Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference - live online

[Special note - WWNJC is not a local conference, but we are thrilled to promote it as we thoroughly enjoyed hosting John Muir Laws twice to the LCNN community]

The Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference–the largest international event of its kind–is an annual event that gathers people who are passionate about nature, art, science, curiosity, and wonder to share ideas, learn from each other, support each other, inspire each other, and have fun together in nature’s beauty. 

Sharpen your pencils! Your Pass includes access* to 30 live online classes, panels, and talks, and you can look forward to learning from more than 30 teachers, journalers, writers, artists, authors, and thought leaders in nature, nature journaling, nature writing, visual thinking, and conservation, including Roland Allen, Charlotte Beland, Michael Boardman, Alex Boon, Bethan Burton, Christian Cooper, Maria Coryell-Martin, Joris De Raedt, Linda Feltner, Tony Foster, Rosalie Haizlett, Roseann Hanson, Sushma Hegde, Wendy Hollender, Nishant Jain, Jennifer Jewell, Jane Kim, John Muir Laws, Jane Maday, Susan Magsamen, Kate Rutter, Grant Snyder, Dr. Nina Sokolov, Leslie Stroz, Amy Tan, Vitor Velez, and many others. Note: The teacher/speaker team is subject to change.

*BONUS: All Live and Video Passes include access to the event recordings for 6+ months!

• Meet the 2025 teachers and speakers

• Explore the Detailed Schedule

• Print a 1-page Schedule

• Learn more about this conference and registration options HERE

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 June 20 through October 4. Paddlers must be 14 years of age or older to participate. No experience is needed.

In 2023, a new recreational activity for those who want to enjoy the water was launched by the City of Ridgefield with the help of dedicated volunteers. Dragon boating is a fun-filled, adrenaline pumping, water sports activity.

The City’s Program includes an opportunity to experience dragon boating with a community paddle. Community Paddles are open to anyone 14 years or older who is interested in paddling a Kaohsiung dragon boat on Lake River. No experience is necessary and an evening paddle is free.

Regular Season: June 20 - October 4
Weekly Paddles held on Fridays* at 6:30 PM.
*No paddle on July 4

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.

Climb Mount St. Helens With Us! Embark on a remarkable single-day non-technical scramble to the summit of Mount St. Helens with our professional mountain guides and certified volunteer climbing stewards.

These hikes are carefully designed for both novice hikers and experienced mountaineers. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the majestic beauty of one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic active Cascade volcanoes. Our knowledgeable and experienced guide teams will enrich your experience with insights into the area's natural and cultural history as well as expert technical advice on outdoor equipment, attire and techniques.

For detailed information, visit our summit climbs program description.

Register today!

Minimum Age: 10. If your climber is younger, contact us to discuss.

• Maximum Group Size: 10

• Permits: Fee includes a climbing permit.

• Duration: 6:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM

• Classic Summit Climb Cost: $288 / person.

• Summit with a Geologist: $298 / person.

Summer route: July - September

• Distance: 8.5 miles (13.6 km) round-trip

• Elevation gain: 4,500 ft (1371 m)

• Location: Climber's Bivouac

MSHI strongly recommends that you conduct training hikes or routines before you climb Mount St. Helens. Your fitness will be the best indicator of your enjoyment of the experience and your success on the climb. See MSHI suggested training hikes.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to guided adventures waitlist to know if space becomes available.

Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference - live online

[Special note - WWNJC is not a local conference, but we are thrilled to promote it as we thoroughly enjoyed hosting John Muir Laws twice to the LCNN community]

The Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference–the largest international event of its kind–is an annual event that gathers people who are passionate about nature, art, science, curiosity, and wonder to share ideas, learn from each other, support each other, inspire each other, and have fun together in nature’s beauty. 

Sharpen your pencils! Your Pass includes access* to 30 live online classes, panels, and talks, and you can look forward to learning from more than 30 teachers, journalers, writers, artists, authors, and thought leaders in nature, nature journaling, nature writing, visual thinking, and conservation, including Roland Allen, Charlotte Beland, Michael Boardman, Alex Boon, Bethan Burton, Christian Cooper, Maria Coryell-Martin, Joris De Raedt, Linda Feltner, Tony Foster, Rosalie Haizlett, Roseann Hanson, Sushma Hegde, Wendy Hollender, Nishant Jain, Jennifer Jewell, Jane Kim, John Muir Laws, Jane Maday, Susan Magsamen, Kate Rutter, Grant Snyder, Dr. Nina Sokolov, Leslie Stroz, Amy Tan, Vitor Velez, and many others. Note: The teacher/speaker team is subject to change.

*BONUS: All Live and Video Passes include access to the event recordings for 6+ months!

• Meet the 2025 teachers and speakers

• Explore the Detailed Schedule

• Print a 1-page Schedule

• Learn more about this conference and registration options HERE

Join Vancouver Audubon Society’s naturalist Robert Vanderkamp for a birding walk at our local national wildlife refuge in Ridgefield!

• Upcoming walks meet at the Carty Unit of the Refuge and are limited to 12 people.

• These generally last two to three hours but you are welcome to stay as long or short as works for you.

• Walks are free but the $3 refuge daily parking fee does apply.

• For more information about the fee and rules of the refuge click here.

The wall on Northeast 117th Street at I-5, across from Salmon Creek, in Vancouver, WA, is getting a fresh mural to cover graffiti !

Mural painters will add fish, native to the creek, swimming upstream. We need volunteers to help with a variety of tasks to support the painting team.

Volunteer duties may include setup, cleanup, organizing supplies, monitoring stations, helping with hydration and hauling materials.

Sign up here:

Saturday, September 13

Sunday, September 14

• Shifts available throughout the day.

• Volunteers must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Work will take place near a busy road. Expect to walk up and down the elevated section of 117th Street multiple times throughout shifts.

• Check In Location: Klineline Regional Park - 1112 NE 117th Street Vancouver, WA  

• What to Wear: Please wear closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather. 

• Food and Water: Bring a reusable water bottle and snacks for the day. We will have some snacks too.

• What to Bring: All tools will be supplied by Clark County Public Works

• Project Description: A variety of non painting tasks to assist the Salmon Creek Mural painters

• Participant Eligibility: Only volunteers18 years of age or older may volunteer for this project.

Before attending the volunteer event, prior registration is required, please complete the form below. Liability release forms will be emailed to each volunteer prior to the event. 

Help expand the Hough Elementary school learning gardens at the fall community work party!

With support from the Hough Foundation, the school is ready to expand their school garden to more raised beds for outdoor, hands-on learning, right outside their classroom windows.

Join us for a community weekend work party as we prepare the space for our new student garden. Together, we will roil up our sleeves to level the ground and clear out the weeds in preparation for installing raised garden beds for a thriving future.

• Dates: Saturday, September 13 and Sunday September 14

• What to bring: Garden Gloves, Water Bottle and Helping Hands

• Please email Jill Campbell for more information,

  jcampbell@houghfoundation.org 360-901-0132

• No experience necessary and all are welcome. Children need to be accompanied by adults at all times.

  What are the Hough Elementary Learning Gardens?

  Learn more: Students have the opportunity to dig, plant, explore and create with outdoor inspiration. Under the guidance of a professional Horticultural Therapist, wee will use monthly themes (ie: September~ leaves, October~ pumpkins, bringing in studies on birds, wildlife etc.) all while caring for the Hough gardens. Open to 1st-5th grade students, 1 day a week. Directed by Mandi Atkinson. Thursdays 2:30-4pm or Fridays 2:30-4pm

  Check out this video to learn more and see this amazing program in action:

  https://houghfoundation.org/gallery/horticulture-garden-club/

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/

POETRY IN THE WILD:
A Creative Day Retreat in the beautiful Washougal River Valley

Join the Treehouse Art Studio for a unique, daylong journey into creative writing and poetic expression in the heart of the Washougal River Valley. Unlike other offerings, this retreat is centered entirely around writing—giving space to your inner voice, your stories, and your wild imagination.

You don’t need to be a “poet” or have any prior experience—just a willingness to show up with curiosity.

We’ll explore:

• Guided poetry prompts and reflective writing sessions

• Time on the land to gather images, memories, and metaphors

• Gentle movement to awaken the body (everyone will be able to participate)

• Group sharing techniques and meaningful connection with others
  

This is a space to listen deeply—to yourself and to the creative voice that lives within you.

You’ll leave with:

• New writing and inspiration

• Practices to sustain your creative life

• Supportive community and connection

• A sense of clarity, calm, and creative momentum & tools
  

Open to all people, ages 18+. No experience needed—just a love for words or a longing to find them.

What to bring: a lunch, journal/paper, and something to write with. Be prepared for any type of weather. Our day will be a blend of time outside and time spent in the cabin. Optional items: blanket and umbrella.

Location: We will gather on a 5-acre property in the heart of the Washougal River Valley- roughly a 30 minute drive from PDX.

Facilitators: Susan & Allie

REGISTER HERE

Join Water Center staff outdoors to help keep our Backyard Habitat Certified gardens in tip-top shape.

Volunteer activities may include weeding, mulching, trimming and raking pathways. All necessary tools will be provided.

Registration is required. Sign up today!

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

Accessibility note: Work will be on natural surfaces such as soil/lawn and near plantings. This may include uneven ground, roots and other small objects.

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

You're invited! Join us for our Fire, Fungi, and Other Community Builders Nature Day at Columbia Springs.

A day of hands-on science and nature experiences exploring community builders 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!

• Drop by when it works for you. No RSVP required!

• Accessibility: The parking lot and pathways throughout the main campus are paved. Nature trails consist of natural surfacing (i.e. dirt, boardwalks, etc.) with some roots and rocks.

• Questions? Email events@columbiasprings.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 Good Year Farms for a collaboration with artist and fungi-fiend, Isaac Fletcher Weiss.

We will learn about the ecology of local and edible fungi, take a tour of a field site, inoculate logs so you can take home your own grow-op, and discuss delicacies that can be made from various mushrooms.

Part of this class will be held in the Good Year Farms barn and part will be in the field and the produce stand of Get To-Gather, just down the road.

Fairly family friendly if your kids are nature nerds.

Class is $35 and registration is required HERE.

The Clark Conservation District is excited to announce the first session of our bilingual urban garden workshop series! 🏵️

Gardening 101: Plant Care Basics will cover basics for urban gardeners in Clark County. We'll discuss cool vs. warm season crops, perennial gardening, and how to avoid common gardening mistakes. We’ll also chat about maximizing yields in small spaces!

