Events under 'Outdoor Activities'

The Downs Neighborhood Park
3217 ne 62nd vancouver wa

Directions

Join the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Programs department and our Naturespaces volunteers for a morning of planting. Naturespaces Vancouver is a pilot program that utilizes ecologically informed practices to restore and enhance publicly managed sites – think your local parks!

Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided! This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens – people of all ages and abilities are welcome! Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Sign up today!

Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

Advanced registration is required and space is limited. RSVP here.

(Registration will close two days prior to the event at 2 p.m. If registration is already closed and you still want to register, please email cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us to let us know you will be a walk-up and you can sign in on-site.)

Let's plant trees together in Vancouver! Interested in receiving a tree? Click HERE to purchase a tree for your household. Dozens of large (6-10' tall) trees will be ready for planting in their new homes, and your help is what makes this community planting possible!

Please arrive by 8:45am to sign-in and be assigned a planting crew. The planting starts at 9:00am. We provide gloves, tools, and guidance, as well as light breakfast snacks and coffee/tea/hot chocolate. We ask that all volunteers dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes/boots you don't mind getting dirty, and be ready to have fun!

How do I register? Register by filling out this quick form.  Groups and individuals welcome! If your group is more than 5 people, please know you will be assigned to different planting crews.

Have a pickup truck? We need your help getting these young trees to their planting sites a few blocks away from the central staging site. Please sign up if you're able to help out in this key role. 

Want to plant by bike? This event will have a bike-powered crew. Bring your bike, helmet, and a bike trailer (if you have one), sign-up here.

Under age 18? We request that youth 15 and under volunteer with a parent/guardian.  Youth 16 and older can volunteer on their own and will need to hand us a youth waiver form signed by their parent/guardian.

Private transportation: You will travel from the meeting location to a few planting sites in the nearby neighborhood (up to several miles). We recommend private transportation (bike or vehicle), but there may be an option to carpool if others in your small planting crew are also comfortable with this. 

Where will these trees be planted? In the following neighborhoods: Burton Ridge, DuBois Park, Ellsworth Springs, Evergreen Highlands, Father Blanchet Park, Forest Ridge, Marrion, North Garrison Heights, Northcrest, Northwood, Oakbrook, Old Evergreen Hwy, and Vancouver Heights.

Questions?  Please check out our Volunteer FAQ webpage.  Our team is also happy to assist!  Reach us at volunteer@friendsoftrees.org We look forward to planting together soon!

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This event is in partnership with the City of Vancouver.

You're invited!

Join us for a day of winter-themed hands on science and nature experiences.

Drop by when it works for you. No RSVP required!

Questions? Email events@columbiasprings.org

Join us in celebrating World Wetlands Day with a slow stroll around Vancouver’s Water Center, the wetlands and the Columbia River. World Wetlands Day raises awareness about the importance of wetland ecosystems and celebrates all the life they support. The 50 acres of wetlands adjacent to the Water Center provide critical habitat for numerous birds, and barren winter trees provide excellent viewing conditions. Expect to walk 1.5 miles on uneven terrain, sandy and muddy surfaces. Binoculars will be available to borrow. Suitable for adults and ages 6 and older.

Registration required. Please sign up here: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/winter-birds-of-the-wetlands/

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Registration is required. RSVP here: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/planting-at-sam-brown-park/

Join the City of Vancouver’s AmeriCorps members and community partners for a morning of planting at Sam Brown Park’s urban natural area. This event is a follow-up from the postponed MLK Day of Service. We will be planting trees and hundreds of native plants and we will have plants for volunteers to take home.

Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks will be provided. This opportunity is family-friendly and great for teens – people of all ages and abilities are welcome! Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.

Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form and youth under 13 need to be accompanied by an adult guardian. There will be 50 volunteer spots available for this event. Registration will close when maximum capacity is reached or two days prior to the event at 2 p.m. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us
https://www.cityofvancouver.us/government/department/parks-recreation-and-cultural-services/volunteer-programs/.

Contact: Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344

Registration is required. Sign up here: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/beach-cleanup-at-marine-park/

Volunteer to pick up litter from the beaches around Marine Park and prevent litter from entering the Columbia River. All tools will be provided. Expect to walk 1.5 miles on uneven terrain, sandy and muddy beach areas.

All ages welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Let's plant trees together in Westside Vancouver! Interested in receiving a tree? Click HERE to purchase a tree for your household. Dozens of large (6-10' tall) trees will be ready for planting in their new homes, and your help is what makes this community planting possible!

