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.

wa_nativebees

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

Increase the beauty and productivity of your fruit trees with this informative, two-part, hands-on pruning class by locally renowned fruit tree expert, Monica Maggio.

Timely pruning can improve the shape, strength, and fruit set of your trees, and help reduce pest and disease pressure.

Part One is a lecture on a Friday evening, delivered via Zoom (at your home), that will cover general pruning theory. This will be Friday, May 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. You will be provided with a Zoom link a day or two prior to the class. Note: you must have a (free) Zoom account in order to attend.

Part Two is a Saturday in-field session that includes experiential instruction on specific techniques to help you learn how to make the best cuts on your fruit trees with confidence and skill. This will be held rain or shine on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at 1919 NE 78th St., Vancouver, WA.

This portion will include standing and walking on uneven ground. Dress for the weather and bring water.

DATE/TIME: Friday, May 29, 2026 — 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom and Saturday, May 30, 2025 — 10:00 a.m. to noon

LOCATION: Zoom for Friday evening and in East Vancouver on Saturday. More specifics will be provided on registration.

COST: $60.06 which includes tax and Eventbrite fee for both sessions. For the Friday evening online class only, $25.22 which includes Eventbrite fees and sales tax.

REGISTRATION Required. No admission without advance registration. Click here to register.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: (564) 397-5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Erika Johnson at the above listed email, phone or mailing address at least two weeks prior to the event.

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 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

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.

Increase the beauty and productivity of your fruit trees with this informative, two-part, hands-on pruning class by locally renowned fruit tree expert, Monica Maggio.

Timely pruning can improve the shape, strength, and fruit set of your trees, and help reduce pest and disease pressure.

Part Two is a Saturday in-field session that includes experiential instruction on specific techniques to help you learn how to make the best cuts on your fruit trees with confidence and skill. This will be held rain or shine on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to noon at 1919 NE 78th St., Vancouver, WA.

This portion will include standing and walking on uneven ground. Dress for the weather and bring water.

DATE/TIME: Friday, May 29, 2026 — 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm via Zoom and Saturday, May 30, 2025 — 10:00 a.m. to noon

LOCATION: Zoom for Friday evening and in East Vancouver on Saturday. More specifics will be provided on registration.

COST: $60.06 which includes tax and Eventbrite fee for both sessions. For the Friday evening online class only, $25.22 which includes Eventbrite fees and sales tax.

REGISTRATION Required. No admission without advance registration. Click here to register.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: (564) 397-5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Erika Johnson at the above listed email, phone or mailing address at least two weeks prior to the event.

vancouver.audubon

Spring birding with the Vancouver Audubon Society!

Check the VAS web page for event locations and details for this trip.

Bird Walks are meant to be a casual, local morning of birding. They are a great time to enjoy birds with others, find new areas to visit, and/or work on bird identification by sight and sound or to practice your eBird app with help when needed. These walks are usually easy to join or depart at any time during the morning, no commitment to participate in the entire walk if you have limited time.

Registration is strongly encouraged to make sure you can stay in the loop on updates such as those caused by unpredictable weather this time of year. In order to sign up visit Vancouveraudubon.org/bird-walks-field-trips or tap the link in our bio and navigate to "Bird Walks and Field Trips."

Register: Cindy at vas@vancouveraudubon.org
The Vancouver Audubon Society team can't wait to see you there!

“The Extraordinary Lives of Common Nighthawks” with Gretchen Newberry, author of The Nighthawk’s Evening

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society’s monthly meeting and guest speaker.

No program in July or August: Enjoy the summer break and we’ll see you in September!–

Social time and sharing bird sightings begins at 6:30pm May 5, 2026, announcements start at 6:45pm, and the program will start at 7:00pm.

Evergreen Public Schools District Office at 13413 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive, Vancouver, WA.

Join the Bird Alliance of Oregon to learn about the life histories and adaptations of this diverse group of insects, from caterpillar chemical defenses to mimicry and reproduction.

