As the summer sun sinks below the horizon, life stirs along the water’s edge.

Join us for a twilight walk along the Columbia River and adjacent wetlands, where daylight gives way to night. Discover the subtle shifts of the evening as we look for signs of wildlife, explore native plants, watch for bats, and identify the first stars and planets emerging in the twilight sky.

Expect to walk 2 miles on uneven, sandy beaches and along paved pathways. Trail not suitable for strollers. Binoculars available to borrow. Walk is suitable for ages 6 and older.

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.

Every Wednesday in July, join educators from the Water Resources Education Center for Reading in the Wild, a free outdoor reading series for families with kids ages 3 to 6 years old. Each program begins with story time under the big willow tree, followed by outdoor exploration activities for parents and children in our native plant garden.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all Reading in the Wild activities.

No registration required.

July 30 theme: Dazzling Dinosaurs

Learn about the ancient life of Dinosaurs. Join staff in dinosaur themed activities and crafts!

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 to 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!

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.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

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   

Get outside with the public library!

Join us at your nearest community park on select Thursdays in July for various activities and fun.

Age Group: Kids,Tweens

Each park day will host a different featured activity plus a nature scavenger hunt and other passive activities.

• July 31 - Fairgrounds Community Park, 216 NW 164th St, Ridgefield, WA

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.

No botany degree? No problem!

Join Master Naturalist Rebecca Lexa as she shares beginner-friendly tools and skills for identifying plants wherever you may be. This is a casual identification class so technical terms will be at a minimum, and you’ll also learn some resources for further exploration. www.rebeccalexa.com

Check out all the Summer Nature programs happening at FVRLibraries.

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.

No botany degree? No problem!

Join Master Naturalist Rebecca Lexa as she shares beginner-friendly tools and skills for identifying plants wherever you may be. This is a casual identification class so technical terms will be at a minimum, and you’ll also learn some resources for further exploration. www.rebeccalexa.com

Check out all the Summer Nature programs happening at FVRLibraries.

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.

Meet some of our Northwest butterfly species and what native plants best support them and their caterpillars.

Since caterpillars are an essential food source for many birds, native gardeners should consider the plants they're evolved to eat equally essential. Whether you're growing a butterfly garden or want to attract more birds to your yard, don't miss this opportunity to learn how to make your property a key component of the food web!

• Now is also a great time to check out the native plants we have available on our website!

• This class is free but registration is required. Click HERE to register.

Support your local arboretum near the shores of the Columbia River, just south of Evergreen Hwy.!

Generally, E. Jane Weber Arboretum volunteers work on an area that is special to them or they just see a need to spruce things up. Monthly, we have our Second Saturday Work Party from 9am to noon. We often work on bigger projects and refreshments are always served.

The Stanger House is an historic home on the property that has a work crew that meets Friday mornings from 9am to noon. This can include carpentry or electrical work or general non-skilled tasks. Refreshments provided.

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

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.

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

Hours for Public Access:
Open Daily from Dawn to Dusk

Learn more about the property and features at www.ejaneweberarboretum.org/

Join a WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener for a guided tour of the 78th Street Heritage Farm. Stroll the property with a knowledgeable docent and learn about the property’s storied history and its current role in horticulture education, agricultural research, food security and community enrichment.

In 1924, if your family couldn’t pay its bills, what happened? You might have been sent to “the poor farm.”

That historic “poor farm” in Clark County is now the 78th Street Heritage Farm. It is home to demonstration gardens of the Master Gardeners program, with a history going back to 1865. Placed on the Washington Historic Register in 2012, the 79-acre property has a unique and compelling story for people of all ages.

ACCESSIBILITY: Tours involve prolonged standing and walking on uneven ground with some elevation change.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring water, dress for the weather.

LOCATION: Provided at registration.

COST: Free

DATES & REGISTRATION: Advanced registration is required. Tour size is limited. Please don’t register if you aren’t sure you can attend.

