feast, mix a potion or two, and then head out into the forest to learn about the magical creatures that live there.