You’ve seen butterflies flying around at the park and watched them pollinate and feed on flowers in your yard. But how much do you know about these ephemeral beauties? How do you tell butterflies apart from moths? When did they first evolve? Join us to learn about the life histories and adaptations of this diverse group of insects, from caterpillar chemical defenses to mimicry and reproduction.

Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly, Photo by Ted Thomas, USFWS

Take a deep dive into the natural history of butterflies!

Join this on-line workshop to learn about the life histories and adaptations of this diverse group of insects, from caterpillar chemical defenses to mimicry and reproduction.

Register

Online Class Details

• Class: June 10, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Class fee: $20 members / $30 non-members

• Note: Class recordings will be sent out automatically to everyone who registered post-class. Thank you!

Meet the Instructor Brian Magnier

My name is Brian Magnier, and I live in La Grande, Oregon. I studied ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University and got a Master of Professional Science degree in Exploration Science at the University of Miami. As was the case for so many people, birds were the gateway to my passion for wildlife. I have been an avid birder since elementary school and a nature photographer for almost as long.
I have been fortunate to be able to travel the world both for pleasure and for academic research. I have done fieldwork on mammals and insects in Alaska and New York and on birds in Borneo and Papua New Guinea. I have journeyed to Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Sweden, and Iceland, photographing wildlife in dense jungles and rugged deserts. I have led hiking and kayaking tours in Alaska and snorkel tours in Belize and Indonesia. I aim to inspire people to get outside, talk a walk, flip over some logs, and take a closer look at the world around them. I now live in La Grande, Oregon, where I can often be found wandering through deserts and forests, camera in hand, to find everything from birds to fungi to fossils.

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VIRTUAL BAT CLASSES

Join speaker Brandon Burger to earn about the diversity in bats and why they are the most amazing and beneficial animals on earth. Get tips on how to invite bats into your own yard.

This class will be held via Zoom.

Call 503-445-2699 ext. 4 to register - Registration Deadline:  June 9th at 4:30PM

Window Collisions & Human Intervention - Add your touch to the NEW USFWS Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Community Nature Center!

With windows comes bird collisions, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Join the Migratory Birds unit of the Region 1 US Fish & Wildlife Service for an informational and hands-on workshop explaining the importance of migration, the hazard that window panes pose, and how you as a renter/homeowner can help the migrating birds of our region.

For the last half hour, practice applying window film and other application options to the windows of the Community Nature Center. Leave your mark on our brand new building for visitors to admire and use.

• Take home information about immediately doable options for your own windows.

• Help your local migrating birds as they journey up and down the Pacific Flyway! 

• All ages, please join!

• Link to register: Window Collisions & Human Intervention Registration Link

In this class, the Bird Alliance of Oregon will discuss not only how to identify Oregon’s butterflies but also what time of year they emerge and what plants they like to associate with.

With over 18,000 species, butterflies are one of the most diverse groups of animals on Earth. They have spread and adapted to almost every terrestrial habitat and are found pretty much everywhere except Iceland and Antarctica. Oregon has about 150 species of these delicate insects, and together we will go through many of the common species that can be found here. We will discuss not only how to identify Oregon’s butterflies but also what time of year they emerge and what plants they like to associate with.

Pale Swallowtail, photo by Tara Lemezis

Take a deep dive into the natural history of butterflies!

In this digital class, we’ll discuss not only how to identify Oregon’s butterflies but also what time of year they emerge and what plants they like to associate with.

Register

Online Class Details

• Class: June 17, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Class fee: $20 members / $30 non-members

• Note: Class recordings will be sent out automatically to everyone who registered post-class. Thank you!

