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 Some information on this page may be out of date, so connect with the Partner for the most up to date information.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!
Sort Event List by:
Accessible Supported | Adventure Sport | Agriculture | Art in Nature | Community Event | Elders | Healing | Hiking | Park Updates | Plants | Pollinators | Recreation | Road Trips | Virtual Events | Volunteering | Water Fun | Wildlife | Workshops | Youth | FREE
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.
ROAD TRIP - Naturalist Training Program: Reading the landscape - With Cascadia Wild
The Cascadia Wild Naturalist Training Program is a series of 8 classes, running spring through fall, designed to give you a wide variety of skills to make you feel at home in the natural world.
Explore local natural areas
Expand your awareness of the natural world
Learn to interpret what you see
Develop technical skills
Develop your sense of place
The program is designed to develop your skills in wildlife tracking, botany, ecology, navigation and map reading, wilderness survival skills, and reading the landscape. We want to get you outside, looking at the landscape, learning how to interpret what you see, and - most importantly - developing a sense of belonging in nature.
Learn more and register HERE!
TRACKING AND WILDLIFE:
Track Identification: Identify clear and subtle tracks, from large mammals to small rodents and birds.
Gaits, Track Patterns, and Interpretation: Identify different gaits and trail patterns and learn what they can tell you about an animal's activity.
Sign Tracking: Identify the myriad of evidence that animals leave behind besides their tracks.
Mammal behavior and ecology: Learn what mammals are found in the area, their taxonomy, general habitat, diet, and lifestyle.
Amphibians and reptiles: Learn the common amphibians and reptiles of this region.
BOTANY:
Plant identification: Learn to identify the trees and important plants of the area and learn the nomenclature and taxonomy that will help you identify new species in the future.
Wild plant foraging: Learn common edible plants and how to forage both safely and ethically.
Indicator species: Learn what plants can tell you about the environment.
ECOLOGY - THE BIG PICTURE:
Habitat: Understand the concept of a habitat and be able to recognize the common habitats types in the Cascades and greater Portland area.
Elevation gradients: Recognize the different forest zones in the Cascades and understand how elevation, rainfall, and temperature affect what trees, shrubs, and wildlife live there.
Forest ecology: Understand the concepts of forest succession and shade tolerance, see common insects and diseases and how they affect the forest, see the role of fire, and learn to interpret the history of a stand.
TOOLS TO BE OUT IN NATURE:
Navigation: Learn to use a map and compass, and how to navigate off-trail using terrain features to guide your way.
Wilderness safety: Learn what your priorities are in a survival situation, how to build a fire, and the common hazards of being in the forest.
While each class emphasizes a different topic, class discussions will cover a wide range of subjects each day. Which animals and plants show themselves also helps determine the content of each day's lesson. Classes build on each other, covering more advanced topics as the season progresses.
Introduction to Animal Tracking and Plant Identification | April 18
Sauvies Island
Bird Language, Plant Identification, and Foraging | May 16
Oxbow Regional ParkForest Ecology and Navigation | June 20
Mt. Hood National Forest, Lost Creek TrailConifer Identification, Navigation, and Awareness | July 18
Mt. Hood National Forest, Little John SnoParkSign Tracking and Animal Behavior | Aug 15
Clear Creek Natural AreaForest Ecology and Navigation | Sept 19
Mt. Hood National Forest, Pioneer Bridle TrailWilderness Survival | Oct 17
Mt. Hood National Forest, Barlow Pass SnoParkSnow Tracking, Interpreting Gaits and Trail Patterns, Winter Plant Identification | Nov 14
Mt. Hood National Forest, exact location weather dependent
Garlic Growing Workshop
WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Program
Join WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners for a hands-on training on growing garlic.
Who doesn't love cooking with garlic?! If you're a gardener and you're not already growing it - why not? Garlic is one of the easiest and most satisfying vegetables to grow and there are many unique varieties you can only get by growing it yourself. Join WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners for a hands-on training on growing garlic.
