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 below for a wide range of opportunities with our regional partners.

Not seeing what you are looking for or want to schedule 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 Some information on this page may be out of date, so connect with the Partner for the most up to date information.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.

¿No encuentra lo que busca o desea programar algo especial con un grupo? Ponte en contacto directamente con el socio. Es posible que parte de la información de esta página no esté actualizada; por ello, contacta con el socio para obtener la información más reciente. ¡Salgamos al aire libre!

  • LCNN is excited to share our Partner’s events, click each event for more detailed information - check with event host for most up to date information (LCNN does not lead these events).

  • NEW! For events that sound super fun but are just outside southwest Washington are listed as ROAD TRIPs.

Filtering by: “native plants”
“Voices of the River” Indigenous research submissions
Aug
14
to Sep 11

“Voices of the River” Indigenous research submissions

confluencenw

The Confluence Project NW “Voices of the River” is now accepting submissions for its 5th annual journal—Sacred Waters.

This special edition, created in partnership with Oregon State University, centers the meaning of water to Indigenous peoples across the region. From hot springs and rapids to riffles and waterfalls, these places hold deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance—and carry histories of protection, use, and ongoing struggle.

We’re inviting Indigenous researchers to share work that reflects these relationships. We’re seeking:

  • Indigenous-authored research on Columbia River systems and regional watersheds

  • Indigenous-authored research on water/river ecology in the Pacific Northwest

  • Deadline: September 11, 2026 at 11:50 PM PST
    Selected contributors will be published and compensated.

This is an opportunity to uplift Indigenous knowledge, creativity, and connection to water.

Learn more at www.confluenceproject.org
#voicesoftheriver #indigenousresearch #indigenousjournalism

View Event →
ROAD TRIP: Backyard Ecology Workshop Series: Plant Nerd Q & A
Aug
25

ROAD TRIP: Backyard Ecology Workshop Series: Plant Nerd Q & A

friendsoftrees & friendssharecommunityspace

Join us for a Backyard Ecology Workshop Series at @friendssharecommunityspace! Learn from our staff and connect with other plant lovers.

We have three workshops planned:

  • DIY Seed Ball Crafting: July 28
    Seed balls are a fun way to spread native plants! Get your hands dirty and make some to bring home!

  • Plant Nerd Q&A: Aug 25
    Tree care and gardening got you stumped? Looking for advice on plant selection and design? Bring your questions and a panel of industry professionals and community partners will do our best to share some advice!

  • Planting for Pollinators (+ Plant Giveaway): Sep 29
    Looking to turn part of your landscape into a pollinator paradise? Come learn about pollinators and how to establish a pollinator garden. Participants will take home several native plants!

All events at 14814 SE Powell Blvd. Register here or link in bio: tinyurl.com/1foteco26

View Event →
Native Plant  Tending and Traditional Cultural and Ecological Knowledge
Sep
3

Native Plant Tending and Traditional Cultural and Ecological Knowledge

confluencenw & estuarypartnership

Join the Confluence Project NW and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, local Indigenous partners, and the US Forest Service as we work together on the repatriation and rematriation of the Sandy River Delta.

This work is being done through land tending and traditional cultural and ecological knowledge focused on enhancement and rehabilitation of traditional harvesting areas, Indigenous foods gathering area within the conservation area. Collaborate with us while we work in community, spend time learning, and tend to native plants for cultural use to help them thrive! 

Pre-registration is required HERE.

  • All ages and abilities are welcome. No prior experience is necessary. Please let us know if you need accommodations to participate due to language, disability, or other additional needs.

  • Youth aged 15+ may volunteer without an adult present.

Accessibility: A 1.25-mile gravel ADA trail (one -way). The project will be off this trail on uneven ground. 

We'll provide: Tools, gloves, and snacks. 

Please bring:  Drinking water, sun protection, snacks or a sack lunch, and footwear you don’t mind getting a little damp and muddy. 

Questions? Please contact Samantha Dumont at 503-939-7381 or sdumont@estuarypartnership.org

Thank you, project funders and partners - this project wouldn't be possible without you: US Forest Service, Metro Nature in Neighborhood, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

View Event →
FVRL: Mushroom Hunting for Beginners
Sep
5

FVRL: Mushroom Hunting for Beginners

  • Ridgefield Community Library -Allene Wodaege Community Room (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Mushroom foraging is a popular pursuit in the Northwest! More than just a slideshow of edible mushrooms, this beginner-friendly class emphasizes skills and tools needed for accurate identification of mushrooms to determine edibility.

This is a FREE Fort Vancouver Regional Library workshop and open to all to attend. No registration is required.

Accommodations

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.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

View Event →
Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time
Sep
18

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time excursions 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! 