Meet the Instructor Brian Magnier

My name is Brian Magnier, and I live in La Grande, Oregon. I studied ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University and got a Master of Professional Science degree in Exploration Science at the University of Miami. As was the case for so many people, birds were the gateway to my passion for wildlife. I have been an avid birder since elementary school and a nature photographer for almost as long.
I have been fortunate to be able to travel the world both for pleasure and for academic research. I have done fieldwork on mammals and insects in Alaska and New York and on birds in Borneo and Papua New Guinea. I have journeyed to Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Sweden, and Iceland, photographing wildlife in dense jungles and rugged deserts. I have led hiking and kayaking tours in Alaska and snorkel tours in Belize and Indonesia. I aim to inspire people to get outside, talk a walk, flip over some logs, and take a closer look at the world around them. I now live in La Grande, Oregon, where I can often be found wandering through deserts and forests, camera in hand, to find everything from birds to fungi to fossils.

View More Classes

Join Fort Vancouver Regional Library for a Goat Happy Hour™ by Original Goat Yoga®, also called goat therapy. Petting these sweet animals can decrease anxiety, depression, and loneliness, increasing feelings of comfort and happiness. Goat Happy Hour will be held outside and the goats will be on leads. Dress accordingly. This event is intended for adults, no adult beverages will be served. Children 8 and up may be admitted with an adult.

Goat owner Tammy Whipp has been operating the Original Goat Yoga Oregon City location since 2017. She owns Beaver Lake Stables and Pixie Dust Farms. Her love and passion for using her animals as a therapy for people is what fuels her.

Program generously paid for by Friends of Cascade Park Community Library.

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.

Stop by our booth at the Ridgefield Farmers' Market at Davis Park to make mini-composters for yourself and your neighbors. 

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.

Join the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute team with a guided nature hike to explore the hummocks created by the May 18th, 1980 eruption!

The Eruption Hike will begin amidst incredible hummocks deposited on May 18, 1980 and as we wind our way through the huge mounds of rocks and debris, we will witness first hand the awesome geological and biological forces that created this landscape 45 years ago. We will emerge from the hummocks and join the Boundary Trail where we will begin our ascent up the scoured and denuded slopes to the ridgeline that separates the blast zone from the standing dead zone. We will visit the Loowit Viewpoint where we will learn about David Johnston and his legacy before we proceed to the Johnston Ridge Observatory (closed) for views of the vast Pumice Plain, volcanic crater and lava domes. Keep your eyes open for meandering elk in the plains below and mountain goats on the cliffs around you.

For detailed information, visit our Eruption Hike program description.

Register today!

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

• MINIMUM AGE:   8. If your hiker is younger, contact us to discuss.

• COST:   $125/person

• PERMITS:   MSHI provides all permits

• MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE   12

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

Get ready to kick off Summer Reading with a POP!

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library is turning the library courtyard into a bubble wonderland. From giant bubbles to tiny suds, explore a variety of hands-on bubble activities that the whole family will enjoy. Plus, we’ll have refreshing treats to help you stay cool!

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.

Botanical Drawing with Crystal Shin with Colored Pencils hosted by the Washington Native Plant Society

Have you ever wanted to draw beautiful wildflowers? They are a true wonder of nature and learning to draw them can be a very satisfying experience. Wildflowers can be challenging to document in the field, but working from photos is a good alternative to removing from their natural habitat. Enjoy the beautiful flowers of summer, and develop your skills in drawing. 

For this class, we will draw from photographs used in a poster of the “Alpine Wildflowers of Washington by Burke Museum”, graciously provided by Photographer Donovan Tracy, or draw similar species from your own wildflower photographs. This is a great way to spend evenings while reviewing your species photographs. This class is a repeat however, it will include new flowers from the prior classes, so it is okay to repeat this course and receive new content. 

We will work on one flower drawing per session which can be completed at home. You can follow along with my demonstration or choose a different flower of your preference. At the end of the course, you will have completed 4 wildflower drawings!

You will learn how to accurately translate a photo into a drawing by observing form, highlights, subtle changes of tone, shade and color to create dimensionality.

With the use of colored pencil techniques, you will learn and practice how to blend colors smoothly while learning to see the intricacies of beautiful wildflowers.