Please arrive by 8:45am to sign-in and be assigned a planting crew. The planting starts at 9:00am. We provide gloves, tools, and guidance, as well as light breakfast snacks and coffee/tea/hot chocolate. We ask that all volunteers dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes/boots you don't mind getting dirty, and be ready to have fun!

How do I register? Register by filling out this quick form.  Groups and individuals welcome! If your group is more than 5 people, please know you will be assigned to different planting crews.

Have a pickup truck? We need your help getting these young trees to their planting sites a few blocks away from the central staging site. Please sign up if you're able to help out in this key role. 

Want to plant by bike? This event will have a bike-powered crew. Bring your bike, helmet, and a bike trailer (if you have one), sign-up here.

Under age 18? We request that youth 15 and under volunteer with a parent/guardian.  Youth 16 and older can volunteer on their own and will need to hand us a youth waiver form signed by their parent/guardian.

Private transportation: You will travel from the meeting location to a few planting sites in the nearby neighborhood (up to several miles). We recommend private transportation (bike or vehicle), but there may be an option to carpool if others in your small planting crew are also comfortable with this. 

Where will these trees be planted? In the following neighborhoods: Arnada, Carter Park, Esther Short, Fruit Valley, Hough, Lincoln, Northwest, Rose Village, and Shumway.

Questions?  Please check out our Volunteer FAQ webpage.  Our team is also happy to assist!  Reach us at volunteer@friendsoftrees.org We look forward to planting together soon!

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This event is in partnership with the City of Vancouver.

You're invited! Join us for our “For the Love of Salmon” Nature Fun day at Columbia Springs.

What: A day of hands-on science and nature experiences exploring our love of salmon!

This event is designed to be engaging for people of all ages – from preschool age kids to elementary, middle, and high school students, and adults. All ages and backgrounds are welcome! Just bring your curiosity and be prepared for some nature fun!

How: Drop by when it works for you. No RSVP required!

Questions? Email events@columbiasprings.org.

Registration is required. Sign up here: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/ivy-removal-at-marine-park-3/

Join Water Center staff in removing ivy from Marine Park. Activities can include cutting ivy off tree trunks, bending over to pull ivy free from the soil, and shoveling and spreading bark mulch. All tools will be provided.

All ages welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Every year, World Water Day is celebrated around the globe to highlight the importance of freshwater for humans and our vital ecosystems. Join us this year in a BioBlitz at Vancouver’s Water Center to explore the freshwater ecosystems around the education center and collect data about the living creatures inhabiting our area.

A BioBlitz event gathers community members in a specific place to take a snapshot of the ecological biodiversity. Small, guided nature walks will happen throughout the morning. Walks will focus on finding plants, animals, birds, insects, mushrooms, amphibians and more. Use iNaturalist to catalog all the living things found in the area. No previous knowledge of iNaturalist is required.

Registration is required and space is limited. Choose a time slot on the RSVP form to reserve your space: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/world-water-day-bioblitz/

This is a family-friendly event that is suitable for adults and youth ages 6 and older. Expect to walk 1.5 miles on uneven terrain, sandy beaches, muddy wetland areas and paved pathways. All youth need to be accompanied by an adult. Detailed logistics will be sent to registered participants.

Vancouver’s Water Center is closed on weekends. Registered participants will have access to restroom facilities inside the building.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

You're invited! Join us for our “Spring at the Springs” Nature Fun day at Columbia Springs.

What: A day of hands-on science and nature experiences exploring springtime at Columbia Springs.

This event is designed to be engaging for people of all ages – from preschool age kids to elementary, middle, and high school students, and adults. All ages and backgrounds are welcome! Just bring your curiosity and be prepared for some nature fun!

How: Drop by when it works for you. No RSVP required!

Questions? Email events@columbiasprings.org.

Registration is required. Sign up here: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/beach-cleanup-at-marine-park-2/

Help pick up litter from the beaches around Marine Park and prevent litter from entering the Columbia River. All tools will be provided. Expect to walk 1.5 miles on uneven terrain, sandy and muddy beach areas.

All ages welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Registration is required. Sign up here: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/spring-beak-nature-walk-2/

Join Vancouver Bee Project and Water Center staff in caring for our newly planted meadow. Grass was removed and wildflower seed sowed last fall. Spring is the time to assess the project and clean out any unwanted plant species from the meadow. We will also have projects for volunteers to help keep our Backyard Habitat Certified gardens in tip-top shape. Volunteer activities may include weeding, mulching, trimming and raking pathways. All necessary tools will be provided.

All ages welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Have you ever wondered how old the fish are out in our round ponds, or what wildlife can be found around our site? Learn all about what Columbia Springs has to offer during one of our guided tours!

