Archive for the ‘Nature’ Category
August 10th, 2010 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
We were riding in style in the colorful kayaks provided by the Tualatin Riverkeepers (which were funded, in part, by a WCVA tourism grant).
Over the weekend, the Washington County Visitors Association (WCVA) threw a summer social at Tualatin Community Park, located in the heart of downtown Tualatin (and one of the locations of this week’s Crawfish Festival). It was an ideal summer day in Oregon, and a perfect Saturday to take a leisurely trip down the serene Tualatin River.
With some quick instruction and guidance from the fine volunteers of the Tualatin Riverkeepers, and after being suited up with life jackets, my daughter and I –and the rest of the guests at the summer social– set out in the kayaks for an hour-long paddle trip down the Tualatin River.
The quiet calm of the river was amazing. Trees flanked both sides of the river, and the only clues that we were in a suburban area were the occasional overpasses we floated under, which also served as makeshift habitats for nesting birds who make the river their home.
Along our slow journey, we passed a young man and his brother fishing, presumably for the largemouth bass that thrive in the Tualatin. Other folks enjoying the river passed us slow-poke kayakers on their kayaks and canoes, each sharing a smile and saying a pleasant “hello” as they paddled past us.
It wasn’t just river dwellers of the human variety that were enjoying the Tualatin River that day. Plenty of birds were enjoying the sunny, cool afternoon. Wood ducks, green heron and other birds indigenous to the area were swimming and flying alongside the kayaks, with some stopping for a quick bite to eat. Although we didn’t see any river otters or beavers during our excursion, we did see evidence that at least one beaver makes the river its home. Sue, one of the fabulous guides from the Riverkeepers, found a recently gnawed piece of bark floating downstream, an artifact left behind by a busy beaver.
Why I waited three years to try kayaking down the Tualatin River, I don’t know. What I do know, however, is that I can’t wait to get back out on the river and spend another lazy Saturday with the birds and beavers.
Read more about the Tualatin Riverkeepers and their mission to protect Oregon’s Tualatin River system.
Tags: Canoeing, fishing, kayaking, paddle trip, Tualatin Oregon, Tualatin River, Tualatin Riverkeepers
Posted in Nature, Water Fun | No Comments »
June 22nd, 2010 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
WCVA's own Allison George navigates the obstacles at Tree to Tree Adventure Park
When I first heard about a new aerial adventure park opening in Washington County, Oregon, my first reaction was, “what is an aerial adventure park”? Now that Tree to Tree Adventure Park is officially open, I now know (as well as many others who have already ventured out to sneak a peek).
Billed as the first adventure park of its kind “west of the Mississippi,” the park consists of four increasingly difficult courses of various tree-top obstacles. Rope swings, tight ropes, tunnels, bridges, and, yes, several zip lines, from tens of feet from the ground await adventurers of all skill levels. (Well, everyone except for me, who chickened out after attempting the training course, which was a mere three feet or so off the ground.)
My explanation doesn’t do this unique park justice, so take a look for yourself at the latest edition of “Grant’s Getaways,” featuring intrepid reporter Grant McOmie, as he visits Tree to Tree Adventure Park. (Video courtesy of our friends at Travel Oregon.)
Tree to Tree Adventure Park is open March-November, from 10 a.m. until two hours before dusk. Adults are $39, per person, and children are $25. It’s situated on property right near the entrance to Hagg Lake in Gaston, Oregon.
More photos from our excursion are here
Tags: aerial adventure, family activities, family friendly, gaston oregon, outdoor, outdoor recreation, park, parks, tree to tree, tree to tree adventure, washington county, washington county oregon
Posted in Family Fun, Nature, Sports | No Comments »
May 24th, 2010 by Allison George
The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge hosted its 14th annual Migratory Songbird Festival on May 15, 2010 in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day. The festival was a fun day of activities including bird and nature walks, live music, canoe paddles on the Tualatin River, bird house-building, a live bird show by the Portland Audubon Society, and last – but certainly not least – an appearance by Blue Goose, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service mascot.
Laura and I would like to extend a big THANKS to all of the young artists who stopped by the WCVA table to enter our coloring contest during the festival. We received 37 colorful masterpieces, each as unique and creative as the other, making it quite a challenge for our staff to judge! The prize for each of these winners was a lovely set of *washable markers (*parents, we’ve got your back).
