What’s Happening
Lo que está sucediendo
Help out, learn, build community and have fun!
¡Ayuda, aprende, construye una comunidad y diviértete!
Southwest Washington has so many opportunities to connect with nature. See the event calendar for a wide range of opportunities with our regional partners.
Looking for something special with a group? Contact the partner directly. Some information on this page may be out of date, so connect with the Partner for the most up to date information. Let’s get outside!
El suroeste de Washington ofrece muchísimas oportunidades para conectar con la naturaleza. Consulta el calendario de eventos para conocer la amplia gama de oportunidades con nuestros socios regionales.
¿Buscas algo especial para un grupo? Contacta directamente con el socio. Es posible que parte de la información de esta página no esté actualizada, así que contacta con el socio para obtener la información más actualizada. ¡Salgamos!
Sort Event List by:
Art in Nature | Community Event | Elders | Healing | Hiking | Park Updates | Plants | Pollinators | Recreation | Road Trips | Virtual Events | Volunteering | Water Fun | Wildlife | Workshops | Youth |
Click each event for more detailed information - check with event host for most up to date information.
NEW! For events that sound super fun but are just outside southwest Washington are listed as ROAD TRIPs.
2026 Students for Clean Water Video Contest
Do you know any middle or high school students who like making videos?
Let them know about the Students for Clean Water Video Contest! They could win $500 for making a video about protecting water or other topics.
Hey awesome budding filmmakers!
Water connects us all, and we're about to make waves of positivity! 🌊✨ No matter where you live, we all live in a watershed, where rain or snow goes on an exciting journey, from our roofs, yards, and streets to local wetlands, streams, and lakes, to the Columbia River, and finally to the mighty Pacific Ocean. The water that bounces off roofs, streets and other hard surfaces and goes on this incredible journey to the ocean is what we call stormwater. Our rivers are home to incredible creatures like salmon, trout, and sturgeon, and they're where we play, fish, and paddle. But, guess what? Our actions can impact our waterways, and it's time for us to make a splash of inspiration for a cleaner, happier world with your creative videos! Learn more about Clark County watersheds here.
How to enter
Pick a theme - review the themes below and choose one you like.
Research - learn about your topic from resources provided, family members or others in your community.
Plan your video - create a storyboard so you can plan how you want to tell your story. Consider music, locations, props, camera angles, on-screen text/graphics and actors you may need.
Pre-check (optional) - submit your script or storyboard for review. We'll provide feedback so you can avoid being disqualified for misinformation.
Shoot it! - get the video shots you planned in your storyboard and remember it's better to have more than you need and cut than to not have what you need.
Edit - edit your shots to compose your video and add music or other effects.
Upload and submit your application - make sure the video is sharable and your application form is complete, including the form for your parent/guardian.
Entries due April 17, learn more at: https://www.stormwaterpartners.com/video-contest
Take Learning Outside: Session #3 - Planting With Purpose
Planting with Purpose: Native Species and Pollinator Connections professional development workshop for educators STEM clock hours
Discover how native plants can transform schoolyards into thriving ecosystems that support pollinators, wildlife, and student learning. This session will explore the benefits of native species, connections to Science as well as Environmental and Sustainability standards, and practical strategies for starting plants indoors or directly on campus. Participants will leave with resources, classroom-ready activities, and inspiration to grow purposeful plantings with their students.
Join Good Year Farm owner Hannah, Vancouver Bee Project, WA Department of Fish & Wildlife, and environmental educators, for this interactive session.
Register for TLO Session #3 HERE (p.s. there are heaters in the barn where we will be meeting)
All sessions are free to register
Up to 2 FREE STEM Clock Hours upon completion for this workshop
Each session includes presentations by topic matter experts, discussion, and 1/2 hour planning time for teachers (walk out with action items for your school)
Sign up for one session, or sign up for multiple sessions!
Taking Learning Outside 2025-26 Courses:
Discover how to turn your schoolyard into a dynamic space for curiosity, connection, and hands-on learning. Taking Learning Outside is a year-long professional learning series designed to help educators integrate outdoor experiences into everyday instruction. Each session explores practical ways to teach science, stewardship, and sustainability through topics such as birds, native plants, school gardens, and urban tree canopy.
Over the 2025-26 academic year, the Taking Learning Outside Series offers six sessions (both in-person and online) that cover a wide range of topics and grade levels. In-person sessions will happen at various locations across SW Washington.
3/10/26 - Session #4: Spring Into the School Garden: Planning, Planting & Growing Together (In-person, Hough Elementary, Vancouver, WA). Register HERE
4/22/26 - Session #5: Branching Out: Exploring Trees and Urban Ecosystems (In-person, Frontier Middle School, Vancouver, WA). Register HERE
5/21/26 - Session #6: Schoolyard Stewardship: Connecting Gardens, Students and Community (In-person, Northlake Elementary School, Longview, WA). Register HERE
The Taking Learning Outside Series is a partnership of the Lower Columbia Nature Network, Pacific Education Institute, Lower Columbia School Gardens, Master Gardener Program at Washington State University Extension, Washington Science Teachers Association, and ESD 112.
For Educators PD - Take Learning Outside: Session #4 - Spring Into the School Garden
Spring Into the School Garden: Planning, Planting, and Growing Together
Get your hands dirty and your garden plants growing! This session will cover everything from companion planting and salad gardens to cut flowers and seed starting. Whether you’re new to school gardening or looking to expand, you’ll walk away with practical skills, resources, and inspiration to launch a vibrant spring growing season with your students.