Learn the basics of planting in Clark County, cool vs. warm season crops, perennial gardening, and how to avoid common gardening mistakes from Master Gardeners and Clark CD staff. We’ll also chat about maximizing yields in small spaces. Bilingual instruction available in English and Spanish!

Come on out to Marshall Community Garden on September 13th to learn more. Register HERE.

The Marshall Center is an accessible facility with free parking, restrooms and drinking fountains.

———-

El Distrito de Conservación de Clark se complace en anunciar la primera sesión de nuestra serie de talleres bilingües sobre huertos urbanos. 🏵️

Jardinería 101: Fundamentos del cuidado de las plantas cubrirá los aspectos básicos para los jardineros urbanos del Condado de Clark. Hablaremos sobre cultivos de temporada fría y cálida, jardinería perenne y cómo evitar errores comunes. ¡También hablaremos sobre cómo maximizar el rendimiento en espacios pequeños!

Aprenda los fundamentos de la siembra en el Condado de Clark, cultivos de temporada fría y cálida, jardinería perenne y cómo evitar errores comunes de jardinería con la ayuda de Maestros Jardineros y el personal del Distrito de Conservación de Clark. También hablaremos sobre cómo maximizar el rendimiento en espacios pequeños. ¡Instrucción bilingüe disponible en inglés y español!

Ven al Jardín Comunitario Marshall el 13 de septiembre para obtener más información. Regístrate AQUÍ. El Centro Marshall es una instalación accesible con estacionamiento, baños y bebederos gratuitos.

Have questions? Contact Mary Kinney at mkinney@clarkcd.org (preferred) or 360-859-4783.

Downspout water gardens prevent erosion and put rainwater to beneficial uses in your own backyard.

Learn step-by-step building instructions to create a liquid oasis for birds, bees and small animals, all from our existing gutter down spouts.

Check out all the Master Gardener 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.

Climb Mount St. Helens With Us! Embark on a remarkable single-day non-technical scramble to the summit of Mount St. Helens with our professional mountain guides and certified volunteer climbing stewards.

These hikes are carefully designed for both novice hikers and experienced mountaineers. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the majestic beauty of one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic active Cascade volcanoes. Our knowledgeable and experienced guide teams will enrich your experience with insights into the area's natural and cultural history as well as expert technical advice on outdoor equipment, attire and techniques.

For detailed information, visit our summit climbs program description.

Register today!

Minimum Age: 10. If your climber is younger, contact us to discuss.

• Maximum Group Size: 10

• Permits: Fee includes a climbing permit.

• Duration: 6:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM

• Classic Summit Climb Cost: $288 / person.

• Summit with a Geologist: $298 / person.

Summer route: July - September

• Distance: 8.5 miles (13.6 km) round-trip

• Elevation gain: 4,500 ft (1371 m)

• Location: Climber's Bivouac

MSHI strongly recommends that you conduct training hikes or routines before you climb Mount St. Helens. Your fitness will be the best indicator of your enjoyment of the experience and your success on the climb. See MSHI suggested training hikes.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to guided adventures waitlist to know if space becomes available.

The wall on Northeast 117th Street at I-5, across from Salmon Creek, in Vancouver, WA, is getting a fresh mural to cover graffiti !

Mural painters will add fish, native to the creek, swimming upstream. We need volunteers to help with a variety of tasks to support the painting team.

Volunteer duties may include setup, cleanup, organizing supplies, monitoring stations, helping with hydration and hauling materials.

Sign up here:

Sunday, September 14

• Shifts available throughout the day.

• Volunteers must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. Work will take place near a busy road. Expect to walk up and down the elevated section of 117th Street multiple times throughout shifts.

• Check In Location: Klineline Regional Park - 1112 NE 117th Street Vancouver, WA  

• What to Wear: Please wear closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather. 

• Food and Water: Bring a reusable water bottle and snacks for the day. We will have some snacks too.

• What to Bring: All tools will be supplied by Clark County Public Works

• Project Description: A variety of non painting tasks to assist the Salmon Creek Mural painters

• Participant Eligibility: Only volunteers18 years of age or older may volunteer for this project.

Before attending the volunteer event, prior registration is required, please complete the form below. Liability release forms will be emailed to each volunteer prior to the event. 

Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference - live online

[Special note - WWNJC is not a local conference, but we are thrilled to promote it as we thoroughly enjoyed hosting John Muir Laws twice to the LCNN community]

The Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference–the largest international event of its kind–is an annual event that gathers people who are passionate about nature, art, science, curiosity, and wonder to share ideas, learn from each other, support each other, inspire each other, and have fun together in nature’s beauty. 

Sharpen your pencils! Your Pass includes access* to 30 live online classes, panels, and talks, and you can look forward to learning from more than 30 teachers, journalers, writers, artists, authors, and thought leaders in nature, nature journaling, nature writing, visual thinking, and conservation, including Roland Allen, Charlotte Beland, Michael Boardman, Alex Boon, Bethan Burton, Christian Cooper, Maria Coryell-Martin, Joris De Raedt, Linda Feltner, Tony Foster, Rosalie Haizlett, Roseann Hanson, Sushma Hegde, Wendy Hollender, Nishant Jain, Jennifer Jewell, Jane Kim, John Muir Laws, Jane Maday, Susan Magsamen, Kate Rutter, Grant Snyder, Dr. Nina Sokolov, Leslie Stroz, Amy Tan, Vitor Velez, and many others. Note: The teacher/speaker team is subject to change.

*BONUS: All Live and Video Passes include access to the event recordings for 6+ months!

• Meet the 2025 teachers and speakers

• Explore the Detailed Schedule

• Print a 1-page Schedule

• Learn more about this conference and registration options HERE

Help expand the Hough Elementary school learning gardens at the fall community work party!

With support from the Hough Foundation, the school is ready to expand their school garden to more raised beds for outdoor, hands-on learning, right outside their classroom windows.

Join us for a community weekend work party as we prepare the space for our new student garden. Together, we will roil up our sleeves to level the ground and clear out the weeds in preparation for installing raised garden beds for a thriving future.

• What to bring: Garden Gloves, Water Bottle and Helping Hands

• Please email Jill Campbell for more information,

  jcampbell@houghfoundation.org 360-901-0132

• No experience necessary and all are welcome. Children need to be accompanied by adults at all times.

What are the Hough Elementary Learning Gardens?

Learn more: Students have the opportunity to dig, plant, explore and create with outdoor inspiration. Under the guidance of a professional Horticultural Therapist, wee will use monthly themes (ie: September~ leaves, October~ pumpkins, bringing in studies on birds, wildlife etc.) all while caring for the Hough gardens. Open to 1st-5th grade students, 1 day a week. Directed by Mandi Atkinson. Thursdays 2:30-4pm or Fridays 2:30-4pm

Check out this video to learn more and see this amazing program in action:

https://houghfoundation.org/gallery/horticulture-garden-club/

Join the Treehouse Art Studio for a space to slow down, be seen, and connect with other women on a deeper level.

*THIS IS A 3 CIRCLE SIGN UP: When you register, you’re signing up for the full three-circle summer journey. This is an in-person circle.*

This helps us create a strong container and a sense of continuity. If you’re unable to attend one of the gatherings, your place will still be held — a chair will remain in your honor, symbolizing your presence in the circle. This is the beginning of a yearlong journey should you choose. Whether you’re looking for consistent support, a soulful check-in, or a deeper connection with community.

DATES:
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Sunday, November 9, 2025

REGISTRATION: HERE

GUIDE: Susan Elizabeth

LOCATION:
The Treehouse Art Studio & Retreat Center
Located in the heart of the Washougal River Valley

Join our partners, the Lower Columbia School Gardens, for this inaugural event at the nursery!

Palette in the Petals: Where Art Takes Root
Come to Tsugawa Nursery for their very first "art in the nursery" event! We'll have nature-inspired art by local artists, games & activities, plant sales, and a raffle with prizes donated by the artists. The proceeds of the raffle will go to Lower Columbia School Gardens.

This is a free event and we hope you will drop by to see all the beautiful art and plants! Art for sale by the artists.

Join the City of Vancouver’s volunteers from our Adopt-A-Park program for a morning of litter cleanup and invasive plant removal.

• 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 partially 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, and space is limited. RSVP today!

(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

Join the Columbia Play Project at Marshall Park for a Grandparents' Play Day!

Columbia Play Project inspires wonder, fosters curiosity and strengthens community through empowering explorers to discover and learn through STREAM* play (*Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math)

Columbia Play Project believes that every child deserves the freedom to play — inside or outside, with materials or just their imagination, in a group or quietly on their own. To achieve this environment, Columbia Play Project is committed to creating a thoughtfully designed, flexible, attractive space that allows the young and the young-at-heart to have fun while learning
Visit these booths for fun activities!

• Area Agency on Aging and Disability.

• Chiro One

• Clark County Child Advocates

• Healthy Kids Run

• Northwestern Mutual

• Serengeti Care

• School of Rock

• YWCA of Clark County

• East West Martial Arts

• Ft. Vancouver Lions Club

• Fosterful

  This event is sponsored by Serengeti Care

Experience the future north shore trail along Leadbetter Road with no vehicle traffic. Explore on foot or on bicycle on Sunday, September 14 from 1 - 4 pm. 

 Leadbetter Road will be closed to vehicle traffic from boat launch to Camp Currie. Road will be open only to pedestrians and bikes. 

From garden planning to transplanting to drought tolerance, foraging, harvesting and saving seeds, follow this series through the seasons to learn how to grow and be self-sustaining. 

At the end of the harvest season, start planning for the next year by saving seeds as well as houseplants you can grow in the meantime with (former) Master Gardener Lorraine Fritsch.

Attend this event in-person or virtually. If participating online, click on the following Google Meet link, at the time of the event: https://meet.google.com/guw-yjxm-ywq. You will need a computer, tablet or phone with a camera and microphone. 

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 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

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

Have you ever wondered how old the fish are in the round ponds or how the hatchery operates? Learn all about the Vancouver Trout Hatchery on one of our hatchery tours!

• A guided hatchery tour of the Vancouver Trout Hatchery.

• 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!

• The parking lot and paths around the main campus, including the fish ponds have paved surfaces for accessibility. Wheeled mobility devices and strollers welcome.

Mushroom season is coming!

Fall bring a burst of fungi to our forests, and now is the perfect time to dive into the fascinating world of Cascadia’s mushrooms.

Join the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute team and acclaimed mycologist Dr. Michael Beug who will guide participants through the basics of mushroom identification (including tips for safe and responsible foraging), highlight some of his favorite local species, and share special finds you might encounter this season. He’ll also share fresh insights from recent DNA discoveries, plus new species featured in the newly released second edition of his book Mushrooms of Cascadia: An Illustrated Key to the Fungi of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you’re brand new to mushrooms or a seasoned forager, you’ll come away with sharper skills, fresh knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for the marvelous fungi around us.

