If you’re just getting started with birdwatching, look no further! In this class you’ll learn what sort of equipment might be helpful, safe and ethical bird feeding, identification tools and some common backyard birds to look for, and other useful tips and resources for birdwatching both in your yard and beyond.

Join this FREE Fort Vancouver Regional Library workshop, no registration is required.

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

Join the Clark Conservation District staff and head out to Irrelevant Beer to learn about streamside habitats and play conservation-themed trivia, with a chance to win a gift card to our native plant sale!

Hear from our technical staff about why riparian zones are so vital in our county and learn about upcoming stewardship events, current funding opportunities, and our riparian project planning and species selection process.

Register HERE for this fun filled event!

WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Program

Join the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program for an On the Road Tour and leave the driving to us!

We will be visiting several gardens with a focus on end of the season activities: pruning, moving plants, deadheading, and thinking about spring planting.

• Our first stop is at the home of Master Gardener Marcia Sparling. She and her husband are developing their 37-acre farm in LaCenter with several distinct areas. They are not on city water and must be careful to save and use their well water wisely. There is a large and diverse perennial flower area designed for continuous summer blooms. She has created a “dry garden”, mimicking areas in the Mediterranean. They are also creating a varied “forest” of unusual trees. Although we won’t cover the entire 37 acres, be prepared for walking on uneven ground and gravel paths.

• From there we will travel to Battle Ground Blooms. This family-run cut flower business provides bouquets through the summer for weddings and farmers’ markets. They will help us think about plant choices for cutting gardens as well as how to put that kind of flower garden to bed for the winter.

• Lunch is at the Margarita Factory in Battle Ground. Tour participants can purchase lunch of their choosing.

• Our last stop is the Mabry Correction Center, a court diversion program in Vancouver. The Mabry has a large vegetable growing area, providing thousands of pounds of fresh food to the food bank last year. Their project director will help us learn about their steps for closing out planters, raised beds, row crops, and the greenhouse. He will also talk about winterizing water lines and protecting delicate plants. Mike’s team builds planter boxes for the Master Gardener sale and might give us some ideas for our own winter projects.

On this tour there will be opportunities to learn about garden practices as the growing season ends and we start thinking about spring. Don't miss our last tour of the year.

Meet at the 78th Street Heritage Farm at 8:15am and return at 4pm. Cost: $40 (plus tax, fees). For more information: (564) 397-5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu. Learn more at http://extension.wsu.edu/clark/gardening/workshops-events/.

clarkcowa_pw

Join us from 10 am to noon this Thursday, Oct. 8, to pick up litter at Klineline Pond at Salmon Creek Regional Park!

We will meet rain or shine. Please wear close-toed shoes and dress for the weather. We recommend bringing your own water and snack.
Sign up at https://clarkwa.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1323924
We’ve launched a new volunteer sign-up system. The first time you sign up for one of our events, you’ll need to create an account. It's quick and easy!

Hey Educators! Earn free STEM clock hours while meeting community partners and other educators who love to teach outside!

Join the Vancouver Audubon’s Cameraderie Youth Program for Session 1 of TLO 26-27 - Birds as a Window to Science: Observing, Understanding, and Teaching the Local Avian World

Binoculars and field guides open up a new world of outdoor learning for students. In this session, teachers will get hands-on experience using binoculars and field guides in the field while building their skills in bird identification and learning about the species most commonly seen in Southwest Washington. Through exploration of migration patterns and environmental challenges, participants will gain insight into how bird studies can support NGSS-aligned instruction.

The workshop includes ready-to-use classroom activities and strategies for engaging students in authentic observation and data collection outdoors. Participating teachers will be able to borrow free birding kits for classroom use after attending the workshop. 

Registration is required HERE

Learn more about Take Learning Outside FREE educator workshops and resources HERE

Gardeners are thrilled when they find worms while working in their soil beds because of the critical role these wiggly friends play in producing rich, healthy soil needed to grow vigorous plants. Discover the many benefits and learn how to attract worms to your garden.

Join the Fort Vancouver Regional Library for this FREE workshop, no registration is required.

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

Discover the rich legacy of the Pacific Northwest’s premier mountaineering organization with the Mazamas. Join Matthew Brock, Mazama Library & Historical Collections Manager, for a captivating journey through the 133-year history of the Mazamas. Whether you are a climber, history buff, or nature lover, this presentation offers a rare look at the archive of Northwest exploration.

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time excursions are mostly monthly walks/rolls/rides on Plas Newydd Farm. Hosted by Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan (and some surprise guests), these adventures give us the chance to explore some of the most beautiful places on the farm, and provide a deeper opportunity to feel the rhythms of the land, observe the comings and goings of migratory birds, watch the bud and bloom of native and invasive plants, swat mosquitoes, and dodge raindrops! 

“If you pay attention, you can tell time by the forest canopy—twigs and seeds, branches and leaves marking seasons with color, fullness, sway.” – Abby Braithwaite, A Portrait of the Artist as a Crone Tree

• Part nature journaling, part phenological record-keeping, these explorations are a great way to spend more time out on the land than some of our workshops allow. 

• Bring your journal, your sketchbook, your camera and your senses. 

• Accessibility Note: This event takes place out on the land. We work to accommodate access however we can, and routinely customize the outing but please reach out if you have concerns so we can strategize together. You can email arts@pnfarm.com and we’ll take it from there.

• Learn more about this and other upcoming events as well as register HERE

About our teacher: Regular Canopy Time hosts are Abby Braithwaite, PN Farm Arts Initiator, and her husband David Morgan, 3rd generation manager of Plas Newydd Farm. They both love little more than sharing stories of this place with visitors. Occasionally other farm arts volunteers and/or guest presenters join as well.

Paddle a Dragon Boat in Ridgefield!

Have you ever wanted to try Dragon Boat paddling but didn't know where to start? You've found the place! Join the exciting sport that is growing in the United States and is especially big in the Pacific Northwest.

Ridgefield Dragon Boat community paddling is your opportunity to join a fun, team oriented activity at no cost from April 17 through October 3. Paddlers must be 14 years of age or older to participate. No experience is needed.

2026 Community Paddling Schedule:

Regular Season: April 17 - October 3
Weekly Paddles held on Fridays at 5:30 PM.

Location:
Ridgefield Waterfront

Fee: FREE! Registration required, spots fill quickly!
Sign up for all community events on Meetup

No experience is needed and equipment is provided.

Explore Washington's outdoors

This is a FEE FREE day! No Discover pass needed.

This day celebrates World Mental Health Day. World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. Studies have shown that time spent outdoors, in nature, have positive effects on our mental and emotional health.

The Washington State Discover Pass gives you unlimited access to millions of acres of unforgettable nature across Washington state. When you buy a Discover Pass, you help preserve and conserve our public lands for everyone—from the first-time visitor to the expert adventurer—and for the generations yet to come.

Learn more at these websites about where Discover Passes are required at other times throughout the year:

Become a Nature Detective

Engineers are problem solvers! Curious kids in this class will work with their families to build, test, design, and improve across a variety of playful hands-on challenges.

About OMSI Curiosity Kids

At OMSI, we love experimenting, learning, and creating together!

Curiosity Kids programs at OMSI allow children ages 3-5 years old, along with their families, to explore early science and engineering concepts. These bilingual programs are designed to build STEAM skills and nurture the special connection between adults and children.
We hope you and your curious kids will join our stellar educators to experiment, ask questions, and build amazing structures!

Practice your new skills right after your workshop — your ticket includes same-day general Museum Admission!

Questions? For the basic details and FAQs about this event, please visit the Curiosity Kids webpage or email info@omsi.edu.

Chiquitines curiosos: Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

¡Los naturalistas estudian las pistas que dejan atrás los animales! En esta clase, los niños curiosos trabajarán y jugarán con sus familias para observar, describir y recopilar pruebas que les permitan entender qué animales dejaron huellas, pelo, excrementos y mucho más.

Sobre Chiquitines curiosos

¡En OMSI, nos encanta experimentar, aprender y crear juntos!
Chiquitines curiosos es una serie de programas en OMSI que permiten que niños(as) de 3 a 5 años, y sus familias, exploren conceptos básicos de ciencia e ingeniería. Estos programas bilingües están diseñados para desarrollar sus habilidades STEAM y fortalecer el vínculo especial entre adultos y niños(as).
¡Esperamos que tú y tus pequeños curiosos se unan a nuestros excelentes educadores para experimentar, hacer preguntas y construir estructuras increíbles!

¡Practica tus nuevas habilidades después de terminar la clase, ya que tu boleto incluye la admisión general al museo para el mismo día!

¿Tiene preguntas? Para obtener más información sobre este evento, así como respuestas a preguntas frecuentes, visita el sitio web de Chiquitines curiosos o manda un correo electrónico a info@omsi.edu.

Volunteering at the Jane Weber Arboretum

Monthly, we have our Second Saturday Work Party from 9am to noon. We often work on bigger projects and refreshments are always served.

Generally, our volunteers work on an area that is special to them or they just see a need to spruce things up.

We have three main volunteer areas. The Arboretum which encompasses the property grounds, The Stanger House restoration and the Caboose restoration.

• Our volunteers show up rain or shine. Extreme weather can cancel plans.

• For more information, email us at weberarboretum@gmail.com

Overview: The E. Jane Weber Arboretum is devoted to preserving this treasured natural resource and historic site in honor of Dr. Vinson and E. Jane Weber, who dedicated their homestead and lovely botanical garden to being a learning experience and inspiration – a legacy for others to cherish. To fulfill their dream, an entity was set up to oversee the arboretum and subsequently a non-profit to manage, protect and enhance this revered property along the Columbia River with outreach to the community, offering education and related activities that will be a shared commitment to the vision and purpose of the E. Jane Weber Arboretum. Watch this video for more information.

Accessibility note: the trails and grounds are natural surface and not always ADA compliant.

Water Center Backyard Habitat Garden Cleanup

Join Water Resources Education Center staff outdoors to help keep our Backyard Habitat Certified gardens in tip-top shape. Volunteer activities will focus on weeding, trimming, and small blackberry removal projects. All necessary tools and gloves will be provided.

Registration is required. Sign up today!

• All ages welcome. 

• Youth under 18 must provide a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

• Accessibility: The WREC has accessible parking and paved pathways, as well as restrooms. The Habitat Garden is not accessible and includes uneven ground, lawn and plants.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Vancouver, Washington: Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. You’ll take a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from a healthcare provider, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active, and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking. Walk your own pace and distance.

After a short discussion on a health topic you can enjoy moving around the track at your pace, while conversing and visiting with each other.  Please bring along your two and four-legged friends. See you there!

According to the American Heart Association, walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. Think it doesn’t do any good? Think again. Walking is low impact and easier on the joints than running. It is safe – with a doctor’s okay – for people with orthopedic ailments, heart conditions, and those who are more than 20% overweight. In addition, research has shown that you could gain three hours of life for each hour of regular exercise! That quick stroll around the block seems a little more worthwhile now, doesn’t it?

• You don’t need any special gear and there are no special rules.

• Our walking groups are a safe, fun, and FREE place to take a walk, learn about health, and meet new people.

• Vancouver, Washington - Chapter # 31196

• 2nd Saturday of every month at 9:30am

• Click Here to RSVP

• Questions: griffdavemo@comcast.net

• Walk Leader: Dave Griffin, DPM

naturescapingofswwa

We are saving, dividing, and making room in our gardens!
NatureScaping & WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners present the 10th annual Perennial, Bulb and Seed Swap!

As colder weather approaches, do you have too many of something or a big plant that need to be divided? All great reasons to bring them to the swap!

This event will be held outdoors at the Wildlife Botanical Gardens
11000 NE 149th Street, Brush Prairie, WA. Join us and get some new ideas and plants for your home! You don't need to bring anything to join!

Most important: Please label items as well as possible (i.e. botanical or common name, size, sun/shade, wet/dry, bloom time, plant height). 

We will also have a table with information regarding the WA Bee Atlas program.

Join members of the City of Vancouver’s volunteer Adopt-A-Park program for a morning of beautifying St Helens Park. We will be removing ivy and spreading mulch around trees and landscape beds.

• Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided.

• This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• There is no bathroom at this location.

Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. The park is wheelchair accessible, but some of the volunteer projects may not be. Work is primarily done in a quiet park with potential for some infrequent loud work sounds. For mulching projects, volunteers may be shoveling, twisting and turning, and pushing wheelbarrows. For invasive removal projects, volunteers may be kneeling, pulling, and twisting as well as possibly lifting plants overhead to load into a dumpster. There will be a space in the RSVP form for you to let us know if there are any accessibility needs you have so that we can do our best to find a volunteer role that will work for you.

