tour

The Crystal Springs Partnership will host a guided tour of southeast Portland’s Crystal Springs Watershed. Along the tour route, learn from local experts about the natural history of the watershed and plans for restoring a vibrant salmon run in Crystal Springs Creek.

There are two ways to participate…by foot and by bike.

Walkers will gather at Johnson Creek Park, SE 21st and Clatsop, at 9:30am, with the 2.5 mile walk scheduled to begin at 10:00.

Cyclists will gather at Reed College’s Eliot Circle at 11:15am for a five mile loop ride.

Riders and walkers will meet up at Reed College for a guided walk up Reed Canyon, where the tour will conclude with snacks and activities. Shuttle vans will be available for walkers who would like a ride back to Johnson Creek Park.

Are your chance to learn by doing a variety of projects in a sustainably managed woodland - it's sort of like a "dude ranch" in the forest.

Volunteers help with tree planting and pruning; reducing fire hazards and controlling invasive weeds; repairing trails and maintaining facilities - projects vary with the seasons. Volunteer opportunities are open to all adults (individuals and organized groups) and adult-supervised youth.

Forests Forever, Inc. encourages civic clubs, church groups, professional organizations and businesses, youth groups, families and individuals to volunteer at Hopkins Demonstration Forest. Community Forestry Days are planned for the 2nd Saturday of each month - please RSVP by the Thursday prior to each Community Forestry Day, whether you plan to join us for all or part of the day.

The schedule for Community Forestry Days usually follows this pattern:

8:30 am: Team leaders assemble, volunteers arrive

9:00 am: Volunteer projects begin Noon: Lunch & topical presentation

1:00 pm: Volunteers return to projects

2:00 pm: Tour, 90-minutes

4:30 pm: Thank you. Have a safe drive home.

Bees do it and so can you! At Graham Oaks Nature Park, join papermaker Laurel Ann Bower and learn who invented papermaking, and how to make your own decorative paper from recycled materials. Suitable for ages 5 and older; children 16 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult. Free. Advance registration required. Register online or call 503-797-1650 option 2.

At Cooper Mountain Nature Park discover the secret life of native bees – from carpenter bees to leafcutters. These gentle bees almost never sting and provide critical pollination, but they need your help. Learn to identify bees and the plants they eat, and how to install a bee nursery. $8 per person, ages 11 and older; under 11 free. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Advance registration required; call 503-645-6433.

Take a relaxing walk at Smith and Bybee Wetlands on a long summer evening. Dusk is one of the best times to view wildlife, especially during summer. It’s about the only time mammals such as beaver, muskrat, otter, raccoon, deer and bats can be seen. A Metro naturalist teaches basic techniques of wildlife watching and identification. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair onsite. Suitable for ages 10 and older; participants must be able to be quiet, sneaky and patient. Meet in the parking area on North Marine Drive. Registration and payment of $6 per adult or $11 per family required in advance. Register online or call 503-797-1650 option 2.