Let's Lay the Groundwork… Literally
 
Join Clark County Public Works Volunteer crew from 10 a.m. to noon, Thursday, May 28 at Curtin Springs Wildlife Habitat to prep an area of land for native plants.

We will meet rain or shine. Please wear close-toed shoes and dress for the weather. Bring a reusable water bottle and a snack.

• Check In Location: Event check in will happen at the park entrance behind the house.

• What to Wear: Event will happen rain or shine. Please wear closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather. There are no public restrooms at the park 

• Food and Water: Bring a reusable water bottle and snacks for the day. 

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

• Project Description:  We’ll be mulching the flower garden to the north of the park

• Questions: Contact us at 564.397.1679 or pwvolunteering@clark.wa.gov.

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. 

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Coming up this month, join the Washington Bee Atlas team to learn about the Bee Stewards program from Oregon Extension!

Do you want to build bee habitat or take your existing habitat to the next level? The Bee Stewards program is an introductory course that will teach you about the diversity of bees and how to meet their various needs through careful landscape design and plant selection.

Learn more about this program with instructor and entomologist Dr. Jen Hayes:

Jen is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Oregon State University Pollinator Health Lab and leads the Extension Bee Stewards program. She's been studying bees for over 10 years; she started as a field teach collecting bees on Vermont berry farms and then moved around to survey bees across different ecosystems, including Ecuadorean cloud forests, prairies in North Dakota, and the Oregon Coast Range. She received her PhD while working in Dr. Gail Langellotto's Garden Ecology Lab, evaluating pollinator visitation to native plants and native plant cultivars. 

Learn more HERE

Join the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Programs and Naturespaces for a work party or educational event in our spring mid-day volunteer event series: Flora and Fauna Fridays!

We’re excited to host our weekly work parties that allow you to roll up your sleeves and contribute to our community projects. These events offer a wonderful opportunity to contribute to a sustainable environment while learning about the local ecosystem. Each session will feature hands-on service to help build and support natural systems, along with snacks and the chance to connect with fellow volunteers. You’ll also receive valuable insights into the importance of the project you’re working on. We invite you to join us for one or all the Flora and Fauna Fridays this spring. Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment!

• 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 and nearby traffic. 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.)

Registration is required. Sign up today!

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

Paddle a Dragon Boat in Ridgefield!

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

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

2026 Community Paddling Schedule:

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

Location:
Ridgefield Waterfront

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

No experience is needed and equipment is provided.

Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge hosts many species of birds we don't get to see on the west side of the Cascades, including White-headed Woodpeckers, Black-backed Woodpeckers, Pygmy Nuthatches, Western Kingbirds, Grey, Dusky, and Hammond's Flycatchers, Gray Catbirds, Calliope Hummingbirds and Cassin's Finches.

Bring plenty of water snacks and a lunch to eat when we complete the three-mile loop trail. It's a fairly easy grade trail, but it is dirt, rocks, gravel and has tree roots and small obstacles in it.

Cameraderie (10-18 yrs): Learn how to take compelling photos of nature using the expertise of adult wildlife photographers and guides. Youth winners of the annual Youth Photo Contest are peer mentors for those wanting to take their photography skills to the next level. Photos taken during outings are then shared in an option Zoom meeting, a week or so later, so feedback can be given and youth can improve in editing skills. Any camera type can be used, from smartphones to DSLRs to Mirrorless with long lenses.

The Vancouver Audubon Society will meet at Steigerwald Lake NWR parking lot at 7:00am to travel together to Conboy Lake NWR, which is north and east of White Salmon, WA.

Please check back to this page for updates. Sign up to receive updates by email  with updated information as the time nears. If you have already signed up for Cameraderie, you do not need to sign up again.

Join WTA for the first of three 2026 work parties tailored to those with a military background.

These work parties give veterans and service members from all branches a chance to form-up, build camaraderie, enjoy the outdoors, and maintain hiking trails. This is an opportunity for everyone to hang out, share stories, and even earn volunteer credit for those still in service.

Assistant Crew Leaders who are veterans are encouraged to register.