Saturday, August 9, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

Tuesday, August 19, 6-7:30 p.m. Register here

Saturday, September 13, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

Tuesday, September 16, 6-7:30 p.m. Register here

Saturday, October 4, 10-11:30 a.m.. Register here

Saturday, October 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

QUESTIONS: Contact: erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu, 564-397-5738.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

Transform your outdoor space into a haven for native pollinators with the right plants!

Uncover the best species for your landscape and attract a thriving community of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Join WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Anne Bulger and learn how our choices impact pollinators—both positively and negatively—and gain practical tips for designing a beautiful, sustainable garden that benefits both wildlife and you. Let’s create a native plant paradise together!

Put on in partnership with Clark County Public Health Green Neighbors Program.

Cost: Free

Registration requested: Click here

For more information: (564) 397-5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

Art & Nature in the Park is back this summer!

Join Fourth Plain Forward for free, family-friendly fun at Downs Neighborhood Park.

🎨🌱 Music, art, and nature activities for all ages—brought to you by Fourth Plain Forward, City of Vancouver, NAACP Vancouver, Evoke, and SW WA LULAC.

This beloved series brings together families, artists, nature, and neighbors for free outdoor events celebrating creativity, culture, and community wellness in Vancouver’s Fourth Plain neighborhoods.

Each event will feature hands-on art activities, environmental education, music, and local resources—all with a special themes for each event.

Whether you're painting a canvas, exploring the natural world, or simply enjoying a sunny afternoon with neighbors, Art & Nature in the Park is a space for all ages to connect and create. Our partners like La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, Vancouver Ballet and Folklorico, Vancouver Bee Project, and many more make these events possible by providing activities and resources.

🎨 What to Expect:

• Art

• Nature-based activities

• Music

• Community resources and local organizations

• Free food and family-friendly fun for all ages.

📍 Location: Downs Neighborhood Park
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📅 Dates:
• Saturday, August 9
• Saturday, August 23

Follow along for updates and let us know if you’d like to get involved. We can’t wait to gather with you in the park again!

En Español: https://www.fourthplainforward.org/blog/arte-y-naturaleza-en-el-parque

Learn skills and tools to help you identify common edible mushrooms and plants. We’ll also cover some poisonous species, safety, ethics, and other topics surrounding foraging. 

Presented by Master Naturalist Rebecca Lexa. www.rebeccalexa.com

This program is funded by the Friends of Cascade Park Community Library.

Check out all the Summer Nature programs happening at FVRLibraries.

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.

Join the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program for an On the Road Tour and leave the driving to us. Sit back and enjoy our potpourri of the Hood River area.

Our first stop is at Mt. Adams Fruit Orchard. Family-owned for more than a century, the orchard grows and harvests cherries, apples and pears on over 2,000 acres. We will learn about what’s involved in keeping such an immense growing operation going despite a high elevation and shorter growing season.

The next stop is lunch (on your own) at the scenic Riverside Restaurant.

Then, we’ll continue deeper into Hood River and visit the fragrant and lovely Hope Ranch Lavender Farm. This site specializes in many different varieties of lavender. We will see the process of distilling the oil and get an opportunity to u-pick our own bouquet and meander the fields.

Our last stop is at Packer Orchards and Farm Place. They have a five-generation legacy in Hood River and take great pride in their deep-rooted heritage. We will learn about their orchards that are bursting with seasonal fruits.

• Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat and wear comfortable walking shoes. Dress for weather. Bring a walking stick if necessary.

• LOCATION: Address provided at registration. No admission without registration.

• COST: $35

• REGISTRATION REQUIRED by August 7th: Click here

• FOR MORE INFORMATION: (564) 397-5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu.

• Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

Join the Whipple Creek Restoration Committee to maintain the trails at Whipple Creek Regional Park.

Tasks usually include brush cutting and adding gravel to trails. 

*Meet at main North Parking area off NE 179th street and 21st Ave. 

Email whipplecreekproject@gmail.com for more information and to sign up.

Squirrel Fest is the first of its kind on the West Coast and in the Mount St. Helens region!

