seasonal natural interest

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

When:  April 17, 2016

What: The Cathlapotle Plankhouse re-opens for the 2016 season on April 17th, 2016. The season will kick off with a special second Sunday event featuring the latest in Cathlapotle Village archaeology, artifacts excavated from the Cathlapotle site on display, and guided hikes highlighting spring and a family friendly hike focusing on Refuge Wildlife. The Plankhouse will be open for visitors from 12pm-4pm, and there will be kids' activities as well. 

**The Cathlapotle Plankhouse will now be open most weekends from 12pm-4pm. Every second Sunday of the month the Plankhouse will host a special event with speakers, guided hikes, and children's activities. For more information on the upcoming events, visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org.**

12pm: Naturalist Lead Family Hike

Join a Naturalist on the trail exploring the wildlife that live at the Refuge. This hour long walk will meet at the Plankhouse, and is geared towards families. Meet in front of the Plankhouse.

1pm: Presentation "What's new at Cathlapotle? Lots!"

Cathlapotle is one of the best preserved Chinookan Village sites along the Lower Columbia River, making it a tremendous window into the lives of Chinookan Peoples before contact with Euro-Americans in the early 1800s. Ken Ames, Professor Emeritus at Portland State University and one of the leading scholars in Lower Columbia River Archaeology will share the latest findings to come out of Cathlapotle, and connect these stories to the lands we all call home.

2pm: Spring Ethnobotany Hike

Join 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 will be available as well.

Cost:   Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle

Contact: Sarah Hill, Plankhouse Coordinator; 360.887.4106/plankhouse@gmail.com

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

Oregon's turtles are rare, shy and hard to find, but Smith and Bybee Wetlands Natural Area is home to one of the largest populations of Western painted turtles in Oregon. Learn about their natural history and examine shells of specimens found there in the past.

Ages: all ages

Join Hoyt Arboretum curator Martin Nicholson for this annual tour through our spectacular magnolia collection. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a jacket, camera and water. Family-friendly event. Please meet at the Visitor Center; registration is not required.

The Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) and the European Gypsy Moth are recognized threats for Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. We can protect our trees if we act fast, are vigilant, and on the lookout for this pest.

The Oregon Forest Pest Detector program is now offering three education opportunities in spring 2016 for community members and OFPD program graduates. The AGM training program consists of: (1) one online learning module on AGM and EGM(link below), and (2) a two-hour field workshop at St Johns Community Center in North Portland.

Together, the online training and workshop will familiarize you with the history, life cycle, and pest management/control of EGM and AGM; and how you can help by surveying for egg masses and pupal cases at home or at work.

AGM Workshop dates: February 26th, February 27th, and March 4th. Choose one date. Each workshop goes from 10-noon, and is free.

Register for this training, and other upcoming OFPD trainings at:
http://pestdetector.forestry.oregonstate.edu/programs/asian-gypsy-moth

Each year the Columbia Slough Watershed Council hosts dozens of educational paddling events that expose adults and children to the wonders of the Columbia Slough. We're seeking novice to advanced paddlers who would like to volunteer to assist with our Twilight Paddles, Slough School kids' paddles and our summer festivals. Volunteer!

Time commitment:  Scheduling is flexible. Volunteers are expected to commit to 1-2 programs per month over the paddle season (May through August) with the option to continue with Fall programming. Before serving, volunteers attend a two orientation sessions. Before orientation, volunteers complete a short, informal interview with the Council's Volunteer Coordinator.

Orientation Session 1: Thursday, April 7th, 2016, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Orientation Session 2: Saturday, April 16th, 2016, 9:00am - 1:00pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

* Assist staff members with canoe and kayak-based educational and recreational activities

* Monitor and lead volunteers in the paddling area at events

* Facilitate safe, inclusive on-water activities with kids and adults

* Perform routine maintenance on boats and paddling equipment

Minimum Qualifications

* Novice to advanced canoeing and kayaking skills

* Strong communication, teamwork and leadership skills

* Able to work in variable outdoor conditions, sometimes cold and/or rainy and dark

* Able to take direction and initiative, provide leadership when needed

* Able to lift 30 pounds overhead

Preferred Qualifications

* Interest in local flora, fauna and water quality issues

* Affinity for sharing natural history of the Slough and the watershed

* Familiarity with N and NE Portland waterways

* First aid and CPR certified

Interested? Send a brief letter of intent (1-2 paragraphs) about why you're interested in this position to Volunteer Coordinator Hanna Davis at hanna.davis@columbiaslough.org or send your letter to 7040 NE 47th Ave, Portland, OR 97218. Include your name, address, email address and phone number.