About the Area: Not sure what a whistle punk is? This hike will teach you! The lovely 1.2-mile interpretive loop trail takes you through several ecosystems including lush old growth and beautiful meadows, and will introduce you to some logging relics. Though the trail has seen better days, with a little love we can help restore it to its former accessible status.

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

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

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

Hiking Information

Expect to hike no more than 1.2mi total, as long as the loop is.

Schedule

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

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

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

• 12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail

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

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

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

Special Event

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

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

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

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

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

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

What to Wear -

Required:

• Sturdy closed-toe shoes

• Work gloves

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

• Long pants

Recommended:

• Sturdy work or hiking boots

• Long sleeved shirt

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

What to Bring:

• Lunch and plenty of water

• Rain jacket and pants

• Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather

• A pack to carry your personal gear

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

Firearms and weapons are not allowed

More Information

• Frequently Asked Questions

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

• Contact us at volunteer@wta.org or 206.625.1367

From the Hiking Guide

See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.

Join Work Party

Join Portland Coyote for a day of discovery and learning dedicated to one of nature’s most adaptable creatures!

Coyotes can survive and even thrive in many different kinds of environments – including in cities and our backyards.

Coyote-palooza is a family- and pet-friendly event that will feature booths where you can learn about coyote identification and biology, participate in hands-on activities for adults and kids, and discover ways to keep pets and people safe. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the cultural significance of coyotes, the role they play in our ecosystem, and how to coyote-proof your space.

Stop by for some fun and walk away with new knowledge and tools for coexisting with coyotes!

Organized by: Bird Alliance of Oregon, Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon, Humane World for Animals, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Portland Urban Coyote Project

​In Partnership with:  Cascadia Wild, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Eco Outdoors, Oregon Humane Society, Oregon Metro, Oregon Zoo, People of Color Outdoors,  Portland Parks & Recreation, University of Oregon, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Supported by:   Humane World for Animals, Oregon Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

This event is perfect for volunteers who want to spend a couple of hours working outside in Columbia Springs' beautiful natural area.

Projects typically include removing invasive species, trail maintenance, and improving the accessibility and safety of the site. Columbia Springs will provide tools, gloves, and guidance.

Volunteers are asked to bring a water bottle, gloves (if you have them), wear closed-toe shoes, and dress in outdoor/work-appropriate clothing. 

Register in advance: www.columbiasprings.org/volunteer/ 

Spots are limited! 

Volunteer Requirements: Children under age 14 are welcome to volunteer with their parent or guardian. Teens under age 18 can volunteer independently with their guardian’s signed permission.  

Questions? Email jamie@columbiasprings.org 

lowercolumbiafisheg

Attention WA State certificated educators! 📍Earn 5 STEM Clock Hours: Free Seeds to Salmon (S2S) Curriculum Workshop

• Workshop Details: Attendance at BOTH sessions is required

• Wednesday, May 27th | 4:30–6:30 PM

• Saturday, May 30th | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

The Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group are excited to invite local educators to participate in a special S2S Curriculum Workshop focused on piloting and strengthening our newly revamped environmental education curriculum!

Participants will explore hands-on, classroom-ready lessons from the Seeds to Salmon curriculum series that can be directly implemented in educational settings. The curriculum is an open educational resource aligned with Washington State NGSS standards, designed to support engaging, place-based learning around salmon, watersheds, and environmental stewardship.

Cost: Free! Snacks and light beverages will be provided.

Register HERE for both sessions

While STEM clock hours are available only for Washington State certificated educators, we warmly welcome any interested community educators, environmental educators, informal learning staff, and partners to attend.

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Come catch the end of spring migration with nature artist, amateur bird watcher, native-plant enthusiast, and Thimbleberry Ambassador Board member Bryan Quintanilla at Whitaker Ponds.(https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1413967)This is the first of a series of late spring/ early summer Thimbleberry events that will take place all around the Portland metro area.

This event is FREE! Learn about the incredible natural ecosystem right in our own backyard that regenerative farms like ours aim to protect through responsible land and water management.

Portland Public Park’s Whitaker Ponds is known for its incredible transformation from junkyard to a thriving and diverse wetlands. Unique birds you may find include black phoebes, blue-winged teals, wood ducks, great egrets, great blue herons and more!

Bring your own binoculars though we’ll have a few extra for sharing.

Sign up HERE