• Date & Time: June 25, 2026, July 2, 9 & 16, 2026   (Every Thursday evening 6:30-8:30 pm, for 4 weeks)

• This drawing class is presented virtually via Zoom, where you can participate from your drawing table. 

• Join Crystal Shin for the workshop series in Botanical Illustration with colored pencil.  Find the course supply list here.

The Alpine Wildflower Poster is available in our online store for purchase if you are interested:  Alpine Wildflowers of Washington - Poster (wnps.org)

Speaker: Crystal Shin, Botanical Artist and Scientific Illustrator

Crystal studied botanical illustration at Gage Academy of Art and the Center for Urban Horticulture, and earned Scientific Illustration Certificate from University of Washington. She worked as a primary illustrator on the second edition of “Flora of the Pacific Northwest” at the University of Washington Herbarium from 2015 to 2018, generating 882 new illustrations. She also illustrated new species for botanists at the herbarium for their research publications. Crystal is a Natural Science illustrator as well. She illustrates fossil drawings for a paleontologist at the Burke Museum. She is passionate about serving science as an artist. She loves working on any nature subjects found in flora and fauna. She works in graphite, pen and ink, color pencils, and watercolor. View her online portfolio at https://www.crystalshinart.com.

Thunder, lighting, and everything in between, OMSI shares the magic of weather by explaining what causes exciting (and sometimes dangerous) weather conditions. Come learn how to track weather and stay safe.

www.omsi.edu

Accommodations for Fort Vancouver Regional Library Partnership events:

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.

Perhaps more than any other branch of wildlife photography, macro / closeup photography offers the highest number of photo subjects in any given area. Armed with a macro lens and a little curiosity, you could spend days photographing the tiny ecosystems present in just your yard! But getting sharp, aesthetically pleasing images of all these subjects can be a bit tricky.

In this Bird Alliance of Oregon program, wildlife photographer Brian Magnier will discuss the gear, camera settings, framing, and animal behavior associated with getting high-quality closeup photos of small subjects – including the difference between a true “macro” photo and other close-up photography.

A macro photography portrait of a Katydid, photo by Tara Lemezis

Learn how to shoot macro photography!

In this program, wildlife photographer Brian Magnier will discuss the gear, camera settings, framing, and animal behavior associated with getting high-quality closeup photos of small subjects - including the difference between a true “macro” photo and other close-up photography.

Register!

Online Class Details

• Class: July 2, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Class fee: $20 members / $30 non-members

• Note: Class recordings will be sent out automatically to everyone who registered post-class. Thank you!

Meet the Instructor: Brian Magnier

My name is Brian Magnier, and I live in La Grande, Oregon. I studied ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University and got a Master of Professional Science degree in Exploration Science at the University of Miami. As was the case for so many people, birds were the gateway to my passion for wildlife. I have been an avid birder since elementary school and a nature photographer for almost as long.
I have been fortunate to be able to travel the world both for pleasure and for academic research. I have done fieldwork on mammals and insects in Alaska and New York and on birds in Borneo and Papua New Guinea. I have journeyed to Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Sweden, and Iceland, photographing wildlife in dense jungles and rugged deserts. I have led hiking and kayaking tours in Alaska and snorkel tours in Belize and Indonesia. I aim to inspire people to get outside, talk a walk, flip over some logs, and take a closer look at the world around them. I now live in La Grande, Oregon, where I can often be found wandering through deserts and forests, camera in hand, to find everything from birds to fungi to fossils.

View More Classes

Botanical Drawing with Crystal Shin with Colored Pencils hosted by the Washington Native Plant Society

Have you ever wanted to draw beautiful wildflowers? They are a true wonder of nature and learning to draw them can be a very satisfying experience. Wildflowers can be challenging to document in the field, but working from photos is a good alternative to removing from their natural habitat. Enjoy the beautiful flowers of summer, and develop your skills in drawing. 