Longview, WA is nuts over this celebration in honor or our furry friends and so are our 3,500+ guests we reconnect with annually. Longview is known for its Squirrel bridges near the Civic Center and we’re excited to invite you to celebrate with us! With a wide variety of nutty activities, Squirrel Fest offers something for everyone. Squirrel Fest will take place Saturday, August 17th, 2024 at Longview Civic Center Park featuring local vendors, performances, children’s activities, delicious foods and more! 

Launching the first Longview Squirrel Fest was a dream of a local group, The Sandbaggers; with the idea of creating a fun event that would be nutty enough for all ages. In 2019 the Rotary Club of Longview took over the event as it continued to grow and outpaced the Sandbaggers.

Each year is better than the last, growing in attendance, awareness, fun and even more shows from great local musicians, children’s entertainers, and headliners that you’ll just go NUTS about.

Stop by and visit the Lower Columbia School Garden booth (an amazing LCNN partner!) and learn about their great work, volunteer opportunities and enjoy garden fresh pizzas.

Learn more about this annual event and the event schedule at: lvsquirrelfest.com/

Join us at Columbia Springs on Saturday, August 16th from 5pm-8pm for a one-of-a-kind evening! 

Local chefs will compete in a cook-off featuring locally invasive species, all while you enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. It's a chance to learn, savor, and celebrate in a whole new way!

• This year, elevate your Hooked on Nature experience with a small group VIP tour before cocktail hour at 5 PM!

• Choose between “Nature’s Hidden Stories Tour,” a relaxed walk uncovering the secret life and ecological wonders of the forest, or “Hatchery Science in Action,” an insider look at our trout hatchery, watershed stewardship, and the science that keeps these waters thriving.

• Space is limited—reserve your spot for this intimate, curiosity-sparking experience!

• Early bird tickets for general admission are on sale now through July 18th!  Use code EARLYBIRD for $20 off.*  Click HERE to buy tickets.

*Early bird code is only good for general admission tickets.

Interested in volunteering at this event? Email Kristine@columbiasprings.org.

Healing the Wimahl River

What: Litter pick-up along the Columbia River at Frenchman’s Bar

When: Sunday, August 17  9:00am to 11:30am

Where: Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park, 9612 NW Lower River Rd, Vancouver, WA 98660

What to bring: Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress for the weather. Please bring your own snacks and water.

Event Agenda:

9:00am – 11:30am – Litter Cleanup

11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch and Art Activity Led by La Casita

12:30pm – 2:00pm – Aztec Water Ceremony Led by Huehca Omeyocan

Further Details:

We will begin the day of healing the river through a community cleanup of Frenchman’s Bar. There will be a short break for lunch (please pack your own). During the trash art workshop you will be working on community art piece(s) from trash collected at beach cleanups. The art will then be in an art show at La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center. 

There will also be an interactive flower offering activity led by Huehca Omeyocan. Huehca Omeyocan will be performing an Aztec Dance and Drumming Ceremony with an Offering of Flowers to the River. This style of dance and music is of the Cem-Anahuac, meaning the Land Surrounded by water where people live entirely together.

Register for the Litter Cleanup Here

***

Actividad: Limpieza de playa en Frenchman’s Bar

Cuándo: Domingo, 17 de Agosto 9:00 – 11:30

Dónde: Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park, 9612 NW Lower River Rd, Vancouver, WA 98660

Qué llevar: Favor de usar zapato cerrado y vestir de acuerdo al clima. Traer su propia agua y alimento.

Itinerario:

9:00am a 11:30am Limpieza de playa

11:30am a 12:30pm: Almuerzo y Talleres de arte con materiales reciclables

12:30pm a 2:00pm: Danza Azteca y ceremonia de ofrenda

El trabajo de ofrenda al río comienza haciendo limpieza comunitaria de la playa Frenchman’s Bar (9am). Una vez terminada la limpieza habrá un receso para tomar lunch (11:30am). Por favor traiga sus alimentos. Posteriormente se tendrán los talleres de arte (11:30am) donde en comunidad se elaborarán obras hechas con los materiales recolectados de las limpiezas de playa. La obra creada se exhibirá en la Galería La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center.