Topics will include choosing which type to grow (hard neck or soft neck) and when to plant, as well as tips for fertilizing and irrigation, when to harvest and how to cure and store it.
The class is conducted entirely in the field.
Please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Dress for the weather and bring water.
Each participant will take home a clove with instructions on planting for next spring.
Cost: $10.
Accessing the site requires a short walk on uneven ground. Those with mobility issues may drive.
Registration required HERE
Frogs & Friends: Life in the Lagoon workshop
Join LCNN Partners Good Year Farms & Frog & Twig for a class on our native frogs!
Best practices for habitat creation, the various species that comprise froggy communities, attracting lagoon lovers to your neighborhood, and learn wildlife uses of native plants plants plants.
Brunch included.
Dietary options are considered (GF, veg).
Registration is required HERE
Learn about native WA Bats!
Nature’s Haven Nursery invites you to learn about our native BATS in southwest Washington
In this FREE class, you’ll learn about some of our local bat species and their vital roles in our ecosystem. We’ll learn about their preferred habitats, their role in pollination, and how you can help protect them!
Class is free but registration is required HERE.
Join these other classes, too
All are free but require registration
Image credit Ann Froschauer/USFWS
Columbia Springs 2026 Kids Summer Nature Day Camps
Calling all explorers!
Have you ever wondered what critters live in our streams and forests? Or how to find food and shelter in the woods? At Summer Nature Day Camp, we’ll uncover the wonders of the world around us with fun adventures every day, and make new friends in the process!
Join us for Summer Nature Day Camp at Columbia Springs to explore, experience and learn! Our skilled team of environmental educators are passionate about creating fun and exciting science and nature adventures.
Who: Campers entering grades 2-7 in fall 2026.
Cost: Tuition: $240, Camp Shirt Fee: $5
Campers cannot attend more than one session. Campers are grouped according to their grade level in fall 2026:
SESSION 2
Monday, July 13th – Friday, July 17th
SESSION 3
Monday, July 20th – Friday, July 24th
Email us: learn@columbiasprings.org, Join the camp mailing list for notifications about the 2027 camp season!
PNW Climate Week events - Building community
The first cross-region climate week in North America. Join for a week of events that spotlight home-grown climate learning, ideas, discussions, actions, solutions for a healthy PNW.
Now in its fourth year, PNW Climate Week has transformed from a local initiative into a cross border movement. The 2025 series saw a 300% increase in attendance, with 12,000 registrants participating in over 220 events. By bringing together tech giants, policy makers, and grassroots innovators, the week serves as the primary catalyst for turning regional ideas into global climate action.
"Our mission is to accelerate the transition to an equitable, climate-positive bioregion by empowering a diverse ecosystem of communities," says Jason Huff, President of PNW Climate Week. "The PNW isn't just a participant in the green economy; we are its laboratory.”
Why the PNW? A Hub of Global Influence
The Pacific Northwest uniquely bridges the gap between big tech, world-class research, and vital agricultural sectors. With its strategic ties to the Arctic and Asia-Pacific markets, the region is uniquely positioned to scale climate solutions at speed.
"The PNW is an emerging and critical hub for global climate work” says David Capelli, Canada Lead for PNW Climate Week. "Our strategic location as the gateway to Asia makes British Columbia the most influential stage for climate action in North America."
Visit the web page for a full list of events…..here are some in the Vancouver-Portland metro region:
Join FVRL & OMSI - Wild Weather workshop
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.
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.
Drawing Wildflowers from Photographs online series
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.
Willow flower weaving workshop
Join Good Year Farms and Erin from Frog & Twig on how to create a playful willow flower from willow whips.
We will get hands-on learning by practicing important basketry skills; easy enough for a beginner, but still fun for the handy crafters already in the know.
The class will include information on how to grow, harvest, prepare, and store willows for basket weaving and everyone will leave with a fun handmade willow flower. QUE MAGNIFICO!
