Become a Nature Detective

Engineers are problem solvers! Curious kids in this class will work with their families to build, test, design, and improve across a variety of playful hands-on challenges.

About OMSI Curiosity Kids

At OMSI, we love experimenting, learning, and creating together!

Curiosity Kids programs at OMSI allow children ages 3-5 years old, along with their families, to explore early science and engineering concepts. These bilingual programs are designed to build STEAM skills and nurture the special connection between adults and children.
We hope you and your curious kids will join our stellar educators to experiment, ask questions, and build amazing structures!

Practice your new skills right after your workshop — your ticket includes same-day general Museum Admission!

Questions? For the basic details and FAQs about this event, please visit the Curiosity Kids webpage or email info@omsi.edu.

Chiquitines curiosos: Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

¡Los naturalistas estudian las pistas que dejan atrás los animales! En esta clase, los niños curiosos trabajarán y jugarán con sus familias para observar, describir y recopilar pruebas que les permitan entender qué animales dejaron huellas, pelo, excrementos y mucho más.

Sobre Chiquitines curiosos

¡En OMSI, nos encanta experimentar, aprender y crear juntos!
Chiquitines curiosos es una serie de programas en OMSI que permiten que niños(as) de 3 a 5 años, y sus familias, exploren conceptos básicos de ciencia e ingeniería. Estos programas bilingües están diseñados para desarrollar sus habilidades STEAM y fortalecer el vínculo especial entre adultos y niños(as).
¡Esperamos que tú y tus pequeños curiosos se unan a nuestros excelentes educadores para experimentar, hacer preguntas y construir estructuras increíbles!

¡Practica tus nuevas habilidades después de terminar la clase, ya que tu boleto incluye la admisión general al museo para el mismo día!

¿Tiene preguntas? Para obtener más información sobre este evento, así como respuestas a preguntas frecuentes, visita el sitio web de Chiquitines curiosos o manda un correo electrónico a info@omsi.edu.

Join the official Backyard Habitat Certification Program outreach staff at Good Year Farms to learn about edible native and introduced plants already abundant in our yards!

We will learn ethical harvest practices, preparation techniques, and how to help edible native plants thrive.

Attendees will sample a variety of plant inspired dishes, get recipes and resources, and learn more about how the Backyard Habitat Certification program can assist you in your gardening goals.

These classes are a time to get together and learn about stewarding habitat in our time and space. These sessions are designed to be informal and relaxed, so you can bring specific questions or just listen and learn.

Registration required HERE: $31/person - regardless of size or age - *catered breakfast included. It's always incredibly tasty and filling.

*Dietary restrictions will be broadly considered, i.e., there will be GF and vegan options, but we are unable to cater to specific needs.

Class starts at 10:00AM.

Open House: Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan - October 14

Help shape the future of Ridgefield's parks, trails, and recreation!

The City is updating the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan, a guiding document outlining goals and priorities for Ridgefield’s parks, trails and recreational facilities. We're seeking community feedback at an open house from 4:30-6:30 PM on Wednesday, October 14. 

• 4:30-6:30 PM Wednesday, October 14

• Columbia Assembly Room, Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center

• 510 Pioneer Street

This open house is an opportunity to share what we’ve learned so far, hear what we may be missing, and understand the community’s needs and priorities for future programs and investments.

Families are encouraged to attend! There will be activities on site for children of all ages, bring the family and tell us about your vision for Ridgefield's parks and trails. 

Join the Washington Native Plant Society Suksdorfia chapter for connection, education and board election night!

SPEAKER: We are privileged to have Sebastion Busby from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) join us.  

Sebastian provides scientific and technical support to TNC's forest carbon-oriented Natural Climate Solutions (NCS) programs and efforts across North America and globally. This work involves developing and applying methodologies to quantify carbon sequestration, carbon storage, and conservation benefits (e.g., biodiversity and ecosystem services) of sustainable forest management practices, utilizing forest inventory, remote sensing, GIS data, and forest growth and yield simulation modeling. Sebastion will share how scientists here in the Portland/Vancouver metro areas are shaping approaches to climate change globally and what that can mean for our local flora and fauna.

The meeting will be at Clark College in Vancouver, Hanna Hall, room 117.

