trails and greenways

Join mycologist Gary Slone for a two-hour class that ends with a walk on an easy trail in the old-growth forest at Oxbow Regional Park. Gary discusses mushroom classification and edibility, and then participants gather, identify and compare specimens. Beginning and experienced "shroomers" ages 12 and older are welcome. Bring your own mushroom specimens for ID. Meet at Alder Shelter (picnic area "A"). Registration and payment of $11 per adult or family required in advance. There is a $5 parking fee per vehicle payable at the park. Leave pets at home. You can now register and pay online for Metro activities. Go to Metro's online calendar (www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar), find your event by searching or browsing, and follow the instructions. For questions or to register by phone, call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Clear Creek Natural Area is a 580-acre jewel not yet open to the public, but you and your family can have a behind-the-scenes tour now with a Metro naturalist. There's plenty to discover in this large and diverse natural area. Explore the rolling hills and prairies - and Clear Creek - for interesting plants and animals and climb on a real beaver dam. The program covers specific topics but be ready to explore any cool nature experience. Some walking off trails. Family Nature Explorers programs are for parents and children 4 years or older. Advance registration and payment of $11 per family required. Details will follow registration. You can now register and pay online for Metro activities. Go to Metro's online calendar (www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar), find your event by searching or browsing, and follow the instructions. For questions or to register by phone, call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Join a REI Outdoor School Instructor for a guided hike to one of Portland's natural gems. We'll teach you about the 10 essentials of backcountry travel and introduce you to the 7 Leave no Trace principles. In addition, we'll share a few tips to making hiking more comfortable and help you hike at your own pace. We will cover the following on this outing:

• Learn about local hiking venues
• Learn about the 10 essentials
• Learn the 7 Leave no Trace principles
• Learn tips for making hiking more comfortable
• Learn a bit of natural and cultural history

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22

Oxbow Regional Park is rich in tracks at this time of year, when mink, beaver, otter and black bear often leave clear footprints in the sand. Learn to read the ground like a book. Metro naturalist and tracker Dan Daly introduces you to basic track identification and interpretation, and the stealth skills needed to watch wildlife up close. Suitable for adults and children 10 and older. Bring water and a snack and meet at the floodplain parking area. Leave pets at home. Registration and payment of $11 per adult or family required in advance. There is a $5 parking fee per vehicle payable at the park. You can now register and pay online for Metro activities. Go to Metro’s online calendar (www.oregonmetro.gov/calendar), find your event by searching or browsing, and follow the instructions. For questions or to register by phone, call 503-797-1650 option 2.

Beginning mushroom classes 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 13, and 20 Spicy scents of autumn trees, giant golden leaves on maples and the silvery chatter of American dippers in the river. These are the smells, sights and sounds of Oxbow Regional Park in the autumn. Witness the return of wild salmon to one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier rivers – the glacier-fed Sandy – just 45 minutes from downtown Portland.

Celebrate the abundance of fall by exploring the incredible diversity of fungi in Oxbow’s ancient forest. In this beginners mushroom class learn the basics of mushrooms and other fungi and how to go about identifying this complicated group of strange and fascinating life forms. This hands-on introduction will get you started identifying mushrooms and deepen your appreciation of the amazing variety of shapes, colors, textures and smells that make these life forms so intriguing. Suitable for adults and children age 12 and older. Meet at Alder Shelter (group picnic area A) at 1:45 p.m. Free with a $5 parking fee per vehicle and registration is not required. Leave pets at home. For more information, call 503-797-1650 option 2