IN-PERSON ADMISSION COST:   $10 (one ticket per attendee)

LIVESTREAM ACCESS COST:   $10 (one ticket per household)

Register today!

Join us for a joyful Plant & Seed Swap where you can share, discover, and celebrate the abundance of nature.🎉

• What to Bring: Plant starts 🌿 Seeds you’ve saved or extras you no longer need 🌻Plants you no longer want (but someone else might love!) 🪴🎯

• What to Take: Find new-to-you plants and seeds to kickstart your garden.

• No plants or seeds to bring? No problem! Everyone is welcome to browse and take part.🌟

• Why Join?This free event is all about sharing, connecting, and celebrating abundance. Bring what you can, take what you need, and leave with a greener thumb and a fuller heart.
  
  All leftover plants and seeds will be donated to Little Free Libraries, schools, and community spaces to spread the joy of gardening even further.
  
  🌿 Let’s swap, chat, and grow together! 🌿

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 June 20 through October 4. Paddlers must be 14 years of age or older to participate. No experience is needed.

In 2023, a new recreational activity for those who want to enjoy the water was launched by the City of Ridgefield with the help of dedicated volunteers. Dragon boating is a fun-filled, adrenaline pumping, water sports activity.

The City’s Program includes an opportunity to experience dragon boating with a community paddle. Community Paddles are open to anyone 14 years or older who is interested in paddling a Kaohsiung dragon boat on Lake River. No experience is necessary and an evening paddle is free.

Regular Season: June 20 - October 4
Weekly Paddles held on Fridays* at 6:30 PM.
*No paddle on July 4

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.

Climb Mount St. Helens With Us! Embark on a remarkable single-day non-technical scramble to the summit of Mount St. Helens with our professional mountain guides and certified volunteer climbing stewards.

These hikes are carefully designed for both novice hikers and experienced mountaineers. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the majestic beauty of one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic active Cascade volcanoes. Our knowledgeable and experienced guide teams will enrich your experience with insights into the area's natural and cultural history as well as expert technical advice on outdoor equipment, attire and techniques.

For detailed information, visit our summit climbs program description.

Register today!

Minimum Age: 10. If your climber is younger, contact us to discuss.

• Maximum Group Size: 10

• Permits: Fee includes a climbing permit.

• Duration: 6:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM

• Classic Summit Climb Cost: $288 / person.

• Summit with a Geologist: $298 / person.

Summer route: July - September

• Distance: 8.5 miles (13.6 km) round-trip

• Elevation gain: 4,500 ft (1371 m)

• Location: Climber's Bivouac

MSHI strongly recommends that you conduct training hikes or routines before you climb Mount St. Helens. Your fitness will be the best indicator of your enjoyment of the experience and your success on the climb. See MSHI suggested training hikes.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to guided adventures waitlist to know if space becomes available.

Join the Washougal Ivy Leave at Sandy Swimming Hole for an Ivy Pull

Come join the League for our kickoff to the Fall Ivy pulling season!

Please Park in Riverside Christian School's Parking Lot, across the street and west

The Sandy Swimming Hole Park is located at the upper end of lower Washougal River Greenway. Facilities include restrooms, picnic tables, a beach, a boat launch for non-motorized boats, and parking. Swimming is permitted, with no lifeguard on duty. - Visit Vancouver web page

The historic Sandy Swimming Hole was where the local fire department would provide free swim lessons to area children in the 1940s.  Locals and visitors still flock to this swim spot with its rock beach and wooden view deck.  - Washougal city web page

Learn more about this and other events at their webpage: www.washougalivyleague.org/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 us for a joyful Plant & Seed Swap where you can share, discover, and celebrate the abundance of nature.🎉

• What to Bring: Plant starts 🌿 Seeds you’ve saved or extras you no longer need 🌻Plants you no longer want (but someone else might love!) 🪴🎯

• What to Take: Find new-to-you plants and seeds to kickstart your garden.

• No plants or seeds to bring? No problem! Everyone is welcome to browse and take part.🌟

• Why Join?This free event is all about sharing, connecting, and celebrating abundance. Bring what you can, take what you need, and leave with a greener thumb and a fuller heart.
  
  All leftover plants and seeds will be donated to Little Free Libraries, schools, and community spaces to spread the joy of gardening even further.
  
  🌿 Let’s swap, chat, and grow together! 🌿

Confused by composting? Don’t know if it is something you can do?

Join Pete DuBois, Clark County Composter Recycler Program coordinator, to get a comprehensive overview of some of the many composting methods and options. Understand what composting is and does, and the differences between the types; vermicomposting (worms), backyard composting (fungi, bacteria, invertebrates), bokashi (essential microorganisms EM), Hügelkultur (rotting wood).

Find one or more ways to incorporate composting / organic waste reduction into your life. Practical as well as inspirational and educational information to get to zero organics in the garbage.

Fees: Naturescaping members free or $15.00 for non-members. Membership per year is $25.00 ($15.00) for seniors.

**Registration required for class or for more information: info@naturescaping.org or marlene52ns@gmail.com Phone: 360-737-1160

Other Info: Our classes are approved for Master Gardener Continuing Education Credit

Composter Recyclers

The Clark County Composter Recyclers (formerly Master Composter / Recyclers) compost demo site provides an opportunity to see the many variations of composters available for home use. Visit the demo site to learn about composting, composting systems, and ways to turn organic waste into a rich soil amendment. You can see firsthand how compost is made, and learn how it can be used as a finished product. During summer months you can also see an active worm bin. Feel free to take a look inside the bin to see the worms at work.

The demonstration site is also a resource for the NatureScaping gardeners. Organic material removed from the gardens is composted in the demo site, or applied to the site’s hugelkultur landscape berm. Compost produced at the site is cycled back into the gardens – closing the loop by turning plant trimmings into a medium that nourishes the gardens. In essence the demo site takes the garden’s “waste” to feed the soil, which then grows the plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Wildlife friendly features at the demo site include a bat house, a rock pile, and a hugelkultur berm. Hugelkultur, a German word meaning “hill culture” is a way to compost by layering material in a mound. The landscape mound on the west side of the composting area is an experiment with this technique. Parts of this berm are being planted with natives to provide habitat.

To learn more about composting visit the Composter Recycler website at
Clark County Composts

Join Through The Trees Collective and our community partners ZEN:MNM and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership the morning of Saturday, Sept. 20th for a special BIPOC Nature Immersion aligned with the Fall Equinox.

During this session we will discuss and learn ways to honor the upcoming seasonal changes happening in both the natural world and within ourselves. We’ll begin the morning with an ancestral grounding circle, connecting with the wisdom of those who walked the land before us. Next, we’ll embark on a easy 1.5 mile hike around the Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge, which will be co-led by Miranda Lattimore of ZEN:MNM, a certified forest therapy guide. On our walk, participants will be encouraged to take in the cyclical shifts that come with Fall, all while reflecting on our own transitions and cycles of life. Finally, we'll close out the day with a short, guided mediation to center and prepare ourselves for this next season of change.

***SPECIAL NOTES***

• This event centers Black-Identifying community members, however anyone who identifies as BIPOC is welcome!

• This event is ALL AGES - minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

• Light snacks/Refreshments will be provided.

• We will be doing an easy hike, so please wear comfortable walking shoes, as well as dress in weather-appropriate clothing.

• Binoculars will be available for participant use during the hike.

There are a limited amount of spots available. In the event you register but are unable to attend, please email throughthetreescollective@gmail.com to let us know ASAP - so we can offer your spot to someone else!

Register HERE

Note: Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge has accessible restrooms at the trailhead off of Hwy. 14. All paths are crushed gravel and graded to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act. There is a ramp up to the dike travel and then the trail is relatively flat. The first mile of trail is open and exposed to sun, wind, and weather (no shade is available). There are benches to stop and rest.

From the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Steigerwald Lake NWR was established in 1987 to offset lowland habitat loss caused by construction at the Bonneville dam. These lands were established to reduce the impact of this loss and provide more habitat for migrating and resident wildlife. Since then smaller pieces of land have been added to create what is now Steigerwald Lake NWR. 

Learn More About USFWS - Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything they do from projects and research to the recreational activities offered. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species.

Come celebrate the harvest season with our local farmers and WSU Extension Small Acreage program!

This is an annual celebration where multiple farms open their gates to the public to show the bounty of local agriculture in Clark County and give neighbors an opportunity to tour and meet their area farmers. Generally, about 700 area residents came out to participate in the Harvest Celebration. In past celebrations there were a variety of fun-filled events such as animal petting, hay rides, self-guided tours, a seed-saving workshop, u-pick produce, family-fun games, and photo ops with alpacas. The farms offered tours and sold farm fresh products.

• Where: Multiple farms throughout Clark County

• Cost: FREE

• Registration: none needed

• If you would like to help with this event or for more information, contact WSU Clark County Small Acreage Coordinator at terry.koper@wsu.edu or 564-397-5729.

Harvest Celebration Farms and Map
Map of farms:

• Get To-Gather Farm – 1913 Southeast 303rd Avenue, Washougal, WA 98671 www.gettogatherfarm.com Located on a 90 acre estate, Get To-Gather Farm opened with 3 acres of production in 2020 and has grown to over 8 acres. This farm has a diverse fruit, nut and berry orchard on 2+ acres where chicken run free (current count is 175 chickens, 16 geese and 12 ducks), a 2+ acre pumpkin patch, 1acre of gardens, a couple high tunnels, and is currently developing a 2-acre you-pick berry patch. Everything is grown to organic standards. The farm stand includes a wide variety of seasonal produce from our farm and from our partners in Clark County. Flowers, seasonal produce, honey, eggs, and treats are available for sale at our farm stand. Water, food and port-a-potties will be available. Additional on-site vendors will include prepared food, other farms and producers, and entertainment. We’ll  have a hay wagon going, chickens to feed, you-cut flowers, a haybale pyramid, a haunted trail, and lots of produce and value-added products from multiple farm vendors.                            Follow us at www.facebook.com/gettogatherfarm and instagram.com/gettogatherfarm!

• Good Year Farms – 29610 SE 23rd Street, Washougal, WA 98671 https://www.goodyearfarms.com/ Good Year Farms is a nursery in the Pacific Northwest specializing in plants native to the region. Landscaping with native plants provides benefits to a wide web of beings; pollinators and people alike. Mooncake Flower Farm, Frog & Twig, Pinney Brother’s Woodworking, and Signs of Habitat will have booths selling various products in our barn. Directions: 29610 SE 23rd Street, Washougal, WA 98671 Right by Camas High School and up Woodburn Hill – on the same road as Get To-Gather Farm.

