seasonal natural interest

Once a month make time in your day to relax and take in the eastern sky as the sun sets and the moon rises.  This evening vivid colors paint the sky, the earth's shadow rises, heralding the coming of night, and a full moon makes its dramatic entrance into the night sky.  Daytime wildlife seeks shelter as nighttime creatures emerge.  Join us thirty minutes before sunset, once a month, at select City of Hillsboro park sites.  A Parks & Recreation naturalist will be on hand to help you tune in to the many wonderful events that attend the passing of day into night.  Dress comfortably for the weather, you may wish to bring a blanket and a warm beverage.  Some seating is provided but you may wish to bring something to sit upon, a pad or blanket for the ground or a portable chair.

Once a month make time in your day to relax and take in the eastern sky as the sun sets and the moon rises.  This evening vivid colors paint the sky, the earth's shadow rises, heralding the coming of night, and a full moon makes its dramatic entrance into the night sky.  Daytime wildlife seeks shelter as nighttime creatures emerge.  Join us thirty minutes before sunset, once a month, at select City of Hillsboro park sites.  A Parks & Recreation naturalist will be on hand to help you tune in to the many wonderful events that attend the passing of day into night.  Dress comfortably for the weather, you may wish to bring a blanket and a warm beverage.  Some seating is provided but you may wish to bring something to sit upon, a pad or blanket for the ground or a portable chair. 

Sunrise is a wonderful time to observe wildlife.  Join long-time staff and wetlands educator Sarah Pinnock for a leisurely walk around Jackson Bottom Wetlands as we watch for birds leaving their night roosts, look for tracks and other kinds of animal sign and greet the new day in a beautiful place.  The event is free and no registration is required.  Participants may stay the entire two hours, or leave earlier as needed.  Meet at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Education Center, 2600 S.W. Hillsboro Highway, Hillsboro, Oregon.  Dress for the weather and wear shoes or boots that can get wet and/or muddy.

Get to know your plant neighbors by coming to Jackson Bottom! Wherever you live, chances are good that many of the native species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers growing here also grow right outside your door. After some botany basics indoors we venture out to explore the plant world around us using our senses of sight, touch and smell. Expect to be on a first name basis with many of your plant neighbors after this engaging class.

Celebrate Earth Day and welcome the return of bats to Oregon with this introduction into their fascinating night-time world. Learn about bats around the world, how they live and why they are important. What threats do they face to their continued existence? Is it just coincidence that Oregon has fifteen species of owls AND bats? After the program we go outside with special bat detectors and listen for bats over Jackson Bottom!  Long-time JBWP volunteer, Wolfgang Dempke, presents this program.