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

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

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

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

• Walk will happen rain or shine.

• Registration is required.  Sign up today!

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

Join the Vancouver Audubon at their monthly meeting to hear Vanessa Loverti share exciting results from Motus projects in Washington, revealing how shorebirds are connected across the entire flyway—from their breeding grounds to their wintering sites.

New data sheds light on migration timing, stopover sites, and the incredible distances shorebirds travel. Learn why this information is vital for restoring and protecting their habitats.

Vanessa is a Regional Shorebird Coordinator with US Fish and Wildlife Pacific Region. For over 17 years, Vanessa has dedicated her career to the conservation of migratory birds, with a special passion for shorebirds. Based in the Pacific Northwest, she collaborates with partners across the flyway to protect these remarkable travelers through research, habitat management, and cutting-edge tools like the Motus Wildlife Tracking System.

• 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

Vancouver Audubon 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather!

Accessibility: Columbia Springs has ADA parking and paved pathways throughout. Learn more about accessible accommodations at https://www.columbiasprings.org/visit/

Questions? Email apryl@columbiasprings.org

Join NatureScaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens from a presentation by Anne Bulger, WSU Master Gardener and OSU Master Melittologist to Learn simple ideas to build your backyard habitat.

What if your backyard could become a place where wildlife feels heard? Discover how even small changes in your yard can create big opportunities for birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. Join us for a visually rich and science-grounded look at how thoughtful landscape design supports regional biodiversity. Learn accessible, evidence-based practices you can apply immediately to create a resilient backyard habitat.

• Fees: Naturescaping members free or $15.00 (+ tax) 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

Photo: WDFW

Sunlight and warmer temperatures are waking up the plants and stimulating growth. 

Explore the restored landscape adjacent to Burnt Bridge Creek while learning about native plants, stormwater, and the ecology of the landscape.  Expect to walk 2.5 miles on paved surfaces.  Walk is geared towards adults and youth ages 8 and older.

Advanced registration required. Sign up today!

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

Spring break is here, and the birds are singing! Join us at the Water Center in search of spring “beaks.” As the days grow longer, the wetlands come alive with birdsong. Nests are taking shape, bright feathers are flashing through the trees, and the busy season for baby birds is just about to begin.

It’s the perfect spring break outing for families with kids ages 6 and up. All youth need to be accompanied by an adult. Binoculars will be available to borrow.

Advanced registration required. Sign up today!

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

Join the Vancouver Audubon at their monthly meeting to hear updates about Tufted Puffins in the PNW.

• 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

Vancouver Audubon 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.

Insects are essential to life on Earth, but insect populations are in trouble. However, there is hope in our own yards.

There are many things you can do to make a real difference in improving insect biodiversity right where you live. Our gardens can host an astonishing variety of insect life—if we provide the habitat, we can make a real difference.

Five years ago, Amy Campion began making over her Portland garden to better serve the insects sharing her space. She was amazed by the creatures that soon showed up. She saw leafcutter bees harvesting petals to make nurseries, grass-carrying wasps building their distinctive nests, newly minted dragonflies taking their first flights. In all, she’s seen more than 400 insect species in her little 7,000 sq ft plot.

In this talk, you’ll learn 8 things you can do to create more insect-friendly habitat in your own garden, and you’ll meet some of the fascinating creatures that show up when you welcome them in.

You’ll learn:

• to appreciate aphids

• to prioritize pollen over nectar

• why you should feed caterpillars and with what

• who’s living in your perennial stems

• how to attract more “tickle bees” to your landscape, and

• how to control mosquitoes in your pond (without fish!)

Learn more and buy tickets HERE.

Amy Campion grew up in Minnesota, but she became a gardener in the Cincinnati area, where she worked at a wholesale nursery for 16 years. In 2013, she moved to Portland, Oregon, and in 2017, Amy co-authored Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide with Paul Bonine. You can follow her on her blog: amycampion.com, on Instagram: @campionamy, and on iNaturalist: @amycampion.

The Klineline Kids Fishing Derby think our fishing event impacts the lives of the children we serve.

We see it in their happy faces; we hear from children and parents that return a second year. We see success in increasing numbers of children that participate each year, as well as increasing numbers of volunteers and sponsors who contribute in some way to make this community event a success. In fact, some of our members have been volunteering here for the last 30 years!

• EACH TIME SLOT IS FOR 45 MINUTES. Kids may fish until their time is up, or they catch their limit of two (2) fish, whichever comes first.

• MAIL IN REGISTRATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 1, 2026  

Registration goes live in February, register HERE

Klineline Kids Fishing Nonprofit was formed for the charitable purpose of assisting children, including low-income, under-privileged and disabled children to help themselves learn how to be more sustainable by being equipped and educated in the fundamentals of fishing. The Klineline Kids Fishing Nonprofit will facilitate further education on how to be safe while on or around bodies of water.

Klineline Kids Fishing Nonprofit organization seeks to create the stewards of our future fisheries by introducing the youth of our community to the joys and thrills of fishing as both an individual and family activity, while also becoming more aware of our amazing outdoor environment and natural resources.