There is easy parking right out front; please refer to this map: https://www.clark.edu/about/visitors-guide/getting-to-clark/maps/campus_map.pdf

Photo: The Nature Conservancy - Oregon Chapter

Learn how to get those shrubs in shape! We'll focus on methods and techniques to get your plants looking incredible and healthy. Time in the classroom and outdoors for hands-on demonstrations.  

Presented by Christofer Robison, Professional Gardener and Landscape Contractor ‍ ‍

Tired of shrubs and bushes that look like they belong in the Willy Wonka factory? Come learn to prune your shrubs for beauty and health of the plant. We will focus on methods and techniques to leave your plants looking incredible. First hour will consist of classroom instruction to be followed by time in the gardens for hands-on examples and lots of time for Q & A.

10 a.m. to noon, Saturday October 17, 2026 located at 11104 NE 149th Street, Brush Prairie. NatureScaping classes are free for members ($25 per year; $15 for seniors), or $15 (+ tax) per class for non-members. 

Registration required at: marlene52ns@gmail.com or info@naturescaping.org or call 360-737-1160.

Lead by Erin of Frog & Twig; learn about locally harvested fiber plants suitable for twining, including willow, rattan reed cane, cattail and iris. Learn basketry techniques like Pairing Weave, 3-rod wale weave, securing a basket to a wooden base, soft fiber twining & twined handle. 

Your handmade basket may be tiny but this class is designed to introduce you to a large variety of materials and techniques that will give you a solid start to continue pursuing basketry on your own, including a hand out of exactly where to find and how to prepare all of the materials that we use! 

Register HERE, 10 spots only.

Group class instruction from 10am-12pm with a third hour of 1:1 hands-on help from the instructor to complete your basket without feeling rushed! You will leave with a mini-basket of your very own.

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 educators from the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center to discover the amazing journeys of two of our river’s most remarkable fish.

This drop-in program takes place indoors and is designed for children ages 5–12. Through hands-on activities, you’ll explore the fascinating life cycles of salmon and lamprey and discover how they depend on healthy waterways throughout their lives.

• No registration is required.

• Drop-in anytime between 1 and 2 p.m.

• Youth must be accompanied by an adult.

The Water Center is open the first and third Saturday of every month, from noon to 4 p.m.

Contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or call 360-487-7111 if you have any questions.

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.

Mushroom foraging is a popular pursuit in the Northwest!

More than just a slideshow of edible mushrooms, this beginner-friendly class emphasizes skills and tools needed for accurate identification of mushrooms to determine edibility.

Join the Fort Vancouver Regional Library for this exciting workshop.

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.

Worm Bin Composting: Turn Scraps into Soil workshop with Master Composters & Recyclers

Worm bins are compact and low‑odor, making them ideal for garages, covered outdoor spaces, or other protected areas where you want a small composting system. Discover how worm bins can transform kitchen scraps into a nutrient‑rich soil addition for gardens and houseplants. This workshop covers bin setup, care, what materials to add, troubleshooting and how to harvest your finished compost. 

Registration is required for this FREE workshop HERE.

vancouverbeeproject

Join Vancouver Bee Project for Pollinators & Pints on Thursday, October 22, at 5:30 p.m. at Grays Restaurant & Bar at the Hilton!

October’s topic is native seed saving. Bring your questions, share your gardening experiences, and connect with others interested in native plants and pollinators. Whether you’re just getting started or have been saving seeds for years, come join the conversation!

¡Acompaña a Vancouver Bee Project en Pollinators & Pints el jueves 22 de octubre a las 5:30 p. m. en Grays Restaurant & Bar, en el Hilton!

El tema de octubre es la recolección y conservación de semillas de plantas nativas. Trae tus preguntas, comparte tus experiencias de jardinería y conoce a otras personas interesadas en las plantas nativas y los polinizadores. Ya sea que estés empezando o lleves años guardando semillas, ¡ven a conversar!

Confused about when, why, or how to prune your trees and shrubs?

Join us for an engaging beginner-friendly Master Gardener class led by an ISA Certified Arborist to learn the fundamentals of proper pruning for healthier plants, improved flowering, stronger structure, and safer landscapes. Perfect for homeowners, gardeners, and anyone wanting more confidence caring for their landscape.

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional 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.

WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Program

An interactive workshop exploring the fascinating world of mason bees - non-stinging, native pollinators.

Did you know your backyard is likely home to a variety of wild bees, including the gentle and highly efficient mason bee? Join WSU Master Gardener Anne Bulger for an interactive workshop exploring the fascinating world of these non-stinging, native pollinators.