También tendremos una actividad interactiva de elaboración de la ofrenda de flores dirigida por Huehca Omeyocan. Finalmente (12:30pm), Huehca Omeyocan coordinará la ceremonia de danza (azteca) y tambores junto con la Ofrenda de flores para el Río Columbia (Wimahl). El estilo de ceremonia es basado en el Cem-Anáhuac, que significa El territorio rodeado de agua donde la gente vive.

Registrate Aquí

Join the Clark County Public Works Parks & Nature team for a Park Play Date!

There will be a series of play dates around the community this summer. Meet at the park to enjoy lawn games and snacks. Parks staff will be available to talk with you about your park.

Come out to enjoy the sun, fun and connecting with your community.

Learn more about Clark County Parks & Nature HERE. There hundreds of acres of parks, playgrounds, sports fields, trails, and natural areas for you to enjoy.

Join a WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener for a guided tour of the 78th Street Heritage Farm. Stroll the property with a knowledgeable docent and learn about the property’s storied history and its current role in horticulture education, agricultural research, food security and community enrichment.

In 1924, if your family couldn’t pay its bills, what happened? You might have been sent to “the poor farm.”

That historic “poor farm” in Clark County is now the 78th Street Heritage Farm. It is home to demonstration gardens of the Master Gardeners program, with a history going back to 1865. Placed on the Washington Historic Register in 2012, the 79-acre property has a unique and compelling story for people of all ages.

ACCESSIBILITY: Tours involve prolonged standing and walking on uneven ground with some elevation change.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring water, dress for the weather.

LOCATION: Provided at registration.

COST: Free

DATES & REGISTRATION: Advanced registration is required. Tour size is limited. Please don’t register if you aren’t sure you can attend.

Tuesday, August 19, 6-7:30 p.m. Register here

Saturday, September 13, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

Tuesday, September 16, 6-7:30 p.m. Register here

Saturday, October 4, 10-11:30 a.m.. Register here

Saturday, October 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

QUESTIONS: Contact: erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu, 564-397-5738.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

Love your garden but hate it when critters like aphids, slugs and flea beetles do, too?

Learn sneaky, science-backed ways to outsmart garden pests without drenching everything in chemicals—yes, even the infamous neonicotinoids.

Discover how to befriend pollinators, keep your water clean, and turn your backyard into a thriving paradise for humans, bees, and all the other critters that make nature tick. Because a bug-free garden shouldn’t mean a bee-free world! Join WSU Clark County Extension Master Gardener Anne Bulger for an engaging and informative presentation on pest management in the home garden.

Put on in partnership with Clark County Public Health Green Neighbors Program.

LOCATION: This presentation will be via Zoom. (Note: you must have a (free) Zoom account in order to attend.)

COST: Free

REGISTRATION Requested: Click here

FOR MORE INFORMATION: (564) 397-5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

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

Registration is required. Sign up today!

Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided. This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. This location is not 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.

(Registration will close two days prior to the event at 2 p.m. 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.)

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

Art & Nature in the Park is back this summer!

Join Fourth Plain Forward for free, family-friendly fun at Downs Neighborhood Park.

🎨🌱 Music, art, and nature activities for all ages—brought to you by Fourth Plain Forward, City of Vancouver, NAACP Vancouver, Evoke, and SW WA LULAC.

This beloved series brings together families, artists, nature, and neighbors for free outdoor events celebrating creativity, culture, and community wellness in Vancouver’s Fourth Plain neighborhoods.

Each event will feature hands-on art activities, environmental education, music, and local resources—all with a special themes for each event.

Whether you're painting a canvas, exploring the natural world, or simply enjoying a sunny afternoon with neighbors, Art & Nature in the Park is a space for all ages to connect and create. Our partners like La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center, Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries, Vancouver Ballet and Folklorico, Vancouver Bee Project, and many more make these events possible by providing activities and resources.

🎨 What to Expect:

• Art

• Nature-based activities

• Music

• Community resources and local organizations

• Free food and family-friendly fun for all ages.

📍 Location: Downs Neighborhood Park
Follow along for updates and let us know if you’d like to get involved. We can’t wait to gather with you in the park again!