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

  • 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. 

  • Accessibility Note: This event takes place out on the land. We work to accommodate access however we can, and routinely customize the outing but please reach out if you have concerns so we can strategize together. You can email arts@pnfarm.com and we’ll take it from there.

  • Learn more about this and other upcoming events as well as register HERE

About our teacher: Regular Canopy Time hosts are Abby Braithwaite, PN Farm Arts Initiator, and her husband David Morgan, 3rd generation manager of Plas Newydd Farm. They both love little more than sharing stories of this place with visitors. Occasionally other farm arts volunteers and/or guest presenters join as well.

View Event →
FVRL: Mushroom Hunting for Beginners
Sep
20

FVRL: Mushroom Hunting for Beginners

Mushroom foraging is a popular pursuit in the Northwest! More than just a slideshow of edible mushrooms, this beginner-friendly class emphasizes skills and tools needed for accurate identification of mushrooms to determine edibility.

This is a FREE Fort Vancouver Regional Library workshop and open to all to attend. No registration is required.

Accommodations

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.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

View Event →
FVRL: Mushroom Hunting for Beginners
Sep
24

FVRL: Mushroom Hunting for Beginners

Mushroom foraging is a popular pursuit in the Northwest! More than just a slideshow of edible mushrooms, this beginner-friendly class emphasizes skills and tools needed for accurate identification of mushrooms to determine edibility.

This is a FREE Fort Vancouver Regional Library workshop and open to all to attend. No registration is required.

Accommodations

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.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

View Event →
ROAD TRIP: Washington Outdoor Women - Fall Workshop Weekend
Sep
25
to Sep 27

ROAD TRIP: Washington Outdoor Women - Fall Workshop Weekend

  • Camp Kiloqua, 15207 E Lake Goodwin Rd., (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Washington Outdoor Women offers the right skills at the right pace.

Let us know which skills you’d like to learn, and we will schedule you for three, 4-hr hands-on classes over the weekend. We provide expert instructors, all the equipment you’ll need, and the WOW “can-do” attitude. We’ll also provide plenty of take-home resources and a wealth of networking opportunities. Join other Washington Outdoor Women in an empowering experience!

REGISTRANTS: 18yrs and older

REGISTRATION FEE: $395

Registration is open now!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Sep 15th

View Event →
ROAD TRIP: Backyard Ecology Workshop Series: Planting for Pollinators
Sep
29

ROAD TRIP: Backyard Ecology Workshop Series: Planting for Pollinators

friendsoftrees & friendssharecommunityspace

Join us for a Backyard Ecology Workshop Series at @friendssharecommunityspace! Learn from our staff and connect with other plant lovers.

We have three workshops planned:

  • DIY Seed Ball Crafting: July 28
    Seed balls are a fun way to spread native plants! Get your hands dirty and make some to bring home!

  • Plant Nerd Q&A: Aug 25
    Tree care and gardening got you stumped? Looking for advice on plant selection and design? Bring your questions and a panel of industry professionals and community partners will do our best to share some advice!

  • Planting for Pollinators (+ Plant Giveaway): Sep 29
    Looking to turn part of your landscape into a pollinator paradise? Come learn about pollinators and how to establish a pollinator garden. Participants will take home several native plants!

All events at 14814 SE Powell Blvd. Register here or link in bio: tinyurl.com/1foteco26

View Event →
Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time
Oct
9

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time excursions 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! 

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

  • 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. 

  • Accessibility Note: This event takes place out on the land. We work to accommodate access however we can, and routinely customize the outing but please reach out if you have concerns so we can strategize together. You can email arts@pnfarm.com and we’ll take it from there.

  • Learn more about this and other upcoming events as well as register HERE

About our teacher: Regular Canopy Time hosts are Abby Braithwaite, PN Farm Arts Initiator, and her husband David Morgan, 3rd generation manager of Plas Newydd Farm. They both love little more than sharing stories of this place with visitors. Occasionally other farm arts volunteers and/or guest presenters join as well.

View Event →
Bat Class at Nature’s Haven nursery
Oct
24

Bat Class at Nature’s Haven nursery

Just in time for Halloween!

Join Nature’s Haven Nursery to learn about the fascinating—and often underappreciated—bats of the Pacific Northwest. We’ll talk about the species that live here, what they eat, where they spend their time, why they’re so important to our ecosystems, and how we can make our yards more bat-friendly.  We'll also have new bat houses available for sale.

Learn more about this and other classes, as well as registration HERE.

View Event →
Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time
Nov
13

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time excursions 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! 

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

  • 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. 

  • Accessibility Note: This event takes place out on the land. We work to accommodate access however we can, and routinely customize the outing but please reach out if you have concerns so we can strategize together. You can email arts@pnfarm.com and we’ll take it from there.