Join Mandi Atkinson (Hough ES School Garden Horticultural Therapist), WSU Ext. Master Gardeners and environmental educators, for this interactive session.
Register for TLO Session #4 HERE
All sessions are free to register
Up to 2 FREE STEM Clock Hours upon completion for this workshop
Each session includes presentations by topic matter experts, discussion, and 1/2 hour planning time for teachers (walk out with action items for your school)
Sign up for one session, or sign up for multiple sessions!
Taking Learning Outside 2025-26 Courses:
Discover how to turn your schoolyard into a dynamic space for curiosity, connection, and hands-on learning. Taking Learning Outside is a year-long professional learning series designed to help educators integrate outdoor experiences into everyday instruction. Each session explores practical ways to teach science, stewardship, and sustainability through topics such as birds, native plants, school gardens, and urban tree canopy.
Over the 2025-26 academic year, the Taking Learning Outside Series offers six sessions (both in-person and online) that cover a wide range of topics and grade levels. In-person sessions will happen at various locations across SW Washington.
4/22/26 - Session #5: Branching Out: Exploring Trees and Urban Ecosystems (In-person, Frontier Middle School, Vancouver, WA). Register HERE
5/21/26 - Session #6: Schoolyard Stewardship: Connecting Gardens, Students and Community (In-person, Northlake Elementary School, Longview, WA). Register HERE
The Taking Learning Outside Series is a partnership of the Lower Columbia Nature Network, Pacific Education Institute, Lower Columbia School Gardens, Master Gardener Program at Washington State University Extension, Washington Science Teachers Association, and ESD 112.
For Educators PD - Take Learning Outside: Session #5: Branching Out
Branching Out: Exploring Trees and Urban Ecosystems
Celebrate Arbor Day by diving into the vital role trees play in our urban ecosystems. In this session, we’ll explore how to integrate tree-based learning into your curriculum through mapping, data collection, and observation tools like iNaturalist and iTree. Learn how trees support biodiversity, mitigate climate impacts, and connect students to broader environmental systems. With support from urban forestry experts and community partners, you’ll leave with practical strategies, digital tools, and engaging classroom activities to bring the story of trees to life on your campus.
Join location tree experts, Portland-Vancouver Canopy Collective and environmental educators, for this interactive session.
Register for TLO Session #5 HERE
All sessions are free to register
Up to 2 FREE STEM Clock Hours upon completion for this workshop
Each session includes presentations by topic matter experts, discussion, and 1/2 hour planning time for teachers (walk out with action items for your school)
Sign up for one session, or sign up for multiple sessions!
Taking Learning Outside 2025-26 Courses:
Discover how to turn your schoolyard into a dynamic space for curiosity, connection, and hands-on learning. Taking Learning Outside is a year-long professional learning series designed to help educators integrate outdoor experiences into everyday instruction. Each session explores practical ways to teach science, stewardship, and sustainability through topics such as birds, native plants, school gardens, and urban tree canopy.
Over the 2025-26 academic year, the Taking Learning Outside Series offers six sessions (both in-person and online) that cover a wide range of topics and grade levels. In-person sessions will happen at various locations across SW Washington.
5/21/26 - Session #6: Schoolyard Stewardship: Connecting Gardens, Students and Community (In-person, Northlake Elementary School, Longview, WA). Register HERE
The Taking Learning Outside Series is a partnership of the Lower Columbia Nature Network, Pacific Education Institute, Lower Columbia School Gardens, Master Gardener Program at Washington State University Extension, Washington Science Teachers Association, and ESD 112.
For Educators PD - Take Learning Outside: Session #6: Schoolyard Stewardship
Schoolyard Stewardship: Connecting Gardens, Students, and Community
Celebrate the end of the school year and learn strategies for turning your garden into a hub of learning, connection, and stewardship. This session will explore ways to engage students, families, and local partners through community garden days, picnics, and student-led showcases. Learn how collaborative events can strengthen student learning, foster environmental stewardship, and build lasting support for your garden programs. Participants will leave with practical tools, planning ideas, and inspiration to make their schoolyard a thriving space for learning and community connection.
Join the team from the Lower Columbia School Gardens and environmental educators, for this interactive session.
Register for TLO Session #6 HERE
All sessions are free to register
Up to 2 FREE STEM Clock Hours upon completion for this workshop
Each session includes presentations by topic matter experts, discussion, and 1/2 hour planning time for teachers (walk out with action items for your school)
Sign up for one session, or sign up for multiple sessions!
Taking Learning Outside 2025-26 Courses:
Discover how to turn your schoolyard into a dynamic space for curiosity, connection, and hands-on learning. Taking Learning Outside is a year-long professional learning series designed to help educators integrate outdoor experiences into everyday instruction. Each session explores practical ways to teach science, stewardship, and sustainability through topics such as birds, native plants, school gardens, and urban tree canopy.
Over the 2025-26 academic year, the Taking Learning Outside Series offers six sessions (both in-person and online) that cover a wide range of topics and grade levels. In-person sessions will happen at various locations across SW Washington.
The Taking Learning Outside Series is a partnership of the Lower Columbia Nature Network, Pacific Education Institute, Lower Columbia School Gardens, Master Gardener Program at Washington State University Extension, Washington Science Teachers Association, and ESD 112.
