wheelchair accessible

Join us every Wednesday from noon - 1 pm for Lunch with the Birds! Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. A few pairs of loaner binoculars are available. We meet rain or shine and spend our time outside. This event is free for all ages and you do not need to pre-register.  All three (3, 10, 17) December dates are held at Rood Bridge Park, 4000 SE Rood Bridge Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123.  Meet near the Tennis Courts.

Cathlapotle Plankhouse - Traditional Technology Weekend, August 9 & 10, 2014

Where:
Cathlapotle Plankhouse on the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, 28908 NW Main Ave, Ridgefield, WA 98642

When:       

August 9, 2014: 12pm-4pm: Local artists Greg Robinson (Chinook Indian Nation) and Greg Archuleta (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) will be in the Plankhouse demonstrating and exhibiting Chinookan art, basketry, carving and First Foods. Justin Robinson (Chinook Indian Nation) will be teaching and sharing Chinuk Wawa, the heritage language of Chinookan Peoples.

August 10, 2014:  12pm- 4pm. Discover tools and technology that our human ancestors across the globe have used for thousands of years, such as atlatl throwing, archery, flint knappin, friction fires, Chinookan carving, Basketry, First Foods and Chinuk Wawa, the heritage language of Chinookan Peoples. Participation in these activities is encouraged! Children's activities will also be available from 12pm-4pm.

Cost:         
Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle

Event Summary:
The weekend of August 9th and 10th, experience traditional tools, technologies, language and art of Chinookan Peoples of the Lower Columbia River. As part of our annual Artist-In-Residence series, on August 9th local artist's Local artists Greg Robinson (Chinook Indian Nation) and Greg Archuleta (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde) will be in the Plankhouse demonstrating and exhibiting Chinookan art, basketry, carving and First Foods. Justin Robinson (Chinook Indian Nation) will be teaching and sharing Chinuk Wawa, the heritage language of Chinookan Peoples. On August 10th we will expand our gaze to explore technologies that have been used by Chinookan people and human ancestors around the globe such as archery, atlatl throwing, flintknapping (making arrowheads and other stone tools) and making fire by friction. Greg Robinson, Greg Archuleta, and Justin Robinson will also be in the house showcasing traditional art and language of Chinookan people. There will also be special activities for children all day. Participation in many of these demonstrations is encouraged!

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a modern Chinookan Plankhouse built to interpret the Chinookan village of Cathlapotle that once existed on what is today Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge property.  At the time Lewis and Clark visited Cathlapotle, it had 14 large plankhouses and a population of over 900 people.  The modern Cathlapotle Plankhouse is used to provide educational programs to youth and the general public through our Lifeways, Landscapes, and Wildlife Interpretive Program.  To learn more about the Plankhouse visit www.ridgefieldfriends.org or contact Sarah Hill at Sarah_Hill@fws.gov or (360) 887-4106. For wheelchair access to this event, please contact Sarah prior to the event date.   

Weeds - we all have them. Come learn how to identify the most common garden and landscape weeds along with some of the other more notorious plant invaders of the region. We will walk you through how these aggressive plants take over in your yard and provide some simple yet effective tips that will help you get the upper hand without turning to synthetic herbicides. This workshop is FREE! Pre-register online at http://emswcd.org/workshops-and-events/upcoming-workshops/all-events/urban-weeds/

Be blown away by youth that demonstrate a passion for restoring the health of the environment! Join us at our next Sharing Ideas event, featuring the Roosevelt High School Science Club, a group of students determined to counteract pollution in North Portland. These local youth are experimenting with planters that recycle polluted air into clean air and testing of air quality surrounding Roosevelt High School. They have been invited to Washington, D.C. later this year to present their findings.

Sharing Ideas events raise awareness of local grassroots efforts throughout Portland that strengthen community. Project presenters share the inspiration that launched their idea, how it moved into action, where they are today, and their hope for the future.

Everyone is invited. RSVP suggested online or by phone at 503.546.7499. Refreshments will be provided. Childcare (9 and under), transportation, and interpretation are provided upon request, with 48 hours advance notice.

The plans for Gateway Green are taking shape!

Friends of Gateway Green (FoGG), Portland Parks & Recreation, and our very talented designers have been hard at work creating more detailed plans for Gateway Green.

We're all eager to get feedback from you, the future users of this park, on the most recent drawings and images.