Class starts at 10am and runs to 11:30am.
12 person max.
Registration required HERE
Froglandia - Frog & Amphibian class
Good Year Farms invites you to learn about our WA Native frogs!
Join Erin of Frog & Twig to learn about the native Pacific chorus frog. They are 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. 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!
Registration is required HERE.
ROAD TRIP: Food Forests workshop
Are you interested in learning about community food forests, converting your yard into an edible perennial garden, creating abundant habitat, food security, and developing a relationship with the land?
Join Dan Sloan from the Portland Food Forest Initiative for an exploration into Urban Regenerative Agriculture, decentralized food systems, forest gardening, and habitat building. This class will cover the practical steps and considerations necessary to design and install an urban food forest.
Learn more about this FREE class and other upcoming workshops HERE.
Avian Super Powers! workshop
How do Woodpeckers beat on trees day in and day out, but don’t develop concussions; how do birds defend themselves; how do they not get cold? Brandon Burger from Backyard Bird Shop will help us to learn about these bird abilities, and many more!
Presented by: Brandon Burger, Backyard Bird Shop www.backyardbirdshop.com
10 a.m. to noon, Saturday July 18, 2026. NatureScaping classes are free for members ($25 per year; $15 for seniors), or $15 (+ tax) per class for non-members.
Registration required at: at: marlene52ns@gmail.com or info@naturescaping.org or call 360-737-1160.
Class Location:
CASEE Center, Building B, Room 205
11104 NE 149th Street, Brush Prairie, WA. 98606
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
Image credit Ann Froschauer/USFWS
Renaissance Faire: Mushroom Foraging for Beginners
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.
Columbia Springs 2026 Kids Summer Nature Day Camps
Calling all explorers!
Have you ever wondered what critters live in our streams and forests? Or how to find food and shelter in the woods? At Summer Nature Day Camp, we’ll uncover the wonders of the world around us with fun adventures every day, and make new friends in the process!
Join us for Summer Nature Day Camp at Columbia Springs to explore, experience and learn! Our skilled team of environmental educators are passionate about creating fun and exciting science and nature adventures.
Who: Campers entering grades 2-7 in fall 2026.
Cost: Tuition: $240, Camp Shirt Fee: $5
Campers cannot attend more than one session. Campers are grouped according to their grade level in fall 2026:
SESSION 3
Monday, July 20th – Friday, July 24th
Email us: learn@columbiasprings.org, Join the camp mailing list for notifications about the 2027 camp season!
Intro to Bokashi Composting
Nature’s Haven Nursery invites you to learn about Bokashi composting method
Discover how to turn your food scraps into nutrient-rich soil - even in the smallest of yards! In this hands-on class, Jennifer “Bokashi Jen” Posivak will introduce you to bokashi composting: a simple, mess-free method that lets you compost nearly all food waste, including cooked food, meat, and dairy. You’ll see how to load a bokashi bin, what a finished bin looks like, and how to build a bokashi soil factory using a simple potted planter. A discreet setup that even the pickiest neighbor or HOA won’t notice! Bring a small container of refrigerated food scraps to take part in the live demo.
Class is free but registration is required HERE.
Join these other classes, too
All are free but require registration
Image credit Ann Froschauer/USFWS
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
Image credit Ann Froschauer/USFWS
Identifying Shorebirds online workshop
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
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.
Safe Routes to School Summer Fair
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
ROAD TRIP: Washington Outdoor Women - Fall Workshop Weekend
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 DEADLINE: Sep 15th
Mushroom Foraging with Mt. St. Helen's Institute
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.
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.
Photography Hike: Autumn
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.
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.
Mushroom Foraging with Mt. St. Helen's Institute
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.
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.
Drawing Wildflowers from Photographs online series
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.