  • Learn more about this and other upcoming events as well as register HERE

About our teacher: Regular Canopy Time hosts are Abby Braithwaite, PN Farm Arts Initiator, and her husband David Morgan, 3rd generation manager of Plas Newydd Farm. They both love little more than sharing stories of this place with visitors. Occasionally other farm arts volunteers and/or guest presenters join as well.

View Event →
Second Saturday Work Party at Jane Weber Arboretum
Nov
14

Second Saturday Work Party at Jane Weber Arboretum

  • 9215 SE Evergreen Highway Vancouver, WA 98664 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Volunteering at the Jane Weber Arboretum

Monthly, we have our Second Saturday Work Party from 9am to noon. We often work on bigger projects and refreshments are always served.

Generally, our volunteers work on an area that is special to them or they just see a need to spruce things up.

We have three main volunteer areas. The Arboretum which encompasses the property grounds, The Stanger House restoration and the Caboose restoration.

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

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

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. Watch this video for more information.

Accessibility note: the trails and grounds are natural surface and not always ADA compliant.

View Event →
Pollinator Festival 2027
Jun
26

Pollinator Festival 2027

From Green Thumbs to Curious Minds—Everyone’s Invited!

Join the Vancouver Bee Project and community partners for a Free, Family-Friendly Celebration…the 2027 Pollinator Festival!

Pollinators are essential to our ecosystems—and they need our help! This festival is your chance to learn, celebrate, and take action to protect these amazing creatures while having fun with your community.

  • Community Connection: Discover the fascinating lives of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and learn how to create habitats that help them thrive.

  • Fun for All Ages: Kids will love the crafts, games, and face painting, while adults can enjoy local vendor booths and expert-led talks.

  • Engaging Tours: Meet others who share your passion for nature and sustainability in a warm, welcoming atmosphere

The planning team is pulling together another great list of speakers, vendors and activities for all ages.

Stay tuned for more information but mark you calendar for this one of a kind event in the heart of Vancouver, WA!

View Event →

Forest Walk at Columbia Springs
Aug
19

Forest Walk at Columbia Springs

  • 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver, WA 98683 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

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 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!

View Event →
Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time
Aug
14

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time

Plas Newydd Farm Excursion & Canopy Time excursions 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! 

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

  • 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. 

  • Accessibility Note: This event takes place out on the land. We work to accommodate access however we can, and routinely customize the outing but please reach out if you have concerns so we can strategize together. You can email arts@pnfarm.com and we’ll take it from there.

  • Learn more about this and other upcoming events as well as register HERE

About our teacher: Regular Canopy Time hosts are Abby Braithwaite, PN Farm Arts Initiator, and her husband David Morgan, 3rd generation manager of Plas Newydd Farm. They both love little more than sharing stories of this place with visitors. Occasionally other farm arts volunteers and/or guest presenters join as well.

View Event →
Building Soil & Style in Your Space : Lawn Be Gone!
Aug
2

Building Soil & Style in Your Space : Lawn Be Gone!

Join Good Year Farms and Lydia Cox from Radish Gardens teaches how to create lush planting beds from souless lawn.

We will talk through a variety of options for converting lawn into planting beds, including: when to use different methods and materials, tips for creating clean lines along hardscaping or lawn that is being kept, where to source materials locally, tool recommendations, and more.

There will be a hands on demo and step-by-step planning guide to help you leave ready to reclaim precious space in your landscape!

Brunch in included and is catered by our favorite brother, Johan. It is always fresh and fun. Dietary options are considered (GF, veg).

Registration is required HERE.

View Event →
Wednesday Wanders with WREC
Jul
29

Wednesday Wanders with WREC

  • Water Resources Education Center 4600 Columbia Way, Vancouver WA (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join Vancouver’s WREC 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.

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.

View Event →
ROAD TRIP: Backyard Ecology Workshop Series
Jul
28

ROAD TRIP: Backyard Ecology Workshop Series

friendsoftrees & friendssharecommunityspace

Join us for a Backyard Ecology Workshop Series at @friendssharecommunityspace! Learn from our staff and connect with other plant lovers.

We have three workshops planned:

  • DIY Seed Ball Crafting: July 28
    Seed balls are a fun way to spread native plants! Get your hands dirty and make some to bring home!

  • Plant Nerd Q&A: Aug 25
    Tree care and gardening got you stumped? Looking for advice on plant selection and design? Bring your questions and a panel of industry professionals and community partners will do our best to share some advice!

  • Planting for Pollinators (+ Plant Giveaway): Sep 29
    Looking to turn part of your landscape into a pollinator paradise? Come learn about pollinators and how to establish a pollinator garden. Participants will take home several native plants!