• Serendipity Alpaca Ranch – 2630 NE 253rd Street Ridgefield, WA 98642 Facebook.com/Serendipity-Alpaca-Ranch This is a cottage industry with a farm store, a small breeding program, and composted alpaca manure. This ranch gives demonstrations of animal husbandry. Lots of fiber exhibits and examples!! Come enjoy alpacas!

• Gather and Feast Farm – 2706 NE 369th St., La Center, WA 98629 http://www.gatherandfeastfarm.com/ (503) 490-6275

  Located in La Center, WA – a 20-acre family farm and culinary playground!

  • Wood-Fired Pizza – Pre-purchase tickets and info here (link coming soon)
    Fluffy Cows! – Meet, feed, pet, and snap selfies with our Scottish Highland cattle (including this year’s newest calf!)
    Regenerative Farming – Rotational grazing, forest-raised pigs, free-ranging hens, and all NON-GMO practices
    Farm Animals – Goats, hens, heritage pigs, and Highland cattle roaming the pastures
    Self-Guided Farm Tours – Maps available at our self-serve farmstand
    Fresh & Homemade – Seasonal produce and farm-made culinary treats available at the farmstand
    Family-Friendly – Open daily from 10am-7 PM | Restrooms available | Sorry, no pets

Did you know your backyard is home to a variety of wild bees, including the gentle and highly effective Mason Bee?

Join WSU Clark County Extension Service Master Gardener, Anne Bulger, for an engaging presentation on fall Mason Bee care and learn how to support these non-stinging, native pollinators. Discover their vital role in pollination, the essentials of maintaining a healthy bee habitat, and the fascinating details of their life cycle. Plus, enjoy a hands-on demonstration of cocoon harvesting and cleaning—an important step in ensuring a thriving Mason Bee population!

Check out all the Master Gardener 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.

Climb Mount St. Helens With Us! Embark on a remarkable single-day non-technical scramble to the summit of Mount St. Helens with our professional mountain guides and certified volunteer climbing stewards.

These hikes are carefully designed for both novice hikers and experienced mountaineers. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the majestic beauty of one of the Pacific Northwest's most iconic active Cascade volcanoes. Our knowledgeable and experienced guide teams will enrich your experience with insights into the area's natural and cultural history as well as expert technical advice on outdoor equipment, attire and techniques.

For detailed information, visit our summit climbs program description.

Register today!

Minimum Age: 10. If your climber is younger, contact us to discuss.

• Maximum Group Size: 10

• Permits: Fee includes a climbing permit.

• Duration: 6:00 AM ~ 6:00 PM

• Classic Summit Climb Cost: $288 / person.

• Summit with a Geologist: $298 / person.

Summer route: July - September

• Distance: 8.5 miles (13.6 km) round-trip

• Elevation gain: 4,500 ft (1371 m)

• Location: Climber's Bivouac

MSHI strongly recommends that you conduct training hikes or routines before you climb Mount St. Helens. Your fitness will be the best indicator of your enjoyment of the experience and your success on the climb. See MSHI suggested training hikes.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to guided adventures waitlist to know if space becomes available.

Do you own a small farm or thinking of building a farm in southwest Washington? Then this is the workshop series for you!

The workshop series will cover a broad range of topics and decision-making tools for you to create a successful small farm enterprise. Whether you are just exploring the opportunities available or already have an existing operation, you’ll learn what it takes to create, sustain, and grow a viable small farm or food business.

Course Objective

• To gain knowledge of the practical aspects of whole farm planning for a wide variety of enterprises

• To gain an understanding of the various components of sustainable small-scale farming systems 

• To gain skills in assessing the feasibility of developing a viable, sustainable, small-scale farming enterprise including how to evaluate personal and family goals, land and personal resources, and environmental outcomes

• To learn about available resources and support networks for sustainable farming

• To develop a whole farm plan that meets social, environmental, and financial goals 

  Mondays from 6-8pm Sept. 22nd through Nov. 3rd 2025

  Registration includes up to 3 participants per farm. Scholarships are available for anyone for whom the course fee is a barrier (see below).

  Class meets weekly online through Zoom with regional in-person opportunities available throughout the state in October. Students access course materials through password protected website. Course offered with Spanish interpretation.

Learn more and register HERE (www.cultivatingsuccesswa.org/courseregistration/p/whole-farm-planning)

Planificación de toda la granja

Cubriremos una amplia visión de las opciones de producción y mercadeo paras las pequeñas granjas de hoy. Ya sea que este explorando nuevas oportunidades disponibles o ya tenga una operación existente, aprenderá lo que se necesita para crear, sostener y cultivar una granja pequeña viable.

Objetivo del curso 

• Adquirir conocimiento de los aspectos prácticos de la planificación de toda la granja para una amplia variedad de empresas

• Comprender los diversos componentes de los sistemas agrícolas sostenibles a pequeña escala

• Adquirir habilidades para evaluar la viabilidad de desarrollar una empresa agrícola viable, sostenible y a pequeña escala, incluyendo cómo evaluar los objetivos personales y familiares, la tierra y los recursos personales, y los resultados ambientales

• Conocer los recursos disponibles y las redes de apoyo para la agricultura sostenible

• Desarrollar un plan de toda la granja que cumpla con los objetivos sociales, ambientales y financieros

Lunes de 6-8pm 22 de septiembre al 3 de noviembre 2025

$200 por granja (hasta 3 participantes). Las becas están disponibles para cualquier persona para quien el costo del curso es una barrera. La clase se reúne semanalmente en línea a través de Zoom con oportunidades regionales en persona disponibles en todo el estado en octubre. Los estudiantes acceden a los materiales del curso a través de un sitio web protegido por contraseña. El curso se ofrece con interpretación al español.

If you need a reasonable accommodation or language access to participate in this event, please contact Kate Smith, WSU Food Systems Program, at kate.smith@wsu.edu or 360-399-6052 no later than two weeks before the event. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to limited English proficient individuals upon request. 

While our PNW winters are considered mild, there are still winterizing tasks to be completed in the fall to ensure spring success in our gardens.

Join WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener, Dot O'Very for a presentation on basic winterizing tips for vegetable and ornamental gardens of any size. Participants will leave with a personalized winterizing checklist.

Check out all the Master Gardener 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.

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 June 20 through October 4. Paddlers must be 14 years of age or older to participate. No experience is needed.

In 2023, a new recreational activity for those who want to enjoy the water was launched by the City of Ridgefield with the help of dedicated volunteers. Dragon boating is a fun-filled, adrenaline pumping, water sports activity.

The City’s Program includes an opportunity to experience dragon boating with a community paddle. Community Paddles are open to anyone 14 years or older who is interested in paddling a Kaohsiung dragon boat on Lake River. No experience is necessary and an evening paddle is free.

Regular Season: June 20 - October 4
Weekly Paddles held on Fridays* at 6:30 PM.
*No paddle on July 4

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.

Kick off the 2nd Annual Stevenson Mushroom Festival with a lively evening at the Columbia Gorge Museum in Stevenson, WA.

The Mushroom Gala is an occasion to celebrate the wonderful world of mushrooms! The evening affair takes place at the Columbia Gorge Museum in Stevenson, Washington. Tickets include mushroom themed small plates by Cherry City Catering and a drink token for a special adaptogenic cocktail, wine or Walking Man beer. Get in the groove and show off your moves to the sounds and lights of Columbia River Gorge legend, DJ Elvis. Have “morel” fun and dress in "Fungi Flare" for a chance to win best dressed! Wear whatever makes you feel fun and ready to groove! The Mushroom Gala is reserved for guests 21+. Space is limited, so GET TICKETS now! Single Tickets: $39

Guests 21+ are encouraged to dress in their most creative Fungi Flare for a night of whimsical celebration.

Tickets include mushroom-themed small plates by Cherry City Catering, music, dancing, and a drink ticket for beer, wine or a sparkling adaptogenic cocktail or mocktail.

Order TICKETS HERE

More information available at the event webpage: www.stevensonmushroomfestival.com

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

Vancouver Audubon Society is hosting a community event: Migratory Bird Celebration!

Last year we held this event at a park in Battle Ground. This year we will host the event at Klineline Pond at the east end of Salmon Creek Greenway.

In addition to celebrating bird migration, the day is also an opportunity to learn about the conservation needs that support bird migration: clean and available water sources, plants, insects and habitats. Joining us will be the Water Resources Education Center and WSU Vancouver Master Gardener representatives.

Our day will include bird walks, games such as The Migration Game, where you are the bird facing obstacles trying to reach your destination, and Nature Bingo where you try to find 23 things in your surroundings to fill out your card. Enter your completed Bingo card to enter a drawing for a prize. We will also have other interactive activities such as binocular use, bird spotting with scopes, nest box building, and making cone feeders.

• This is a family-friendly event, with food, games, prizes, and more!

• There’s no cost to attend and no registration necessary. All ages are welcome. We hope to see you there!

• Volunteers Needed: If you or someone you know would like to help with this event, please contact Becky Boley at communityoutreach@vancouveraudubon.org. Birding experience is not necessary!

Visit the Salmon Creek Regional Park / Klineline web page for information about the park.

There are no fees though there is a $3 daily parking fee for Clark County Regional Parks (unless you have an annual pass, in which case no additional fee)

A family-friendly exploration of mushroom-themed events throughout Stevenson.

Your passport book allows you to collect stamps from participating locations offering educational presentations, crafts, foraging activities, an inspired vendor fair, discounts to local retailers and culinary creations from our restauranteurs. It's part scavenger hunt, part festival crawl—and fully fungi-tastic for all ages. 🍄

The “Mushroom Hunt” features a Passport Book with a full day of events and happenings, including discounts at local restaurants and retailers, crafts and activities, artisan vendors, special presentations, free admission to the Columbia Gorge Museum and a themed Photo Booth to capture your memories. “Hunters” can collect Passport Stamps from participating locations throughout the day. The “Mushroom Hunt” is designed for all ages. Passport Books are $5. Click PURCHASE PASSPORT below to reserve your family-friendly adventure.

PURCHASE PASSPORT

More information available at the event webpage: www.stevensonmushroomfestival.com

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 the Watershed Alliance of SW WA and the City of Camas for the Annual Lacamas Lake Cleanup! 

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

Check out this video to see 2022’s cleanup and ivy pull!

This event is held in partnership with the City of Camas.⁠ The ivy removal efforts at this event are held in partnership with the Camas Ivy League.

