Green Business Spotlight: Columbia Springs

The 2022 Clark County Green Business of the Year Award in the Nonprofit/Government Organization category is presented to Columbia Springs. Columbia Springs, a local nonprofit, provides accessible environmental education to the Clark County community. Columbia Springs has incorporated many sustainable practices into the organization, including specialized recycling efforts, the use of non-toxic green cleaning products and a stormwater management system which includes a rain garden and green roof. 

Creative Reuse - Repair Clark County

Reducing landfill waste is at the core of Columbia Springs' mission and role in the Clark County community. Repair Clark County is a volunteer driven program that fixes broken household items (electronics, lighting, appliances, apparel, yard tools, etc.) - for free! Repairing broken items instead of simply disposing of them prevents materials from ending up in the landfill and minimizes resource extraction from the Earth to create new materials. This program not only reduces waste in our community, but it also helps community members save money and shows Clark County that sustainability doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. The Repair Clark County program partners with Fort Vancouver Regional Librarybranches to reach thousands of community members with their waste saving mission. 

Community Nature Based Education 

Kylie DaCunha, Columbia Springs community engagement specialist says, "Education is at the core of everything we do, and although our sustainability practices have a number of positive impacts on our site and the planet, the greatest contribution we can make to our community is directly engaging others in these types of activities and behaviors."

Columbia Springs coordinates school field trips, summer camps, workshops and community events to engage youth and adults in programs that elevate environmental education. These science and nature education programs foster opportunities for the community to positively interact with the natural world and educate about the impact human actions have on local and global ecosystems.

The Columbia Springs campus, 12208 SE Evergreen Highway in Vancouver, is open to the public 5 am-8 pm daily. Columbia Springs provides free parking and admission to their site, which features over 2 miles of forested trails, an active fish hatchery and educational visitor center.

Learn more about visiting Columbia Springs.

Learn more about Columbia Springs upcoming summer education opportunities and events.