Join the Water Center to help remove litter from the beaches and prevent it from entering and polluting the Columbia River. All tools will be provided. Expect to walk 1.5 to 2 miles on uneven sandy beach areas while carrying little buckets.

Registration is required. Sign up today! https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/beach-cleanup-at-marine-park-5/

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

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

Do you love having fresh flowers in your home and giving them to friends and family as a gift of joy? Have you ever wanted to know how to grow your own beautiful cut flower garden? It’s easier than you think to grow and arrange your own flowers to enjoy inside and out all year long. Join Master Gardener and professional florist Jayne DiMarco for a talk on planning your cut flower garden. The workshop includes details on selecting and caring for flowers appropriate for arranging and information on how to select flowers that bloom around the same time. Participants will make a visit to our onsite cut flower demo garden where they will make a hand bouquet to take home. Bring a pair of snips and a vase/mason jar you'd like to fill or use one of ours. Dress for the weather, bring water. Cost: $5. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/974172986627?aff=oddtdtcreator. Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or 564-397-5738.

2024 is a big year for the sun! Every 11 years the sun's magnetic pole flips. Leading up to this event is a period of increased solar activity - from sunspots and solar flares to spectacular northern lights.

Join the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners for a free daytime telescope viewing event for the whole family. All are welcome; educational content will be geared toward elementary school-aged children. Vancouver (Hazel Dell area.) Specific location provided upon registration.

Safely view the sun through a telescope. Learn about sunspots - what they are and why they are happening now. Tell the time using a human sundial. Learn about the solar system and the sun as the base of the food web. Attendees will move in small groups through four interactive educational stations - all revolving around the sun.

You should not look directly at the sun. Guidance will be provided for safe sunspot viewing.

This event will take place fully outside. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. Space is limited. Please do not register if you aren’t sure you can attend. No pets except service animals.

This event is put on with the support of Rose City Astronomers (https://www.rosecityastronomers.net/). Register at https://forms.gle/CFqMJ6iptFVQ6Y4C8. Contact: Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or 564-397-5738

The high water of spring has given way to low summer flows along the Columbia River. With the seasonal wetland drying out, animal tracks can be found in the exposed muddy shoreline. Join a Water Center educator on an exploration along the water’s edge in search of the animals that call the edge of the cottonwood forest home.

Expect to walk 2 miles on uneven, sandy beaches, muddy wetlands, and along some paved pathways. Program suitable for ages 10 and older.

Registration is required. Sign up today! https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/columbia-river-walk-following-the-tracks-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

Online registration is required and the cost is $20 per household. Save 25% if you register with the Earlybird Discount by August 6^th (use discount code EarlyWS082024).To register and find more details visit https://ws08202024.brownpapertickets.com or email terry.koper@wsu.edu or call 564-397-5729.

Do you have a conventional gravity-fed septic system? Did you know Clark County requires you to have your conventional gravity-fed septic system inspected every 3 years? Attending this Well and Septic Workshop will allow you to inspect the system yourself every-other time, instead of hiring a professional to do it for you. This can save you money. Having your septic system inspected by a professional often costs more than $100. You can save money by getting certified to self-inspect your system in our class which costs $20.00, saving homeowners money. Completing the workshop and a short exam will certify participants to self-inspect their own septic system every–other-time.

The workshop is taught by Clark County Public Health and will teach participants how to maintain and inspect their septic systems and safely maintain their well water. “Getting self-inspection certified is also a good long-term investment and participants will learn how to spot problems faster so they can have them fixed rather than looking at a costly system replacement”, says Terry Koper, Small Acreage Program Coordinator.

This workshop is hosted by the Small Acreage Program of Washington State University Clark County Extension with support from Clark County Public Works Clean Water. To find out about this and other events offered by the Small Acreage Program, visit http://go.wsu.edu/smallacreage.

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Persons requiring special accommodations should call WSU Clark County Extension at (564) 397-5729 prior to the event.                                              

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Join the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program for an on-the-road- tour and leave the driving to us! Featuring plants for your late summer and fall garden, our first stop is Al’s Garden Center in Woodburn, where we will learn about favorite fall plants plus Al’s specialty plant, the mountain laurel. This North American shrub has many special characteristics, including bell-shaped flowers with fused petals that resemble origami rice bowls. It's a fantastic pollinator plant as well.
Garden World in Hubbard is the next stop. They have ten acres of plants and trees, including many unique varieties. The focus here will be Japanese Maples. Lunch is at the Backstop Bar & Grill in Canby, OR (note: lunch is not included in the tour cost).
Our last stop will be at Swan Island Dahlias where they are celebrating their August-September Festival. You can stroll through almost forty acres of dahlias featuring over 370 varieties or just visit their display garden. Pick out your favorite dahlias for spring delivery. There will also be food carts, live music, and a gift shop through which to stroll.
Cost: $35.
Registration required by August 16th at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/971130065167?aff=oddtdtcreator. Contact: erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or (564) 397-5738. For more info about our workshops/events: http://extension.wsu.edu/clark/gardening/workshops-events/.

Explore Vancouver Lake from a whole new perspective! Join the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver’s Water Center education staff for a free family-friendly evening canoe paddle aboard 29-foot, 14-passenger Big Canoes! Glide past shore birds, look for signs of beaver activity, and learn about the Columbia River ecosystem from seasoned paddle guides and educators.