***

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

The Vancouver Bee Project is excited to bring back the Native Plant & Seed Library this year! 🌱✨

If you’ve received seeds from us in the past, consider collecting some native seeds to donate and share with others. If you have plants to share, bring them too — they just need to be on the Portland Plant List of regionally native plants.

Come get seeds, plants, and community! 💛🌿🐝

¡Estamos emocionados de traer de vuelta la Biblioteca de Plantas y Semillas Nativas este año! 🌱✨ Si has recibido semillas de nosotros en el pasado, considera recolectar algunas semillas nativas para donar y compartir con otros. Si tienes plantas para compartir, tráelas también — solo deben estar en la Lista de Plantas de Portland de plantas nativas de la región.

Este año estaremos en una nueva ubicación: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E 18th St, Vancouver, WA 98661 en el centro de Vancouver.
📅 Primer fin de semana: 27 y 28 de septiembre, de 12 a 3pm cada día.

¡Ven por semillas, plantas y comunidad! 💛🌿🐝

So, you think you want to grow your own tree fruit?

Learn all the do's and don'ts before you leap.

Check out all the Master Gardener 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.

Imagine what a peaceful day exploring Skamania County might look like to you:

• Bathe in the forest,

• forage for something wild,

• reconnect with nature’s unfolding secrets,

• pack a picnic,

• climb a mountain,

• catch a wave,

• catch a fish,

• lazily lounge by the river?

• All of the above?

  We’ll have some itineraries curated for you!
  The National Forest Service will provide two guided hikes: Know Before You Go: Mushroom Foraging Safety Hike - helping us all explore with care and respect. Space is limited for these forest hikes at 10:30am and 2pm. RSVP to l.palermo@columbiagorge.org.

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi!

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.

• Distance: ~1 mile (1.6 km) cumulative off trail forest walking

• Elevation Gain: 500 ft (152 m)

• Duration: 10:00 ~ 4:00 PM

• Meeting Location: Pine Creek Information Center

• Minimum Age: 8+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• Maximum Group Size: 12

• Cost: $150 per person

• Registration: HERE

For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to our guided adventures waitlist and we will let you know if space becomes available.

Phone: (360) 207-1675

Email: explore@mshinstitute.org

Join the City of Vancouver’s volunteers from our Adopt-A-Park program for a morning of litter cleanup and invasive plant removal.

• 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 partially 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, and space is limited. RSVP today!

(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

The Vancouver Bee Project is excited to bring back the Native Plant & Seed Library this year! 🌱✨

If you’ve received seeds from us in the past, consider collecting some native seeds to donate and share with others. If you have plants to share, bring them too — they just need to be on the Portland Plant List of regionally native plants.

Come get seeds, plants, and community! 💛🌿🐝

¡Estamos emocionados de traer de vuelta la Biblioteca de Plantas y Semillas Nativas este año! 🌱✨ Si has recibido semillas de nosotros en el pasado, considera recolectar algunas semillas nativas para donar y compartir con otros. Si tienes plantas para compartir, tráelas también — solo deben estar en la Lista de Plantas de Portland de plantas nativas de la región.

Este año estaremos en una nueva ubicación: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E 18th St, Vancouver, WA 98661 en el centro de Vancouver.
📅 Primer fin de semana: 27 y 28 de septiembre, de 12 a 3pm cada día.

¡Ven por semillas, plantas y comunidad! 💛🌿🐝

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 June 20 through October 4. Paddlers must be 14 years of age or older to participate. No experience is needed.

In 2023, a new recreational activity for those who want to enjoy the water was launched by the City of Ridgefield with the help of dedicated volunteers. Dragon boating is a fun-filled, adrenaline pumping, water sports activity.

The City’s Program includes an opportunity to experience dragon boating with a community paddle. Community Paddles are open to anyone 14 years or older who is interested in paddling a Kaohsiung dragon boat on Lake River. No experience is necessary and an evening paddle is free.

Regular Season: June 20 - October 4
Weekly Paddles held on Fridays* at 6:30 PM.
*No paddle on July 4

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.

Join the Washougal Ivy Leave at Sandy Swimming Hole for an Ivy Pull

Come join the League for our kickoff to the Fall Ivy pulling season!

Please Park in Riverside Christian School's Parking Lot, across the street and west

The Sandy Swimming Hole Park is located at the upper end of lower Washougal River Greenway. Facilities include restrooms, picnic tables, a beach, a boat launch for non-motorized boats, and parking. Swimming is permitted, with no lifeguard on duty. - Visit Vancouver web page

The historic Sandy Swimming Hole was where the local fire department would provide free swim lessons to area children in the 1940s.  Locals and visitors still flock to this swim spot with its rock beach and wooden view deck.  - Washougal city web page

Learn more about this and other events at their webpage: www.washougalivyleague.org/events

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

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi!

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.

• Distance: ~1 mile (1.6 km) cumulative off trail forest walking

• Elevation Gain: 500 ft (152 m)

• Duration: 10:00 ~ 4:00 PM

• Meeting Location: Pine Creek Information Center

• Minimum Age: 8+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• Maximum Group Size: 12

• Cost: $150 per person

• Registration: HERE

For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to our guided adventures waitlist and we will let you know if space becomes available.

Phone: (360) 207-1675

Email: explore@mshinstitute.org

Celebrate the Old Apple Tree Festival at Old Apple Tree Park, located on Columbia Way just east of Interstate 5 Bridge.

The annual Old Apple Tree Festival is a celebration centered on the oldest living apple tree in the Northwest, planted at Fort Vancouver in 1826.

Providing fun, food, music, and history of Vancouver’s Old Apple Tree, the festival celebrates our community and its rich heritage.

• Throughout the day, Urban Forestry Commissioners give away cuttings from the Old Apple Tree; cuttings are limited and will be given out until they are gone.

• This free, family-friendly event, features activities for children, food for sale, apple tastings and sales, live music, cider pressing and walking tours of Fort Vancouver Village, the Fort Vancouver Historic Orchard and the Land Bridge.

• Local musical groups will provide live music throughout the day. Check out your favorite artists: The Ottomatics and JT Wise Band.

The festival features community apple cider pressing. Bring your own apples and a clean container to catch your fresh cider, or purchase apples and a container at the event. Approximately 15 lbs of apples will make a quart of cider. Volunteers needed for the cider pressing station, contact Urban Forestry to learn more.

Learn more about the storied history of the Old Apple Tree, scroll down to the Old Apple Tree.

• Contact: Urban Forestry at urbanforestry@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8308

The Vancouver Bee Project is excited to bring back the Native Plant & Seed Library this year! 🌱✨

If you’ve received seeds from us in the past, consider collecting some native seeds to donate and share with others. If you have plants to share, bring them too — they just need to be on the Portland Plant List of regionally native plants.

Come get seeds, plants, and community! 💛🌿🐝

¡Estamos emocionados de traer de vuelta la Biblioteca de Plantas y Semillas Nativas este año! 🌱✨ Si has recibido semillas de nosotros en el pasado, considera recolectar algunas semillas nativas para donar y compartir con otros. Si tienes plantas para compartir, tráelas también — solo deben estar en la Lista de Plantas de Portland de plantas nativas de la región.

Este año estaremos en una nueva ubicación: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E 18th St, Vancouver, WA 98661 en el centro de Vancouver.
📅 Primer fin de semana: 27 y 28 de septiembre, de 12 a 3pm cada día.

¡Ven por semillas, plantas y comunidad! 💛🌿🐝

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi!

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.

• Distance: ~1 mile (1.6 km) cumulative off trail forest walking

• Elevation Gain: 500 ft (152 m)

• Duration: 10:00 ~ 4:00 PM

• Meeting Location: Pine Creek Information Center

• Minimum Age: 8+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• Maximum Group Size: 12

• Cost: $150 per person

• Registration: HERE

For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to our guided adventures waitlist and we will let you know if space becomes available.

Phone: (360) 207-1675

Email: explore@mshinstitute.org

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society’s monthly meeting with a guest speaker program: FOTOFEST 2025 and Photography Tips from Jon Pugmire

VAS will present a show of member-only photographs from the current year, concentrating mostly on birds, but could be landscapes or other wildlife. VAS encourages members to submit your favorite pictures taken in 2025 (Jan. 1 to present) from anywhere you have been in the world (including your backyard). Please submit your photos to drose@vancouveraudubon.org by October 1 to be included. Each photographer will present their pictures with a few words about the shot/ story/location behind them.

Photographer Jon Pugmire will also join the meeting.

• 6:30 pm – 6:45 pm - Social time, share bird sightings.

• 6:45 pm – 7:00 pm - Announcements

• 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm - Program

VAS Programs are held the first Tuesday of the month except Jan, July, & August. All are welcome, we hope you will join us!

Contact our Program Chair for more information at meetings@vancouveraudubon.org. Have ideas for a speaker? Please send all topic, speaker, and program suggestions to the above address.

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society’s monthly meeting with a celebration of the VAS 50th Anniversary celebration!

All members should keep their calendars open for this celebration of 50 years of accomplishments as an Audubon Chapter in Washington state. There will be speakers, refreshments, and recognition of past presidents. Stay tuned for more information.

• 6:30 pm – 6:45 pm - Social time, share bird sightings.

• 6:45 pm – 7:00 pm - Announcements

• 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm - Program

VAS Programs are held the first Tuesday of the month except Jan, July, & August. All are welcome, we hope you will join us!

Contact our Program Chair for more information at meetings@vancouveraudubon.org. Have ideas for a speaker? Please send all topic, speaker, and program suggestions to the above address.

Get ready for Taste Washington Day, the annual celebration of local food in school meals

Every year on a day in October, schools shine a spotlight on farm to school connections and serve meals featuring the bounty of Washington’s harvest, from fresh fruits and veggies, to dairy, meat, fish, seafood, grains, and legumes. Students learn about the farmers, fishers, and producers who grow, harvest, catch, and make local foods and the importance of agriculture in their community and across Washington state.

Now in its 16th year, Taste Washington Day also celebrates the history and growth of farm to school connections across Washington and the many benefits to kids, farms, and communities. Buying from local farms invests in local economies while ensuring students have access to fresh, nutritious, local food.

Taste Washington Day also recognizes the hard work and dedication of the many school nutrition professionals, farmers, and community partners who go above and beyond to buy and serve local foods, not just on Taste Washington Day, but all year long.

How does Taste Washington Day work?              

• School districts complete this sign-up form to participate and share their plans. Schools plan all sorts of activities, such as serving a local food at breakfast or lunch, farmer visits, taste tests, FFA or 4-H presentations, an apple (or other produce) “Crunch,” or special school garden lessons. 