Registration will close 24 hours prior to the event. If registration is closed and you are still interested in attending, please email cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us to let us know you will be a walk-up and you can sign in on-site.

Advance registration is required and space is limited. St. Helens Adopt-A-Park Volunteer RSVP.

• Contact: Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344

Join the official Backyard Habitat Certification Program outreach staff at Good Year Farms to learn about edible native and introduced plants already abundant in our yards!

We will learn ethical harvest practices, preparation techniques, and how to help edible native plants thrive.

Attendees will sample a variety of plant inspired dishes, get recipes and resources, and learn more about how the Backyard Habitat Certification program can assist you in your gardening goals.

These classes are a time to get together and learn about stewarding habitat in our time and space. These sessions are designed to be informal and relaxed, so you can bring specific questions or just listen and learn.

Registration required HERE: $31/person - regardless of size or age - *catered breakfast included. It's always incredibly tasty and filling.

*Dietary restrictions will be broadly considered, i.e., there will be GF and vegan options, but we are unable to cater to specific needs.

Class starts at 10:00AM.

Wild Grief Online is an opportunity to come together for grief peer support and nature connection from the comfort of your own home.

We will start with an opening circle via video chat, similar to the opening circle on our in person hikes. We will introduce ourselves, share who we are carrying in our hearts, and offer some activities for your individual walk/hike. We will then ask everyone to find a place close by to be in nature for 30-45 minutes. This could be a walk around your neighborhood, a sit spot in your yard, or even just opening a window to feel the fresh air and see the sky. After our time in nature, we will reconvene for a closing circle.

This event is free and open for anyone to participate. Please register below!

Click here to register!

This event is from 11 AM - 1 PM Pacific time. We are located in Olympia, Washington, but love it when folks join from other time zones! Find your local time.

vancouver.audubon

Vancouver Audubon's Young Birders Club is heading to the WSU-Vancouver Campus in search of migratory birds and irruptive finches. Birders of all levels are welcome and we've got binoculars to share! Join us as we explore this varied habitat and see what birds fall has in store for us.

Young Birders brings together youth between the ages of 8-18, who have an interest in birding and conservation. This group will plan on meeting for at least one field experience per month throughout 2026. Typically the location will be local wildlife areas that are easily accessible by the public for free. Seasoned birding guides from Vancouver Audubon will accompany the group and help with birding tips and identification. Binoculars will be supplied for free to all attendees needing them. There will also be several spotting scopes available to see birds up close, even when they are not.

Registration is required, so make sure you sign up by tapping the link in our bio and navigating to "Young Birders" or go directly to: vancouveraudubon.org/young-birders
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Photos: Red-breasted Nuthatch, Evening Grosbeak, Golden-crowned Kinglet, and Pacific Wren by Ken Pitts/Vancouver Audubon

Follow Vancouver Young Birder Club on Instagram

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi with the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute!

Learn how to identify common characteristics of wild edible and inedible mushrooms. Then learn how to harvest many different types of edible mushrooms and cook them into delicious dishes. Plan to get your shoes and hands dirty as you discover the forest's most striking and sometimes delectable offerings.
For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Register today!

• WHERE:   Pine Creek Information Center

• DURATION:   Approximately 6 hours

• DISTANCE:   Approximately 1 mile of off-trail forest walking

• GUIDE TEAM:   Mycology instructor, professional guide and three volunteers

• MINIMUM AGE:   8 (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• COST:   $125/person

• PERMITS:   Each participant needs to bring their own free mushroom permit. Instructions provided.

Join the Washington Native Plant Society Suksdorfia chapter for connection, education and board election night!

SPEAKER: We are privileged to have Sebastion Busby from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) join us.  

Sebastian provides scientific and technical support to TNC's forest carbon-oriented Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) programs and efforts across North America and globally. This work involves developing and applying methodologies to quantify carbon sequestration, carbon storage, and conservation benefits (e.g., biodiversity and ecosystem services) of sustainable forest management practices, utilizing forest inventory, remote sensing, GIS data, and forest growth and yield simulation modeling. Sebastion will share how scientists here in the Portland/Vancouver metro areas are shaping approaches to climate change globally and what that can mean for our local flora and fauna.

The meeting will be at Clark College in Vancouver, Hanna Hall, room 117.

There is easy parking right out front; please refer to this map: https://www.clark.edu/about/visitors-guide/getting-to-clark/maps/campus_map.pdf

Photo: The Nature Conservancy - Oregon Chapter

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society for a Road Trip to observe birds near Olympia - Tacoma region!

• Meet at the Salmon Creek Park and Ride to leave by 06:10, and drive directly to the JBLM Eagle’s Pride Golf Course at 1529 Mounts Rd SW, Dupont, WA 98327 (92 mi) with the host group at the Joint Base Lewis McCord golf course on their monthly walk that begins at 08:00; then a 10 minute drive back to Nisqually for an afternoon of trails and boardwalks at the refuge.

• This is an all-day trip of 12 hours, likely returning around 6pm.

• Spotting scopes will be handy, especially at Nisqually. Limit of four vehicles.

• Targets: Fall migrant and some wintering songbirds, raptors, waterfowl and waterbirds across a diverse landscape of salt and freshwater habitats, forests, and mixed openings.

• Pace: 1-2 – hiking trails and roads around the golf course, and flat trails and boardwalks at the refuge. Up to five miles of walking throughout the day.

Leader: Randy Hill
Meeting time: 6:00am (leave by 6:10am)
Meeting Location: Salmon Creek Park & Ride
Registration Required: Register by emailing randy.hill.98642@gmail.com

Field Trips are birding events that step outside of our immediate local area to explore biomes and target species that we might not be able to find at home. These events tend to involve increased travel and time commitments, lasting anywhere from half a day to multiple overnights throughout the Pacific Northwest.

adventureswithoutlimits is hosting a women's hiking series this fall!

Join for 2 accessible, guided group hikes exploring local Oregon ecosystems. We will be hiking on accessible trails and you set the pace!

Sign up today HERE!

Image Description: A flyer for Rooted in Nature, Fall Hiking Series for Women 65+. October 15: Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. October 29: Banks-Vernonia State Trail. Cost: $30 covers both hikes. Includes transportation from Forest Grove and Hillsboro Senior Center. Enjoy accessible trails, building community, and time in nature! 12 spots available!

clarknativeplantcenter

Hello native plant friends!

The Clark College Native Plant Center is having another fall plant sale this October 15th, 16th, and 17th! 🍁🍂 We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you all the ways our students have been growing 🌿💚
Remember fall is the best time to plant outdoors!

Join the Lower Columbia Nature Network at Good Year Farms for our 2nd annual Seeds for Education seed sorting & packing event!

LCNN Partners support educators and students in many ways to connect with outdoor, hands-one learning. Whether it is our Take Learning Outside workshops for educators throughout the school year or specialized programs for regional field trips, we are excited to connect schools with resources.

The Seeds for Education program brings local gardeners together to share seeds, sort and package to distribute to area schools. We invite all interested gardeners to share part of your harvest with us!

What kinds of seeds are needed, you ask? All kinds:

• Vegetables - learning how to source local foods is an important life skill (plus, fresh food always tastes better!)

• Cut flowers - perennial cut flowers means that you plant once, and you have flowers from spring to fall. Cut flower gardens are great for those hands on projects such as small flower vases, teacher appreciation gifts, art projects, science observations (think petals, symmetry, parts of the plant, etc. - like NGSS K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.). They also add beauty and bring joy.

• Native plants for pollinator patches - Some of the most important plants to add to schools include native plants that are low maintenance and are high value to our local and regional ecosystems. Native plants support local butterflies, bees, beetles and so much more. In turn, our local birds and mammals then thrive when the insects they eat are plentiful.

Registration here helps us estimate how many snacks and tables to set up.

Explore Vancouver Lake from a whole new perspective! Join the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver’s Water Center education staff for a free family-friendly canoe paddle aboard 29-foot, 14-passenger Big Canoes! Glide past shore birds, look for signs of beaver activity, and learn about the Columbia River ecosystem from seasoned paddle guides and educators.

Plan to paddle for 1.5 hours in Estuary Partnership’s Big Canoes along with other participants, and walk under 1/4 of a mile on gravel, muddy/sandy beaches, and uneven terrain. Paddlers must be able to step down 2.5 feet into the canoe and sit on a wooden bench without back support for the duration of the paddle program.

Big Canoe paddles are suitable for ages 6 and older. Previous paddling experience is not required!

Registration is full. To add your name to the waitlist, email vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us and tell us how many people are in your group. Advanced registration is required, and space is limited. Sign up today!

You will receive a confirmation letter with full event details, meeting location, and how to prepare for your event after registration.

If you need to cancel, please do so at your earliest convenience to allow your spot to be filled by someone on the waitlist.

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Who can paddle?

• Big Canoe trips are suitable for ages 6 and older.

• Previous paddling experience is not necessary.

• Paddlers must step down 2.5 feet into the canoe and sit on a wooden bench without back support for 1.5 hours.

Do I need any equipment or special gear?

• Please come prepared for the weather with raingear or a hat and sunscreen/sun protection.

• Personal flotation devices (PFD’s) in youth – XXL are provided.

• This paddle trip will depart from a small sand patch and not a dock so waterproof shoes or sandals are recommended. Old tennis shoes work great, too.

Can I bring my camera or cell phone?

• Yes. Be advised that we cannot guarantee the safety of electronic devices and do not offer dry bags. Occasional splashes and rain make the bottom of the boat wet, but typically gear in a pocket will stay dry.

How safe are paddle trips?

• Safety is always our first priority. Our guides are trained in on-water rescue, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid.

• Water activities carry inherent risk; guides take precautions to ensure a safe paddling experience.

• See our safety protocols or contact us for more information.

Questions?  Contact the Water Resources Education Center at 360-487-7111 or email vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us   

clarknativeplantcenter

Hello native plant friends!

The Clark College Native Plant Center is having another fall plant sale this October 15th, 16th, and 17th! 🍁🍂 We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you all the ways our students have been growing 🌿💚
Remember fall is the best time to plant outdoors!

Ready to celebrate the National Take a Hike Day?

Join Clark County Public Works Park & Nature team to enjoy FREE access to your regional parks. Find a trail near you!

Yes, the days are getting shorter and cooler, and getting outside isn't always easy during the week, but getting outside is rewarding. On National Take a Hike Day, we like to remind folks hiking can be simple—no heavy pack or rugged mountain required. You can enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of hiking right in your neighborhood. Grab a few essentials and head outside. A short stroll along a tree-lined street is a great way to celebrate National Take a Hike Day. Happy Hiking!

Most of the year, the daily parking fees at these four parks is $5.

There is no charge for people who walk or bicycle into any of these four parks. Washington State Parks Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass holders are also exempt from parking fees. Click here for more information.

Annual passes are available for $40.

Learn more about Clark County regional park parking fees HERE.

Learn more about:

• Frenchman’s Bar Park

• Lewisville Park

• Salmon Creek Greenway / Klineline Pond

• Vancouver Lake Park

Outdoor Solstice Activities in southwest WA:

• Attend Community Events: Join the Summer Solstice Celebration at the O.O. Howard House on the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Celebrate the 2026 summer solstice in Vancouver, WA, by attending The Historic Trust's free celebration at O.O. Howard House (June 21, 5:30–8:30 PM), featuring yoga, poetry, and crafts.

• Embrace Nature: Take a nature walk at Columbia Springs, or visit local parks to watch the longest sunset of the year.

• Picnic and BBQ: Host a backyard barbecue or enjoy a sunset picnic along the Columbia River at Vancouver Waterfront Park.

• Nearby Festivals: Attend the 103rd Annual Woodland Planters Days (typically held mid-June) in nearby Woodland for parades, carnival rides, and fireworks.

• Creative Rituals: Make flower crowns, collect herbs, or create sun-inspired art to celebrate the season.

• Water Activities: Take advantage of the long day by going fishing or spending time on the water.

• Other options include exploring nature at Columbia Springs, watching the sunset at Waterfront Park, or visiting the nearby Woodland Planters Days festival.

Join the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Programs department and our Naturespaces volunteers for a morning of removing invasive plants.

• Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided.

• This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• There is no bathroom at this location.

Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. This location is not mobility device accessible, and work is primarily done in a quiet natural area with potential for some infrequent loud work sounds. For mulching projects, volunteers may be shoveling, twisting and turning, and pushing wheelbarrows. For invasive removal projects, volunteers may be kneeling, pulling, and twisting as well as possibly lifting plants overhead to load into a dumpster. There will be a space in the RSVP form for you to let us know if there are any accessibility needs you have so that we can do our best to find a volunteer role that will work for you.