All events at 14814 SE Powell Blvd. Register here or link in bio: tinyurl.com/1foteco26

View Event →
Edible Plant Walks @ Nature’s Haven Natives
Jul
26

Edible Plant Walks @ Nature’s Haven Natives

Nature’s Haven Nursery invites you to learn about edible native plants: Wildlife aren’t the only ones who can eat native plants - you can, too!

In this class, you’ll join Nature’s Haven’s Allie as they lead a tour of the property to explore our edible native plants. See examples of established plants in their native habitat and learn how to incorporate them into your diet. Afterward, shop the nursery to take home your favorites!

Class is free but registration is required HERE.

Join these other classes, too

All are free but require registration

View Event →
ROAD TRIP: Wildcrafting at Mt. Hood Meadows
Jul
25

ROAD TRIP: Wildcrafting at Mt. Hood Meadows

Join Mt. Hood Meadows team member and local wildflower expert Jesse Eaton on a hike through our permit area to learn about wildcrafting: the practice of gathering plant materials in their natural, wild settings, primarily for culinary and/or medicinal purposes.

Please note that these are solely educational hikes, as picking of wildflowers is prohibited in the Mt. Hood Meadows permit area. The purpose of this experience is to learn how to identify specific plants and gain knowledge about their medicinal and everyday uses, as well as to learn about foraging, growing these plants in your own garden, and how to be a good steward of the land.

  • The cost will include your guide and a scenic chair ride lift ticket.

  • Saturday, July 11, 18 & 25, 1-3 PM

  • Book Your Wildcraft Hike!

  • Make a weekend of it! We offer camping spots in the main lot on the weekends during summer operations for those with self-contained RVs. Reserve your spot online in advance. Learn More & Reserve Your RV Spot

View Event →
Help restore bird habitat with VAS
Jul
25

Help restore bird habitat with VAS

  • Sams Walker Day Use and Picnic Area in Skamania County (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

vancouver.audubon

Birds rely on healthy habitats to survive so, Cameraderie is stepping out from behind the lens to get our hands dirty and help native birds and pollinators. Youth ages 10-18 with an interest in nature and wildlife photography and their parents are invited to join us this Saturday at Sam Walker Day Use and Picnic Area in Skamania County

  • Volunteers should come prepared for the elements with water, sunscreen, snacks, and lunch.

  • Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing such as gloves, a hat, sunscreen, long sleeves, and pants.

  • Carpool info: Meet at the Steigerwald Lake NWR parking lot by 7:30am

  • Register HERE OR visit the VAS webpage and tap "Cameraderie Summer Registration."

Photos: Vesper Sparrow, Columbia Gorge Scenic Area, Rufous Hummingbird, Yellow-breasted Chat by Ken Pitts/Vancouver Audubon

View Event →
HOPE Walk @ Columbia River Trail
Jul
24

HOPE Walk @ Columbia River Trail

  • Marine Park (4501 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

hopedementiasupport

July is the Month of HOPE!
All month long, HOPE Dementia Support celebrating connection, joy, and community for people living with dementia and their care partners.

From HOPE Walks to Movies, the Stables, the Wildlife Refuge, Memory Cafés, Brain Health sessions, and more — July is filled with moments that remind us we’re not alone. Come be part of something meaningful.

RSVP HERE

Join us for HOPE WALKS at the Columbia River Trail as we celebrate the Month of HOPE together.

This gentle, welcoming walk is open to everyone — families, friends, care partners, people living with dementia, and all who believe in building a more dementia‑friendly Clark County. Come enjoy fresh air, encouragement, and a morning filled with companionship.Every step matters. Every person belongs.

Maps will be provided at the eventCheck out the map here if you would like to look ahead of the walk.

We will be starting at Marine Park (4501 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661) . We will walk to Wintler Park and back. Look for the HOPE Dementia Support sign. Please call 360-513-5754 with any questions

View Event →
ROAD TRIP: Tending and Traditional Cultural and Ecological Knowledge at Sandy River Delta
Jul
23

ROAD TRIP: Tending and Traditional Cultural and Ecological Knowledge at Sandy River Delta

  • Sandy River Delta, Thousand Acres Rd Troutdale, OR (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

confluencenw

Join Confluence, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, local Indigenous partners, and the US Forest Service as we work together on the repatriation and rematriation of the Sandy River Delta. This work is being done through land tending and traditional cultural and ecological knowledge focused on enhancement and rehabilitation of a cattail wetland within the conservation area. Collaborate with us while we work in community, spend time learning, and tending to cattails and other native plants to help them thrive!

Pre-registration is required.