For this class, we will draw from photographs used in a poster of the “Alpine Wildflowers of Washington by Burke Museum”, graciously provided by Photographer Donovan Tracy, or draw similar species from your own wildflower photographs. This is a great way to spend evenings while reviewing your species photographs. This class is a repeat however, it will include new flowers from the prior classes, so it is okay to repeat this course and receive new content. 

We will work on one flower drawing per session which can be completed at home. You can follow along with my demonstration or choose a different flower of your preference. At the end of the course, you will have completed 4 wildflower drawings!

You will learn how to accurately translate a photo into a drawing by observing form, highlights, subtle changes of tone, shade and color to create dimensionality.

With the use of colored pencil techniques, you will learn and practice how to blend colors smoothly while learning to see the intricacies of beautiful wildflowers.

• Date & Time: June 25, 2026, July 2, 9 & 16, 2026   (Every Thursday evening 6:30-8:30 pm, for 4 weeks)

• This drawing class is presented virtually via Zoom, where you can participate from your drawing table. 

• Join Crystal Shin for the workshop series in Botanical Illustration with colored pencil.  Find the course supply list here.

The Alpine Wildflower Poster is available in our online store for purchase if you are interested:  Alpine Wildflowers of Washington - Poster (wnps.org)

Speaker: Crystal Shin, Botanical Artist and Scientific Illustrator

Crystal studied botanical illustration at Gage Academy of Art and the Center for Urban Horticulture, and earned Scientific Illustration Certificate from University of Washington. She worked as a primary illustrator on the second edition of “Flora of the Pacific Northwest” at the University of Washington Herbarium from 2015 to 2018, generating 882 new illustrations. She also illustrated new species for botanists at the herbarium for their research publications. Crystal is a Natural Science illustrator as well. She illustrates fossil drawings for a paleontologist at the Burke Museum. She is passionate about serving science as an artist. She loves working on any nature subjects found in flora and fauna. She works in graphite, pen and ink, color pencils, and watercolor. View her online portfolio at https://www.crystalshinart.com.

Botanical Drawing with Crystal Shin with Colored Pencils hosted by the Washington Native Plant Society

Have you ever wanted to draw beautiful wildflowers? They are a true wonder of nature and learning to draw them can be a very satisfying experience. Wildflowers can be challenging to document in the field, but working from photos is a good alternative to removing from their natural habitat. Enjoy the beautiful flowers of summer, and develop your skills in drawing. 

For this class, we will draw from photographs used in a poster of the “Alpine Wildflowers of Washington by Burke Museum”, graciously provided by Photographer Donovan Tracy, or draw similar species from your own wildflower photographs. This is a great way to spend evenings while reviewing your species photographs. This class is a repeat however, it will include new flowers from the prior classes, so it is okay to repeat this course and receive new content. 

We will work on one flower drawing per session which can be completed at home. You can follow along with my demonstration or choose a different flower of your preference. At the end of the course, you will have completed 4 wildflower drawings!

You will learn how to accurately translate a photo into a drawing by observing form, highlights, subtle changes of tone, shade and color to create dimensionality.

With the use of colored pencil techniques, you will learn and practice how to blend colors smoothly while learning to see the intricacies of beautiful wildflowers.

• Date & Time: June 25, 2026, July 2, 9 & 16, 2026   (Every Thursday evening 6:30-8:30 pm, for 4 weeks)

• This drawing class is presented virtually via Zoom, where you can participate from your drawing table. 

• Join Crystal Shin for the workshop series in Botanical Illustration with colored pencil.  Find the course supply list here.