• Farmers and food producers complete this interest form to let schools know what products they will have available in October. WSDA will share this information with participating schools.

Explore the FREE Taste Washington Day Resource Toolkit for great ideas and materials including:

• Outreach Materials: sample newsletter, morning announcements, social media posts, press release, and invitation letters to engage your whole community;

• Promotional Materials: fillable menus, table tents with Taste Washington Day fun facts, and flyers to promote local foods and farms;

• Sample recipes and menu inspiration;

• Ideas for educational activities; and more!

Click Here to Get Started!

______________

Need ideas - Schools and farms around the state celebrate in all sorts of ways:

• Serving a locally-sourced lunch or breakfast with Washington grown ingredients

• Buying ingredients directly from a local farm

• Highlighting Washington farms on school lunch menus

• School garden activities, such as a lesson or visit, or serving school garden produce in a meal

• Doing the Washington Apple Crunch

• Local food taste tests

• Providing education and activities about the region's agricultural bounty

• Inviting farmers to lunch

• Having Future Farmers of America (FFA) or other community partners to be a part of the day

What's in Season?

Learn about fruits and vegetables available from Washington farms in October:

• Washington Grown Seasonality Chart - Vegetables | Spanish Version - Vegetales

• ​Washington Grown Seasonality Chart - Fruit and Herbs | 
  Spanish Version - Fruta y Hierbas

In addition, many schools feature local foods available year-round, such as eggs, dairy, meat, poultry, fish, beans, peas, lentils, grains, and honey. 

Click the button below for information about sourcing local and sesaonal foods from Washington farms and food producers, or contact WSDA Farm to School for help. 
 

This celebration was cooked up byWashington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Washington School Nutrition Association (WSNA) with support from Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Child Nutrition Services to promote locally grown food served in school meals.

For more information or assistance, contact: Annette Slonim, WSDA Farm to School Lead ataslonim@agr.wa.gov or 206-714-2757 (call or text)

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.

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. 

Canopy Time walks 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! 

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. 

Suggested Donation of $10 collected on the farm.

Registration is required HERE

We’ll take cash, check, Venmo or a smile, if cost is a barrier! 

Explore Vancouver Lake from a whole new perspective! 

Join the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver’s Water Resources Education 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

• 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!

• *In an effort to provide opportunities for new participants and paddlers, our program encourages that you sign up for only one paddle trip per year*

• 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   

Join professional Photographer Patrick Aalto and MSHI 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.

• Distance: 2.3 miles to 4 miles (3.7 km - 6.4 km)

• Elevation Gain: 250 feet to 700 feet (76 m - 213 m)

• Meeting Time: 9:00 AM

• Meeting Location: Hummocks Trail #229

• Minimum Age: 8+ Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

• Max Participants: 12

• Cost: $150 per person

• Register today!

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to our guided adventures waitlist and we will let you know if space becomes available.

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

Join the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Programs staff and volunteers from our 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.

• 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 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.

• Advance registration is required and space is limited. RSVP today!

(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

Join Naturescaping and WSU Master Gardeners for some gardening fun at the 9th annual swap!

Sharing Plants + Growing Friends = Fun!

• Perennials & bulbs should be potted or in sturdy plastic bags

• Fresh collected seeds in individual envelopes or baggies by variety, viable store bought seed packets

• Label items as well as possible (i.e. botanical or common name, size, sun/shade, wet/dry, bloom time, plant height)

• Plants should be well watered and pest free

• Please NO invasive plants (also called Noxious weeds), including English Ivy, blackberry, butterfly bush, etc.

• Event happens rain or shine!

• For more information please email marlene52ns@gmail.com or call the voice message system 360/737-1160 Find information online http://www.naturescaping.org http://extension.wsu.edu/clark/

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi!

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.

• Distance: ~1 mile (1.6 km) cumulative off trail forest walking

• Elevation Gain: 500 ft (152 m)

• Duration: 10:00 ~ 4:00 PM

• Meeting Location: Pine Creek Information Center

• Minimum Age: 8+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• Maximum Group Size: 12

• Cost: $150 per person

• Registration: HERE

For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to our guided adventures waitlist and we will let you know if space becomes available.

Phone: (360) 207-1675

Email: explore@mshinstitute.org

Join the Clark Conservation District for a hands-on demonstration of a rainfall simulator and get guidance on building healthy soil from Clark CD staff. Bilingual instruction available in English and Spanish!

Learn more and register HERE.

The Vancouver Bee Project is excited to bring back the Native Plant & Seed Library this year! 🌱✨

If you’ve received seeds from us in the past, consider collecting some native seeds to donate and share with others. If you have plants to share, bring them too — they just need to be on the Portland Plant List of regionally native plants.

Come get seeds, plants, and community! 💛🌿🐝

¡Estamos emocionados de traer de vuelta la Biblioteca de Plantas y Semillas Nativas este año! 🌱✨ Si has recibido semillas de nosotros en el pasado, considera recolectar algunas semillas nativas para donar y compartir con otros. Si tienes plantas para compartir, tráelas también — solo deben estar en la Lista de Plantas de Portland de plantas nativas de la región.

Este año estaremos en una nueva ubicación: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E 18th St, Vancouver, WA 98661 en el centro de Vancouver.
📅 Primer fin de semana: 27 y 28 de septiembre, de 12 a 3pm cada día.

¡Ven por semillas, plantas y comunidad! 💛🌿🐝

Join the partners and community of the Lower Columbia Nature Network for an afternoon of connection, idea sharing and good food in the barn at Good Year Farms!

• 3pm - Informal Connections and set up

• 3:30pm - Welcome & Introductions

• 4pm - 5:30pm - Enjoy food & conversations

• 5:30 - Optional - A short sunset hike at Lacamas Lake Regional Park: Head to Woodburn Elementary trailhead (west side of school, follow the maintenance access road) - 2400 NE Woodburn Dr, Camas, WA 98607

Bring your favorite fall harvest dish to share & your own plate/silverware.

No costs and open / welcome to all!

RSVP to Hello@LowerColumbiaNatureNetwork.org

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…

Join the City of Vancouver’s volunteers from our Adopt-A-Park program for a morning of litter cleanup and invasive plant removal.

• 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 partially 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, and space is limited. RSVP today!

(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

Join the Vancouver Bee Project as they support our local partners at Flat Tack Farms to extend their meadow planting.

Are you interested in starting a meadow on your property or business? Join us to learn about site preparation, seed selection, seed installation and on-going maintenance to ensure your meadow thrives.

• This is a hands-on workshop, so please dress for the weather and getting a little muddy.

• This is a free event and open to all ages.

• Accessibility note: The walking surface is natural sod, soil and lawn. May be challenging to maneuver wheeled devices.

• More information will be posted soon on the Vancouver Bee Project web page.

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

Have you ever wondered what wildlife and plants can be found around our site? Under the guidance of a knowledgeable staff person or expert volunteer, you can discover the magic that our trails have to offer and learn what makes Columbia Springs unique.

• A guided forest walk.

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

• We will meet at 3:30pm.

• Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather!

• Accessibility: The parking lot and campus pathways are paved. Nature trails have natural surfacing (i.e. dirt, boardwalks, crushed gravel) and may include roots and rocks.

Join the staff at the Watershed Alliance of SW WA for a volunteer non-native English Ivy pull

• Parking: Please park in the main parking lot at Abrams Park.

• What to bring: Please wear long pants and sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Please bring your own snacks and water.

• Please Note: This event is more physically demanding than our other volunteer events, there will be bending, pulling and walking on uneven terrain with possible tripping hazards. 

 Register Here

This event is held in partnership with the City of Ridgefield and the Ridgefield Garden Club.

***

Actividad: Eliminación de hiedra (hierba) en Ridgefield

Cuándo: Sábado 15 de Noviembre 9:00 a 12:00

Dónde: Abrams Park, 400 Abrams Park Rd, Ridgefield, WA 98642

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

 Te pedimos que previo al evento, por favor completes la siguiente forma  y aceptes los términos y condiciones de deslinde de responsabilidades. 

 Registrate Aquí

 Este evento para eliminar hiedra se lleva a cabo en asociación con la Ciudad de Ridgefield y Ridgefield Garden Club. 

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi!

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.

• Distance: ~1 mile (1.6 km) cumulative off trail forest walking

• Elevation Gain: 500 ft (152 m)

• Duration: 10:00 ~ 4:00 PM

• Meeting Location: Pine Creek Information Center

• Minimum Age: 8+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• Maximum Group Size: 12

• Cost: $150 per person

• Registration: HERE

For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to our guided adventures waitlist and we will let you know if space becomes available.

Phone: (360) 207-1675

Email: explore@mshinstitute.org

You're invited! Join us for a Nature Day exploring plant technologies at Columbia Springs.

A day of hands-on science and nature experiences exploring the amazing adaptation of plants! Drop by when it works for you. No RSVP required!

This free 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!

Questions? Email events@columbiasprings.org.

Learn more about this event and other upcoming activities at: www.columbiasprings.org/events/nature-days

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi!

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.

• Distance: ~1 mile (1.6 km) cumulative off trail forest walking

• Elevation Gain: 500 ft (152 m)

• Duration: 10:00 ~ 4:00 PM

• Meeting Location: Pine Creek Information Center

• Minimum Age: 8+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• Maximum Group Size: 12

• Cost: $150 per person

• Registration: HERE

For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Is the date you want sold out? Add your name to our guided adventures waitlist and we will let you know if space becomes available.

Phone: (360) 207-1675

Email: explore@mshinstitute.org

Learn about how to identify common pests and diseases that affect plants in our area and how to distinguish them from beneficial insects from Master Gardeners and Clark CD staff. We’ll also discuss signs of plant stress and control methods for dealing with pests.

Learn more and register HERE

Learn how to compost using red worms to turn food scraps into all-natural fertilizer for your garden.

This is a great alternative to backyard composting, especially if you are tight on space. 

Learn how to care for your pet worms so they are happy and well fed.

• Understand the different types of worm bins and decide what is best for you. 

• Get up close and personal with the decomposers in a worm bin and look for worm cocoons.

• This is an in-person workshop at Waste Connections

Go through the gate and there will be parking on your left.  Our meeting room is in the building on your right. Enter through the door on the north side of the building. For safety reasons, do not go past the parking lot/building without high visibility personal protective equipment.

Register HERE

Learn more about composting at clarkcountycomposts.org, including upcoming workshops

Register for the Clark County Green Schools Secondary Student Summit! - Oct. 23

Calling all middle and high school students!

• Join us for our upcoming Secondary Student Summit at Clark College.

• Schools are allowed to bring up to 10 students and 1-2 chaperones.