Discover their vital role in pollination, learn how to create and maintain a thriving mason bee habitat, and gain insight into their unique life cycle. Plus, take part in a hands-on demonstration of cocoon harvesting and cleaning—an essential step in supporting healthy mason bee populations. (Bring your own nesting materials to harvest, if you like.) Cleaned cocoons will be distributed to those interested in providing a house for the bees to nest in the spring.

You will have a chance to win a fully furnished mason bee house and empty nesting tubes! Don't miss this opportunity to get up close and personal with one of nature’s hardest-working pollinators!

October 24 from 9:30 to 11:30am at the Luke Jensen Sports Complex Bud van Cleve room. Contact: Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or 564-397-5738.

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.

Learn tips to protect your plants, enrich your soils and care for your irrigation systems to prepare your gardens for a long winter’s nap!

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional 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.

Just in time for Halloween!

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

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

What can you do to combat climate change at home?

This presentation breaks down a typical suburban yard into its component parts and gives you actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint.

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional 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.

Backyard Composting: Find A Compost System to Fit Your Yard with Clark County Master Composters & Recyclers

Backyard composting is a flexible way to transform yard debris and food scraps into a valuable soil amendment that supports healthy gardens. Explore the essentials of outdoor composting using bins, piles, tumblers and layered systems. Learn how to balance materials, manage moisture, troubleshoot common issues and use finished compost in your landscape. 

Registration is required for this FREE workshop HERE.

Become a Nature Detective

Engineers are problem solvers! Curious kids in this class will work with their families to build, test, design, and improve across a variety of playful hands-on challenges.

About OMSI Curiosity Kids

At OMSI, we love experimenting, learning, and creating together!

Curiosity Kids programs at OMSI allow children ages 3-5 years old, along with their families, to explore early science and engineering concepts. These bilingual programs are designed to build STEAM skills and nurture the special connection between adults and children.
We hope you and your curious kids will join our stellar educators to experiment, ask questions, and build amazing structures!

Practice your new skills right after your workshop — your ticket includes same-day general Museum Admission!

Questions? For the basic details and FAQs about this event, please visit the Curiosity Kids webpage or email info@omsi.edu.

Chiquitines curiosos: Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

¡Los naturalistas estudian las pistas que dejan atrás los animales! En esta clase, los niños curiosos trabajarán y jugarán con sus familias para observar, describir y recopilar pruebas que les permitan entender qué animales dejaron huellas, pelo, excrementos y mucho más.

Sobre Chiquitines curiosos

¡En OMSI, nos encanta experimentar, aprender y crear juntos!
Chiquitines curiosos es una serie de programas en OMSI que permiten que niños(as) de 3 a 5 años, y sus familias, exploren conceptos básicos de ciencia e ingeniería. Estos programas bilingües están diseñados para desarrollar sus habilidades STEAM y fortalecer el vínculo especial entre adultos y niños(as).
¡Esperamos que tú y tus pequeños curiosos se unan a nuestros excelentes educadores para experimentar, hacer preguntas y construir estructuras increíbles!

¡Practica tus nuevas habilidades después de terminar la clase, ya que tu boleto incluye la admisión general al museo para el mismo día!

¿Tiene preguntas? Para obtener más información sobre este evento, así como respuestas a preguntas frecuentes, visita el sitio web de Chiquitines curiosos o manda un correo electrónico a info@omsi.edu.

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for our annual Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning Workshop! Fall is the perfect time to care for your mason bees and prepare healthy cocoons for next spring.

We'll kick off the event with a short presentation covering mason bee biology, fall stewardship, and why cleaning bee houses is one of the best ways to reduce parasites, predators, and diseases. You'll learn about common threats to mason bees—including pollen mites, parasitic wasps and flies, fungal diseases, and other nest associates—and how proper cleaning can improve bee survival.

After the presentation, we'll roll up our sleeves and clean out mason bee nests together. If you have a mason bee house, bring it with you! We'll help you determine the best way to harvest and clean your cocoons and answer your questions along the way.

New to mason bees? Don't have a bee house? No problem! Come anyway! We'll have plenty of nesting tubes to clean, including tubes from the Water Resources Education Center's own mason bee houses, so everyone will get hands-on experience. This is a great opportunity to learn the process before starting your own mason bee house next spring.