  • All ages and abilities are welcome. No prior experience is necessary. Please let us know if you need accommodations to participate due to language, disability, or other additional needs.

  • Youth aged 15+ may volunteer without an adult present.

Accessibility: A 1.25-mile gravel ADA trail (one -way). The project will be off this trail on uneven ground. ** If access is an issue, please reach out, as we can drive a few people closer to the site so the walk is much shorter. 

We'll provide: Tools, gloves, and snacks. 

Please bring:  Drinking water, sun protection, snacks or a sack lunch, and footwear you don’t mind getting a little damp and muddy. 

Directions: Sandy River Delta Parking Lot Directions; A reminder email with directions and parking info will be sent 3 days before the event.

Questions? Please contact Samantha Dumont at 503-939-7381 or sdumont@estuarypartnership.org

Thank you, project funders and partners - this project wouldn't be possible without you: US Forest Service, Metro Nature in Neighborhood, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

View Event →
HOPE Walk @ Ridgefield NWR
Jul
22

HOPE Walk @ Ridgefield NWR

hopedementiasupport

July is the Month of HOPE!
All month long, HOPE Dementia Support celebrating connection, joy, and community for people living with dementia and their care partners.

From HOPE Walks to Movies, the Stables, the Wildlife Refuge, Memory Cafés, Brain Health sessions, and more — July is filled with moments that remind us we’re not alone. Come be part of something meaningful.

Join HOPE Dementia Support for an afternoon of connection, conversation, and nature at the beautiful Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge.

This outing is designed for individuals living with dementia and their care partners and families to enjoy time together in a relaxed, supportive environment. We'll take in the sights and sounds of the refuge, observe local wildlife, enjoy fresh air, and connect with others.

Whether you're a seasoned birdwatcher or simply looking for a way to spend time outdoors, this experience offers an opportunity to slow down, be present, and enjoy the beauty around us.

Please RSVP Here or call HOPE dementia Support at 360-513-5754

View Event →
Columbia Springs Community Days: Plants
Jul
21

Columbia Springs Community Days: Plants

  • 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver, WA 98683 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

columbiasprings

These three awesome interns set up tables with fun activities for community members to explore on Tuesdays!

They will be out again from 10 am - 12 pm on the lawn across from the fish feeding pond. Be sure to stop by to learn about Plants! 🌿🌱

Follow Columbia Springs on Instagram for updates on other Tuesday sessions.

View Event →
Intro to WA Native Frogs!
Jul
19

Intro to WA Native Frogs!

Nature’s Haven Nursery invites you to learn about our WA Native frogs!

The native Pacific chorus frog is less than 2” and can be solid or patterned greens and browns (they can change color in hours!). Their beautiful ‘chorus’ of songs can be heard particularly in spring. In this FREE class, learn about our native frogs and how you can welcome them to your yard. We’ll talk about supportive habitats, frog hotels, or maybe even building your own pond!

Class is free but registration is required HERE.

Join these other classes, too

All are free but require registration

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ROAD TRIP: Wildcrafting at Mt. Hood Meadows
Jul
18

ROAD TRIP: Wildcrafting at Mt. Hood Meadows

Join Mt. Hood Meadows team member and local wildflower expert Jesse Eaton on a hike through our permit area to learn about wildcrafting: the practice of gathering plant materials in their natural, wild settings, primarily for culinary and/or medicinal purposes.

Please note that these are solely educational hikes, as picking of wildflowers is prohibited in the Mt. Hood Meadows permit area. The purpose of this experience is to learn how to identify specific plants and gain knowledge about their medicinal and everyday uses, as well as to learn about foraging, growing these plants in your own garden, and how to be a good steward of the land.

  • The cost will include your guide and a scenic chair ride lift ticket.

  • Saturday, July 11, 18 & 25, 1-3 PM

  • Book Your Wildcraft Hike!

  • Make a weekend of it! We offer camping spots in the main lot on the weekends during summer operations for those with self-contained RVs. Reserve your spot online in advance. Learn More & Reserve Your RV Spot

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ROAD TRIP: ForestFest at the World Forestry Center
Jul
18

ROAD TRIP: ForestFest at the World Forestry Center

worldforestrycenter

Celebrate forests at ForestFest on July 18, 10am - 6pm!

We’ve partnered with the U.S. Forest Service for a free, family-friendly day of hands-on discovery, creativity, and outdoor fun in Washington Park. 🌲

Included:
🎶 Live music (@singerjermaine & @wildwood.creates)
📸 Photos with @smokeybear & Woodsy Owl
🛍️ Community vendors & artists
🍔 Food & drinks & s’mores from @marshandmallowco)
💃 Drag hikes with @dragmeoutside
🌕 Dedication of a Moon Tree (from seeds that went around the moon with @nasa)
📚 Storytime with @silpakona & @kidlitandsteam
🪵 Live demonstration traveling sawmill with @woodmizer
🎤 Forest Storybooth with @storyboothexperience capturing personal stories of the forest for a future podcast!

