walking

2pm: Spring First Foods Hike

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

Plankhouse Director Sarah Hill will be leading a walk on the Oaks to Wetlands Trail discussing traditional springtime foods of Chinookan Peoples and the seasonal cycles they live by. Participants should be prepared for a 2 mile hike on uneven terrain.  Meet at the Plankhouse. 

This hike is one of several activities that will be happening this day to kick off the Spring Opening of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, including a family nature hike at 1pm, and from 12-4 Plankhouse tours and other Children's activities. 

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a contemporary Chinookan style Plankhouse located on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The house was built in 2005 as a partnership with the Chinook Indian Nation, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Its mission is to share the lifeways, culture, and history of Chinookan Peoples of the Lower Columbia, and the natural resources of the Refuge. 

Plankhouse programs are coordinated by the Friends of The Ridgefield NWR. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to this event for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, closed captioning, or other accommodations needs to Eric Anderson, 360-887-4106, Eric_Anderson@fws.gov. TTY 800-877-8339 with your request by close of business one week before the event. For wheelchair access arrangements for this program, please contact Sarah Hill (360) 887-4106 or Sarah_Hill@fws.gov. 

1pm on April 12th
Carty Unit at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Just 25 minutes North of Portland, OR

Join a Refuge Naturalist and take a walk along the Oaks to Wetlands trail to discover the wildlife that calls the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge home.

This hike is one of several activities that will be happening this day to kick off the Spring Opening of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, including a spring wild foods hike, and from 12-4 Plankhouse tours and other Children's activities. 

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a contemporary Chinookan style Plankhouse located on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The house was built in 2005 as a partnership with the Chinook Indian Nation, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Its mission is to share the lifeways, culture, and history of Chinookan Peoples of the Lower Columbia, and the natural resources of the Refuge. 

Tryon Creek State Natural Area's - Annual Owl Fest

Hosted by Oregon State Parks

Saturday, March 7, 2015, 10:00AM - 7:00PM

Portland is teeming with owl activity in the springtime months. If you love owls, come out to Tryon Creek State Natural Area for a full day of Owl Celebration! Enjoy activities for the entire family including Owl Journaling with Jude Siegel, owl crafts, owl pellet dissection, owl presentations, guided hikes, snacks donated by Clif Bar, and close-up encounters with the Audubon education owls, Hazel and Julio!

This is a free event, no pre-registration needed (except where noted). Parking is limited, please consider carpooling.

Schedule of activities include:

Owl Journaling with Jude Siegel from 10:00AM - 1:00PM

(Pre-registration & fee required www.tryonfriends.org)

Story & Stroll - Owl Senses at 1:00PM and 3:00PM (for 2-6 year olds and their families)
Owls of Oregon Presentation with John Mullen, Park Manager at 1:30PM & 3:30PM
All Ages Guided Hikes at 2:00PM, 4:00PM, 5:00PM, and 6:00PM
Owl Pellet Dissection and Owl Crafts from 1:00PM - 6:00PM
Face Painting by Marie from 2:30PM - 4:00PM
Close encounter with Julio & Hazel, Audubon Education Owls from 4:00PM - 6:00PM

Owl Fest 2015 takes place at Tryon Creek State Natural, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd., Portland, OR 97219. Please consider carpooling, parking is limited. Visit www.tryonfriends.org or https://tryoncreek.wordpress.com/special-programs-and-events/ for more information.

The Plankhouse is a very popular spring and summer destination, educating and inspiring visitors from all over the Nation and even the World.  Attend this training to gain skills to lead the public through this traditional Chinookan-style Plankhouse.  

Docents work on the weekends with visitors and/or during the week with school groups.  Topics include culture, history, and the everyday life of the indigenous people of the lower Columbia River.  

For more information contact the Plankhouse Coordinator Sarah Hill at 360-887-4106 or by email at Sarah_Hill@fws.gov. 

Connect with your community and your local Wildlife Refuge! Become a Volunteer Naturalist with the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge and learn about the amazing wildlife who call the Refuge home while giving back.

As a Volunteer Naturalist, you have the opportunity to instill a sense of wonder for nature in youth and adults alike. Naturalists receive indepth training in environmental education basics, interpretive storytelling, and the history of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Lead and assistant positions are available based on your comfort level and interests. Additional educational opportunities are available to all participants throughout the year.

Help kick off the training series by joining your peers for an evening get together on February 25th! We'll discuss the upcoming training, introduce Refuge and Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge staff, and introduce you to the wonderful Volunteer Naturalists who will serve as your mentors throughout the program. The full day training series begins February 26th and continues March 5th, 12th, and 19th.

Once trained, volunteers commit to providing support to the Conservation Education program as field trip leaders, group guides, and classroom based informal educators. Field trip season begins in April and continues through July, with opportunities extending beyond the spring season. Additional opportunities to work with varying age groups (including adults) and at different venues are available.

For more information and to register, please visit www.friendsoftualatinrefuge.org or contact Jenna Mendenhall, Conservation Education Lead Coordinator, at jmendenhall@friendsoftualatinrefuge.org