Registration will close 24 hours prior to the event. If registration is already closed and you still want to register, please email cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us to let us know you will be a walk-up and you can sign in on-site.

Registration is required. Ivy Removal at Behren Woods Volunteer RSVP.

• Contact: Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344

Grab a friend and join Adventures Without Limits for a stroll through scenic Silver Falls State Park! This park has meandering paths through dense Douglas Fir forest and offers stunning waterfall views. The trip is open to the public, inclusive, and accessible to people of all abilities. We specialize in creating a welcome space for diverse sets of needs.

Accessibility: The trip is open to the public, inclusive, and accessible to people of all abilities. We specialize in creating a welcome space for diverse sets of needs. We plan to explore the North Rim trail, which is the park's accessible (compacted gravel) trail, and continue on from there. 

 Sat Oct 17, 2026 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM PDT Silver Falls State Park North Canyon Day Use Area, 97385

Sign-Up!

Program: Hiking with AWL!

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Trip Date: 10/17/2026

• Ages: All ages  *participants under 18 years old MUST be accompanied by an adult

• Cost: Free without shuttle (Suggested donation $10), $20 with shuttle
  Free for Pacific University Students and Faculty.

Transportation: Participants can meet our team on-site at the North Canyon Day-Use Area, or shuttle with AWL from the Beaverton Transit Center (4108 SW Lombard Ave, Beaverton, OR 97005) to the park for a $20 fee. Please note that our bus is lift-equipped with space for 2 wheelchair users.

If you would like to ride with AWL to Silver Falls State Park, please register for the "General Admission - WITH shuttle" option.

Learn more about this AWOL event HERE

clarknativeplantcenter

Hello native plant friends!

The Clark College Native Plant Center is having another fall plant sale this October 15th, 16th, and 17th! 🍁🍂 We look forward to seeing you and sharing with you all the ways our students have been growing 🌿💚
Remember fall is the best time to plant outdoors!

Learn how to get those shrubs in shape! We'll focus on methods and techniques to get your plants looking incredible and healthy. Time in the classroom and outdoors for hands-on demonstrations.  

Presented by Christofer Robison, Professional Gardener and Landscape Contractor ‍ ‍

Tired of shrubs and bushes that look like they belong in the Willy Wonka factory? Come learn to prune your shrubs for beauty and health of the plant. We will focus on methods and techniques to leave your plants looking incredible. First hour will consist of classroom instruction to be followed by time in the gardens for hands-on examples and lots of time for Q & A.

10 a.m. to noon, Saturday October 17, 2026 located at 11104 NE 149th Street, Brush Prairie. NatureScaping classes are free for members ($25 per year; $15 for seniors), or $15 (+ tax) per class for non-members. 

Registration required at: marlene52ns@gmail.com or info@naturescaping.org or call 360-737-1160.

Lead by Erin of Frog & Twig; learn about locally harvested fiber plants suitable for twining, including willow, rattan reed cane, cattail and iris. Learn basketry techniques like Pairing Weave, 3-rod wale weave, securing a basket to a wooden base, soft fiber twining & twined handle. 

Your handmade basket may be tiny but this class is designed to introduce you to a large variety of materials and techniques that will give you a solid start to continue pursuing basketry on your own, including a hand out of exactly where to find and how to prepare all of the materials that we use! 

Register HERE, 10 spots only.

Group class instruction from 10am-12pm with a third hour of 1:1 hands-on help from the instructor to complete your basket without feeling rushed! You will leave with a mini-basket of your very own.

The forests and wetlands of the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center are home to a wide variety of wildlife, drawn by the lush plant life and plentiful water.

Though these animals are all around us, they often remain hidden from view. Tracking gives us a way to uncover their presence and understand their lives. In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn how to identify and interpret the signs they leave behind—tracks, scat, feeding marks, and more—and begin to read the landscape like a storybook of the wild.

• This class is suitable for adults and youth ages 8 and older. All youth need to be accompanied by an adult.

• Advanced registration required. Sign up today!

• Expect to walk about 2 miles, often standing in one place, to decipher the tracks we find. We will be mostly off trail, in sandy areas, with uneven terrain and mud.

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Looking to get involved this fall? Join Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group & Partners in the field at one of our upcoming volunteer events.

Join LCFEG, Cascade Forest Conservancy, and the Mount St. Helens Institute on the North Fork Toutle River for a hands-on day of riparian and instream restoration at Bear Creek! Volunteers will help plant native vegetation and build Beaver Dam Analog (BDA) structures that slow water, improve habitat, and support recovery of ESA-listed salmonid species.

Work Conditions: Volunteers will help plant native trees and shrubs, use shovels and loppers, cut willow and other live stakes, and weave branches into BDA structures. LCFEG & partners will provide instruction and all necessary tools and gloves.

Please be prepared for lifting and carrying pots and tools, repetitive motions, bending and digging, and walking across uneven terrain. Work will take place outdoors, and conditions may be wet or muddy depending on the weather.

What to Bring: Dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots. Bring a daypack for your personal supplies, food for lunch, and your own water bottle. We will provide light snacks and water refills.

Transportation & Site Access: The restoration site is accessed via logging roads with limited parking. Due to road conditions and limited parking, we will consolidate vehicles and travel together from Eco Park to the work site.  Transportation may also be provided from Vancouver if needed. Please indicate on the registration form if you will need a ride or plan to drive separately so we can coordinate transportation and ensure we have enough space for everyone.

Meeting & Schedule: Please arrive at Eco Park by 10:00 AM. We will organize transportation and travel together to the restoration site, with work ending around 3:00 PM.

An Important Note about Communication: Please register with an email you check frequently. In the unlikely event that we need to change the meeting location or time or cancel the trip, we will contact you via the email on your registration. You will receive a confirmation email after registering. If you do not see it, or have additional questions, please contact us at ekitali@lcfeg.org.

Registration is required to attend! Please sign up using this form!

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi with the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute!

Learn how to identify common characteristics of wild edible and inedible mushrooms. Then learn how to harvest many different types of edible mushrooms and cook them into delicious dishes. Plan to get your shoes and hands dirty as you discover the forest's most striking and sometimes delectable offerings.
For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Register today!

• WHERE:   Pine Creek Information Center

• DURATION:   Approximately 6 hours

• DISTANCE:   Approximately 1 mile of off-trail forest walking

• GUIDE TEAM:   Mycology instructor, professional guide and three volunteers

• MINIMUM AGE:   8 (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• COST:   $125/person

• PERMITS:   Each participant needs to bring their own free mushroom permit. Instructions provided.

You're invited! Join us for a Nature Day exploring creepy, crawly critters at Columbia Springs.  

 This event is designed to be engaging for people of all ages – from preschool age kids to elementary, middle, and high school students, and adults. All ages and backgrounds are welcome. Just bring your curiosity and be prepared for some nature fun!  

Columbia Springs is an environmental education nonprofit 501(c)(3) located on the Old Evergreen Highway in Vancouver, Washington. Our 100-acre urban natural site is an outdoor education center which offers events, programs, and workshops to teach people of all ages about stewardship and environmental science. 

We are so excited to see you on our trails! Scroll down to view our interactive map or click here to download a printable brochure. Looking for information about accessibility? Check out this map from Hope Walks to know before you go!

Contact Information:  Kristine Jacobs , events@columbiasprings.org  , 360-882-0936 x 231  

Back by popular demand! Last winter’s stitching event was a delight, and we’re so thrilled to welcome Nicki Eybel back to the farm for some autumn stitching!

Gathered around the workshop table, participants will stitch an 8”x8” landscape with an autumn palette.  Think sky, river and land (just like PN Farm!)  We will spend the morning creating our backgrounds and practicing some stitches (new and/or familiar).  In the afternoon we will add details to our background (sky…rain? Clouds? Sun?)  River and land (trees, leaves etc)  Your piece of art will be yours…abstract? Realistic?  The instructor will provide examples.

• All levels of stitcher welcome!

• If you have a youngster in your life who is interested, please reach out to Abby at arts@pnfarm.com to discuss! 

• A materials fee of $5.00 is incorporated in your ticket.

• Coffee, tea, water and light snacks will be provided. Participants should plan on bringing a water bottle, lunch, and any specific snacks needed.

Accessibility Note: This workshop takes place in an historic farmhouse that is not currently wheelchair accessible, as well as out on the landscape of a working farm. We will work to accommodate access however we can, but please email arts@pnfarm.com to confirm that the space will work for you before you commit to the workshop!

Full and partial scholarships available. Please email Abby for more information. Register HERE

About our teacher: Nicki Eybel is a newly retired early childhood educator. She is now an abstract  mixed media collage artist, focused on stitching. As a member of the Columbia Fiber Arts Guild, she is active in the Handstitching Group and has enjoyed a daily stitching practice for the last 3 years. She has exhibited in local galleries and group shows. She earned her Stitching Badge as a Girl Scout long, long ago.

Fall Begins Train Ride - The excursion departs from Yacolt, through the tunnel, across the East Fork of the Lewis River with a stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls.   

Welcome to the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad! Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Clark County, Washington, our historic railroad offers a unique journey through lush forests, rolling hills, and picturesque farmlands. Step aboard our vintage trains and travel back in time to an era when railroads were the lifeblood of American adventure and commerce.

Tickets available for 12pm and 2:30pm rides

Whether you're a train enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a delightful outing with family and friends, Chelatchie Prairie Railroad promises an unforgettable experience. Enjoy themed rides, seasonal excursions, and special events throughout the year. Join us for a ride and create lasting memories on the rails!

Please dress for the weather, we have both indoor and outdoor seating available.

*Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to departure time to pickup your tickets!

Getting there: We are located in SW Washington in Yacolt, WA. Yacolt is located just North of the Vancouver/Portland area roughly 20 miles East of I5 in the foothills of Mount St. Helens. The station is located on NE Railroad Ave, just south of Yacolt Rd. Parking is available on the North side of Yacolt Rd, just West of the train tracks.

Join educators from the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center to discover the amazing journeys of two of our river’s most remarkable fish.

This drop-in program takes place indoors and is designed for children ages 5–12. Through hands-on activities, you’ll explore the fascinating life cycles of salmon and lamprey and discover how they depend on healthy waterways throughout their lives.

• No registration is required.

• Drop-in anytime between 1 and 2 p.m.

• Youth must be accompanied by an adult.

The Water Center is open the first and third Saturday of every month, from noon to 4 p.m.

Contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or call 360-487-7111 if you have any questions.

Join professional Photographer Patrick Aalto and the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute Guides on a photography hike amongst the massive hummocks deposited by the 1980 eruption.

You will explore this marvelous ecosystem, teaming with life, before leaving the trees to join the Boundary Trail in view of the vast open expanse of the Pumice Plain and the breach of the volcanic crater itself. You will ascend to the groups' comfort up Johnston Ridge where you will train your cameras on the amazing vistas and brilliant colors of Fall foliage below.

For detailed information, visit our Photography Hike program page.

Register today!

• WHERE:   Hummocks Trail #229

• DISTANCE:   2.3 miles to 4 miles (3.7km - 6.2km)

• COST:   $150 per person

• ELEVATION GAIN:   250 feet to 700 feet (76m - 213m)

• PERMITS:   All permits provided

• MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE:   12

• MINIMUM AGE:   8. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Mushroom foraging is a popular pursuit in the Northwest!

More than just a slideshow of edible mushrooms, this beginner-friendly class emphasizes skills and tools needed for accurate identification of mushrooms to determine edibility.

Join the Fort Vancouver Regional Library for this exciting workshop.

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

Fall Begins Train Ride - The excursion departs from Yacolt, through the tunnel, across the East Fork of the Lewis River with a stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls.   

Welcome to the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad! Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Clark County, Washington, our historic railroad offers a unique journey through lush forests, rolling hills, and picturesque farmlands. Step aboard our vintage trains and travel back in time to an era when railroads were the lifeblood of American adventure and commerce.

Tickets available for 12pm and 2:30pm rides

Whether you're a train enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a delightful outing with family and friends, Chelatchie Prairie Railroad promises an unforgettable experience. Enjoy themed rides, seasonal excursions, and special events throughout the year. Join us for a ride and create lasting memories on the rails!

Please dress for the weather, we have both indoor and outdoor seating available.

*Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to departure time to pickup your tickets!

Getting there: We are located in SW Washington in Yacolt, WA. Yacolt is located just North of the Vancouver/Portland area roughly 20 miles East of I5 in the foothills of Mount St. Helens. The station is located on NE Railroad Ave, just south of Yacolt Rd. Parking is available on the North side of Yacolt Rd, just West of the train tracks.

birdability

Self-care honors our bodies. Collective care creates systemic access. We need both for accessible birding. Join Birdability Captains Eric Clow and Jayme Boucher for Finding Balance: Self-Care in Birding, an open community discussion to kick off Birdability Week 2026!