Plus enjoy free admission to the Discovery Museum and extended hours until 6 PM, thanks to @hamptonlumber!

What a day! Mark it on your calendars ~ we will see you there!! #worldforestrycenter #forestfest #pdxevents #kidfriendlypdx #forests250

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ROAD TRIP - Mt. Hood Meadows Chairlift wildlife ride and hike
Jul
16

ROAD TRIP - Mt. Hood Meadows Chairlift wildlife ride and hike

Join the Washington Native Plant Society for this hike that uses the Mount Hood Meadows chair lift to quickly gain the high mountain meadows for stunning displays of a wide variety of alpine flowers.   

From the chairlift, hike west and loop back down to the parking lot.  When the wildflowers have dried out everyplace else this is the place to go for stunning views of the high mountain meadows.  Some of the most accessible and spectacular displays are on the Mount Hood Meadows ski slopes where a widely diverse panorama of alpine flowers bloom in this late season.  Last year lift ticket prices were $22 on the day of the hike or $20 if purchased on line; seniors 75+ ride free. 

This is a joint hike with the Suksdorfia Chapter (WNPS) and the Portland Chapter (NPSO). The hike is limited to 12 people. 

Contact Ron Klump at klumpron@gmail.com to sign up for the hike.

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ROAD TRIP: Tending and Traditional Cultural and Ecological Knowledge at Sandy River Delta
Jul
16

ROAD TRIP: Tending and Traditional Cultural and Ecological Knowledge at Sandy River Delta

  • Sandy River Delta, Thousand Acres Rd Troutdale, OR (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

confluencenw

Join Confluence, the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership, local Indigenous partners, and the US Forest Service as we work together on the repatriation and rematriation of the Sandy River Delta. This work is being done through land tending and traditional cultural and ecological knowledge focused on enhancement and rehabilitation of a cattail wetland within the conservation area. Collaborate with us while we work in community, spend time learning, and tending to cattails and other native plants to help them thrive!

Pre-registration is required.

  • All ages and abilities are welcome. No prior experience is necessary. Please let us know if you need accommodations to participate due to language, disability, or other additional needs.

  • Youth aged 15+ may volunteer without an adult present.

Accessibility: A 1.25-mile gravel ADA trail (one -way). The project will be off this trail on uneven ground. ** If access is an issue, please reach out, as we can drive a few people closer to the site so the walk is much shorter. 

We'll provide: Tools, gloves, and snacks. 

Please bring:  Drinking water, sun protection, snacks or a sack lunch, and footwear you don’t mind getting a little damp and muddy. 

Directions: Sandy River Delta Parking Lot Directions; A reminder email with directions and parking info will be sent 3 days before the event.

Questions? Please contact Samantha Dumont at 503-939-7381 or sdumont@estuarypartnership.org

Thank you, project funders and partners - this project wouldn't be possible without you: US Forest Service, Metro Nature in Neighborhood, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

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Second Saturday Work Party at Jane Weber Arboretum
Jul
11

Second Saturday Work Party at Jane Weber Arboretum

  • 9215 SE Evergreen Highway Vancouver, WA 98664 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Volunteering at the Jane Weber Arboretum

Monthly, we have our Second Saturday Work Party from 9am to noon. We often work on bigger projects and refreshments are always served.

Generally, our volunteers work on an area that is special to them or they just see a need to spruce things up.

We have three main volunteer areas. The Arboretum which encompasses the property grounds, The Stanger House restoration and the Caboose restoration.

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

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

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. Watch this video for more information.

Accessibility note: the trails and grounds are natural surface and not always ADA compliant.

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ROAD TRIP - Lookout Mountain Wildflower Hike
Jul
9

ROAD TRIP - Lookout Mountain Wildflower Hike

Join the Washington Native Plant Society for a wildflower hike at Lookout Mountain, Hood River County, OR

The is a moderate hike of 2.6 miles with 570 ft elevation gain.  Round trip from Portland is 150 miles paved, 12 miles gravel.  Lookout Mountain is east of  Mt Hood and Hood River Valley.  We’ll hike from High Prairie up to the top of Lookout Mountain and return.   A variety of forest, meadow, and rocky outcrops with lots of good plants.  NW Forest Pass required. 

This is a joint hike between the Suksdorfia Chapter (WNPS) and the Portland Chapter (NPSO).  Hike participation is limited to 12. 