• Substitute and transportation costs can be reimbursed.

• Lunch will be provided

• Email Sami at samantha.springslecain@clark.wa.gov or Cambry at cambry@earthgenwa.org with any questions.

Clark County Green Schools works with all local public and private schools in their sustainability efforts. We’re here to encourage environmental leadership and give students tools to implement change in their schools.

Waste Reduction Education - We provide assistance to boost waste reduction education and awareness in schools, providing recycling containers, as needed. See how we can help

Composting & Recycling Assistance - We’re here to assist with food waste composting and recycling in cafeterias, offering education, containers and sort tables. Check out our resources

Environmental Certification - We connect schools to EarthGen (formerly Washington Green Schools), a statewide environmental certification program. Learn about our programs

Join the staff from the Watershed Alliance of SW WA to tackle ivy that is in the park. Ivy climbs and smothers trees, shades native plants and spreads throughout the park

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

• This event is more physically demanding than our other volunteer events, there will be bending, pulling and walking on uneven terrain with possible tripping hazards.

• Poison Oak is known to be in the area we will be working in. We’ve worked with the City of Vancouver to mitigate the presence of the plant as much as possible but some stems and decomposing leaves may still be present. Poison Oak stems, roots, and leaves can cause a rash even in the fall and winter. We will have tecnu available, a cleanser that is designed to remove the poison oak oil from the skin that causes a rash, in case you get in contact with the plant. We will also point out any plants we see on site.

• Register in advance here!

This event is held in partnership with the City of Vancouver.

 ***

Actividad: Eliminación de hiedra (hierba) en Marine Park

Cuándo:  Sábado 13 de Diciembre 9:00am a 11:30am

Dónde:  Marine Park, 4501 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661

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

Nota: Esta actividad requiere un poco más de actividad física que nuestros eventos de reforestación pues implica agacharse y jalar el Ivy (la hiedra).

Existe una especie denominada “roble venenoso” que ha estado presente anteriormente en la zona donde trabajaremos. En el pasado hemos colaborado con la Ciudad de Vancouver en esa área para esa especie en la medida de lo posible, pero aún podrían quedar algunos tallos y hojas en descomposición. Los tallos, raíces y hojas del roble venenoso pueden causar sarpullido incluso en otoño e invierno.

Durante la actividad, tendremos disponible un limpiador llamado “tecnu”, diseñado para eliminar la grasa de la piel en caso de entrar en contacto con la planta, pero a la vez nosotros estaremos vigilando y les indicaremos cualquier planta que encontremos en el sitio.

 Registrate Aquí

 Este evento para eliminar hiedra se lleva a cabo en asociación con la Ciudad de Vancouver.

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

The Vancouver Bee Project is excited to bring back the Native Plant & Seed Library this year! 🌱✨

If you’ve received seeds from us in the past, consider collecting some native seeds to donate and share with others. If you have plants to share, bring them too — they just need to be on the Portland Plant List of regionally native plants.

Come get seeds, plants, and community! 💛🌿🐝

¡Estamos emocionados de traer de vuelta la Biblioteca de Plantas y Semillas Nativas este año! 🌱✨ Si has recibido semillas de nosotros en el pasado, considera recolectar algunas semillas nativas para donar y compartir con otros. Si tienes plantas para compartir, tráelas también — solo deben estar en la Lista de Plantas de Portland de plantas nativas de la región.

Este año estaremos en una nueva ubicación: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E 18th St, Vancouver, WA 98661 en el centro de Vancouver.
📅 Primer fin de semana: 27 y 28 de septiembre, de 12 a 3pm cada día.

¡Ven por semillas, plantas y comunidad! 💛🌿🐝

Join the City of Vancouver’s volunteers from our Adopt-A-Park program for a morning of litter cleanup and invasive plant removal.

• 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 partially 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, and space is limited. RSVP today!

(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

Learn how to build and construct a hot compost pile using the SMART method.  

Field training events are offered separately for hands-on demonstration of composting techniques. Click here for the event schedule.

Register HERE.

Where: Waste Connections of WA, 9411 NE 94th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98662

Go through the gate and there will be parking on your left.  Our meeting room is in the building on your right. Enter through the door on the north side of the building. For safety reasons, do not go past the parking lot/building without high visibility personal protective equipment.

Learn more about this event and future workshops at clarkcountycomposts.org

Backyard Composting

There are many systems for composting yard and kitchen waste in your backyard. You can visit one of our composting demonstration sites to see various bins and systems in use. 

The two basic backyard composting methods are fast— batch or hot composting, and slow— add as you go or cold composting. Mother nature doesn’t care which one you use. But you might! With the faster hot composting method, the end product can be higher quality— but the amount of work needed to turn and monitor your pile is more. With cold composting, not as much work is needed, but it can take several months to a year to get usable compost.

SMART is an acronym for the compost factors you should pay attention to for best results:

S: Size

The size of your pile and the pieces you put in it. Your pile should be at least 3 x 3 x 3 feet in volume (for a hot pile). Your woody pieces of material should be chopped up to less than 2″ in diameter.

M: Moisture

Keep the pile moist as a wrung out sponge. You can mist it with a hose as you add new material.

A: Aeration

Turn your compost occasionally. You want oxygen to get into the pile, and to get the materials mixed. Serious composters try to get the pile hot — and turn it once the temperature drops.

R: Ratio

The ratio of “browns” to “greens” should be an average of Carbon/Nitrogen 30:1. An easy way to measure this is to go by volume — and use 1:1. One unit of brown to one of green. An easy way to remember this is “equal parts of green and brown help to break the compost down.”

T: Tools

Find the best compost system for you and recommendations on best tools for the trade.

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

The Vancouver Bee Project is excited to bring back the Native Plant & Seed Library this year! 🌱✨

If you’ve received seeds from us in the past, consider collecting some native seeds to donate and share with others. If you have plants to share, bring them too — they just need to be on the Portland Plant List of regionally native plants.

Come get seeds, plants, and community! 💛🌿🐝

¡Estamos emocionados de traer de vuelta la Biblioteca de Plantas y Semillas Nativas este año! 🌱✨ Si has recibido semillas de nosotros en el pasado, considera recolectar algunas semillas nativas para donar y compartir con otros. Si tienes plantas para compartir, tráelas también — solo deben estar en la Lista de Plantas de Portland de plantas nativas de la región.

Este año estaremos en una nueva ubicación: Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 E 18th St, Vancouver, WA 98661 en el centro de Vancouver.
📅 Primer fin de semana: 27 y 28 de septiembre, de 12 a 3pm cada día.

¡Ven por semillas, plantas y comunidad! 💛🌿🐝

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/

Vancouver Bee Project: Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning

Interested in keeping mason bees? Come learn from the Vancouver Bee Project about proper technique for cleaning mason bees cocoons and preparing them for winter!

Have a question, bring your mason bee house and get expert guidance!

Free event, but reserve your spot HERE.

Join the Watershed Alliance of SW WA with a Volunteer Tree Planting

Where: TSMC Campus at the corner of NW Lake Rd and NW Parker St. Parking at Skyridge Middle School, 5220 NW Parker St, Camas, WA 98607

What to bring: Please wear long pants, sturdy shoes, and dress for the weather. Please bring your own snacks and water.

Food provided by TSMC. Breakfast pastries and coffee.

 Register Here

 This event is held in partnership with TSMC.

 ***

Actividad: Reforestación para voluntarios

Cuándo: Domingo 9 de Noviembre 9:00 a 12:00

Dónde: Campus de  TSMC en la esquina de NW Lake Rd con NW Parker St. Estacionamiento será en la escuela Skyridge.

Qué llevar: Favor de usar pantalón largo, zapato para trabajo y vestir de acuerdo al clima. Traer su propia agua y alimento.

TSMC ofrecerá: café y panecillos para desayunar.

Registrate Aquí

Este evento para eliminar hiedra se lleva a cabo en asociación con TSMC.

Join the City of Vancouver’s volunteers from our Adopt-A-Park program for a morning of litter cleanup and invasive plant removal.

• 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 partially 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, and space is limited. RSVP today!

(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

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

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. 

Canopy Time walks 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! 

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. 

Suggested Donation of $10 collected on the farm.

Registration is required. Email arts@pnfarm.com

We’ll take cash, check, Venmo or a smile, if cost is a barrier! 

Let's plant trees together in Central-South 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!

Interested in volunteering? 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? Fill out this quick registration form to save your place. 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 in this key role. 

Want to plant by bike? Fill out this quick registration

Accessibility: Our events have varying levels of accessibility, learn more about our event accessibility. If you have an access requirement, please contact us three weeks in advance of an event, and we will make every effort to provide it.

Corporate volunteering: We’re piloting a Corporate Volunteer program this season to keep our events accessible to all. We ask corporate groups to donate $50 per volunteer. To register your group, please contact our Corporate & Business Relations Manager, Sam Erman, same@friendsoftrees.org

Learn more about this and other Friends of Trees planting events HERE.

Join the staff at the Watershed Alliance of SW WA for a volunteer non-native English Ivy pull

• Parking: Please park in the main parking lot at Abrams Park.

• What to bring: Please wear long pants and sturdy shoes and dress for the weather. Please bring your own snacks and water.

• Please Note: This event is more physically demanding than our other volunteer events, there will be bending, pulling and walking on uneven terrain with possible tripping hazards. 

 Register Here

This event is held in partnership with the City of Ridgefield and the Ridgefield Garden Club.

***

Actividad: Eliminación de hiedra (hierba) en Ridgefield

Cuándo: Sábado 15 de Noviembre 9:00 a 12:00

Dónde: Abrams Park, 400 Abrams Park Rd, Ridgefield, WA 98642

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

 Te pedimos que previo al evento, por favor completes la siguiente forma  y aceptes los términos y condiciones de deslinde de responsabilidades. 

 Registrate Aquí

 Este evento para eliminar hiedra se lleva a cabo en asociación con la Ciudad de Ridgefield y Ridgefield Garden Club. 

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

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

Have you ever wondered how old the fish are in the round ponds or how the hatchery operates? Learn all about the Vancouver Trout Hatchery on one of our hatchery tours!

• A guided hatchery tour of the Vancouver Trout Hatchery.

• 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!

• The parking lot and paths around the main campus, including the fish ponds have paved surfaces for accessibility. Wheeled mobility devices and strollers welcome.

Can you go 100% compost (ideally home produced!) for amending, mulching, and fertilizing your gardens?

Learn how to apply and time various different types of compost (Bokashi, vermicompost, backyard bin compost, and leaf mulch)

This is an in-person workshop at Waste Connections.