The Alpine Wildflower Poster is available in our online store for purchase if you are interested:  Alpine Wildflowers of Washington - Poster (wnps.org)

Speaker: Crystal Shin, Botanical Artist and Scientific Illustrator

Crystal studied botanical illustration at Gage Academy of Art and the Center for Urban Horticulture, and earned Scientific Illustration Certificate from University of Washington. She worked as a primary illustrator on the second edition of “Flora of the Pacific Northwest” at the University of Washington Herbarium from 2015 to 2018, generating 882 new illustrations. She also illustrated new species for botanists at the herbarium for their research publications. Crystal is a Natural Science illustrator as well. She illustrates fossil drawings for a paleontologist at the Burke Museum. She is passionate about serving science as an artist. She loves working on any nature subjects found in flora and fauna. She works in graphite, pen and ink, color pencils, and watercolor. View her online portfolio at https://www.crystalshinart.com.

Thunder, lighting, and everything in between, OMSI shares the magic of weather by explaining what causes exciting (and sometimes dangerous) weather conditions. Come learn how to track weather and stay safe.

www.omsi.edu

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.

Botanical Drawing with Crystal Shin with Colored Pencils hosted by the Washington Native Plant Society

Have you ever wanted to draw beautiful wildflowers? They are a true wonder of nature and learning to draw them can be a very satisfying experience. Wildflowers can be challenging to document in the field, but working from photos is a good alternative to removing from their natural habitat. Enjoy the beautiful flowers of summer, and develop your skills in drawing. 

For this class, we will draw from photographs used in a poster of the “Alpine Wildflowers of Washington by Burke Museum”, graciously provided by Photographer Donovan Tracy, or draw similar species from your own wildflower photographs. This is a great way to spend evenings while reviewing your species photographs. This class is a repeat however, it will include new flowers from the prior classes, so it is okay to repeat this course and receive new content. 

We will work on one flower drawing per session which can be completed at home. You can follow along with my demonstration or choose a different flower of your preference. At the end of the course, you will have completed 4 wildflower drawings!

You will learn how to accurately translate a photo into a drawing by observing form, highlights, subtle changes of tone, shade and color to create dimensionality.

With the use of colored pencil techniques, you will learn and practice how to blend colors smoothly while learning to see the intricacies of beautiful wildflowers.

• Date & Time: June 25, 2026, July 2, 9 & 16, 2026   (Every Thursday evening 6:30-8:30 pm, for 4 weeks)

• This drawing class is presented virtually via Zoom, where you can participate from your drawing table. 

• Join Crystal Shin for the workshop series in Botanical Illustration with colored pencil.  Find the course supply list here.

The Alpine Wildflower Poster is available in our online store for purchase if you are interested:  Alpine Wildflowers of Washington - Poster (wnps.org)

Speaker: Crystal Shin, Botanical Artist and Scientific Illustrator

Crystal studied botanical illustration at Gage Academy of Art and the Center for Urban Horticulture, and earned Scientific Illustration Certificate from University of Washington. She worked as a primary illustrator on the second edition of “Flora of the Pacific Northwest” at the University of Washington Herbarium from 2015 to 2018, generating 882 new illustrations. She also illustrated new species for botanists at the herbarium for their research publications. Crystal is a Natural Science illustrator as well. She illustrates fossil drawings for a paleontologist at the Burke Museum. She is passionate about serving science as an artist. She loves working on any nature subjects found in flora and fauna. She works in graphite, pen and ink, color pencils, and watercolor. View her online portfolio at https://www.crystalshinart.com.

Join the Fort Vancouver Regional Library team to unlock the secrets of mushroom foraging in the Pacific Northwest with Naturalist Rebecca Lexa. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned forager, this workshop offers invaluable insights into where to search for edible mushrooms and how to distinguish common wild varieties from potentially poisonous species. Rebeccalexa.com.

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.

Learn to ID Shorebirds like a PRO!

Join the Bird Alliance of Oregon for a class that will show you how to identify birds by size, shape, color patterns, choice of habitat, and behavior.

Late summer is a great time to study shorebirds as they stop to feed and rest on their way from their breeding grounds in the Arctic to wintering grounds in the southern hemisphere. At first glance, many species look alike. But with a little practice, you will find that each has their own unique characteristics. Join BAO as we show you how to identify all the regularly occurring species using shape, pattern, and behavior.