For almost 40 years various organizations have hosted a kids and family fishing event at Klineline Pond. And for the past 9 years the Klineline Kids Fishing Nonprofit organization, its sponsors and volunteers, has organized and led the event  and show local youth how to bait a hook, make a cast, land a fish, clean the catch and learn about our natural resources  in an effort to engage today’s youth in fishing, one of America’s greatest past-times. Klineline Kids Fishing Non-profit organization believes that fishing is a skill that is meant not to be learned, but to be shared, passed on from generation to generation by those that love the sport and the great outdoors. In addition, the event features educational sessions hosted by our partners like Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, Clark Public Utilities, US Fish & Wildlife, Columbia Springs, Fire District 6, and sport fishing groups to help our youth learn more about fishing, our natural environment and to experience the joy of playing outdoors. In addition to the annual Klineline Kids Fishing event, Klineline Kids Fishing Non-profit provides fishing rods and reels to several other area kids fishing programs, including:

• Columbia Springs Kids Fishing Festival

• Fort Vancouver Kids Fishing

• “I’m Hooked” @ Horseshoe Lake

• Merwin Special Kids Fishing

• Lake Merwin Kids Fishing

• Streeters Resort @ Silver Lake

• Woodland Moose Lodge @ Horseshoe Lake

Birds are among the most vocal creatures on Earth, and spring is an especially vibrant time for them.

As they search for mates, establish territories, and raise their young, this season offers a remarkable opportunity for observation. By slowing down and tuning in to their vocalizations, you can uncover the rich, dramatic stories unfolding in their lives and the ecosystems they inhabit.

In this field class, you’ll discover how paying attention to the calls, postures, and behaviors of songbirds can enhance your ability to spot more wildlife, unravel fascinating stories, deepen your connection to nature and increase your awareness skills.

This workshop will introduce techniques like sound mapping and sit spots, providing a hands-on experience. Held outdoors, the class will have opportunities to both sit still and listen to the birds, as well as going on a guided bird hike to learn vocalizations.

This class is designed for adult learners (18 years and older).

Expect to walk 1 mile on paved and uneven, muddy trails and to sit outside, in one spot, for approximately 60 minutes. Binoculars will be available to use.

Advanced registration required.   Sign up today to reserve your spot!

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.

Good Year Farms is teaming up and are so excited to be on the team for this 🦫🪵with @cascadeforest @washougal_arts @deepgreenarts & Broad Reach Foundation
Come learn about the beaves and the landscapes they sculpt. Write it down! See you there!
@shougbeaverbash

Learn more at their webpage HERE

When faced with environmental changes, organisms can either adapt, move, or perish.

In this workshop with Clark College's David Zonana, PhD, participants will learn about how land use changes, introduced species, and climate change are presenting new challenges to local wildlife populations. We will also dive into the biological processes that allow these populations to respond (adaptation through natural selection, migration, changes in the timing of reproduction, and more). We will also highlight the unique role the refuge plays in supporting wildlife in a rapidly changing region.   

Link to register HERE

What is the program? The Ridgefield NWR Complex Workshop Series is a monthly series of workshops facilitated by community members to engage the entire community with the Refuge in various ways. Any and all are welcome!

Photo by Washington Audubon

More information will be posted soon here: https://www.columbiasprings.org/events/

Explore Washington's outdoors

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

This day celebrates Free Fishing Weekend - Fishing licenses are not required to fish for many species in Washington. See WDFW’s 2025 news release to learn more about the event. 

Best opportunities for anglers: Some great fishing opportunities available without a license on Free Fishing Weekend include:

• Rainbow trout and bass in lowland lakes across the state.

• Lingcod, cabezon, flounder, and sole in Puget Sound.

• Rockfish and surfperch on the Washington coast.

• Shad in the Columbia River.

• Fishing licenses are still required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and all shellfish, including clams, crabs, mussels, oysters, and shrimp.

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

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

Explore Washington's outdoors

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

This day celebrates Free Fishing Weekend - Fishing licenses are not required to fish for many species in Washington. See WDFW’s 2025 news release to learn more about the event. 

Best opportunities for anglers: Some great fishing opportunities available without a license on Free Fishing Weekend include:

• Rainbow trout and bass in lowland lakes across the state.

• Lingcod, cabezon, flounder, and sole in Puget Sound.

• Rockfish and surfperch on the Washington coast.

• Shad in the Columbia River.

• Fishing licenses are still required for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, halibut and all shellfish, including clams, crabs, mussels, oysters, and shrimp.

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

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

This annual event, traditionally held on the second Saturday in June, encourages people to lead healthy, active lifestyles and connect with nature. To celebrate, the U.S. Forest Service often waives standard day-use fees at national forests and grasslands to increase public access. 

The day is coordinated by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and the U.S. Forest Service. Activities can include fishing, kayaking, hiking, archery, and bird watching. 

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

In honor of Flag Day, there are no entrance fees to federal public lands. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag by the Continental Congress on that day in 1777, honoring American unity, freedom, and patriotism through displays of the flag, parades, and patriotic ceremonies.

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

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

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

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

• Forest walks are great for all ages!

• Please note that our trails are not stroller friendly. 

• Let Columbia Springs staff 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!

Uncover the world of snails, slugs and salamanders of Mt. St. Helen’s volcano with an MSHI Wildlife Biologist.

See the forest in a new light as we identify common and rare species, explore the habitats unique to species, and learn about their role in forest ecology. If we're lucky, we will find rare Van Dyke’s Salamanders and Malone Jumping Slugs!

For detailed information, visit our Forest Floor Ecology Hike description.

• Register today!

• GUIDE TEAM:   Two professional guides, including a professional wildlife biologist, and two certified volunteer mountain stewards, all with extensive knowledge of Mount St. Helens

• MINIMUM AGE:   Any age; 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult

• COST:   $75/person

• PERMITS:   MSHI provides all permits

• MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE   8