An Evening With Whitney "Allgood" LaRuffa: Circling 4 Cascade volcanoes
Evening workshop at Wild Camp Goods
Join Gossamer Gear's Head of Sales, Whitney "Allgood" LaRuffa, as he tells his tales of circling 4 cascade volcanoes: Mt Hood, Mt St Helens, Mt Adams, and Mt Rainier. Allgood will share route information, trip details, planning aids, pictures, and tales from the trails in this informative talk. The trails covered will be the Timberline Trail 39 miles, the Loowit Trail 32 miles, Round the Mountain Trail 38.5 miles, and the Wonderland Trail 97 miles.
Sign Up
Columbia Springs 2026 Kids Summer Nature Day Camps
Calling all explorers!
Have you ever wondered what critters live in our streams and forests? Or how to find food and shelter in the woods? At Summer Nature Day Camp, we’ll uncover the wonders of the world around us with fun adventures every day, and make new friends in the process!
Join us for Summer Nature Day Camp at Columbia Springs to explore, experience and learn! Our skilled team of environmental educators are passionate about creating fun and exciting science and nature adventures.
Who: Campers entering grades 2-7 in fall 2026.
Cost: Tuition: $240, Camp Shirt Fee: $5
Campers cannot attend more than one session. Campers are grouped according to their grade level in fall 2026:
SESSION 1
Monday, July 6th – Friday, July 10th
SESSION 2
Monday, July 13th – Friday, July 17th
SESSION 3
Monday, July 20th – Friday, July 24th
Email us: learn@columbiasprings.org, Join the camp mailing list for notifications about the 2027 camp season!
Intro to WA Native Butterflies & Caterpillars
Nature’s Haven Nursery invites you to learn about Bokashi composting method
Meet some of our Northwest butterfly species and what native plants best support them and their caterpillars. Since caterpillars are an essential food source for many birds, native gardeners should consider the plants they're evolved to eat equally essential. Whether you're growing a butterfly garden or want to attract more birds to your yard, don't miss this opportunity to learn how to make your property a key component of the food web!
Class is free but registration is required HERE.
Join these other classes, too
All are free but require registration
Image credit Ann Froschauer/USFWS
Nature Lovers Book Group
Join us for a lively discussion about this month’s title, Flight Paths by Rebecca Heisman
For adults 18+ - Limited copies are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the library. You can also check the Libby App from OverDrive for the eBook or eAudio.
Online attendees: Register to receive the link. If available, a copy of the book will be sent to the library most convenient for you.
Titles related to this event
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.
Drawing Wildflowers from Photographs online series
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.
Macro Photography online workshop with Bird Alliance of Oregon
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.
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.
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
Image credit Ann Froschauer/USFWS
Join FVRL for OMSI - Wild Weather
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.
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.
Intro to Bokashi Composting
Nature’s Haven Nursery invites you to learn about Bokashi composting method
Discover how to turn your food scraps into nutrient-rich soil - even in the smallest of yards! In this hands-on class, Jennifer “Bokashi Jen” Posivak will introduce you to bokashi composting: a simple, mess-free method that lets you compost nearly all food waste, including cooked food, meat, and dairy. You’ll see how to load a bokashi bin, what a finished bin looks like, and how to build a bokashi soil factory using a simple potted planter. A discreet setup that even the pickiest neighbor or HOA won’t notice! Bring a small container of refrigerated food scraps to take part in the live demo.
Class is free but registration is required HERE.
Join these other classes, too
All are free but require registration
Image credit Ann Froschauer/USFWS
Drawing Wildflowers from Photographs online series
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.
Summer Reading Kick-Off: Bubble Fest
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.
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.
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
Mt. St. Helen's Eruption Hike with MSHI
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.
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
Community Build Project: Compost Bins
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.
Author Talk: A Story of the Old Apple Tree with Richard Wing
To honor the planting of the Northwest's oldest apple tree and the launch of the region's fruit industry, Fort volunteer Richard Wing and talented artist Pamela Gunn have teamed up to publish a lovely illustrated book about the story of the "Old Apple Tree" planted in 1826.