Enroll separately in the companion Birding Day to this class, where you’ll practice your shorebird identification on the Oregon Coast.

Sanderling, photo by Rhett Wilkins

Register!

Online Class Details

• Class: August 11, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

• Class fee: $20 members / $30 non-members

• Note: Class recordings will be sent out automatically to everyone who registered post-class. Thank you!

Meet the Instructor: John Rakestraw

Born and raised in Indiana, John worked as a naturalist in Kansas and Ohio before settling in Oregon. He is freelance writer, author of Birding Oregon, and leads classes and workshops.

Get ready to walk, roll and bike to school at the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Summer Fair! Work with SRTS staff to plan your walk, roll, bike route to school; participate in the Bike Rodeo to practice your skills; get help learning how to ride a bike; and more.

Visit the program website and sign up for the email list for event updates: cityofvancouver.us/srts

What to bring

• Bicycle, tricycle or kick-scooter if you want to participate in the bike rodeo or ride in the bike garden.

• Helmets are required for anyone biking, scooting or skating. Visit the City of Vancouver booth if your child needs one.

• Water

• Sun protection

Using the bike garden

All users must follow posted safety rules and requirements for use per Vancouver Municipal Code 15.04.
Learn more about the Heights Bike Garden!

Getting here

Limited free parking is available on-site. Parking is located on Blandford Drive off Mill Plain Boulevard.
C-TRAN’s The Vine Red Line Devine Rd. stop also provides direct access to the garden.

• Contact: Safe Routes to School Vancouver at vancouvermoves@cityofvancouver.us

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi with the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute!

Learn how to identify common characteristics of wild edible and inedible mushrooms. Then learn how to harvest many different types of edible mushrooms and cook them into delicious dishes. Plan to get your shoes and hands dirty as you discover the forest's most striking and sometimes delectable offerings.
For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Register today!

• WHERE:   Pine Creek Information Center

• DURATION:   Approximately 6 hours

• DISTANCE:   Approximately 1 mile of off-trail forest walking

• GUIDE TEAM:   Mycology instructor, professional guide and three volunteers

• MINIMUM AGE:   8 (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• COST:   $125/person

• PERMITS:   Each participant needs to bring their own free mushroom permit. Instructions provided.

Join professional Photographer Patrick Aalto and the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute Guides on a photography hike amongst the massive hummocks deposited by the 1980 eruption.

You will explore this marvelous ecosystem, teaming with life, before leaving the trees to join the Boundary Trail in view of the vast open expanse of the Pumice Plain and the breach of the volcanic crater itself. You will ascend to the groups' comfort up Johnston Ridge where you will train your cameras on the amazing vistas and brilliant colors of Fall foliage below.

For detailed information, visit our Photography Hike program page.

Register today!

• WHERE:   Hummocks Trail #229

• DISTANCE:   2.3 miles to 4 miles (3.7km - 6.2km)

• COST:   $150 per person

• ELEVATION GAIN:   250 feet to 700 feet (76m - 213m)

• PERMITS:   All permits provided

• MAXIMUM GROUP SIZE:   12

• MINIMUM AGE:   8. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Come explore the magical kingdom of fungi with the Mt. St. Helen’s Institute!

Learn how to identify common characteristics of wild edible and inedible mushrooms. Then learn how to harvest many different types of edible mushrooms and cook them into delicious dishes. Plan to get your shoes and hands dirty as you discover the forest's most striking and sometimes delectable offerings.
For detailed information, visit our Mushroom Foraging program description.

Register today!

• WHERE:   Pine Creek Information Center

• DURATION:   Approximately 6 hours

• DISTANCE:   Approximately 1 mile of off-trail forest walking

• GUIDE TEAM:   Mycology instructor, professional guide and three volunteers

• MINIMUM AGE:   8 (minors must be accompanied by an adult)

• COST:   $125/person

• PERMITS:   Each participant needs to bring their own free mushroom permit. Instructions provided.