To sign up for the hike or for more info contact Ron Klump at klumpron@gmail.com 

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Forest Floor Ecology Hike with MSHI
Jul
5

Forest Floor Ecology Hike with MSHI

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

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Edible Plant Walks @ Nature’s Haven Natives
Jun
28

Edible Plant Walks @ Nature’s Haven Natives

Nature’s Haven Nursery invites you to learn about edible native plants: Wildlife aren’t the only ones who can eat native plants - you can, too!

In this class, you’ll join Nature’s Haven’s Allie as they lead a tour of the property to explore our edible native plants. See examples of established plants in their native habitat and learn how to incorporate them into your diet. Afterward, shop the nursery to take home your favorites!

Class is free but registration is required HERE.

Join these other classes, too

All are free but require registration

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Campus Community Garden Flora & Fauna Friday
Jun
19

Campus Community Garden Flora & Fauna Friday

  • Campus Community Garden NE Campus Dr Vancouver, (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Programs and Naturespaces for our mid-day volunteer event series: Flora and Fauna Fridays!

We’re excited to host these activities that allow you to roll up your sleeves and contribute to our community Naturespace sites. 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.

  • Advance registration is required. Flora and Fauna Friday Campus Community Garden RSVP. *This is an outside work party* where volunteers will distribute mulch, pick up litter and pull invasive plants at Campus community garden!

Accessibility is important 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 24 hours prior to the event. 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.

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Heritage Farm Wetland Restoration celebration
Jun
17

Heritage Farm Wetland Restoration celebration

clarkcowa_pw

Don't forget to join Clark County Public Works to celebrate the completion of the Heritage Farm Wetland Restoration! Come learn about how this project restored Cougar Creek's headwater wetlands and riparian area!

RSVP: https://forms.office.com/g/LZT3jVzxFQ

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Adult Nature Identification Walk at Steigerwald NWR
Jun
13

Adult Nature Identification Walk at Steigerwald NWR

Join Fort Vancouver Regional Library for a guided nature walk through Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge and discover how to identify local plants and animals with naturalist Rebecca Lexa.

Accommodations: 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.

Особые условия могут быть запрошены с помощью нашей формы запроса на предоставление условий для людей с инвалидностью не позднее чем за 15 дней до мероприятия.

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ROAD TRIP - Powell Butte Ecologist-led Nature Mt. Bike Ride
Jun
10

ROAD TRIP - Powell Butte Ecologist-led Nature Mt. Bike Ride

Join Northwest Trail Alliance and Portland Parks & Rec Ecologist Christian Haaning for a guided mountain bike tour of Powell Butte's flora and fauna.

NWTA is thrilled to collaborate with Portland Parks and Recreation's Christian Haaning, who serves as a Natural Resource Ecologist for Powell Butte Nature Park and broader East Portland.

Powell Butte offers miles of mountain biking trails within Portland city limits, and is also home to a diverse populations of plants and animals.

In this guided tour, participants will meet at the main parking area, and join Christian and NWTA staff for a casual-paced ride through the park, with stops along the way to point out areas of interest and connect with the area more deeply. Expect to ride 3-5 miles on trails at a conversational pace.

Register HERE

Participation is limited to 12. There is no cost to join, but please cancel your order if you're unable to join us to allow for others to participate.

Please note that no e-bikes will be permitted for this ride.

For any questions please contact Eric Oliver, erico@nw-trail.org.

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WNPS Wildflower Hike - Falls Creek Falls
Jun
4

WNPS Wildflower Hike - Falls Creek Falls

Join the Washington Native Plant Society for this wonderful hike along Falls Creek to Falls Creek Falls and back. 

This is a 4-mile out and back hike with an elevation gain of about 750’.  Besides the trees and shrubs, we will see any number of shade loving wildflowers.  As a bonus we will have lunch at the falls, which is one of the largest falls in southern WA. This is a joint hike with the Suksdorf Chapter (WNPS) and the Portland Chapter (NPSO) 

Contact Ron Klump at klumpron@gmail.com to sign up for the hike or for more information.

Skamania County, WA. Exact location provided with sign up. 

From WTA on-line guide (route is not accessible, lots of narrow paths, adjacent drop offs, roots and rocks make trail tread uneven in many places)

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Birds and Blooms of Burnt Bridge Creek
May
30

Birds and Blooms of Burnt Bridge Creek

  • Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway-Stewart Glen Lakeshore Dr & Bernie, Vancouver, WA 98663 (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the City of Vancouver staff for a springtime walk along Burnt Bridge Creek, where nature comes alive in May.

We will learn how to identify the flowering native plants along the trail while listening for the songs of migrating song birds. Learn how the health of the water plays a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems, from the flowers along the creek’s edge to the birds passing through.

Registration required. Sign up today!

