trails and greenways

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.

Families are welcome to help the Friends do a Spring cleaning in the trails and garden areas in the park.All ages and ability levels are needed.We have tools and gloves and provide donated refreshments for all. Activities include: Invasive Plant Removal, Litter Cleanup, Native Planting, Maintenance & Monitoring, Trail blazing and path paving.

Register online here: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/earth-day-spring-cleanup-madd...

Come join us for Global Youth Service Day at a family friendly park beautification, habitat enhancement and outdoor recreation event. This project is led by youth to teach stewardship and instill the spirit of volunteering. Hillsboro Parks and Recreation will provide all of the tools, supplies, water, and work gloves needed for the project.

Register online here: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/global-youth-service-day-jack...

Volunteers will meet at Feyrer Park for registration, then disperse to the beautiful Molalla River Recreation Corridor and other public river access sites near Molalla. Activities will include trash cleanup along the Molalla River, possibly planting native trees & shrubs, removing invasive weeds, or trailwork on the Molalla River Corridor shared-use non-motorized trail system. There will be a barbecue back at Feyrer Park for all volunteers. Activities include: Invasive Plant Removal, Litter Cleanup, Native Planting, Maintenance & Monitoring, trail work.

Register online here: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/molalla-river-cleanup-enhance...

Drop in for our regular Saturday 'freelance' work parties to become a steward of our beloved natural area: Forest Park! Volunteer Freelancers will take a short hike to one of our various sites and work off-trail removing English ivy. This is a DIRTY job so come prepared in grubby, long-sleeved clothing and boots. We'll provide gloves, tools and snacks.Volunteers will meet at the Lower Macleay field house located at 2960 NW Upshur St. Activities include: Invasive Plant Removal.

Register online here: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/no-ivy-league-forest-park-apr...