wildlife watching

Journey into the forest to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature at night.  There are creatures that only come out at night so it is a perfect opportunity to see and hear them. Spend the first part of the program indoors learning about our nocturnal residents then head out into the park for a guided night hike.  Advanced registration required; call 503/629-6350. $17 Fee is a family rate - covers one adult and up to two additional family members (children or adult). An assessment fee will be charged to out-of-district patrons.

Coyotes:  Get up close to a coytoe pelt and skull and listen to the sounds of these creatures of the night.  We will learn about their tracks and the clues that you can look for in the day that will show you where they have been at night.

Journey into the forest to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature at night.  There are creatures that only come out at night so it is a perfect opportunity to see and hear them. Spend the first part of the program indoors learning about our nocturnal residents then head out into the park for a guided night hike.  Advanced registration required; call 503/629-6350. $17 Fee is a family rate - covers one adult and up to two additional family members (children or adult). An assessment fee will be charged to out-of-district patrons.

Bugs:  Join us to search the park for nighttime bugs.  We will try a variety of techniques: light traps, beat sheets, log rolling and more.

Join West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District in helping clean up and restore McCarthy Creek:

Saturday, September 22

9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Meet in parking lot at NARA NW, 17645 NW St. Helens Highway (Hwy. 30)

Register at: http://www.solv.org/get-involved/events/mccarthy-creek-clean

McCarthy Creek flows into the Multnomah Channel and eventually into the Columbia River.  It's an important tributary but it's been a dumping ground of trash and debris from householdsand roadway accidents in the west hills for many years.  All of this debris harms fish and other wildlife habitat.  We want to restore water quality and habitat so that cutthroat trout, salmon and other native wildlife such as red-legged frogs can thirve again in the creek.

Beside picking up trash and debris, we'll be removing invasive weeds such as ivy, vinca and herb Robert from the areas around the creek.

We need your help!!

A great chance for parents to have a night out while the kids get to experience the Nature Park in a way few others ever do.  Gather in the Interpretive Center, have dinner (pizza and veggies), then head out into the Park after dark to explore and look for wildlife. No flashlights needed! Suitable for ages 6-12 years. Advanced registration required; call 503/629-6350. $25 per patron, in-district. An assessment fee will be charged to out-of-district patrons. 

The Nature Park is home to a number of coyotes including new pups born each year. We'll begin with supper then examine a real coyote skull and pelt. After practicing walking silently, we'll head out in search of signs of the parks' resident coyotes. If we're lucky we may hear them howl!

A great chance for parents to have a night out while the kids get to experience the Nature Park in a way few others ever do.  Gather in the Interpretive Center, have dinner (pizza and veggies), then head out into the Park after dark to explore and look for wildlife. No flashlights needed! Suitable for ages 6-12 years. Advanced registration required; call 503/629-6350. $25 per patron, in-district. An assessment fee will be charged to out-of-district patrons. 

Ahoy, Matey!  A pirate ship has landed at the Nature Park. Pull out your secret treasure map and head into the forest to search for hidden natural treasures. Along the way we will learn about why pirates wear eye patches and which native plants could prevent scurvy. Argh!