En Español: https://www.fourthplainforward.org/blog/arte-y-naturaleza-en-el-parque

Join us for a series of volunteer events where you’ll have the opportunity to learn the essential skills of pruning fruit trees and work alongside our expert urban forestry team.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, these hands-on events are designed to teach you both winter and summer pruning techniques, helping to ensure the health and vitality of our urban forest.

Attend one or all the events, each focused on different aspects of tree care throughout the seasons. The final event of the series will be especially exciting, as we’ll harvest the delicious fruit that’s grown from the trees you’ve helped nurture. These events are a fantastic way to gain valuable knowledge, connect with nature, and give back to your community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided. This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

Advance registration is recommended. RSVP today!

Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. This location is wheelchair accessible, but accessing the trees may not be. 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 two days prior to the event at 2 p.m. 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

2-day Plein Air workshop on the farm with Jef Gunn. 
Plein Air painting is simply painting in the open air. That’s what we’ll do.

Painting itself can be tricky, managing a palette of colors and a canvas in response to the always moving world around us! Our focus for this workshop will be all of that. Composition, simplification, color, palette layout (and management!) , gumption, place, light and shadow, mystery.

This will be quite the adventure in painting in the out of doors on a beautiful landscape with historic significance. A farm and its buildings sit along the confluence of the Lewis and Columbia Rivers, on land once occupied by Chinook and Cowlitz peoples. We’ll cover color, composition, palette management, and keeping your cool while managing all that!

It’s going to be a great weekend out on the land. Jef is an experienced teacher with a wealth of knowledge to offer and we’re so excited to welcome him to the farm for his first Ridgefield workshop. We will provide coffee, tea, water and snacks. Participants should bring water bottle, lunch, clothes for the weather, and the materials listed below.

To learn more and register, visit Plas Newydd event page HERE.

If you have any difficulty acquiring materials, please get in touch and we will see how we can help! As always, limited scholarships are available. While we work to accommodate participants with mobility support needs, this workshop is out on the land and may not be accessible to all. For questions about materials, scholarships and accessibility, please email arts@pnfarm.com and we will work to meet your needs!

Jef Gunn has studied and practiced drawing and painting since the 1970s, with formative experiences in California, Barcelona, Paris and Seattle. He began working in encaustic in 1985, integrating materials such as paper, ink, tar, fabric, and gold leaf to explore layered meanings influenced by Asian art. His work has been exhibited nationally, including solo and group shows at Oregon State University, Marylhurst University, and the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art. In 2006, he co-curated the national encaustic show Impulse. Jef has taught painting and drawing in Seattle and Portland since the mid-1990s, and his work is represented by galleries in Seattle, Edison, Honolulu, and Portland. With a balance of humor, broad knowledge, and helpful insight, he is able to draw from each student her or his own natural way to paint.

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

Registration is required. Sign up today!

Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided. This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. This location is not 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.

(Registration will close two days prior to the event at 2 p.m. 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.)

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

Support your local arboretum near the shores of the Columbia River, just south of Evergreen Hwy.!

Generally, E. Jane Weber Arboretum volunteers work on an area that is special to them or they just see a need to spruce things up. Monthly, we have our Second Saturday Work Party from 9am to noon. We often work on bigger projects and refreshments are always served.

The Stanger House is an historic home on the property that has a work crew that meets Friday mornings from 9am to noon. This can include carpentry or electrical work or general non-skilled tasks. Refreshments provided.

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

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.

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

Hours for Public Access:
Open Daily from Dawn to Dusk

Learn more about the property and features at www.ejaneweberarboretum.org/

Join a WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener for a guided tour of the 78th Street Heritage Farm. Stroll the property with a knowledgeable docent and learn about the property’s storied history and its current role in horticulture education, agricultural research, food security and community enrichment.

In 1924, if your family couldn’t pay its bills, what happened? You might have been sent to “the poor farm.”

That historic “poor farm” in Clark County is now the 78th Street Heritage Farm. It is home to demonstration gardens of the Master Gardeners program, with a history going back to 1865. Placed on the Washington Historic Register in 2012, the 79-acre property has a unique and compelling story for people of all ages.