Register HERE

Learn more about this and other workshops at clarkcountycomposts.org

Join the staff from the Watershed Alliance of SW WA to tackle ivy that is in the park. Ivy climbs and smothers trees, shades native plants and spreads throughout the park

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

• This event is more physically demanding than our other volunteer events, there will be bending, pulling and walking on uneven terrain with possible tripping hazards.

• Poison Oak is known to be in the area we will be working in. We’ve worked with the City of Vancouver to mitigate the presence of the plant as much as possible but some stems and decomposing leaves may still be present. Poison Oak stems, roots, and leaves can cause a rash even in the fall and winter. We will have tecnu available, a cleanser that is designed to remove the poison oak oil from the skin that causes a rash, in case you get in contact with the plant. We will also point out any plants we see on site.

• Register in advance here!

This event is held in partnership with the City of Vancouver.

 ***

Actividad: Eliminación de hiedra (hierba) en Marine Park

Cuándo:  Sábado 13 de Diciembre 9:00am a 11:30am

Dónde:  Marine Park, 4501 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661

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

Nota: Esta actividad requiere un poco más de actividad física que nuestros eventos de reforestación pues implica agacharse y jalar el Ivy (la hiedra).

Existe una especie denominada “roble venenoso” que ha estado presente anteriormente en la zona donde trabajaremos. En el pasado hemos colaborado con la Ciudad de Vancouver en esa área para esa especie en la medida de lo posible, pero aún podrían quedar algunos tallos y hojas en descomposición. Los tallos, raíces y hojas del roble venenoso pueden causar sarpullido incluso en otoño e invierno.

Durante la actividad, tendremos disponible un limpiador llamado “tecnu”, diseñado para eliminar la grasa de la piel en caso de entrar en contacto con la planta, pero a la vez nosotros estaremos vigilando y les indicaremos cualquier planta que encontremos en el sitio.

 Registrate Aquí

 Este evento para eliminar hiedra se lleva a cabo en asociación con la Ciudad de Vancouver.

You're invited! Join us for a Nature Day exploring fish at Columbia Springs.

A day of hands-on science and nature experiences exploring the all things fish! Drop by when it works for you. No RSVP required!

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!

Questions? Email events@columbiasprings.org.

Learn more about this and other events at Columbia Springs at: https://www.columbiasprings.org/events/nature-days

Photo by Paul Peloquin

It’s chum salmon season! On Saturday, December 6th, welcome our returning salmon home in this family-friendly event hosted by the Wood & Gordon families.

When: Drop in when it works for you! We’ll feature a couple of speakers at 3:00pm

What: Learn about chum salmon and observe the spawning chum salmon at Wood's Landing! 

How: Park and meet us in the Columbia Springs parking lot at 2:00pm to walk as a group to the spawning site. OR park along Old Evergreen Highway at Riverwood Drive (at least 10 feet away from the train tracks) and walk in on your own!

We recommend that you bring polarized sunglasses and binoculars to maximize your viewing experience. Be sure to dress for the weather as this event is rain or shine.

Accessibility: Please contact Columbia Springs at kristine@columbiasprings.org if you are in need of parking accommodations closer to the event. Note that some materials will be available near the driveway. The path down to the overlook landing is not ADA accessible, as it is a nature trail down the slope towards the river.

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. 

Canopy Time walks 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! 

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. 

Suggested Donation of $10 collected on the farm.

Registration is required, RSVP Here

We’ll take cash, check, Venmo or a smile, if cost is a barrier! 

Join the staff from the Watershed Alliance of SW WA to tackle ivy that is in the park. Ivy climbs and smothers trees, shades native plants and spreads throughout the park

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

• This event is more physically demanding than our other volunteer events, there will be bending, pulling and walking on uneven terrain with possible tripping hazards.

• Poison Oak is known to be in the area we will be working in. We’ve worked with the City of Vancouver to mitigate the presence of the plant as much as possible but some stems and decomposing leaves may still be present. Poison Oak stems, roots, and leaves can cause a rash even in the fall and winter. We will have tecnu available, a cleanser that is designed to remove the poison oak oil from the skin that causes a rash, in case you get in contact with the plant. We will also point out any plants we see on site.

• Register in advance here!

This event is held in partnership with the City of Vancouver.

 ***

Actividad: Eliminación de hiedra (hierba) en Marine Park

Cuándo:  Sábado 13 de Diciembre 9:00am a 11:30am

Dónde:  Marine Park, 4501 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661

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

Nota: Esta actividad requiere un poco más de actividad física que nuestros eventos de reforestación pues implica agacharse y jalar el Ivy (la hiedra).

Existe una especie denominada “roble venenoso” que ha estado presente anteriormente en la zona donde trabajaremos. En el pasado hemos colaborado con la Ciudad de Vancouver en esa área para esa especie en la medida de lo posible, pero aún podrían quedar algunos tallos y hojas en descomposición. Los tallos, raíces y hojas del roble venenoso pueden causar sarpullido incluso en otoño e invierno.

Durante la actividad, tendremos disponible un limpiador llamado “tecnu”, diseñado para eliminar la grasa de la piel en caso de entrar en contacto con la planta, pero a la vez nosotros estaremos vigilando y les indicaremos cualquier planta que encontremos en el sitio.

 Registrate Aquí

 Este evento para eliminar hiedra se lleva a cabo en asociación con la Ciudad de Vancouver.

Join the City of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry team and Friends of Trees for the big seasonal planting in the North Central part of Vancouver.

Get a Tree - Learn More

Get a tree of your very own! It’s easy as 1, 2, 3 — tree. Visit the FoT webpage to see your list of choices—no obligation to plant. Want a street tree? FoT will send someone to measure, assess and permit your planting strip and send you a list of approved trees. Want a yard tree? You choose exactly where you want to plant. FoT volunteers and crew leaders will plant for you, although you are welcome to help.

Planting Crew Leader - Learn More

Crew Leaders lead teams of planting volunteers throughout the Greater-Portland region.

Canopy Caller - Learn More

On Wednesday evenings, help tree recipients select their own tree for their upcoming neighborhood planting. Great role for individuals looking to use or improve their phone skills!

Tree Planter - Learn More

You believe in the big impact of one-time efforts. You may want to plant with a group, your family, or by yourself and meet new people!

Truck Driver - Learn More

You have access to a pick-up truck (or trailer) and are willing to help transport trees to their new homes. Your truck is able to carry trees, tools, and supplies on planting day to support a crew of planters at our Saturday morning events.

Bike Planter - Learn More

You like to ride bikes with groups and believe in bikes as a tool to create a healthier future. Bike planters transport & plant trees with their pedal power. Bikers with or without trailers are welcome to join and plant at select few Saturday events.

Since 1989, Friends of Trees has planted over 1,000,000 trees and native shrubs in neighborhoods and natural areas in western Oregon & southwest Washington, all with the power of volunteers.

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/

You're invited! Join us for our Evergreen Tree Communities Nature Day at Columbia Springs.

A day of hands-on science and nature experiences exploring community builders 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!

• Drop by when it works for you. No RSVP required!

• Accessibility: Main parking lot and campus paths are paved. Nature trails are natural material surfacing, such as dirt, crushed gravel and boardwalks. Roots and rocks may be located on the nature trails.

Questions? Email events@columbiasprings.org.

You're invited! Join Columbia Springs staff for a Nature Day exploring evergreen tree.

A day of hands-on science and nature experiences exploring evergreen tree communities! Drop by when it works for you. No RSVP required!

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!

 Questions? Email events@columbiasprings.org.

Learn more about this and other events at Columbia Springs at: https://www.columbiasprings.org/events/nature-days

Photo by Paul Peloquin

Join the City of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry team and Friends of Trees for the big seasonal planting in the North Central part of Vancouver.

Get a Tree - Learn More

Get a tree of your very own! It’s easy as 1, 2, 3 — tree. Visit the FoT webpage to see your list of choices—no obligation to plant. Want a street tree? FoT will send someone to measure, assess and permit your planting strip and send you a list of approved trees. Want a yard tree? You choose exactly where you want to plant. FoT volunteers and crew leaders will plant for you, although you are welcome to help.

Planting Crew Leader - Learn More

Crew Leaders lead teams of planting volunteers throughout the Greater-Portland region.

Canopy Caller - Learn More

On Wednesday evenings, help tree recipients select their own tree for their upcoming neighborhood planting. Great role for individuals looking to use or improve their phone skills!

Tree Planter - Learn More

You believe in the big impact of one-time efforts. You may want to plant with a group, your family, or by yourself and meet new people!

Truck Driver - Learn More

You have access to a pick-up truck (or trailer) and are willing to help transport trees to their new homes. Your truck is able to carry trees, tools, and supplies on planting day to support a crew of planters at our Saturday morning events.

Bike Planter - Learn More

You like to ride bikes with groups and believe in bikes as a tool to create a healthier future. Bike planters transport & plant trees with their pedal power. Bikers with or without trailers are welcome to join and plant at select few Saturday events.

Since 1989, Friends of Trees has planted over 1,000,000 trees and native shrubs in neighborhoods and natural areas in western Oregon & southwest Washington, all with the power of volunteers.

Join the City of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry team and Friends of Trees for the big seasonal planting in the North Central part of Vancouver.

Get a Tree - Learn More

Get a tree of your very own! It’s easy as 1, 2, 3 — tree. Visit the FoT webpage to see your list of choices—no obligation to plant. Want a street tree? FoT will send someone to measure, assess and permit your planting strip and send you a list of approved trees. Want a yard tree? You choose exactly where you want to plant. FoT volunteers and crew leaders will plant for you, although you are welcome to help.

Planting Crew Leader - Learn More

Crew Leaders lead teams of planting volunteers throughout the Greater-Portland region.

Canopy Caller - Learn More

On Wednesday evenings, help tree recipients select their own tree for their upcoming neighborhood planting. Great role for individuals looking to use or improve their phone skills!

Tree Planter - Learn More

You believe in the big impact of one-time efforts. You may want to plant with a group, your family, or by yourself and meet new people!

Truck Driver - Learn More

You have access to a pick-up truck (or trailer) and are willing to help transport trees to their new homes. Your truck is able to carry trees, tools, and supplies on planting day to support a crew of planters at our Saturday morning events.

Bike Planter - Learn More

You like to ride bikes with groups and believe in bikes as a tool to create a healthier future. Bike planters transport & plant trees with their pedal power. Bikers with or without trailers are welcome to join and plant at select few Saturday events.

Since 1989, Friends of Trees has planted over 1,000,000 trees and native shrubs in neighborhoods and natural areas in western Oregon & southwest Washington, all with the power of volunteers.