stewardship

OSU Extension 4-H Partners with US Fish and Wildlife to form Nature Clubs in Local Neighborhoods

Exploring Nature  . . . Backyards and Beyond  - New Leaders Needed

4-H teams up with the USFWS to bring a new and exciting youth program to the Portland Metro area.

Nature Clubs...

• Engage students in outdoor nature-focused exploration, discovery, play, conservation, and learning
• Provide youth opportunities  to lean in and about the natural world around them
• Involve students in their community through citizen sciences and civic engagement, and discussion about current environmental concerns and issues
• Are open to 3-5 grade students
• Meet all over the Greater Portland Metro region, and explore their own neighborhoods, local parks and the Oregon Zoo with mentoring from US Fish and Wildlife Service.
• design and implement community service projects focused on animals in their homes not only in our own region but from around the world
• present their projects and share their research with others at a 4-H Nature Club Summit

Sessions for the Nature Clubs will be scheduled around the four seasons, with activities identified for exploring nature during each. Nature Clubs is a pilot program in 2013 implementing the Backyards and Beyond curriculum developed for nature-focused 4-H programs in Arizona. We are adapting this fabulous curriculum for our area.

The program includes the new national 4-H curriculum developed in partnership with the USFWS, 4H Neighborhood Nature Clubs.  All club leaders receive a copy of the curriculum.

Upcoming 4-H Nature Club Leader Trainings

To become a 4-H Nature Club Leader, attend one of these upcoming trainings
 
Date: Thursday, October 3rd
Time: 4-7 pm
Location:  at Holy Redeemer 127 N Rosa Parks Way Portland Oregon
 
Date: Saturday, October 5th
Time: 9-noon
Location: at Holy Redeemer 127 N Rosa Parks Way Portland Oregon

Please help us spread the word by publishing the above information, if you have any questions please contact Aliesje King.

Volunteer at  the 14th Annual Birdfest at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge!

This huge two day festival is put on by the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and is almost entirely run by volunteers!  There is something to do for all ages and interests including:

* Welcome and direct visitors on the Refuge and in town.

* Help children with environmental and culturally focused crafts and activities.

* Teach visitors about birds and other wildlife found on the refuge.

* Share your interest in the outdoors with people of all ages and backgrounds!

Come enjoy the festivities and make your volunteers shift just part of the fun! 

No experience necessary.  Short shifts are available. 

12-4PM: Plankhouse Tours and Children's activities available. 

2PM: Presentation begins

Historian and archaeologist Melissa Darby will present "Wapato for the People" on September 8 at 2pm in the Cathlapotle Plankhouse. Darby will explore the use of wapato throughout the world using archaeological 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 archaeological 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.

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.

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.**

Please join us for Rural Living Field Day, Saturday, September 28 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at Howell Territorial Park on Sauvie Island!  Get to know your neighbors and learn about issues facing rural landowners every day. Multiple sessions feature experts on topics including pollinators, small farms, invasive weeds, wildlife, healthy woods, stream restoration and more.  It's easy to register--just click Events at www.wmswcd.org and fill out the form. The cost is only $10 per person/$15 per couple/family.

For more information, contact Carolyn Lindberg at carolyn@wmswcd.org or 503.238.4775, ext. 101.

The event is sponsored by the West Multnomah, Tualatin and Columbia Soil & Water Conservation Districts.