Let us know you’re coming in advance by emailing apryl@columbiasprings.org.

Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather!

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Questions?
Kristine Jacobs
events@columbiasprings.org
360-882-0936 x 230

Join Vancouver Audubon at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (Carty Unit) for tabling, guided bird walks, and family-friendly activities to celebrate Earth Day 2024!

We will be set up from 8 am until 2 pm, and will lead bird walks at 8, 9, and 10 am. Scope stations will be set up in the refuge with expert birders there to point out must-see species. Binoculars are available to those who do not have their own.

There will be activities for the kids, too! Games, fun tabling activities, and a build-your-own birdhouse station will all be present.

This event is free to attend (there is a nominal $3 parking fee, which may be waived if you cannot afford it). Everyone is welcome, all levels of experience.

Location: Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (Carty Unit)

Google Map location:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ridgefield+National+Wildlife+Refuge/@45.830613,-122.7498815,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x549452f408e66ae7:0x5104d9e0658ac9cc!8m2!3d45.8306093!4d-122.7473066!16zL20vMDc3dnRo?entry=ttu

Enjoy a spring nature walk along the middle section of the Burnt Bridge Creek watershed. Learn about stormwater management and how the land is being restored with native plantings. Explore the ecology of the watershed while learning about the geology, native plants, animals and birds of the area. Expect to walk 1.5-2 miles on paved surfaces. This walk is geared toward adults and youth ages 6 and older.

Sign up soon. Registration is required and space is limited: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/burnt-bridge-creek-nature-walk-2/

If this event becomes full since space is limited and you see that registrations are no longer being accepted, please use the contact email below to add your name to the waitlist.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

You're invited!

Join us for a Guided Tour of Columbia Springs.
Have you ever wondered how old the fish are out in our round ponds, or what wildlife can be found around our site? Learn about all that Columbia Springs has to offer during one of our guided tours!

Let us know you’re coming in advance by emailing apryl@columbiasprings.org. We will meet at 5:30pm. Wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather!

Questions? Contact Kristine at events@columbiasprings.org or 360-882-0936 x 230

You're invited! Join us for our first Kids Fishing Fest back on site since 2019!

The event includes:
• Fishing for kids ages 5-14 with one of our expert fishing mentors
• Fishing pole for registered fishers
• Opportunity for registered fishers to catch and take home up to two fish
• Hands-on science and nature activities
• BBQ lunch (veggie options available)

Advance registration for a fishing time slot and ticket purchase is required for all attendees ages 5 and over. Tickets are $8 per person. Kids under 5 are free.

To register, please visit our website and choose a one-hour time slot between 8am and 2pm. This time slot is the time that registered kids can line up to fish. All attendees are welcome to enjoy the rest of the festival for the duration of the event.

Note: the 1pm-2pm time slot is reserved for kids with disabilities.

Spots are limited! Register today!

https://www.columbiasprings.org/events/kids-fishing-fest/

Questions? Email events@columbiasprings.org

Unraveling the Storylines of Nature through Birds: Birds are one of the most vocal animals on Earth. Join us as we slow down and tune into their vocalizations which offer a glimpse into the rich and dramatic storylines of their lives and the animals living in this shared space. In this workshop, learn how keying into the calls, postures and behaviors of songbirds can help you see more wildlife, unravel fascinating stories, deepen your connection to nature and increase your awareness skills.

This workshop will introduce bird sound mapping and sit spots for bird observing. Expect to walk 1.5 miles on both paved and uneven, muddy trails and to be seated outside for 40 minutes. Binoculars available to borrow. Program will be outside and will happen rain or shine.

Suitable for adults and youth ages 12 and older.

Sign up soon. Registration is required and space is limited: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/bird-language-workshop/

If this event becomes full since space is limited and you see that registrations are no longer being accepted, please use the contact email below to add your name to the waitlist.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

You're invited! Join us for Forest Yoga at Columbia Springs

Looking to get back in touch with nature this summer? Join us for Forest Yoga at Columbia Springs! We will meet with local yogi Alison Wesley from Movement at Work in this beginning level class, moving into gentle shapes that help us see ourselves and the world more clearly.

When: 10:00am on Saturday, June 15th

What: A beginning level yoga class led local yogi Alison Wesley from Movement at Work. Please bring a mat or towel and whatever props you use during your normal practice.

How: Cost is $15 per person. Please register to reserve your spot!

Note: This class must have at least 10 participants signed up in advance to run. In the event that this number is not reached, the class will be cancelled, and refunds will be issued. Otherwise, all sales are final, and no refunds will be permitted.