ACCESSIBILITY: Tours involve prolonged standing and walking on uneven ground with some elevation change.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring water, dress for the weather.

LOCATION: Provided at registration.

COST: Free

DATES & REGISTRATION: Advanced registration is required. Tour size is limited. Please don’t register if you aren’t sure you can attend.

Saturday, September 13, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

Tuesday, September 16, 6-7:30 p.m. Register here

Saturday, October 4, 10-11:30 a.m.. Register here

Saturday, October 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

QUESTIONS: Contact: erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu, 564-397-5738.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

Join a WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener for a guided tour of the 78th Street Heritage Farm. Stroll the property with a knowledgeable docent and learn about the property’s storied history and its current role in horticulture education, agricultural research, food security and community enrichment.

In 1924, if your family couldn’t pay its bills, what happened? You might have been sent to “the poor farm.”

That historic “poor farm” in Clark County is now the 78th Street Heritage Farm. It is home to demonstration gardens of the Master Gardeners program, with a history going back to 1865. Placed on the Washington Historic Register in 2012, the 79-acre property has a unique and compelling story for people of all ages.

ACCESSIBILITY: Tours involve prolonged standing and walking on uneven ground with some elevation change.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring water, dress for the weather.

LOCATION: Provided at registration.

COST: Free

DATES & REGISTRATION: Advanced registration is required. Tour size is limited. Please don’t register if you aren’t sure you can attend.

Tuesday, September 16, 6-7:30 p.m. Register here

Saturday, October 4, 10-11:30 a.m.. Register here

Saturday, October 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

QUESTIONS: Contact: erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu, 564-397-5738.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

What: Volunteer litter cleanup along Lake River

When: Saturday, September 20th 9:00am to 12:00pm

Where: Ridgefield Waterfront – Boat Ramp, 5 Mill St, Ridgefield, WA 98642

What to bring: Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress for the weather. Please bring your own snacks and water.

Please Note: A portion of this cleanup will be along the edge of Lake River, this area can be slippery and muddy with unstable rocks. This may not be appropriate for all ages and abilities. If you are able and interested in cleaning up along the edge of Lake River please wear waterproof shoes/boots or waders.

The remaining areas for the cleanup are more appropriate for all ages. This will be along the paved trails and maintained areas at the Ridgefield Waterfront.

Register Here

***

Actividad: Recoger basura en Ridgefield

Cuándo: Sábado, 20 de Septiembre de 9:00 a 12:00

Dónde: Ridgefield Waterfront – Boat Ramp, 5 Mill St, Ridgefield, WA 98642

Qué llevar: Favor de usar zapato cerrado y vestir de acuerdo al clima. Traer su propia agua y alimento.

Traducciones: Este evento no cuenta con traductor para Español.

Nota– Hay que tener en cuenta que una parte de esta limpieza se realizará a lo largo de Lake River,  y que si te interesa limpiar cerca del borde,  te sugerimos usar zapatos o botas impermeables, pues esa área puede ser resbaladiza y fangosa con rocas inestables.

Tal vez esa área no sea apropiada para todas las edades y habilidades, pero las áreas restantes si son apropiadas para todas las edades para realizar la limpieza. Estas otras áreas son a lo largo de los senderos pavimentados y las áreas que reciben mantenimiento en Ridgefield Waterfront.

Registrate Aquí

Join Backyard Bird Shop naturalist and educator Elaine Murphy on a guided bird walk on the Greenway Trail in Vancouver. 

This expert-guided bird walk along Vancouver’s Greenway Trail is a great way to learn how to recognize our local birds and learn a bit about their habits. This free guided bird walk is hosted by the Vancouver Backyard Bird Shop.

• We’ll gather at the west end of the Salmon Creek Trail at 13853 NW 36th Ave, Vancouver WA. Park on the east side of 36th Ave or on side streets.  Meet at the trailhead.

• The walk will last 2 – 3 hours. 

• Reservations are required—we limit the number of participants to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and educational experience.  Some of our walks do fill up,  so phone the shop (360- 253-5771, Press 5) to reserve your spot as soon as you can! 

• Dress for the weather! 