What does self-care mean when you are birding with a disability or other health concern? And how can our birding communities share responsibility for creating the access that allows everyone to participate?

Self-care might mean birding while floating in a pool. Using adaptive equipment that reduces fatigue. Choosing a place where birds can be enjoyed without walking. Taking breaks, changing plans, or staying home and listening through a window while you lay in bed.

There is no single right way to care for yourself or connect with birds.

Eric and Jayme will invite us into a conversation about the creative and practical ways disabled birders make birding work for our bodies and minds. Come hear ideas from others, share what works for you, and explore how self-care can make birding more sustainable, enjoyable, and accessible, and how we can incorporate it into collective care for bird outings!

This virtual program is free and ASL and captions are provided, but advance registration is required. Find out more and register at https://www.birdability.org/birdability-week

Bird where you are. Bird in the ways that care for you.

You're invited! Join us for a Forest Walk at Columbia Springs.   

Have you ever wondered what wildlife call Columbia Springs or what types of native plants you can find along the trails? Find the answers to these questions and more on a guided forest walk!  

Come along with knowledgeable Columbia Springs staff, or expert volunteer, as they lead you on a walk on one of our trails to discover the magic of our site.  

Forest walks are great for all ages! Please note that our trails are not stroller friendly.   

We are so excited to see you on our trails! Scroll down to view our interactive map or click here to download a printable brochure. Looking for information about accessibility? Check out this map from Hope Walks to know before you go!

Let us know you’re coming in advance by registering at https://www.columbiasprings.org/events/guided-tours/  

Worm Bin Composting: Turn Scraps into Soil workshop with Master Composters & Recyclers

Worm bins are compact and low‑odor, making them ideal for garages, covered outdoor spaces, or other protected areas where you want a small composting system. Discover how worm bins can transform kitchen scraps into a nutrient‑rich soil addition for gardens and houseplants. This workshop covers bin setup, care, what materials to add, troubleshooting and how to harvest your finished compost. 

Registration is required for this FREE workshop HERE.

vancouverbeeproject

Join Vancouver Bee Project for Pollinators & Pints on Thursday, October 22, at 5:30 p.m. at Grays Restaurant & Bar at the Hilton!

October’s topic is native seed saving. Bring your questions, share your gardening experiences, and connect with others interested in native plants and pollinators. Whether you’re just getting started or have been saving seeds for years, come join the conversation!

¡Acompaña a Vancouver Bee Project en Pollinators & Pints el jueves 22 de octubre a las 5:30 p. m. en Grays Restaurant & Bar, en el Hilton!

El tema de octubre es la recolección y conservación de semillas de plantas nativas. Trae tus preguntas, comparte tus experiencias de jardinería y conoce a otras personas interesadas en las plantas nativas y los polinizadores. Ya sea que estés empezando o lleves años guardando semillas, ¡ven a conversar!

Confused about when, why, or how to prune your trees and shrubs?

Join us for an engaging beginner-friendly Master Gardener class led by an ISA Certified Arborist to learn the fundamentals of proper pruning for healthier plants, improved flowering, stronger structure, and safer landscapes. Perfect for homeowners, gardeners, and anyone wanting more confidence caring for their landscape.

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library.

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

Hey bike racers! Ride close to home at scenic Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park.

Interested in trying cyclocross? Learn more at OBRA.org for racing 101
There are races for all ages and abilities, including the Kiddie Cross on their own separate course. This is a great event to learn more about this fun sport.

Register Now!

COURSE DESCRIPTION

You can expect multiple barriers with long stretches of grass, dirt, gravel, pavement, and last but not least, the fan favorite sand pit! You will be forced off your bike so those who can run a little usually do well here.

More information will be posted on the event web page as it gets closer to October. www.harvestcx.com/events/columbia-cx/

[Photo: Lance Heppler]

Join the Water Center and Clark Public Utilities for Make a Difference Day as we work together to restore 3.6 acres of wetlands through a two-year, grant-funded restoration project.

Volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs to create healthy habitat for birds, mammals, pollinators, and macroinvertebrates, while supporting clean, healthy waterways. Wetlands help filter pollutants, reduce runoff, and protect water quality while supporting a thriving ecosystem.

Come get your hands in the soil and help make a lasting difference for our local watershed!

• Planting event will happen rain or shine. 

• We invite you to bring your own gardening gloves if you have them.  We will have gloves for participants to borrow as well. 

• Planting in a wetland area means the soil could be wet and muddy.  Wear sturdy shoes or boots that you don’t mind getting muddy.  Waterproof or water resistant shoes are ideal. 

• All tools will be provided for volunteers.

• Expect to walk a short distance, about 1/8 of a mile, to the planting site.  We will have coffee, snacks and water for volunteers on site.

Registration is required. Sign up today!

All ages welcome.  Youth under 18 must provide a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Program

An interactive workshop exploring the fascinating world of mason bees - non-stinging, native pollinators.

Did you know your backyard is likely home to a variety of wild bees, including the gentle and highly efficient mason bee? Join WSU Master Gardener Anne Bulger for an interactive workshop exploring the fascinating world of these non-stinging, native pollinators.

Discover their vital role in pollination, learn how to create and maintain a thriving mason bee habitat, and gain insight into their unique life cycle. Plus, take part in a hands-on demonstration of cocoon harvesting and cleaning—an essential step in supporting healthy mason bee populations. (Bring your own nesting materials to harvest, if you like.) Cleaned cocoons will be distributed to those interested in providing a house for the bees to nest in the spring.

You will have a chance to win a fully furnished mason bee house and empty nesting tubes! Don't miss this opportunity to get up close and personal with one of nature’s hardest-working pollinators!

October 24 from 9:30 to 11:30am at the Luke Jensen Sports Complex Bud van Cleve room. Contact: Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or 564-397-5738.

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi with the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute!

Learn how to identify common characteristics of wild edible and inedible mushrooms. Then learn how to harvest many different types of edible mushrooms and cook them into delicious dishes. Plan to get your shoes and hands dirty as you discover the forest's most striking and sometimes delectable offerings.
For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Register today!

• WHERE:   Pine Creek Information Center

• DURATION:   Approximately 6 hours

• DISTANCE:   Approximately 1 mile of off-trail forest walking

• GUIDE TEAM:   Mycology instructor, professional guide and three volunteers

• MINIMUM AGE:   8 (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• COST:   $125/person

• PERMITS:   Each participant needs to bring their own free mushroom permit. Instructions provided.

Join the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Programs staff and volunteers from our Adopt-A-Park program for a morning of beautifying LeRoy Haagen Memorial Community Park’s natural area. We will be removing ivy and other non-native plants to support the health of the forest.

• Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided.

• This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. This location is wheelchair accessible, and work is primarily done in a quiet natural area with potential for some infrequent loud work sounds. For mulching projects, volunteers may be shoveling, twisting and turning, and pushing wheelbarrows. For invasive removal projects, volunteers may be kneeling, pulling, and twisting as well as possibly lifting plants overhead to load into a dumpster. There will be a space in the RSVP form for you to let us know if there are any accessibility needs you have so that we can do our best to find a volunteer role that will work for you.

Advance registration is required. Leroy Haagen Park Volunteer RSVP.

Registration will close 24 hours prior to the event. If registration is closed and you are still interested in attending, please email cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us to let us know you will be a walk-up and you can sign in on-site.

• Contact: Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344

Columbia Springs Nature Days are an exploration of the natural world – right here in town!

Nature Days are free events to get community members outside into nature. Our goal is to inspire all people to see themselves as successful scientists, understand that they have ideas that matter, and appreciate that everyone belongs in nature. Upon arrival, stop by our check in tent to learn about the activities happening. From there, you can make your own adventure!

Some activities and presentations will be in buildings or under cover, but lots of the activities (such as the guided walks) will be outdoors. This is an event that celebrates nature, after all!

Upcoming Nature Days:

• October 24, 2026 – Plant Technologies

• November 21, 2026 – Fish

• December 19, 2026 – Evergreen Tree Communities

Dress appropriately to spend some time indoors, and some time outdoors; “layers” of clothing work best! A waterproof jacket is a good idea if rain is in the forecast. Good quality, closed-toe shoes are highly recommended.

We recommend bringing a water bottle. We have water fountains for you to fill up at.

Is Columbia Springs stroller and wheelchair friendly?

Somewhat; while the area around the hatchery, our classroom, and some of the activities will be accessible, our nature trails are unpaved. You will be able to enjoy the majority of the activities with limited mobility.

What ages is this event appropriate for?

All ages! While most of the activities are designed with elementary-aged children in mind, adults and little ones are encouraged to participate! In fact, we often hear from adults that they learned just as much and had fun!

Interested in Volunteering at this event?

Sign up for a number of volunteer shifts HERE!

Learn tips to protect your plants, enrich your soils and care for your irrigation systems to prepare your gardens for a long winter’s nap!

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library.

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

Just in time for Halloween!

Join Nature’s Haven Nursery to learn about the fascinating—and often underappreciated—bats of the Pacific Northwest. We’ll talk about the species that live here, what they eat, where they spend their time, why they’re so important to our ecosystems, and how we can make our yards more bat-friendly.  We'll also have new bat houses available for sale.

Learn more about this and other classes, as well as registration HERE.

What can you do to combat climate change at home?

This presentation breaks down a typical suburban yard into its component parts and gives you actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint.

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

Audiobook listeners need not walk alone!

Bring your audiobook of choice and meet the Camas Library each month at a new outdoor location for a community walk. We’ll walk for 60 minutes and wrap up with an optional 30 minutes of social time to chat with other book lovers and audio fans.

Walkers of all paces and experience levels are welcome — whether you’re a power walker, stroller pusher, or leisurely listener, there’s space for you here.

Walks are weather-dependent, so please check our social media channels or this event page for updates or cancellations.

Accommodations: The library strives to ensure our events are accessible to everyone. If you require special accommodations to join us, please call 360.834.4692 or email library@cityofcamas.us at least two weeks before the event.

Location Details:

Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave, Camas, WA 98607

See map: Google Maps

Contact Info

Name: Stacy Yakouba

Email: library@cityofcamas.us

Phone Number: (360) 834-4692

Explore federal Public Lands across the U.S. for free today!

In honor of President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, entrance fees are waived. Roosevelt was the "conservation president" who established much of the National Parks System, protecting over 230 million acres of public land, created five National Parks (like Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Mount Rainier), 18 National Monuments (like Devil's Tower and Muir Woods), and 51 bird sanctuaries, including the first National Wildlife Refuge at Pelican Island, making his birthday a day to honor his legacy of preserving America's natural heritage for future generations.

Most of the sites managed by the National Park Service are free to visit, but some require an entrance pass. You may also need a reservation at a few high-traffic sites.

K9 Conservationists: Dogs Helping Wolf Research

In the 1960s, biologists introduced wolves to Coronation Island in Alaska after deer overran it and decimated the forest understory. The wolves ate all the deer and, with nothing left to eat, starved. About 50 years later, the wolves of Pleasant Island Alaska found themselves in a similar situation: living on an island in the Pacific with no deer left to eat. The wolves of Pleasant Island, however, have not died out. Instead, they’ve broadened their palate to include sea otters. 

What scientists don’t know is how widespread this surf-and-turf phenomenon is. How does the complex web of wolf, deer, sea otter, hundreds of islands and a massive logging industry interact?

In 2024, a rescued border collie named Barley joined the investigation. Employed with K9 Conservationists, Barley is a professional scat detection dog with three field seasons under his belt. With the “understudy” dogs Tooma, Niffler, and Skipper, they have located over 1,500 wolf scats across 25 islands. Back at OSU, Kayla Fratt works to extract the DNA of the wolves and their prey from the fecal samples. She then uses cutting-edge genetic techniques, lasers shot from airplanes, and an awful lot of math to tell the story of the Tongass National Forest through the bum of a wolf. 

Bonus ending: This talk will conclude with a live demonstration from one of Kayla’s trained conservation detection dogs in the theater!!

More information about this and other events, as well as registration HERE.

Kayla Fratt is a PhD student at Oregon State University and a co-founder of K9 Conservationists. She has dedicated her life to training rescue dogs to help conservation biologists. Her research in Alaska is funded by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and her PhD studies are funded in part by the National Science Foundation. 

Join us on a Wednesday morning guided nature walk where we will explore the rich ecosystems along the Columbia River and adjacent wetland.

As we wander, we’ll discover native plants, search for wildlife, and learn how these vibrant waterways support life all around us. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned nature lover, there’s always something new to see and learn on the trail.

