wildlife watching

We all love Oregon's beaches, rivers and natural areas. For over three decades Oregonians have been proving that by volunteering at the annual SOLVE Beach & Riverside Cleanup, presented by the Oregon Lottery. Be part of this volunteer movement, impacting Oregon's environment, wildlife and communities. It's an easy, fun way to get outside, meet your neighbors, and make a difference by cleaning up Oregon's rivers, beaches, parks and trails, removing invasive plants or planting plant native trees and shrubs. 

There are over 100 volunteer-led projects across the state for you to choose from, including 46 beach cleanup sites coast-wide. Only you can ensure our beaches, rivers and natural areas are kept clean and healthy. Learn more and get involved today at www.solveoregon.org

This event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup and National Public Lands Day.

SOLVE is an Oregon nonprofit that helps people take care of where they live, work, and play. Join our team of volunteers and see how you can make a difference in just a few hours! Contact SOLVE at 503-844-9571 ext. 332, email us at info@solveoregon.org or visit us on the web at www.solveoregon.org.

Day 1 (Saturday) begins with classroom discussion of general life history, anatomy, behavior, and the common species of the area, followed by field time on the grounds of Jackson Bottom observing adults, in-hand examination and looking for signs of recent emergence. Day 2 (Sunday) takes a more advanced approach to the subject of dragonflies and damselflies and is a separate registration process and fee.  Sunday begins with classroom time exploring the resources available for odonate identification and the critical examination of odonates from photos and specimens. Adult odonates will be emphasized, but the identification of nymphs/exuviae to the family level will also be discussed. Field time observing adult odonates on the grounds of Jackson Bottom with an emphasis on in-hand examination follows the classroom portion. Some time will be spent looking for nymphs. Use of binoculars, magnifying lens and cameras is encouraged.  Jim Johnson has studied the dragonflies and damselflies of the Pacific Northwest for 20 years and has taught numerous classes on the subject.  Class size limited to 20 participants each day.

Saturday Class course #:  47200     $15 / person
 

Celebrate Pollinator Week at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge!

For wheelchair access to this event, please contact Sarah prior to the event date.  

12pm - 4pm: Plankhouse Tours and Children's Activities

• Tour the Plankhouse on your own or guided by our experienced volunteers. 
• Children's cultural activities will be available, as will family activities. 
• Celebrate Pollinator Week by building a mason bee house & going on a pollinator scavenger hunt!  

1:00 pm & 2:00pm: Naturalist Led Hike 

• Explore the Oaks to Wetlands trail with a knowledgeable Refuge Naturalist

Cost:   Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle

Celebrate National Pollinator Week by visiting the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge June 14th for a day of connecting with wildlife and the cultural history of the Lower Columbia River. At 1:00pm join a Refuge Naturalist for a hike down the Oaks to Wetlands trail, and learn about the plants and animals that call the Refuge home. From 12-4, the Plankhouse will be open for visitors, and there will be activities for families to connect with the culture and wildlife at the Plankhouse. We will be building mason bee houses out of natural materials and going on a pollinator scavenger hunt.You can also check out the ample wildlife watching opportunities on the River 'S' Unit Auto Tour Driving Route. Check the Friends website ridgefieldfriends.org for maps of Refuge trails, or contact Plankhouse Director Sarah Hill at sarah_hill@fws.gov, or call (360) 887-4106.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, and the house will now be open 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/plankhouse/programs .

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 visitwww.ridgefieldfriends.org or contact Sarah Hill at Sarah_Hill@fws.gov or (360) 887-4106.

Funding for these programs has been generously provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation, the Community Foundation for SW Washington, and Umpqua Bank.  

Explore the Willamette River by the light of the moon! Join the Estuary Partnership for a family friendly paddle aboard our two 29' 14-passenger canoes. Paddle behind the Ross Island Complex into Holgate Channel where quiet waters provide the perfect venue for wildlife observation.

Space is limited, registration required!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/willamette-park-full-moon-paddle-7115-ticke...

Shorebirds are a challenging group of birds to identify. Three or four species breed at Jackson Bottom and many more species pass through on migration, beginning as early as July and continuing into October. Experienced birder, author and teacher, John Rakestraw teaches you the basic principles of shorebird identification in this combination class and field trip. The fall shorebird migration is a drawn out affair and this class is a great way to be prepared to follow it! Class size limited to 15 participants. Bring binoculars, field guide, spotting scope if you have, be prepared to walk one mile. Adults and interested youth accompanied by an adult.

Course #: 47202