• No pets!

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

Registration is required. Sign up today!

Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided. This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

Accessibility is important to us and we’ve taken it into account while planning this event. This location is not 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.

(Registration will close two days prior to the event at 2 p.m. 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.)

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

National Public Lands Day!

Fee free day at all U.S. FWS & National Forests

In recognition of National Public Lands Day, celebrate the beauty of our public lands and engage in activities that promote conservation and stewardship. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the great outdoors.

All national wildlife refuges and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands that normally charge an entrance fee offer free admission today, September 27, 2025. Including Ridgefield NWR, Steigerwald NWR, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Dungeness NWR and 28 other refuges.

Also visit our local National Park sites like Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Join us for the Annual Lacamas Lake Cleanup! 

What: Litter Cleanup along Lacamas Lake 

When: Saturday, September 27th 9:00am to 12:00pm

Where: Heritage Park, 303 NW Lake Rd, Camas, WA 98607

What to bring: Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress for the weather. Please bring your own snacks and water.

Translator: A Spanish translator will be available at this event.

Register here

***

Limpieza del Lago Lacamas

Actividad: Recolección de basura en Camas

Cuándo: Sábado, 27 de Septiembre 9:00 a 12:00

Dónde: Heritage Park, 303 NW Lake Rd, Camas, WA 98607

Qué llevar: Favor de usar zapato cerrado y vestir de acuerdo al clima. Traer tu propia agua y alimento.

Traducciones: En este evento contaremos con un traductor(a) en Español.

¡Registrate ya! Haz click aqui

BirdFest and Bluegrass is the main event every year that the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge & the City of Ridgefield put on to bring awareness to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and all that it has to offer. We celebrate the Sandhill Crane returning to the Refuge, a huge stately bird that is endangered in Washington State, and we celebrate everything the Refuge is and what it brings to the community. With endangered species, hundreds of migratory species, an auto tour route, photo blind, walking trails, habitat restoration programs, and so much more – there is a lot to celebrate, and a lot to learn.

We are uniquely fortunate to have the Refuge as a resource right in our own backyard, and by learning not only how to appreciate the beauty, but the necessity of it, you come one step closer to being able to support it.

Whether you head downtown to jam with bluegrass bands, shop, or do crafts, take a drive around the Refuge’s Auto Tour, or head to the Carty Unit for family crafts, guided hikes, or a walk on the trail- there is something for everyone, and lots to learn!

Check out the website regularly for updates and schedule of events! https://ridgefieldfriends.org/birdfest-bluegrass/

Join a WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener for a guided tour of the 78th Street Heritage Farm. Stroll the property with a knowledgeable docent and learn about the property’s storied history and its current role in horticulture education, agricultural research, food security and community enrichment.

In 1924, if your family couldn’t pay its bills, what happened? You might have been sent to “the poor farm.”

That historic “poor farm” in Clark County is now the 78th Street Heritage Farm. It is home to demonstration gardens of the Master Gardeners program, with a history going back to 1865. Placed on the Washington Historic Register in 2012, the 79-acre property has a unique and compelling story for people of all ages.

ACCESSIBILITY: Tours involve prolonged standing and walking on uneven ground with some elevation change.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring water, dress for the weather.

LOCATION: Provided at registration.

COST: Free

DATES & REGISTRATION: Advanced registration is required. Tour size is limited. Please don’t register if you aren’t sure you can attend.

Saturday, October 4, 10-11:30 a.m.. Register here

Saturday, October 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

QUESTIONS: Contact: erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu, 564-397-5738.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

Join the Clark County Public Works Parks & Nature team for a Park Play Date!

List is the last of the 2025 series of play dates around the community. Meet at the park to enjoy lawn games and snacks. Parks staff will be available to talk with you about your park.

Come out to enjoy the sun, fun and connecting with your community.

Learn more about Clark County Parks & Nature HERE. There hundreds of acres of parks, playgrounds, sports fields, trails, and natural areas for you to enjoy.

Support your local arboretum near the shores of the Columbia River, just south of Evergreen Hwy.!