• This program is great for families with youth ages 6 and older as well as adults who want to get out and wander!

• Be prepared to walk 2 miles on paved pathways, unpaved wetland trails, and along sandy beaches.

• Registration is required. Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Backyard Composting: Find A Compost System to Fit Your Yard with Clark County Master Composters & Recyclers

Backyard composting is a flexible way to transform yard debris and food scraps into a valuable soil amendment that supports healthy gardens. Explore the essentials of outdoor composting using bins, piles, tumblers and layered systems. Learn how to balance materials, manage moisture, troubleshoot common issues and use finished compost in your landscape. 

Registration is required for this FREE workshop HERE.

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society for a trip north to view migrating birds!

Thursday, October 29th – Puget Island, Julia Butler Hansen NWR, and Beyond
Leader: Randy Hill
Meeting time: 6:20am (leave by 6:30am)
Meeting Location: Salmon Creek Park & Ride
Registration Required: Register by emailing randy.hill.98642@gmail.com

• Meet at Salmon Creek Park & Ride to carpool and leave by 06:30.

• We will drive up I-5 to Longview, then west on SR-4 to Cathlamet. Primary areas will include Puget Island, Julia Butler Hansen NWR, and far west to Altoona, looking across the bay toward Astoria.

• Expect migrants and wintering birds across mostly floodplain, fresh and brackish waters, and some mixed forested landscapes.

• Spotting scopes will be handy for distant waterbirds and raptors. Limit of four vehicles.

• Dress for the weather, including boots, hat, sunscreen

• Bring enough food and water for yourself

• Accessibility: Walking on natural surfaces that may have roots, rocks and small obstructions. Learn more about the trails HERE. Reach out to the trip lead with questions.

adventureswithoutlimits is hosting a women's hiking series this fall!

Join for 2 accessible, guided group hikes exploring local Oregon ecosystems. We will be hiking on accessible trails and you set the pace!

Sign up today HERE!

Image Description: A flyer for Rooted in Nature, Fall Hiking Series for Women 65+. October 15: Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. October 29: Banks-Vernonia State Trail. Cost: $30 covers both hikes. Includes transportation from Forest Grove and Hillsboro Senior Center. Enjoy accessible trails, building community, and time in nature! 12 spots available!

Join the Children & Nature Network for an inspiring virtual conversation featuring community leaders who are transforming how their cities prioritize nature-based solutions for children and families.

• Did you know that southwest Washington and the Lower Columbia Nature Network was selected as one of the Nature Everywhere Communities in 2021? With C&NN’s support, we developed the first SW WA Green Schoolyards Action Plan to help guide policies, capital projects, training and programs across SW WA.

• And we were one in six communities across the country selected to evaluate our collective impact through C&NN’s Ripple Effect Mapping in late 2025? Read the specific LCNN impact report here as well as the broader report here.

While many communities recognize the need for nature-based solutions to address interconnected challenges—from climate resilience and pediatric mental health to physical activity—implementing a project is only the first step. Creating true, lasting impact requires shifting the underlying ways our organizations, policies, and local partnerships work together- in other words, systems change.

In this webinar, we bring together leaders from five successful Nature Everywhere Communities to share their “on-the-ground” experiences. Drawing on findings from our recent Ripple Effects Mapping evaluation, these leaders will discuss how they moved beyond one-off projects to build sustainable, long-term change.

What You’ll Learn:

• Foundational Shifts for Lasting Change: Discover the 7 practical lessons communities are using to shift local systems, build capacity, and ensure nature access is equitable and enduring.

• The Power of Connection: Learn how “backbone” organizations and strong network coordination can align daily efforts, secure resources, and sustain momentum.

• The Speed of Trust: Hear firsthand how prioritizing relationships, fostering youth leadership, and co-designing with community members transforms power dynamics and builds long-term local ownership.

• Nature as a Right: Explore how to frame nature access as a multi-benefit solution that advances existing community priorities, from climate action to public health.

Who Should Attend:

This session is designed for local nonprofit and community organization staff, city and municipal employees and leaders (especially parks & recreation, public works and sustainability departments), outdoor program leaders and educators, municipal planners, public health advocates and local funders who are looking to scale nature-based work. Whether you are an existing Nature Everywhere Community or exploring how to start a movement in your region, this webinar will provide actionable insights to help you build a greener, more equitable future for children.

Join us to see how, when communities move at the speed of trust, lasting transformation is entirely within reach.

Panelists:

• Grace Parker, She/Her, Project Manager, Prescribe Outside

• Jane Tesner Kleiner, She/Her, Program Manager, Lower Columbia Nature Network

• Monica Brinkerhoff, She/Her, Associate Vice President, Early Childhood Education at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona

• Cynthia Walter, She/Her, Green Schoolyards Manager, Green Umbrella Climate Collaborative

• Curry Rosato, She/Her, Program Manager & Education Leader, City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks

Register today!

Join the City of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry Department and neighbors for a morning of planting new trees throughout the cemetery.

• Join the fun and make a big impact in two short hours.

• Dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Halloween costumes are welcome.

• Gloves, tools and guidance will be provided, as well as light refreshments.

• This family-friendly event is open to all. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• RSVP required. Sign up today!

Contact: Urban Forestry at trees@cityofvancouver.us 360-487-8733.

Join volunteers from the City of Vancouver’s Adopt-A-Park and Naturespaces programs to help install our newest Naturespace! We’ll plant 400 native plants to support pollinators and wildlife, and add beauty to the park. This is a great opportunity to learn more about native plant habitat. No prior planting experience necessary!

• Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided.

• This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• There is no bathroom at this location.

• Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. Work is primarily done in a quiet neighborhood park with potential for some infrequent loud work sounds. Planting will involve digging, bending and kneeling. There will be a space in the RSVP form for you to let us know if there are any accessibility needs you have so that we can do our best to find a volunteer role that will work for you.

Advance registration is requested. Clearmeadows Naturespace Planting Volunteer RSVP. Registration will close 24 hours prior to the event. If registration is closed and you are still interested in attending, please email cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us to let us know you will be a walk-up and you can sign in on-site.

• Contact: Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344

Become a Nature Detective

Engineers are problem solvers! Curious kids in this class will work with their families to build, test, design, and improve across a variety of playful hands-on challenges.

About OMSI Curiosity Kids

At OMSI, we love experimenting, learning, and creating together!

Curiosity Kids programs at OMSI allow children ages 3-5 years old, along with their families, to explore early science and engineering concepts. These bilingual programs are designed to build STEAM skills and nurture the special connection between adults and children.
We hope you and your curious kids will join our stellar educators to experiment, ask questions, and build amazing structures!

Practice your new skills right after your workshop — your ticket includes same-day general Museum Admission!

Questions? For the basic details and FAQs about this event, please visit the Curiosity Kids webpage or email info@omsi.edu.

Chiquitines curiosos: Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

¡Los naturalistas estudian las pistas que dejan atrás los animales! En esta clase, los niños curiosos trabajarán y jugarán con sus familias para observar, describir y recopilar pruebas que les permitan entender qué animales dejaron huellas, pelo, excrementos y mucho más.

Sobre Chiquitines curiosos

¡En OMSI, nos encanta experimentar, aprender y crear juntos!
Chiquitines curiosos es una serie de programas en OMSI que permiten que niños(as) de 3 a 5 años, y sus familias, exploren conceptos básicos de ciencia e ingeniería. Estos programas bilingües están diseñados para desarrollar sus habilidades STEAM y fortalecer el vínculo especial entre adultos y niños(as).
¡Esperamos que tú y tus pequeños curiosos se unan a nuestros excelentes educadores para experimentar, hacer preguntas y construir estructuras increíbles!

¡Practica tus nuevas habilidades después de terminar la clase, ya que tu boleto incluye la admisión general al museo para el mismo día!

¿Tiene preguntas? Para obtener más información sobre este evento, así como respuestas a preguntas frecuentes, visita el sitio web de Chiquitines curiosos o manda un correo electrónico a info@omsi.edu.

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for our annual Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning Workshop! Fall is the perfect time to care for your mason bees and prepare healthy cocoons for next spring.

We'll kick off the event with a short presentation covering mason bee biology, fall stewardship, and why cleaning bee houses is one of the best ways to reduce parasites, predators, and diseases. You'll learn about common threats to mason bees—including pollen mites, parasitic wasps and flies, fungal diseases, and other nest associates—and how proper cleaning can improve bee survival.

After the presentation, we'll roll up our sleeves and clean out mason bee nests together. If you have a mason bee house, bring it with you! We'll help you determine the best way to harvest and clean your cocoons and answer your questions along the way.

New to mason bees? Don't have a bee house? No problem! Come anyway! We'll have plenty of nesting tubes to clean, including tubes from the Water Resources Education Center's own mason bee houses, so everyone will get hands-on experience. This is a great opportunity to learn the process before starting your own mason bee house next spring.

Please note that bee houses with removable trays or removable nesting tubes are the easiest to clean. Houses with glued-in reeds, fixed tubes, or drilled wood blocks often cannot be cleaned without destroying the nesting material or, in some cases, the house itself. If you're considering purchasing or building a mason bee house, we'll also discuss designs that make annual cleaning simple, effective, and healthier for your bees.

Whether you're caring for your first mason bee house or have years of experience, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn, share tips, discover the fascinating parasites and diseases that affect mason bees, and enjoy an afternoon of stewardship and community with fellow native bee enthusiasts.  We hope you'll join us!

This is a FREE event and registration is required HERE

Join the Cedar Creek Grist Mill for Cornbread Day!

The Cedar Creek Grist Mill is a historical, water-powered, grain-grinding mill. Volunteers provide demonstrations and bags of fresh-milled flour and cornmeal to guests. Read more

Grist Mill Events: The Grist Mill hosts many free special events during the year — such as the popular cider press — and they all include some good eats! Take a look at our special event list.

Find Events

What will you see at the mill? Our volunteers work the mill, answer questions about the old style milling process and welcome visitors from around the globe. School field trips and senior tours are scheduled for weekdays and the mill is open to visitors on weekends. You can watch the millers mill grain the way it was done in 1876, and take home a bag of fresh flour or cornmeal.

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society’s monthly speaker for a presentation from “Conserving the California Condor” with Dr. Hayley Brazier, Wildlife Conservation Specialist at the Oregon Zoo.

More information to be provided soon!

This event is free and all are welcome! (ADA parking, pathways and restrooms are available on site)

Join us WDFW a two-evening virtual workshop featuring Habitats of Washington, a brand-new kindergarten unit from WDFW’s Wild Washington curriculum, where poetry, Washington wildlife, and science come together.

Many Places, Many Lives: Exploring Washington Wildlife Through Poetry and Science

• Wednesday, November 4, 2026 &

• Thursday, November 5, 2026

• 4:15–6:00 p.m.

• Virtual via Zoom | 3.5 STEM Clock Hours

This playful, place-based unit is anchored in Many Places, Many Lives, an illustrated poetry collection featuring animals that live right here in Washington. Participants will explore Washington animals and habitats, poetry as a pathway into science, meaningful science and ELA connections, and hands-on learning experiences designed for kindergarten students.

Participants must attend both sessions in full to receive clock hours.

Registration Link: https://www.tfaforms.com/5235855

Gardening With Compost: Feed Your Soil Naturally with Clark County Master Composter & Recyclers

Learn practical ways to use compost to improve soil structure, support plant growth, and increase water retention. This workshop explains how and when to apply compost in vegetable beds, lawns, container gardens and other landscapes. Discover simple techniques that help plants thrive while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

Registration is required for this FREE workshop HERE.

Join members of the City of Vancouver’s volunteer Adopt-A-Park program and the Vancouver Downtown Association to take care of Esther Short Park! This is a new volunteer orientated effort to bring the community together for litter cleanups and beautification projects of Esther Short Park and the surrounding area to help keep the neighborhood welcoming, clean, and vibrant.

• Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided.

• This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. The park is wheelchair accessible, but some of the volunteer projects may not be. Work is primarily done in a quiet park with potential for some infrequent loud work sounds. Volunteers will need to do some light lifting and bending while picking up litter. There will be a space in the RSVP form for you to let us know if there are any accessibility needs you have so that we can do our best to find a volunteer role that will work for you.

• Advance registration is required. Esther Short Park Cleanup RSVP.

Registration will close 24 hours prior to the event. If registration is closed and you are still interested in attending, please email cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us to let us know you will be a walk-up and you can sign in on-site.

• Contact: Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344

Join the Water Resources Education Center to help remove plastic, styrofoam, and litter from the beaches and prevent it from entering and polluting the Columbia River.