Plan to paddle for 1 to 1.5 hours in Estuary Partnership’s Big Canoes along with other participants, and walk under 1/4 of a mile on gravel, muddy/sandy beaches, and uneven terrain. Paddlers must be able to step down 2.5 feet into the canoe and sit on a wooden bench without back support for the duration of the paddle program. Big Canoe paddles are suitable for ages 6 and older. Previous paddling experience is not required!

Advanced registration is required and space is limited. Sign up today! https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/vancouver-lake-community-paddle-trip-3/

You will receive a confirmation letter with full event details, meeting location, and how to prepare for your event after registration. If you need to cancel, please do so at your earliest convenience to allow your spot to be filled by someone on the waitlist.

Who can paddle?

Big Canoe trips are suitable for ages 6 and older.
Previous paddling experience is not necessary.
Paddlers must step down 2.5 feet into the canoe and sit on a wooden bench without back support for 1.5 hours.
Do I need any equipment or special gear?

Please come prepared for the weather with rain gear or a hat and sunscreen/sun protection.
Personal flotation devices (PFDs) in youth – XXL are provided.
This paddle trip will depart from a small sand patch and not a dock so waterproof shoes or sandals are recommended. Old tennis shoes work great, too.
Can I bring my camera or cell phone?

Yes. Be advised that we cannot guarantee the safety of electronic devices and do not offer dry bags. Occasional splashes and rain make the bottom of the boat wet, but typically gear in a pocket will stay dry.
How safe are paddle trips?

Safety is always our first priority. Our guides are trained in on-water rescue, CPR, and Wilderness First Aid.
Water activities carry inherent risk; guides take precautions to ensure a safe paddling experience.
See our safety protocols or contact us for more information.
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 Resources Education Center at 360-487-7111 or vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us

Get ready for the new school year with a Community School Supply Swap at Kindred! As school lists are distributed, it's the perfect time to declutter and share the abundance.

Bring any extra supplies you have and take what you need for the upcoming school year.

This event is all about coming together, contributing to our community, and ensuring everyone has what they need to succeed.

Join Kindred Homestead Supply for a day of giving, receiving, and celebrating community support!

https://kindredvancouver.com/pages/workshops-events#calendar-41039eae-01ae-4507-81da-a33fd19f2717

Have you ever wondered what happens to the water that goes down your drain? How far does it travel? How is it cleaned? Join us for a tour of the City’s Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Plant to learn about the unseen journey of our used water.

After the treatment plant tour, we will take a nature walk to the Columbia River to learn about the riparian ecosystem and see where the clean water is released.

This tour is suitable for adults and youth 8 years and older. The tour is inside and outside and will happen rain or shine. Closed-toed shoes are required. Expect to walk 1.5 to 2 miles on paved pathways, up and down stairs, and on sandy beaches.

Space is limited. Sign up to reserve your spot today! https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/hidden-journey-of-wastewater-3/

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

Get ready for the new school year with a Community School Supply Swap at Kindred! As school lists are distributed, it's the perfect time to declutter and share the abundance.

Bring any extra supplies you have and take what you need for the upcoming school year.

This event is all about coming together, contributing to our community, and ensuring everyone has what they need to succeed.

Join Kindred Homestead Supply for a day of giving, receiving, and celebrating community support!

https://kindredvancouver.com/pages/workshops-events#calendar-41039eae-01ae-4507-81da-a33fd19f2717

Join us on a late summer twilight walk as we search for bats around the Water Center wetlands. Water Center educators and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteers will guide the group on a sunset stroll through the wetland areas around the Columbia River. We will learn about what makes a good bat habitat and listen for their ultrasonic calls with a bat detector.

The program is geared towards adults and youth ages 6 and older. Expect to walk 2 miles on paved and unpaved pathways, and uneven, sandy beaches. Please leave flashlights at home.

Space is limited. Sign up today to reserve your spot! https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/twilight-tuesday-nature-walk-bats/

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

Do you love having fresh flowers in your home and giving them to friends and family as a gift of joy? Have you ever wanted to know how to grow your own beautiful cut flower garden? It’s easier than you think to grow and arrange your own flowers to enjoy inside and out all year long. Join Master Gardener Michelle Palmateer for a talk on planning your cut flower garden. The workshop includes details on selecting and caring for flowers appropriate for arranging and information on how to select flowers that bloom around the same time. Participants will make a visit to our onsite cut flower demo garden where they will make a hand bouquet to take home. Bring a pair of snips, a small bucket and a vase/mason jar you'd like to fill or use one of ours. Dress for the weather, bring water. Cost. $5. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grow-and-arrange-cut-flowers-year-round-workshop-tickets-991249422707.
Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu or 564-397-5738.

We are happy to announce a new event on Saturday, August 31st at Cottonwood Beach! Join us for a day of healing and offering to the Wimahl (Columbia) River in partnership with Huehca Omeyocan and La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center. We will begin the day of healing the river through a community cleanup of Cottonwood Beach. There will be a short break for lunch (please pack your own), before the workshops begin. 

During the trash art workshop you will be working on community art piece(s) from trash collected at beach cleanups. The art will then be in an art show at La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center. There will also be an interactive flower offering activity led by Huehca Omeyocan.

Huehca Omeyocan will be performing an Aztec Dance and Drumming Ceremony with an Offering of Flowers to the River. This style of dance and music is of the Cem-Anahuac, meaning the Land Surrounded by water where people live entirely together.

Event Schedule:

9am to 11:30am: Beach cleanup

12pm to 1:30pm: Making of flower offerings and trash-art workshop

1:30pm to 3:30pm: Aztec dance and offering ceremony

Registration is only required for the litter cleanup. No registration is required for the workshops or ceremony. Register here.