Please note that bee houses with removable trays or removable nesting tubes are the easiest to clean. Houses with glued-in reeds, fixed tubes, or drilled wood blocks often cannot be cleaned without destroying the nesting material or, in some cases, the house itself. If you're considering purchasing or building a mason bee house, we'll also discuss designs that make annual cleaning simple, effective, and healthier for your bees.

Whether you're caring for your first mason bee house or have years of experience, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn, share tips, discover the fascinating parasites and diseases that affect mason bees, and enjoy an afternoon of stewardship and community with fellow native bee enthusiasts.  We hope you'll join us!

This is a FREE event and registration is required HERE

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society’s monthly speaker for a presentation from “Conserving the California Condor” with Dr. Hayley Brazier, Wildlife Conservation Specialist at the Oregon Zoo.

More information to be provided soon!

This event is free and all are welcome! (ADA parking, pathways and restrooms are available on site)

Join us WDFW a two-evening virtual workshop featuring Habitats of Washington, a brand-new kindergarten unit from WDFW’s Wild Washington curriculum, where poetry, Washington wildlife, and science come together.

Many Places, Many Lives: Exploring Washington Wildlife Through Poetry and Science

• Wednesday, November 4, 2026 &

• Thursday, November 5, 2026

• 4:15–6:00 p.m.

• Virtual via Zoom | 3.5 STEM Clock Hours

This playful, place-based unit is anchored in Many Places, Many Lives, an illustrated poetry collection featuring animals that live right here in Washington. Participants will explore Washington animals and habitats, poetry as a pathway into science, meaningful science and ELA connections, and hands-on learning experiences designed for kindergarten students.

Participants must attend both sessions in full to receive clock hours.

Registration Link: https://www.tfaforms.com/5235855

Gardening With Compost: Feed Your Soil Naturally with Clark County Master Composter & Recyclers

Learn practical ways to use compost to improve soil structure, support plant growth, and increase water retention. This workshop explains how and when to apply compost in vegetable beds, lawns, container gardens and other landscapes. Discover simple techniques that help plants thrive while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

Registration is required for this FREE workshop HERE.

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for our annual Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning Workshop! Fall is the perfect time to care for your mason bees and prepare healthy cocoons for next spring.

We'll kick off the event with a short presentation covering mason bee biology, fall stewardship, and why cleaning bee houses is one of the best ways to reduce parasites, predators, and diseases. You'll learn about common threats to mason bees—including pollen mites, parasitic wasps and flies, fungal diseases, and other nest associates—and how proper cleaning can improve bee survival.

After the presentation, we'll roll up our sleeves and clean out mason bee nests together. If you have a mason bee house, bring it with you! We'll help you determine the best way to harvest and clean your cocoons and answer your questions along the way.

New to mason bees? Don't have a bee house? No problem! Come anyway! We'll have plenty of nesting tubes to clean, including tubes from the Water Resources Education Center's own mason bee houses, so everyone will get hands-on experience. This is a great opportunity to learn the process before starting your own mason bee house next spring.

Please note that bee houses with removable trays or removable nesting tubes are the easiest to clean. Houses with glued-in reeds, fixed tubes, or drilled wood blocks often cannot be cleaned without destroying the nesting material or, in some cases, the house itself. If you're considering purchasing or building a mason bee house, we'll also discuss designs that make annual cleaning simple, effective, and healthier for your bees.

Whether you're caring for your first mason bee house or have years of experience, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn, share tips, discover the fascinating parasites and diseases that affect mason bees, and enjoy an afternoon of stewardship and community with fellow native bee enthusiasts.  We hope you'll join us!

This is a FREE event, no registration required….just show up!

Archaeology of Ice Age Oregon

Imagine Oregon more than 12,000 years ago. The coastline stretched miles farther west, vast lakes filled today’s high desert, and megafauna like mammoths, giant ground sloths, and camels still roamed the land. People were raising families, sewing clothing with bone needles and thread, harvesting plants, caring for one another, and adapting to a rapidly changing world.

How do archaeologists uncover stories as old as the Ice Age? Join archaeologist Dr. Katelyn McDonough for a behind-the-scenes look at how researchers piece together the past using clues like stone tools, pollen, campfires, animal bones, microscopic plant remains, proteins preserved on tools, and even ancient poop. Hear some of archaeology’s biggest misconceptions and explore how discoveries at every scale—from molecules under a microscope to entire ancient landscapes—are transforming our understanding of the past.