• All tools will be provided.

• Expect to walk 2.5 miles on uneven sandy beach areas.

• Volunteers will collect litter with litter pickers and carry it in buckets while walking the beach and surrounding area.

Registration is required. Sign up today!

All ages welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Join the City of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry Department and neighbors for a morning of planting new trees throughout this large stormwater site.

Join the fun and make a big impact in two short hours.

• Dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• Gloves, tools and guidance will be provided, as well as light refreshments.

• This family-friendly event is open to all. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• RSVP required. Sign up today!

Contact: Urban Forestry at trees@cityofvancouver.us 360-487-8733.

Join Adventures Without Limits and a USFWS biologist for a birding hike at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. The trip is open to the public, inclusive, and accessible to people of all abilities. We specialize in creating a welcome space for diverse sets of needs.

Sign-Up!

Program: Hiking with AWL!

• Difficulty: Beginner

• Trip Date: 11/7/2026

• Ages: All ages  *participants under 18 years old MUST be accompanied by an adult

• Cost: Free (Suggested donation $10)

Transportation: Participants can meet our team on-site at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge visitor center, or shuttle with AWL from the Beaverton Transit Center (4108 SW Lombard Ave, Beaverton, OR 97005). Please note that our bus is lift-equipped with space for 2 wheelchair users.

If you would like to ride with AWL to Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge please register for the "General Admission - WITH shuttle" option.

Learn more about this AWOL Hike HERE

Join volunteers from the City of Vancouver’s Adopt-A-Park program to care for Ellsworth Springs East Urban Natural Area. We’ll plant over 700 native plants in an area that volunteers cleared from ivy earlier this year!

This work improves the health of the forest by reestablishing a diverse mix of over 40 plant species that support pollinators and wildlife, and also includes edible and medicinal plants for people. No prior planting experience necessary!

• Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided.

• This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• There is no bathroom at this location.

• Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. Work is primarily done in a quiet natural area with potential for some infrequent loud work sounds. Planting will involve digging, bending and kneeling. There will be a space in the RSVP form for you to let us know if there are any accessibility needs you have so that we can do our best to find a volunteer role that will work for you.

Advance registration is requested. Ellsworth Springs Native Planting Volunteer RSVP.

Registration will close 24 hours prior to the event. If registration is closed and you are still interested in attending, please email cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us to let us know you will be a walk-up and you can sign in on-site.

• Contact: Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for our annual Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning Workshop! Fall is the perfect time to care for your mason bees and prepare healthy cocoons for next spring.

We'll kick off the event with a short presentation covering mason bee biology, fall stewardship, and why cleaning bee houses is one of the best ways to reduce parasites, predators, and diseases. You'll learn about common threats to mason bees—including pollen mites, parasitic wasps and flies, fungal diseases, and other nest associates—and how proper cleaning can improve bee survival.

After the presentation, we'll roll up our sleeves and clean out mason bee nests together. If you have a mason bee house, bring it with you! We'll help you determine the best way to harvest and clean your cocoons and answer your questions along the way.

New to mason bees? Don't have a bee house? No problem! Come anyway! We'll have plenty of nesting tubes to clean, including tubes from the Water Resources Education Center's own mason bee houses, so everyone will get hands-on experience. This is a great opportunity to learn the process before starting your own mason bee house next spring.

Please note that bee houses with removable trays or removable nesting tubes are the easiest to clean. Houses with glued-in reeds, fixed tubes, or drilled wood blocks often cannot be cleaned without destroying the nesting material or, in some cases, the house itself. If you're considering purchasing or building a mason bee house, we'll also discuss designs that make annual cleaning simple, effective, and healthier for your bees.

Whether you're caring for your first mason bee house or have years of experience, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn, share tips, discover the fascinating parasites and diseases that affect mason bees, and enjoy an afternoon of stewardship and community with fellow native bee enthusiasts.  We hope you'll join us!

This is a FREE event, no registration required….just show up!

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society for a regional favorite birding trip!

Wednesday, November 11th
Leader: Randy Hill
Meeting time: 6:30am (leave by 6:45am)
Meeting Location: Salmon Creek Park & Ride
Registration Required: Register by emailing randy.hill.98642@gmail.com

Woodland Bottoms for waterfowl, raptors, cranes, gulls, songbirds and whatever. This will be mostly driving and stopping on dike roads or pullouts, or walking very short distances along the Lewis and Columbia Rivers. Possible addition of Kalama River.

• Meet at Salmon Creek Park & Ride to carpool and leave by 06:45; a second meeting point further north (Ridgefield P&R 07:00 or Woodland P&R 07:15) can be arranged for those living north of Salmon Creek or if needing to return early.

• Expected return time early afternoon, or later if additions.

• Bring a spotting scope (radios if you have them), and snacks or lunch. Limit 10 plus leader(s) in 4-5 vehicles.

• Accessibility: Walking will be on natural surfaces that may have roots, rocks and other small obstructions. Reach out to trip leader for questions.

Explore Washington's & Federal Public Lands

This is a FEE FREE day! No Discover pass needed.

This day celebrates Veteran’s Day, honoring all military veterans who have served in the Armed Forces, a day to thank living veterans for their service and sacrifices, distinct from Memorial Day which honors those who died in service. It originated as Armistice Day in 1919, marking the end of World War I, and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to include all who served in any war or peacetime period.

The Washington State Discover Pass gives you unlimited access to millions of acres of unforgettable nature across Washington state. When you buy a Discover Pass, you help preserve and conserve our public lands for everyone—from the first-time visitor to the expert adventurer—and for the generations yet to come.

Learn more at these websites about where Discover Passes are required at other times throughout the year:

Archaeology of Ice Age Oregon

Imagine Oregon more than 12,000 years ago. The coastline stretched miles farther west, vast lakes filled today’s high desert, and megafauna like mammoths, giant ground sloths, and camels still roamed the land. People were raising families, sewing clothing with bone needles and thread, harvesting plants, caring for one another, and adapting to a rapidly changing world.

How do archaeologists uncover stories as old as the Ice Age? Join archaeologist Dr. Katelyn McDonough for a behind-the-scenes look at how researchers piece together the past using clues like stone tools, pollen, campfires, animal bones, microscopic plant remains, proteins preserved on tools, and even ancient poop. Hear some of archaeology’s biggest misconceptions and explore how discoveries at every scale—from molecules under a microscope to entire ancient landscapes—are transforming our understanding of the past.

This talk also explores what archaeology looks like today. Discover how archaeologists collaborate with Tribal Nations, geologists, paleoecologists, and many other specialists to better understand the past while respecting Indigenous histories and knowledge.

• Why is central Oregon important for studying the Ice Age?

• How can everyone help protect cultural heritage?

• What do you do if you ever find an artifact?

Learn more about this and other upcoming events, as well as tickets HERE

Dr. Katelyn McDonough is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Curator of Great Basin Archaeology, and Affiliated Faculty in Native American and Indigenous Studies at the University of Oregon. She is passionate about teaching, food (past and present), exploring the microscopic world, and making archaeology more accessible for everyone.

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time excursions are mostly monthly walks/rolls/rides on Plas Newydd Farm. Hosted by Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan (and some surprise guests), these adventures give us the chance to explore some of the most beautiful places on the farm, and provide a deeper opportunity to feel the rhythms of the land, observe the comings and goings of migratory birds, watch the bud and bloom of native and invasive plants, swat mosquitoes, and dodge raindrops! 

“If you pay attention, you can tell time by the forest canopy—twigs and seeds, branches and leaves marking seasons with color, fullness, sway.” – Abby Braithwaite, A Portrait of the Artist as a Crone Tree

• Part nature journaling, part phenological record-keeping, these explorations are a great way to spend more time out on the land than some of our workshops allow. 

• Bring your journal, your sketchbook, your camera and your senses. 

• Accessibility Note: This event takes place out on the land. We work to accommodate access however we can, and routinely customize the outing but please reach out if you have concerns so we can strategize together. You can email arts@pnfarm.com and we’ll take it from there.

• Learn more about this and other upcoming events as well as register HERE

About our teacher: Regular Canopy Time hosts are Abby Braithwaite, PN Farm Arts Initiator, and her husband David Morgan, 3rd generation manager of Plas Newydd Farm. They both love little more than sharing stories of this place with visitors. Occasionally other farm arts volunteers and/or guest presenters join as well.

Join Washington Trails Association for the third of three 2026 work parties tailored to those with a military background. These work parties give veterans and service members from all branches a chance to form-up, build camaraderie, enjoy the outdoors, and maintain hiking trails. This is an opportunity for everyone to hang out, share stories, and even earn volunteer credit for those still in service.

Assistant Crew Leaders who are veterans are encouraged to register.

This large 73 acre urban natural area occupies hilltop property overlooking Centralia, the Chehalis and Skookumchuck River valleys and the municipal water reservoirs on Seminary Hill Road. The original property holdings consisted of the reservoir lands. The open space area was enlarged in the 1980s with the assistance of the local conservation group Friends of Seminary Hill. A trailhead was later established at the end of Barner Drive, providing public access to the natural area’s steep trails, woods and vistas. The 2.5 mile trail system is generally in good condition depending on weather. 

Features: Earn Northwest Forest Pass

Crew Leader:James Alexander

What to Expect: We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.

Project Description: Many veterans have successfully transitioned from military service into civilian life, but many others still face challenges. Additionally some members are nearing the end of their service obligation, service contract, or retirement date. This is a unique opportunity to share "TTPs" and hopefully help someone successfully transition. Your crew leader for this work party is also a 25-year veteran.

The work for the day will include using manual or power tools to remove vegetation, as well as digging tools to maintain the walking surface of the trail.

Hiking Information: Expect a hike of 1-2mi round trip.

Schedule:

• 8:30 AM: Be ready to meet the crew, rain or shine (please make sure you've signed your digital waiver the the day or night before)

• 8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site

• Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day

• 12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail

• Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day's work

• 3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Special Event: This is one of three WTA work parties geared toward past and present military members.

If the work party location requires or is made easier by camping the night prior, your crew leader will contact you.

What it Takes to Do This Work Party:

• No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need

• Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain

• Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18

What to Wear - Required:

• Sturdy closed-toe shoes

• Work gloves

• Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)

• Long pants

Recommended:

• Sturdy work or hiking boots

• Long sleeved shirt

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.

What to Bring:

• Lunch and plenty of water

• Rain jacket and pants

• Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather

• A pack to carry your personal gear

• A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Firearms and weapons are not allowed

More Information:

• Frequently Asked Questions

• WTA's Trail Work Guide introduces the type of work you may do

• Contact us at volunteer@wta.org or 206.625.1367

Registration Required: Join Work Party

Let's kick-off the Friends of Trees 'neighborhood trees' style planting season by planting in Central-South Vancouver neighborhoods! Interested in receiving a tree?

Click HERE to purchase a tree for your household. Dozens of large (6-10' tall) trees will be ready for planting in their new homes, and your help is what makes this community planting possible!

Please arrive by 8:45am to sign-in and be assigned a planting crew. The planting starts at 9:00am. We provide gloves, tools, and guidance, as well as light breakfast snacks and coffee/tea/hot chocolate. We ask that all volunteers dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes/boots you don't mind getting dirty, and be ready to have fun!

How do I register? Register by filling out this quick form.  Groups, families, and individuals welcome! If your group is more than 5 people, please know you will be assigned to different planting crews.

Want to plant by bike? Fill out this quick registration form.  Bring your helmet and a bike trailer you're willing to move trees in, if you have one!

Have a pickup truck? We need your help getting these young trees to their planting sites a few blocks away from the central staging site. Please sign up if you're able to help out in this key role. 

Under age 18? We request that youth 15 and under volunteer with a parent/guardian.  Youth 16 and older can volunteer on their own and will need to hand us a youth waiver form signed by their parent/guardian.

Private transportation: You will travel from the meeting location to a few planting sites in the nearby neighborhood (up to several miles). We recommend private transportation (bike or vehicle), but there may be an option to carpool if others in your small planting crew are also comfortable with this.

Where will these trees be planted? In the following neighborhoods: Central Park, Columbia River, Dubois Park, Edgewood Park, Ellsworth Springs, Evergreen Highlands, Evergreen Shores, Forest Ridge, Harney Heights, Hudsons Bay, Marrion, North Garrison Heights, Northcrest, Northwood, Riverview, Southcliff, and Vancouver Heights.

Questions?  Please check out our Volunteer FAQ webpage.  Our team is also happy to assist! volunteer@friendsoftrees.org / 503-595-0213 We look forward to planting together soon!

Volunteering at the Jane Weber Arboretum

Monthly, we have our Second Saturday Work Party from 9am to noon. We often work on bigger projects and refreshments are always served.

