wildlife watching

Help create habitat for the Endangered Columbian White-tailed Deer in the wild and beautiful setting of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. We will be planting 5,200 native trees and shrubs to provide cover and forage for the deer and other wildlife.

Perks of joining us for our events are:

*Getting to explore areas of the refuge not usually accessible to visitors

*Learning more about the local wildlife and environment.

*Snacks, hot drinks, good company, and outstanding scenery.

*Satisfaction knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of an endangered species for years to come.

Planting days are typically Wednesdays and Saturdays from the end of October to the beginning of March. Special days may also be arranged for groups. All work days are from 9 am to 12:30 pm rain or shine. Dress for the weather including waterproof boots. No Experience Necessary. Registration is encouraged but not required. All volunteers must complete a Visitor Service Agreement prior to volunteering which can be found here: http://1.usa.gov/1NzriIg.

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1965 to provide wintering habitat for the dusky subspecies of the Canada goose. Today, the Refuge is a place where people can share a bond with nature, and each other, by passing on outdoor traditions to new generations. As the population of the region increases, the Refuge will become even more important to wildlife and those seeking to connect with nature.

Interested in the animals that live on Mt Hood?  Love to snowshoe?  Join the Wolverine Tracking Project and help search for rare carnivores and other wildlife on Mt Hood.  Develop animal tracking skills, enjoy group trips in a winter wonderland, and help increase knowledge of rare wildlife.  

There are 4 sets of training dates to choose from.  Last set of training dates:

Classroom session: Tuesday, Dec 8, 6:30-8:30pm, at Cascadia Wild, 5431 NE 20th Ave.

Field session: Sunday, Dec 13, 9-noon, at Oxbow Park.

Survey trips take place all winter long.

For more information and to register: www.cascadiawild.org/wolverine-tracking-project.html

Interested in the animals that live on Mt Hood?  Love to snowshoe?  Join the Wolverine Tracking Project and help search for rare carnivores and other wildlife on Mt Hood.  Develop animal tracking skills, enjoy group trips in a winter wonderland, and help increase knowledge of rare wildlife.  

There are 4 sets of training dates to choose from.  Second set of training dates:

Classroom session: Wednesday, Nov 11, 6:30-8:30pm, at Cascadia Wild, 5431 NE 20th Ave.

Field session: Sunday, Nov 15, 9-noon, at Oxbow Park.

Survey trips take place all winter long.

For more information and to register:  www.cascadiawild.org/wolverine-tracking-project.html

Second Sunday event at the Cathlapotle Plankhouse:
"Celebrate Cedar" With Cowlitz artist and Weaver, Judy Bridges

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

When:    September 13, 2015
 

12pm - 4pm:

Plankhouse Tours and Children's activities

• Cedar Weaving and bark processing demonstrations by weaving and artist Judy Bridges
• Hands on demonstrations of Cedar Plank Splitting, Cedar bark pounding, and other hands on activities.

2:00 pm: Naturalist Led Hike "Cedar, Tree of life"

Cost:   Refuge admission is $3 per vehicle

Join us for a day of demonstrations and hands on activities celebrating an icon of the Pacific Northwest, the Western Red Cedar.  The Western Red Cedar tree is highly honored by many Native Peoples in the Northwest for the role that it plays in their lifeways and cultures. Since time immemorial, Cedar has supported the needs of people by providing homes, clothing, canoes, medicine, and many other items people need to thrive. Many of these Cedar traditions are still vibrant in Native communities today, and Cowlitz weaver Judy Bridges will be in the Plankhouse demonstrating cedar weaving and bark processing techniques. There will also be opportunities to try your hand at splitting a cedar log, pounding cedar bark for fiber, and at 2:00, a Refuge Naturalist will lead a hike around the Oaks to Wetlands trail, exploring the connection between people, wildlife, and cedar.

You can also check out the ample wildlife watching opportunities on the River 'S' Unit Auto Tour Driving Route. Check the Friends website www.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 from12pm-4pm. Every second Sunday of the month from April - Oct 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 . 

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. 

The Cathlapotle Plankhouse is a contemporary Chinookan Plankhouse built to interpret the Chinookan village of Cathlapotle that exists on what is now called the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. When Lewis and Clark visited Cathlapotle, it had 14 large plankhouses and a population of over 900 people.  The contemporary 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.

Visitors can enjoy bird, plant and nature tours and presentations by regional experts who will share fun facts and information about Southwest Washington's unique ecoregion. Archeologist-led walks will follow in the footsteps of Native Americans and Lewis & Clark to notable sites within
the refuge. These include a visit to a replica of a Cathlapotle plankhouse built by hand using ancient techniques
and tools. A traditional salmon bake will be held Sunday afternoon with complimentary samplings.
Children's activities in downtown Ridgefield will include the Audubon Society Live bird show and birds on display,
craft stations, games, a storytelling tent and more. Special offerings on both days include guided kayak and canoe tours, a night hike, Kiwa Trail tour and the spectacular sandhill crane tours at dawn and dusk. These tours are offered on a limited basis and fill quickly, with reservations and fees required. Visitors can also get an early start on Christmas shopping. An expanded birders' marketplace will offer great buys
on garden items, pottery, art, photography, birdhouses, clothes, books and other items. Food booths will be open
throughout the weekend.
 

Birdfest and Bluegrass is a non-profit festival hosted by Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge to encourage
appreciation for the wonders of nature and this special wildlife refuge.