This talk also explores what archaeology looks like today. Discover how archaeologists collaborate with Tribal Nations, geologists, paleoecologists, and many other specialists to better understand the past while respecting Indigenous histories and knowledge.

• Why is central Oregon important for studying the Ice Age?

• How can everyone help protect cultural heritage?

• What do you do if you ever find an artifact?

Learn more about this and other upcoming events, as well as tickets HERE

Dr. Katelyn McDonough is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Curator of Great Basin Archaeology, and Affiliated Faculty in Native American and Indigenous Studies at the University of Oregon. She is passionate about teaching, food (past and present), exploring the microscopic world, and making archaeology more accessible for everyone.

The Vancouver Bee Project will be joining us to teach a hands-on workshop on cleaning mason bee cocoons.

Bring your own cocoons and learn how to properly clean and care for them while spending some time with fellow pollinator lovers. And if you’ve attended before, you’re absolutely welcome to come again and clean your cocoons with us!

As always, all Nature’s Haven classes are free. More information here:

Online Store

Learn how to incorporate food into your landscaping with attractive vegetable gardens that yield lots of compliments along with nourishing food.

This presentation covers the benefits of edibles in the landscape, four design principles for visual appeal and how to convert flowers to food by replacing ornamentals with edible herbs and flowers. The presentation features a comprehensive power point presentation along with a handout covering 12 tips for successful edible landscaping.

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional 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.

If you’re just getting started with birdwatching, look no further!

In this class you’ll learn what sort of equipment might be helpful, safe and ethical bird feeding, identification tools and some common backyard birds to look for, and other useful tips and resources for birdwatching both in your yard and beyond.

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional 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.

Save the date! Stormwater Partners Symposium

More information coming soon. Check out https://www.stormwaterpartners.com/ for updates

Join us for the 2026 Stormwater Partners Symposium on November 19!

This year’s symposium will be held at the new Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Community Nature Center and will include inspiring and informative presentations and time for networking.

Become a Nature Detective

Engineers are problem solvers! Curious kids in this class will work with their families to build, test, design, and improve across a variety of playful hands-on challenges.

About OMSI Curiosity Kids

At OMSI, we love experimenting, learning, and creating together!

Curiosity Kids programs at OMSI allow children ages 3-5 years old, along with their families, to explore early science and engineering concepts. These bilingual programs are designed to build STEAM skills and nurture the special connection between adults and children.
We hope you and your curious kids will join our stellar educators to experiment, ask questions, and build amazing structures!

Practice your new skills right after your workshop — your ticket includes same-day general Museum Admission!

Questions? For the basic details and FAQs about this event, please visit the Curiosity Kids webpage or email info@omsi.edu.

Chiquitines curiosos: Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

Conviértete en detective de la naturaleza

¡Los naturalistas estudian las pistas que dejan atrás los animales! En esta clase, los niños curiosos trabajarán y jugarán con sus familias para observar, describir y recopilar pruebas que les permitan entender qué animales dejaron huellas, pelo, excrementos y mucho más.

Sobre Chiquitines curiosos

¡En OMSI, nos encanta experimentar, aprender y crear juntos!
Chiquitines curiosos es una serie de programas en OMSI que permiten que niños(as) de 3 a 5 años, y sus familias, exploren conceptos básicos de ciencia e ingeniería. Estos programas bilingües están diseñados para desarrollar sus habilidades STEAM y fortalecer el vínculo especial entre adultos y niños(as).
¡Esperamos que tú y tus pequeños curiosos se unan a nuestros excelentes educadores para experimentar, hacer preguntas y construir estructuras increíbles!

¡Practica tus nuevas habilidades después de terminar la clase, ya que tu boleto incluye la admisión general al museo para el mismo día!

¿Tiene preguntas? Para obtener más información sobre este evento, así como respuestas a preguntas frecuentes, visita el sitio web de Chiquitines curiosos o manda un correo electrónico a info@omsi.edu.

Learn tips to protect your plants, enrich your soils and care for your irrigation systems to prepare your gardens for a long winter’s nap!

In partnership with the Fort Vancouver Regional 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.

Join the Vancouver Audubon Society’s monthly speaker program for “Photofest!” featuring Young Birders and Cameraderie.

You won’t want to miss this exciting showcase of young birders and photographers from across SW WA show off their adventures.

More information to be provided soon!