The book recounts the tree's contributions through saplings that grew into orchards that contributed to Washington known as the "Apple State." The community's ongoing efforts at Vancouver help preserve the tree's legacy through - festivals, educational programs and the propagation of her cuttings. Join us to hear this wonderful story of a fruitful legacy that endures today.
Fees: This event is free to attend.
About the Book
For nearly 200 years, PiP grew from a seedling into a celebrated legend, her branches offering shade, sustenance, and a symbol of resilience for generations of families. Her saplings, contributed to the birth of Washington’s now-famous apple industry. The story highlights the community’s ongoing efforts to preserve PiP’s legacy—through festivals, educational programs, and the propagation of her cuttings—ensuring that her story continues to inspire. Today, PiP’s descendants still bear fruit, reminding visitors to Apple Tree Park that heritage and hope can flourish even when transplanted far from home. PiP’s tale stands as a testament to hope, endurance, and the lasting bonds between people and the natural world.
About the Author
He is a volunteer certified interpretive guide at Fort Vancouver National Historic Reserve who shares stories about the history, events, and peoples of the site. Look at things from different points of view and perspectives he visits the reserve on sunny days or in rain or snow.
Contact Information: Friends of Fort Vancouver, 360-816-6230
Goat Happy Hour
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.
The Butterflies of Oregon online workshop
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.
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.
Camp Hope of SW WA - Summer Camps for kids
Outdoor Discovery Camps - Ages 6-17
Adventurous Learners: Spending time in nature is proven to improve children’s academic performance, focus, and behavior. Children also improve social skills as they explore the outdoors together. Our camps strive to inspire adventurous learning, and in turn, build confident leaders as they try new things and face their fears.
What Awesome Activities Await? Get ready for:
Science Explorations: Uncover the wonders of nature!
Creative Crafts: Make something cool to take home!
Archery Fun: Learn to aim and shoot!
Team Games: Bond with new friends!
River Adventures: Swim and ride inner tubes!
Nature Hikes: Explore caves and forests!
This camp is perfect for youth, schools, families, and community groups looking for an engaging outdoor experience. We can't wait to share these discoveries with you!
Camp Hope of SW Washington: Helping Youth Thrive with Outdoor Education, Adventure and Fun
Save these DATES for 2026 Summer Camps:
June 17 - 19
July 6 - 8
August 17 - 21
Sign up for the Camp Hope newsletter to get updates and visit the website: www.camphope-wa.org/camps
USFWS Workshop - Making Buildings Bird-Safe
Making Buildings Bird-Safe - Add your touch to the NEW USFWS Ridgefield National Wildlife RefugeCommunity 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
Pollinator Festival Week BioBlitz!
Join the Vancouver Bee Project’s Pollinator Festival Week BioBlitz!
Want to help document the incredible biodiversity of Clark County while earning a Pollinator Festival Passport stamp? Join the 2026 Pollinator Festival Week BioBlitz on iNaturalist!
The BioBlitz runs during Pollinator Week and encourages community members to get outside, explore nature, and record observations of pollinators, plants, birds, fungi, and other living things. Every observation helps contribute valuable data that scientists, land managers, and conservationists can use to better understand local ecosystems.
Getting started is easy.
Join the project on iNaturalist:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/2026-pollinator-festival-week-bioblitz
If you're new to iNaturalist or BioBlitzes, we've created a simple guide to help you get started.
Once you've joined the project, stop by the Vancouver Bee Project booth at the Pollinator Festival on June 20 and show us the project on your phone. You'll receive a Pollinator Festival Passport stamp for participating!
Whether you're documenting bumble bees in your garden, wildflowers in a park, or birds on a neighborhood walk, every observation helps tell the story of the biodiversity around us. We hope you'll join us in celebrating Pollinator Week by getting outside, making observations, and contributing to community science.
Happy BioBlitzing!