Generally, our volunteers work on an area that is special to them or they just see a need to spruce things up.

We have three main volunteer areas. The Arboretum which encompasses the property grounds, The Stanger House restoration and the Caboose restoration.

• Our volunteers show up rain or shine. Extreme weather can cancel plans.

• For more information, email us at weberarboretum@gmail.com

Overview: The E. Jane Weber Arboretum is devoted to preserving this treasured natural resource and historic site in honor of Dr. Vinson and E. Jane Weber, who dedicated their homestead and lovely botanical garden to being a learning experience and inspiration – a legacy for others to cherish. To fulfill their dream, an entity was set up to oversee the arboretum and subsequently a non-profit to manage, protect and enhance this revered property along the Columbia River with outreach to the community, offering education and related activities that will be a shared commitment to the vision and purpose of the E. Jane Weber Arboretum. Watch this video for more information.

Accessibility note: the trails and grounds are natural surface and not always ADA compliant.

Vancouver, Washington: Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. You’ll take a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from a healthcare provider, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active, and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking. Walk your own pace and distance.

After a short discussion on a health topic you can enjoy moving around the track at your pace, while conversing and visiting with each other.  Please bring along your two and four-legged friends. See you there!

According to the American Heart Association, walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. Think it doesn’t do any good? Think again. Walking is low impact and easier on the joints than running. It is safe – with a doctor’s okay – for people with orthopedic ailments, heart conditions, and those who are more than 20% overweight. In addition, research has shown that you could gain three hours of life for each hour of regular exercise! That quick stroll around the block seems a little more worthwhile now, doesn’t it?

• You don’t need any special gear and there are no special rules.

• Our walking groups are a safe, fun, and FREE place to take a walk, learn about health, and meet new people.

• Vancouver, Washington - Chapter # 31196

• 2nd Saturday of every month at 9:30am

• Click Here to RSVP

• Questions: griffdavemo@comcast.net

• Walk Leader: Dave Griffin, DPM

The Vancouver Bee Project will be joining us to teach a hands-on workshop on cleaning mason bee cocoons.

Bring your own cocoons and learn how to properly clean and care for them while spending some time with fellow pollinator lovers. And if you’ve attended before, you’re absolutely welcome to come again and clean your cocoons with us!

As always, all Nature’s Haven classes are free. More information here:

Online Store

Join Vancouver Water Resources Education Center for a beginner-friendly program focused on discovering the amazing world of mushrooms.

We’ll explore what makes fungi unique, learn about their ecology, and practice using field guides to build identification skills. Please note, this is not an edible mushroom class.

• This class is suitable for adults and youth ages 12 and older. All youth need to be accompanied by an adult.

• Advanced registration required. Sign up today!

• The class will be outdoors and take place rain or shine.

• Expect to be stationary using field guides and learning about mushrooms for half the program and walking for the other half.

• We will walk about 1 mile or less during the program. Walk will be on a variety of surfaces, including paved pathways and uneven, unpaved paths or sandy areas.

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Learn how to incorporate food into your landscaping with attractive vegetable gardens that yield lots of compliments along with nourishing food.

This presentation covers the benefits of edibles in the landscape, four design principles for visual appeal and how to convert flowers to food by replacing ornamentals with edible herbs and flowers. The presentation features a comprehensive power point presentation along with a handout covering 12 tips for successful edible landscaping.

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

Wild Grief Online is an opportunity to come together for grief peer support and nature connection from the comfort of your own home.

We will start with an opening circle via video chat, similar to the opening circle on our in person hikes. We will introduce ourselves, share who we are carrying in our hearts, and offer some activities for your individual walk/hike. We will then ask everyone to find a place close by to be in nature for 30-45 minutes. This could be a walk around your neighborhood, a sit spot in your yard, or even just opening a window to feel the fresh air and see the sky. After our time in nature, we will reconvene for a closing circle.

This event is free and open for anyone to participate. Please register below!

Click here to register!

This event is from 11 AM - 1 PM Pacific time. We are located in Olympia, Washington, but love it when folks join from other time zones! Find your local time.

You're invited! Join us for a Hatchery Tour at Columbia Springs.  

Have you ever wondered how old the fish are out in our round ponds, or how the hatchery works? What temperature do you think the springwater is as it comes out of the ground? Find the answers to these questions and more on a tour of our unique historic hatchery! 

Come along with knowledgeable Columbia Springs staff, or expert volunteer, as they trace the path of spring water through our unique site, and learn about the trout and salmon that grow up here along the way. 

While all ages are welcome, tour content may be most engaging for older kids and adults.

Let us know you’re coming in advance by registering at https://www.columbiasprings.org/events/guided-tours/ 

We will meet at 3:00pm. Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather! 

We are so excited to see you on our trails! Scroll down to view our interactive map or click here to download a printable brochure. Looking for information about accessibility? Check out this map from Hope Walks to know before you go!

Contact Information: Kristine Jacobs, events@columbiasprings.org, 360-882-0936 x 230

If you’re just getting started with birdwatching, look no further!

In this class you’ll learn what sort of equipment might be helpful, safe and ethical bird feeding, identification tools and some common backyard birds to look for, and other useful tips and resources for birdwatching both in your yard and beyond.

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

Burnt Bridge Creek is an urban creek shaped by both natural processes and the city around it.

In recognition of Stormwater Awareness Week, explore the geology and ecology of the creek and surrounding landscape, and learn how stormwater moves through the watershed during winter rains. Discover how natural processes and urban development influence water movement, creek health, and habitat, and how the creek’s past continues to shape this important urban watershed.

• Expect to walk up to 2.5 miles on paved surfaces. 

• Walk is geared towards adults and youth ages 12 and older.

• Advanced registration required. Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Join the City of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry Department and neighbors for a morning of planting 22 new street trees and park trees.

Join the fun and make a big impact in two short hours.

• Dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• Gloves, tools and guidance will be provided, as well as light refreshments.

• This family-friendly event is open to all. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• Accessibility: Tree planting occurs in grassy areas that may not be level or even. Planting activities include digging with shovels, carrying heavy materials and moderate level activities. This site is in full sun with no shade available.

• RSVP required. Sign up today!

Contact: Urban Forestry at trees@cityofvancouver.us 360-487-8733.

Save the date! Stormwater Partners Symposium

More information coming soon. Check out https://www.stormwaterpartners.com/ for updates

Join members of the City of Vancouver’s volunteer Adopt-A-Park program and the Vancouver Downtown Association to take care of Esther Short Park! This is a new volunteer orientated effort to bring the community together for litter cleanups and beautification projects of Esther Short Park and the surrounding area to help keep the neighborhood welcoming, clean, and vibrant.

• Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided.

• This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. The park is wheelchair accessible, but some of the volunteer projects may not be. Work is primarily done in a quiet park with potential for some infrequent loud work sounds. Volunteers will need to do some light lifting and bending while picking up litter. There will be a space in the RSVP form for you to let us know if there are any accessibility needs you have so that we can do our best to find a volunteer role that will work for you.

• Advance registration is required. Esther Short Park Cleanup RSVP.

Registration will close 24 hours prior to the event. If registration is closed and you are still interested in attending, please email cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us to let us know you will be a walk-up and you can sign in on-site.

• Contact: Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344

Become a Nature Detective

Engineers are problem solvers! Curious kids in this class will work with their families to build, test, design, and improve across a variety of playful hands-on challenges.

About OMSI Curiosity Kids

At OMSI, we love experimenting, learning, and creating together!

Curiosity Kids programs at OMSI allow children ages 3-5 years old, along with their families, to explore early science and engineering concepts. These bilingual programs are designed to build STEAM skills and nurture the special connection between adults and children.
We hope you and your curious kids will join our stellar educators to experiment, ask questions, and build amazing structures!

Practice your new skills right after your workshop — your ticket includes same-day general Museum Admission!

Questions? For the basic details and FAQs about this event, please visit the Curiosity Kids webpage or email info@omsi.edu.

Chiquitines curiosos: Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

¡Los naturalistas estudian las pistas que dejan atrás los animales! En esta clase, los niños curiosos trabajarán y jugarán con sus familias para observar, describir y recopilar pruebas que les permitan entender qué animales dejaron huellas, pelo, excrementos y mucho más.

Sobre Chiquitines curiosos

¡En OMSI, nos encanta experimentar, aprender y crear juntos!
Chiquitines curiosos es una serie de programas en OMSI que permiten que niños(as) de 3 a 5 años, y sus familias, exploren conceptos básicos de ciencia e ingeniería. Estos programas bilingües están diseñados para desarrollar sus habilidades STEAM y fortalecer el vínculo especial entre adultos y niños(as).
¡Esperamos que tú y tus pequeños curiosos se unan a nuestros excelentes educadores para experimentar, hacer preguntas y construir estructuras increíbles!

¡Practica tus nuevas habilidades después de terminar la clase, ya que tu boleto incluye la admisión general al museo para el mismo día!

¿Tiene preguntas? Para obtener más información sobre este evento, así como respuestas a preguntas frecuentes, visita el sitio web de Chiquitines curiosos o manda un correo electrónico a info@omsi.edu.

Join Plas Newydd Farm and Gina DeNoble for an inspiration music making afternoon.

Places can be so inspiring! They engage the senses, hold memories both good and challenging, and allow us to orient ourselves within physical space. In this workshop, we will observe our surroundings, engage with the land, and consider how place affects us. Then, we will attempt to capture that in words and melody.

Please bring:

• Sack lunch

• Warm layers that will work for walking outdoors in November and also being cosy indoors (e.g., raincoat, fleece, boots, socks, gloves, hat, scarf, blanket)

• Any instruments you would like to use to write music

• Any special writing tools and notebooks you like to use

Included / available on site:

• Breakfast and light snacks throughout the day

• Refrigeration and microwave for lunches

• One guitar and one keyboard

• Basic paper and pens/pencils

Accessibility Note: This workshop takes place in an historic farmhouse that is not currently wheelchair accessible, as well as out on the landscape of a working farm. We will work to accommodate access however we can, but please email arts@pnfarm.com to confirm that the space will work for you before you commit to the workshop!

Registration is required HERE. Full and partial scholarships available. Please email Abby for more information.

About our teacher: Gina DeNoble, M.S. is a vocalist and songwriter currently living in the Portland, Oregon area. Her genre is lyric-driven, soulful folk with occasional blues elements. The mood of her music could be described as dramatic, whimsical, emotional, and romantic. 

Having grown up a stone’s throw from Mount Rainier National Park, Gina is a dyed-in-the-wool Pacific Northwesterner! Her debut full-length album entitled Wanderer’s Paradise is currently streaming on all major platforms. The songs on the album are heavily place-based, and were written while she was traveling regularly between Washington, Canada, and Alaska. 

Columbia Springs Nature Days are an exploration of the natural world – right here in town!

Nature Days are free events to get community members outside into nature. Our goal is to inspire all people to see themselves as successful scientists, understand that they have ideas that matter, and appreciate that everyone belongs in nature. Upon arrival, stop by our check in tent to learn about the activities happening. From there, you can make your own adventure!

Some activities and presentations will be in buildings or under cover, but lots of the activities (such as the guided walks) will be outdoors. This is an event that celebrates nature, after all!

Upcoming Nature Days:

• November 21, 2026 – Fish

• December 19, 2026 – Evergreen Tree Communities

Dress appropriately to spend some time indoors, and some time outdoors; “layers” of clothing work best! A waterproof jacket is a good idea if rain is in the forecast. Good quality, closed-toe shoes are highly recommended.

We recommend bringing a water bottle. We have water fountains for you to fill up at.

Is Columbia Springs stroller and wheelchair friendly?

Somewhat; while the area around the hatchery, our classroom, and some of the activities will be accessible, our nature trails are unpaved. You will be able to enjoy the majority of the activities with limited mobility.

What ages is this event appropriate for?

All ages! While most of the activities are designed with elementary-aged children in mind, adults and little ones are encouraged to participate! In fact, we often hear from adults that they learned just as much and had fun!

Interested in Volunteering at this event?

Sign up for a number of volunteer shifts HERE!

Learn tips to protect your plants, enrich your soils and care for your irrigation systems to prepare your gardens for a long winter’s nap!

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional Library.

Accommodations

Library events and programs are open to the public and provided at no cost. Special accommodations may be requested using our Disability Accommodation Request Form no later than 15 days prior to the event.

Los eventos y programas de la biblioteca están abiertos al público y se brindan sin costo. Se pueden solicitar adaptaciones especiales utilizando nuestro formulario de solicitud de adaptaciones para personas con discapacidades (en inglés) hasta 15 días antes del evento.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

The City of Vancouver is building a new community park in east Vancouver, and we want your help designing it.