This event is free and all are welcome! (ADA parking, pathways and restrooms are available on site)

Join Take Learning Outside Educator Training series for Session 2!

Every school campus has nature waiting to be discovered, even campuses that seem to be mostly lawn or pavement. Join us for an engaging panel session on using field observation techniques to help students explore the living things and natural features right outside their classroom doors.

Our guest panelists will share three practical approaches for building students’ observation skills, documenting what they find, and connecting outdoor discoveries to curriculum. Leave with ideas for helping students get up close to nature and begin creating a field guide unique to your school campus.

• Rachel Robbins, Bay View Elementary School will share nature journaling techniques that invite students to ask: What do I notice? What do I wonder? What does it remind me of? Using words, numbers, colors, and shapes, students create meaningful records of what they observe and connect those observations to the place where they live and learn.

• Rainy Rau, Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center leads the Student Watershed Monitoring Network, supporting students as they investigate creeks, streams, and bioretention areas. Learn how these investigations can help students understand what is living in and around local water systems and how those systems affect watershed health and water quality.

• Suzanne Hebert, Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center helps students and community members explore the role healthy ecosystems play in our watersheds. She will share ways to use apps and other tools to identify the plants, birds, animals, and insects that call school campuses home, creating a growing database that students can compare with other places in their community.

To earn STEM Clock hours, required pre-session prep:

Using a satellite map, print a color map of your school campus. Spend about 30 minutes walking the campus (on your own or with students) and notice the natural areas you find. Jot down a few observations:

• What natural features, plants, or animals do you notice?

• What seems established, and what might be newer?

• Where do you see opportunities for students to observe nature?

Even a campus with mowed grass has nature to investigate: birds, insects, mammals, weather, soil, and seasonal changes are all part of its story. Bring your map and notes to help guide your learning during the session.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED HERE

Join the Science on Tap team for “The Counting of Crows”

There is no animal we’re more aware of having as neighbors as the American Crow. Loud, ubiquitous, and immediately recognizable, most Portlanders will see crows every day. And yet, there are few animals as mysterious and captivating.

• If I feed crows, will they bring me shiny presents?

• Why are crows so intelligent, and what do they do with those big brains?

• Why, if we look outside at dawn and dusk, do we see vast numbers of them all flying in the same direction?

• Why do they tear out the grass in our lawns?

• Why do they bring bits of food and wash it in our bird baths?

• Why do they dive bomb some people?

• Do they really remember human faces? And hold funerals for their fallen? 

In this wide-ranging exploration of the exceedingly common, and unique, American Crow, we’ll learn what makes them so fascinating and mysterious, and try to answer some of these questions along the way. 

Learn more about this event and others, including tickets HERE.

Brodie Cass Talbott works at Bird Alliance of Oregon, where he has been educating both adults and kids about birds since 2018. He leads birdwatching tours near and far, teaches classes on bird ecology and identification, and works to engage the growing birdwatching community in the conservation work that Bird Alliance of Oregon has been doing since 1902. 

This show is a repeat of an April 2026 showing in Portland.

Join the Science on Tap team for “The A-BEE-Cs of Native Bees”

Welcome to the fascinating and often overlooked world of native bees. This talk is a guided tour of foundational concepts to a deeper meaning of not just bee diversity, but also pollinator diversity, ecology, and identification. Award-winning conservation photographer and author Krystle Hickman explores:

• the ecological roles native bees play

• the differences between honeybees and native bees

• behavior and biodiversity

• the basics of bee taxonomy

• how scientists and photographers identify species through visual characteristics and field observations.

Blending conservation, storytelling, science, communication and striking photography, Hickman invites audiences into the world of native bees while revealing how curiosity, observation and visual storytelling can deepen our connection to the world around us.

Learn more about this event and more, as well as tickets HERE.

Krystle Hickman is a National Geographic Explorer and Expedition Expert, award-winning conservation photographer and author, keynote speaker, and artist whose work explores biodiversity, pollinators, and environmental storytelling through fieldwork around the world. Her book The ABC’s of California’s Native Bees received multiple awards including an IPPY Gold Medal and a Foreword INDIES Award, and was recognized by the Los Angeles Times as one of the Best Science Books of 2025.

Get 15% off the book and a ticket with the book/ticket combo option at checkout!

This talk is part of the Vancouver WA Pollinator Festival June 26th, 2027, in partnership with our friends at Vancouver Bee Project!