Emerald Ash Borer and Emerging Pests Workshop
Join Urban Forestry for a workshop with Cassie Knavel of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, an opportunity to learn about the arrival of Emerald Ash Borer and other invasive pests to our region.
Discover the threats invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer, bring to your trees and your community. Learn how to use the new emerald ash borer’s new management guide, including how to recognize signs and symptoms and report potential detections. Explore pest biology to understand response efforts for the emerging Japanese beetle, the rapidly spreading spotted lanternfly, and invasive hornets.
Should these pests become established in Washington, they could threaten many communities, crops, and result in costly quarantines and increased pesticide use to manage these pests. You can help detect, prevent the spread, and protect Washington’s resources from invasive species.
Cassie’s early career, coupled with a degree in restoration, supported Natural Resource Districts by coordinating habitat improvement programs. She instructed with Teach for America in a Sovereign Nation and co-created a district-wide curriculum. Currently, Cassie advocates to protect our environment by supporting national priorities surrounding invasive species. Cassie’s been honored as Washingtonian of the Day twice and in her free time, she recreates outdoors or serves in her community.
Light refreshments and snacks will be available; please feel free to bring your own meal to eat during the presentation.
Contact: Urban Forestry at trees@cityofvancouver.us
Virtual Bat Talk with Backyard Bird Shop
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
Online Workshop: Butterfly Ecology and Evolution
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.
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.
Extraordinary Lives of Common Nighthawks workshop with VAS
“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.
First of the Month Bird Walk
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!
Summer Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop Series
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.
Seeds to Salmon Educator Curriculum Workshop - Part 2
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.
Weave a willow market basket
Weave a willow market basket with Ridgefield artist Robin Brady
In this 2-day class you’ll make a round, handled basket in the traditional European stake and strand style — a great foundation for your future explorations in basketry.
We’ll weave with a combination of cultivated and wild willows grown right here in Ridgefield and throughout the region. We’ll spend two full days weaving our baskets, and as time allows we’ll discuss everything from harvesting willow to prepping your materials for weaving. This is a great class for beginners, or any weavers looking to strengthen their basic stake and strand skills. You’ll come away with your own hand-woven willow basket great for going to market, gathering, storage, and everyday household use.
Note – Weaving with willow is hard work! Expect to spend 7 focused weaving hours per class day, and to use your hand and upper body strength throughout the class.
Ticket price includes an $80 materials fee for the willow.
Participants should provide:
A fixed blade or locking knife
Your favorite sharp pruners if you have them (or you may use the instructor provided ones)
Any additional seating cushion, back support, or special chair you need to be comfortable
Layers for sun/weather if you wish to work or have lunch outside
Lunch and a water bottle
Coffee, tea, water and light snacks will be provided. Please bring sack lunch, a water bottle, and any special snacks you need (you will have access to fridge, stove and microwave if needed).
Register HERE
Accessibility Note: This workshop takes place in an historic farmhouse that is not currently wheelchair accessible. We will work to accommodate access however we can, but please email arts@pnfarm.com to confirm that the space will work for you before you commit to the workshop!
Scholarships are available on an as-needed basis. Please email arts@pnfarm.com for more info.
About our teacher: Robin Brady - They tend a cultivated willow patch at their home and gather wild willow along nearby waterways. They live on Chinook & Cowlitz land in Ridgefield, Washington, under passing sandhill crane migration. They come to basketry via long time devotion to crafts and skill sets that keep them a student in the practice of direct and reciprocal relationship to the living world.
As a weaver of mixed European settler descent, they focus primarily on styles of willow basketry with roots in countries their ancestors once wove in, while being in awe of the many brilliant weaving traditions belonging to cultures near and far. Robin was first introduced to basketry by Margaret Mathewson and other weavers in her watershed lineage and is honored to continue the tradition of passing along this love of working with willow.
See more at www.windfallcraftandbasketry.com
ROAD TRIP - 3rd Annual Coyote-palooza!
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