seasonal natural interest

Where:  Cathlapotle Plankhouse at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge:  Carty Unit - 28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642

When:    August 14, 2016

Join us for a day of demonstrations and hands on activities highlighting traditional technologies found across the world and throughout time.  The Cathlapotle Plankhouse will be open from 12:-4:00 and there will be activities for families to connect with local culture and wildlife. In the House students from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde's Lifeways class will be demonstrating carving, weaving, and Native art design, while outside visitors can try their hand throwing an atlatl, shooting a bow and arrow, making cordage, friction fire, and watch stone tools being created by an experienced flintknapper.

12pm - 4pm: Experience traditional tools and technologies humans have used since time immemorial. Demonstrators will be at the Plankhouse showing various traditional skills found both around the world and in Indigenous cultures of the Lower Columbia River.

Carving, Weaving, and Native Art Design demonstrations by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Lifeways students
Chinuk Wawa, the heritage language of Chinookan Peoples
Cordage Making              
Atlatl Throwing          
Friction Fire        
Flintknapping
Natural Paints and Pigments

12:00pm: Naturalist Led Hike "Bird Language" - join us for a hike directed towards opening up participant's eyes to the world of Bird Language. Learn how to use bird calls and behavior to discover what is happening in the environment around you. 

2:00 pm: Naturalist Led Hike "A Walk through the Oaks" - join a us for a hike down the Oaks to Wetlands Trail and learn about how the Native Peoples of this area have been taking care of Oak and other Refuge ecosystems since time immemorial.

You can also check out the ample wildlife watching opportunities on the River 'S' Unit Auto Tour Driving Route.

Cost:   Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle

For more information: Check the Friends website ridgefieldfriends.org for maps of Refuge trails or contact Plankhouse Director Sarah Hill at sarah_hill@fws.gov or call (360) 887-4106.

For wheelchair access to this event, please contact Sarah prior to the event date. 

H3 is a new collaborative program between the OSU Extension 4-H Program, the Oregon Master Naturalist Program, and the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District. On the second Saturday of each month, a Master Naturalist will lead a nature walk in a metro region natural area. These events are open to all ages and levels of naturalist experience. This nature walk will start at Oxbow Regional Park at 9am (carpooling available from the new Washington County Extension Service Education Center (ESEC) at 8am). This month's hike will focus on salmon.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Follow this link to the registration page. 

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

Come meet these hard working friends of the farm at Pollination Celebration, our annual event in support of  National Pollinator Week. Pollination Celebration, presented by Whole Foods Market, will offer guests a sneak peek into the world of pollinators, the challenges they face and the important role pollinators play in our food supply.  In addition to Sauvie Island Center's own staff, subject matter experts from our event partner Metro will be on hand for the celebration. A donation of $10 per family is suggested to cover event costs and pre-registration is requested.

Bring the whole family for a safe and fun canoe trip on the slow-moving Columbia Slough!  We'll have some canoes set up in a "bimaran" configuration - this setup is safe for new paddlers, infants and grandparents alike. Families may also borrow regular canoes and kayaks (limited) during the 7:00 PM shift.  If you are interested in kayaks (7-8 PM), let us know in the comments section of your registration and we'll check on availability and get back to you.  We'll provide the canoe, lifejacket, paddle, - you provide the paddling muscle. 

Enjoy the water, plants, and wildlife from the best seat possible! $5-8/person $15-20/family suggested donation, advanced registration required. CLICK HERE now to register.