Generally, E. Jane Weber Arboretum volunteers work on an area that is special to them or they just see a need to spruce things up. Monthly, we have our Second Saturday Work Party from 9am to noon. We often work on bigger projects and refreshments are always served.

The Stanger House is an historic home on the property that has a work crew that meets Friday mornings from 9am to noon. This can include carpentry or electrical work or general non-skilled tasks. Refreshments provided.

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

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.

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

Hours for Public Access:
Open Daily from Dawn to Dusk

Learn more about the property and features at www.ejaneweberarboretum.org/

Join a WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener for a guided tour of the 78th Street Heritage Farm. Stroll the property with a knowledgeable docent and learn about the property’s storied history and its current role in horticulture education, agricultural research, food security and community enrichment.

In 1924, if your family couldn’t pay its bills, what happened? You might have been sent to “the poor farm.”

That historic “poor farm” in Clark County is now the 78th Street Heritage Farm. It is home to demonstration gardens of the Master Gardeners program, with a history going back to 1865. Placed on the Washington Historic Register in 2012, the 79-acre property has a unique and compelling story for people of all ages.

ACCESSIBILITY: Tours involve prolonged standing and walking on uneven ground with some elevation change.

WHAT TO BRING: Bring water, dress for the weather.

LOCATION: Provided at registration.

COST: Free

DATES & REGISTRATION: Advanced registration is required. Tour size is limited. Please don’t register if you aren’t sure you can attend.

Saturday, October 11, 10-11:30 a.m. Register here

QUESTIONS: Contact: erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu, 564-397-5738.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

Special Observance

Fee-Free Day: First Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week

In recognition of the first Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week, all national wildlife refuges and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands that normally charge an entrance fee offer free admission October 12, 2025.

Including Ridgefield NWR, Steigerwald NWR, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Dungeness NWR and 28 others…

Save the date to join the City of Vancouver’s Naturespaces program for planting Oakbrook’s new Naturespace!

We will be planting on Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided. This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens – people of all ages and abilities are welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

Advance registration will be required. Please check HERE in early fall for more details and registration instructions.

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

Save the date to join the City of Vancouver’s Naturespaces program for planting Oakbrook’s new Naturespace!

We will be planting on Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided. This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens – people of all ages and abilities are welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

Advance registration will be required. Please check this page in early fall for more details and registration instructions.

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

Support your local arboretum near the shores of the Columbia River, just south of Evergreen Hwy.!

Generally, E. Jane Weber Arboretum volunteers work on an area that is special to them or they just see a need to spruce things up. Monthly, we have our Second Saturday Work Party from 9am to noon. We often work on bigger projects and refreshments are always served.

The Stanger House is an historic home on the property that has a work crew that meets Friday mornings from 9am to noon. This can include carpentry or electrical work or general non-skilled tasks. Refreshments provided.

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

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.

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

Hours for Public Access:
Open Daily from Dawn to Dusk

Learn more about the property and features at www.ejaneweberarboretum.org/

In recognition of Veterans Day, all national wildlife refuges and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands that normally charge an entrance fee offer free admission November 11, 2025.

Including Ridgefield NWR, Steigerwald NWR, Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually NWR, Dungeness NWR and 28 others…

All U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands that normally charge an entrance fee

Save the date to join the City of Vancouver’s Naturespaces program for planting Oakbrook’s new Naturespace!

We will be planting on Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided. This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens – people of all ages and abilities are welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

Advance registration will be required. Please check this page in early fall for more details and registration instructions.

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

Support your local arboretum near the shores of the Columbia River, just south of Evergreen Hwy.!

Generally, E. Jane Weber Arboretum volunteers work on an area that is special to them or they just see a need to spruce things up. Monthly, we have our Second Saturday Work Party from 9am to noon. We often work on bigger projects and refreshments are always served.

The Stanger House is an historic home on the property that has a work crew that meets Friday mornings from 9am to noon. This can include carpentry or electrical work or general non-skilled tasks. Refreshments provided.

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

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.

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

Hours for Public Access:
Open Daily from Dawn to Dusk

Learn more about the property and features at www.ejaneweberarboretum.org/