  • This walk is suitable for adults and families with youth ages 8 and older.

  • All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Expect to walk 2.5 miles on mostly paved and flat pathways. 

  • Stairs descend from the street parking to the trailhead.

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Understory: NW Film Festival
May
28

Understory: NW Film Festival

Join the Cascade Forest Conservancy at the historic Kiggins theatre
in downtown Vancouver for a night featuring stories of adventure, conservation and our connection to the natural world.


Thursday MAY 28
6:30 pm doors at 5:30 pm

Save with Early bird tickets before may 15

Featuring:

The Grand Salmon: Following three women on a 78-day paddling expedition, The Grand Salmon explores the effects of four dams on the Lower Snake River and their impact throughout the watershed on rapidly dwindling wild salmon populations. For over 1,000 miles, these women navigate the same waterways wild salmon have for generations, connecting the source of the Salmon River to the Pacific Ocean. From high water to extreme temperatures, this team not only faces the same natural challenges the fish do each year, but brings viewers along to experience what the construction of these dams has done to our ecosystems and wildlife.

Speaking Eep!: Speaking Eep! follows a team of women scientists working to conserve one of North America’s most climate-sensitive species: the American pika. Using a combination of cutting-edge AI technology and traditional research techniques, population biologist Dr. Chris Ray and PhD student Rachel Billings hope to decode the iconic “eeps” of pika language and determine how communication between subspecies might help separate populations of pikas come together to adapt in the face of a warming climate. 

The Lost Fish: In the heavily dammed Columbia River Basin, millions have been spent on life support systems for Pacific Salmon. Yet, the little-known Pacific Lamprey has slipped through the cracks of conservation efforts and is now lost from most of its historic range in the Columbia Basin. Desperately, members of the Nez Perce, Umatilla, Yakama and Warm Springs Tribes have taken the management of Pacific lamprey into their own hands and are now fighting to bring political attention and social will to the struggle of a lost fish.

Living Legacies: Washington state’s Department of Natural Resources harvests and sells timber to fund Washington counties, junior tax districts, schools, penitentiaries, and government. But when their harvest plans catch the attention of local communities whose lives would be affected, a statewide movement is born to protect a special new classification of forests – Legacy Forests.

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Wednesday Wanders with the Water Resources Education Center
May
27

Wednesday Wanders with the Water Resources Education Center

  • Water Resources Education Center 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver WA (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join the City’s Educators 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.

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.

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Spring Geology Hike to Larch Mountain Crater
May
23

Spring Geology Hike to Larch Mountain Crater

Join the Friends of the Columbia Gorge (Columbia River) outdoor guide & Friends board member Jayson Moorman for an adventure through old-growth forest ablaze with spring colors.

Before you register:

  • Read our Liability Waiver. You will be asked to check a box acknowledging you read the waiver during registration._

  • Confirm your availability. Due to limited spots, and to be respectful of everyone's time, please only register for this event if you can commit to attending.

  • Difficulty level: Moderate: 6 mile loop with ~1,200-feet elevation gain

Starting from Sherrard Point at the top of Larch Mountain, we’ll descend into the ‘crater,’ home to the sparkling headwaters of Multnomah Creek, before completing the loop trail. The hike concludes back at Sherrard Point with a breathtaking panoramic view of five major volcanic peaks.

What you can expect on this guided outing:

A peaceful slow paced hike through shaded forest trails, where you’ll explore the area’s geology and keep watch for wildflowers, fungi, frogs, and salamanders. We will stop to learn about what we see along the way.

Hazards:

  • Portions of this trail are semi-rugged, with exposed roots, rocky scree, and steep sections. Hiking poles are recommended to help with both the ascent and descent.

  • View the recommended 10+ Essentials List to help you pack.

What to Bring:

  • Lunch, snacks, and plenty of water (1 liter for every two hours)

  • 10+ Essentials in backpack

  • Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen

  • Hiking poles (helpful when navigating the rocky area.)

What to Wear:

  • Sturdy, closed-toe shoes, or boots.

  • Durable and protective clothing for rocky terrain.

  • Dress for weather: Be ready to shed layers in hot temperatures, or layer up in case of cold and rainy weather.

Schedule:

Fee: A valid Northwest Forest Recreation Pass is required at Larch Mountain trailhead. You can purchase a $5 per vehicle per day use pass or Annual pass, for more information click here.

Restrooms: Nearest restroom located at Larch Mountain Trailhead.

Property: U.S. Forest Service.

A confirmation email with outing details will be sent out 2-3 days before the event.

Questions? Please contact hikes@gorgefriends.org.

Accessibility: Have accessibility questions? Reply to your registration email to confirm your requirements or request more information.

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Put on your adventure hat and head outdoors