The new park will be 14-acres and located next to the northeast corner of the Vancouver Innovation Center, near 192nd Ave. and 20th St.

Join us for an open house to provide feedback on the proposed design before it is reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission for final approval. All ages are welcome and light refreshments will be provided. Learn more about this project and sign up for email updates on Be Heard Vancouver.

Our goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and unique community park that celebrates the natural character of the site and welcomes current and future residents to explore and play.

Hey bike racers! Ride close to home at scenic Washougal MX course.

Interested in trying cyclocross? Learn more at OBRA.org for racing 101
There are races for all ages and abilities, including the Kiddie Cross on their own separate course. This is a great event to learn more about this fun sport.

Register Now!

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A cyclocross race, into the night, through a Christmas lights display. I’m listening!

CAMPING: Free camping Friday 11/20 & Saturday 11/21.

Let’s race then spend the night together sharing stories at the last local race of the season.

HOLIDAY TREES: Washougal River Christmas Trees is located a stones throw away. They have kindly gifted us three trees. One to decorate and have near our podium presentation and two others to be awarded to our Cat 1/2 Open and Cat 1/2 Women winners! We highly recommend you stop by on your way to our race. Fun for the whole family with a covered petting zoo and they even have an official “Letters to Santa” collection station located at the free cocoa area.

Audiobook listeners need not walk alone!

Bring your audiobook of choice and meet the Camas Library each month at a new outdoor location for a community walk. We’ll walk for 60 minutes and wrap up with an optional 30 minutes of social time to chat with other book lovers and audio fans.

Walkers of all paces and experience levels are welcome — whether you’re a power walker, stroller pusher, or leisurely listener, there’s space for you here.

Walks are weather-dependent, so please check our social media channels or this event page for updates or cancellations.

Accommodations: The library strives to ensure our events are accessible to everyone. If you require special accommodations to join us, please call 360.834.4692 or email library@cityofcamas.us at least two weeks before the event.

Location Details:

Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th Ave, Camas, WA 98607

See map: Google Maps

Contact Info

Name: Stacy Yakouba

Email: library@cityofcamas.us

Phone Number: (360) 834-4692

Join Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center on a Wednesday morning guided nature walk where we will explore the rich ecosystems along the Columbia River and adjacent wetland.

As we wander, we’ll discover native plants, search for wildlife, and learn how these vibrant waterways support life all around us. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned nature lover, there’s always something new to see and learn on the trail.

• This program is great for families with youth ages 6 and older as well as adults who want to get out and wander!

• Be prepared to walk 2 miles on paved pathways, unpaved wetland trails, and along sandy beaches.

• Registration is required.  Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Ready to celebrate the Green Friday?

Join Clark County Public Works Park & Nature team to enjoy FREE access to your regional parks. Find a trail near you!

Welcome to the holiday season. What better way to celebrate than to head out to one our your FAVORITE county parks for a walk with family and friends. See you there!

Most of the year, the daily parking fees at these four parks is $5.

There is no charge for people who walk or bicycle into any of these four parks. Washington State Parks Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass holders are also exempt from parking fees. Click here for more information.

Annual passes are available for $40.

Learn more about Clark County regional park parking fees HERE.

Learn more about:

• Frenchman’s Bar Park

• Lewisville Park

• Salmon Creek Greenway / Klineline Pond

• Vancouver Lake Park

Outdoor Solstice Activities in southwest WA:

• Attend Community Events: Join the Summer Solstice Celebration at the O.O. Howard House on the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Celebrate the 2026 summer solstice in Vancouver, WA, by attending The Historic Trust's free celebration at O.O. Howard House (June 21, 5:30–8:30 PM), featuring yoga, poetry, and crafts.

• Embrace Nature: Take a nature walk at Columbia Springs, or visit local parks to watch the longest sunset of the year.

• Picnic and BBQ: Host a backyard barbecue or enjoy a sunset picnic along the Columbia River at Vancouver Waterfront Park.

• Nearby Festivals: Attend the 103rd Annual Woodland Planters Days (typically held mid-June) in nearby Woodland for parades, carnival rides, and fireworks.

• Creative Rituals: Make flower crowns, collect herbs, or create sun-inspired art to celebrate the season.

• Water Activities: Take advantage of the long day by going fishing or spending time on the water.

• Other options include exploring nature at Columbia Springs, watching the sunset at Waterfront Park, or visiting the nearby Woodland Planters Days festival.

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society’s monthly speaker program for “Photofest!” featuring Young Birders and Cameraderie.

You won’t want to miss this exciting showcase of young birders and photographers from across SW WA show off their adventures.

More information to be provided soon!

This event is free and all are welcome! (ADA parking, pathways and restrooms are available on site)

Ready to celebrate the International Volunteer Day?

Join Clark County Public Works Park & Nature team to enjoy FREE access to your regional parks. Find a trail near you!

Most of the year, the daily parking fees at these four parks is $5.

There is no charge for people who walk or bicycle into any of these four parks. Washington State Parks Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass holders are also exempt from parking fees. Click here for more information.

Annual passes are available for $40.

Learn more about Clark County regional park parking fees HERE.

Learn more about:

• Frenchman’s Bar Park

• Lewisville Park

• Salmon Creek Greenway / Klineline Pond

• Vancouver Lake Park

Outdoor Solstice Activities in southwest WA:

• Attend Community Events: Join the Summer Solstice Celebration at the O.O. Howard House on the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Celebrate the 2026 summer solstice in Vancouver, WA, by attending The Historic Trust's free celebration at O.O. Howard House (June 21, 5:30–8:30 PM), featuring yoga, poetry, and crafts.

• Embrace Nature: Take a nature walk at Columbia Springs, or visit local parks to watch the longest sunset of the year.

• Picnic and BBQ: Host a backyard barbecue or enjoy a sunset picnic along the Columbia River at Vancouver Waterfront Park.

• Nearby Festivals: Attend the 103rd Annual Woodland Planters Days (typically held mid-June) in nearby Woodland for parades, carnival rides, and fireworks.

• Creative Rituals: Make flower crowns, collect herbs, or create sun-inspired art to celebrate the season.

• Water Activities: Take advantage of the long day by going fishing or spending time on the water.

• Other options include exploring nature at Columbia Springs, watching the sunset at Waterfront Park, or visiting the nearby Woodland Planters Days festival.

Join the City of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry Department and Urban Forestry Commission for a morning of planting 25 new street trees.

The newly planted trees will help shade pavement, calm traffic, clean the air, and manage stormwater runoff along this neighborhood corridor. Join the fun and make a big impact in two short hours.

• Dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

• Gloves, tools and guidance will be provided, as well as light refreshments.

• This family-friendly event is open to all. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

• Accessibility: Tree planting events tend to occur on uneven ground. Tree planting activities include digging holes with shovels, carrying heavy materials, kneeling and bending over. For more information, contact Urban Forestry.

• RSVP required. Sign up today!

Contact: Urban Forestry at trees@cityofvancouver.us 360-487-8733.

Join Take Learning Outside Educator Training series for Session 2!

Every school campus has nature waiting to be discovered, even campuses that seem to be mostly lawn or pavement. Join us for an engaging panel session on using field observation techniques to help students explore the living things and natural features right outside their classroom doors.

Our guest panelists will share three practical approaches for building students’ observation skills, documenting what they find, and connecting outdoor discoveries to curriculum. Leave with ideas for helping students get up close to nature and begin creating a field guide unique to your school campus.

• Rachel Robbins, Bay View Elementary School will share nature journaling techniques that invite students to ask: What do I notice? What do I wonder? What does it remind me of? Using words, numbers, colors, and shapes, students create meaningful records of what they observe and connect those observations to the place where they live and learn.

• Rainy Rau, Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center leads the Student Watershed Monitoring Network, supporting students as they investigate creeks, streams, and bioretention areas. Learn how these investigations can help students understand what is living in and around local water systems and how those systems affect watershed health and water quality.

• Suzanne Hebert, Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center helps students and community members explore the role healthy ecosystems play in our watersheds. She will share ways to use apps and other tools to identify the plants, birds, animals, and insects that call school campuses home, creating a growing database that students can compare with other places in their community.

To earn STEM Clock hours, required pre-session prep:

Using a satellite map, print a color map of your school campus. Spend about 30 minutes walking the campus (on your own or with students) and notice the natural areas you find. Jot down a few observations:

• What natural features, plants, or animals do you notice?

• What seems established, and what might be newer?

• Where do you see opportunities for students to observe nature?

Even a campus with mowed grass has nature to investigate: birds, insects, mammals, weather, soil, and seasonal changes are all part of its story. Bring your map and notes to help guide your learning during the session.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED HERE

Let's plant trees together in SE Vancouver with Friends of Trees!

Interested in receiving a tree? Click HERE to purchase a tree for your household. Dozens of large (6-10' tall) trees will be ready for planting in their new homes, and your help is what makes this community planting possible!

Please arrive by 8:45am to sign-in and be assigned a planting crew. The planting starts at 9:00am. We provide gloves, tools, and guidance, as well as light breakfast snacks and coffee/tea/hot chocolate. We ask that all volunteers dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes/boots you don't mind getting dirty, and be ready to have fun!

How do I register? Register by filling out this quick form.  Groups, families, and individuals welcome! If your group is more than 5 people, please know you will be assigned to different planting crews.

Have a pickup truck? We need your help getting these young trees to their planting sites a few blocks away from the central staging site. Please sign up if you're able to help out in this key role. 

Under age 18? We request that youth 15 and under volunteer with a parent/guardian.  Youth 16 and older can volunteer on their own and will need to hand us a youth waiver form signed by their parent/guardian.

Private transportation: You will travel from the meeting location to a few planting sites in the nearby neighborhood (up to several miles). We recommend private transportation (bike or vehicle), but there may be an option to carpool if others in your small planting crew are also comfortable with this.

Where will these trees be planted? In the following neighborhoods: Bella Vista, Bennington, Cascade Highlands, Cascade Southeast, Columbia River, East Mill Plain, Fairway/164th, Fishers Creek, Fishers Landing East, Lewis & Clark Woods, View, Riveridge, Village at Fisher's Landing, and Wildwood.

Questions?  Please check out our Volunteer FAQ webpage.  Our team is also happy to assist! volunteer@friendsoftrees.org / 503-595-0213 We look forward to planting together soon!

Vancouver, Washington: Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. You’ll take a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from a healthcare provider, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active, and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking. Walk your own pace and distance.

After a short discussion on a health topic you can enjoy moving around the track at your pace, while conversing and visiting with each other.  Please bring along your two and four-legged friends. See you there!

According to the American Heart Association, walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. Think it doesn’t do any good? Think again. Walking is low impact and easier on the joints than running. It is safe – with a doctor’s okay – for people with orthopedic ailments, heart conditions, and those who are more than 20% overweight. In addition, research has shown that you could gain three hours of life for each hour of regular exercise! That quick stroll around the block seems a little more worthwhile now, doesn’t it?

• You don’t need any special gear and there are no special rules.

• Our walking groups are a safe, fun, and FREE place to take a walk, learn about health, and meet new people.

• Vancouver, Washington - Chapter # 31196

• 2nd Saturday of every month at 9:30am

• Click Here to RSVP

• Questions: griffdavemo@comcast.net

• Walk Leader: Dave Griffin, DPM

Join staff and friends at Plas Newydd Farm for a day filled with workshops, wreath making, food, cider, walking tours, and live music!

Schedule

10am – 12pm      Arrive / Mingle / Workshops

10am – 12pm      Live Music

12pm                   Farm Tour / Walk

1pm                     Short Break

1:30pm – 3pm     Lit Mag Launch

3pm – 4pm          Workshop

Accessibility Note: This event takes place in an historic farmhouse that is not currently wheelchair accessible, as well as out on the landscape of a working farm. We will work to accommodate access however we can, but please email arts@pnfarm.com to confirm that the space will work for you!

More information can be found on their webpage HERE

Wild Grief Online is an opportunity to come together for grief peer support and nature connection from the comfort of your own home.

We will start with an opening circle via video chat, similar to the opening circle on our in person hikes. We will introduce ourselves, share who we are carrying in our hearts, and offer some activities for your individual walk/hike. We will then ask everyone to find a place close by to be in nature for 30-45 minutes. This could be a walk around your neighborhood, a sit spot in your yard, or even just opening a window to feel the fresh air and see the sky. After our time in nature, we will reconvene for a closing circle.

This event is free and open for anyone to participate. Please register below!

Click here to register!

This event is from 11 AM - 1 PM Pacific time. We are located in Olympia, Washington, but love it when folks join from other time zones! Find your local time.