1st Place Winners
Cali - 5 years & under
Andrew - 6-9 years
Connor - 10-12 years
2nd Place Winners
Adonia-2nd Place; 5 years & under
Blair - 2nd Place; 6-9 years
Kyrin-2nd Place; 10-12 years
Honorable Mentions
Krystian, 13 & up
Chloe, 10-11 years
Tags: briding, coloring contest, songbird festival, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
Posted in Events, Family Fun, Nature | No Comments »
May 5th, 2010 by Sunyi
Get ready for some outdoor fun! Here are some great ideas from our partners that represent one of the greatest assets in Washington County: nature (and everything in it).
This summer, the Tualatin Riverkeepers is offering a bounty of scheduled events for kids and adults of all ages, including parent-child hikes and paddle trips along the Tualatin River. For kids from ages 4-13, there are six summer sessions of nature day-camps, a series of daylong camps with different themes to encourage awareness of and love for the natural world. See details.
For more information, read the Riverkeepers’ informative quarterly newsletter, “The Green Herald”.
The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge also has plenty of summertime activities for the entire family, such as guided ‘Night Creature Walks’, where explorers can experience the mysteries of the Refuge after the sun goes down.
While visiting the Refuge, don’t forget to borrow a Nature Discovery Pack, a backpack full of activities, binoculars, field guides and nature journals. The packs are loaned to guests, free of charge, during visitor center hours.
Get the family excited for a trip to the Refuge, thanks to the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Department of Fish & Wildlife’s recently launched website (recommended for children, ages 5+). This interactive site features learning sessions, quizzes, and a chance to earn a free tree to plant in your own backyard. (Supplies are limited.)
Tags: hiking, Nature, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Tualatin Riverkeepers, wildlife, wildlife habitats
Posted in Events, Family Fun, Nature, Seasonal Fun | No Comments »
October 15th, 2009 by Angie Marsh
On a recent crisp fall day, I made a date with Stub. That is, a picturesque cabin at a new (circa 2007) Oregon park in Washington County–L.L. Stub Stewart State Park.
Cabins with a view in the "Mountain Dale Cabin Village"
The online booking process allowed me to view available options for my specified overnight stay, so cabin #1 it was–and just 10 days in advance. I paid online as well, which meant I didn’t have to check in and was e-mailed the code for unlocking my cute lil’ cabin.
I was en route to the Coast, and this proved to be the perfect stopover for the night; a welcome respite from Friday rush-hour traffic on Highway 26, which is just 4 miles from this site. Signage to the park off Highway 47 made for an easy drive to what felt like a remote area, but now boasts 78 camping sites, 23 hike-in primitive campsites, 12 walk-in tent sites, 16 horse camp sites and 15 cabins in the Park.
With shining wood floor, heat and insulated windows, I commented, “This is my kind of cabin!”
The tidy fire pit and nearby water spigot made “roughing it” that much easier as well. The restrooms & showers are centralized, as is the parking–a design that means any of the 15 cabins are great options.
Choosing from the myriad trail options
Hiking paths snake in all directions from the Park, and many are specified for bikes and/or horses. The new Banks-Vernonia State Trail–once a railroad and now a paved, multi-use path–is nearby as well, offering 21 miles of smooth and scenic exploration.
No need for our flashlights when the full moon rose over the Douglas Fir stand adjacent to our cabin, and my daughter (age 3) instructed me to “tiptoe down the moon path.”
Heading to the day-use overlook area
A stop at the Visitor's Center
Tags: banks-vernonia state trail, Family Fun, LL Stub Stewart State Park, oregon cabins, oregon camping, Stub Stewart, washington county oregon
Posted in Biking, Family Fun, Nature | 2 Comments »
September 23rd, 2009 by Angie Marsh
Get out and enjoy unique events this weekend!
SATURDAY, Sept. 26:
Medieval Market Day
The Beaverton Farmers’ Market hosts a one-day celebration of a time when all markets were open-air markets. So put on your medieval garb and join in the fun, including artisans demonstrating medieval crafts, children’s activities, music, cooking demos and sword tournaments.
This event is held in conjunction with the Washington County Chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism – The shire of Dragon’s Mist, and is from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Oktoberfest at McMenamins Grand Lodge
Join in a free gathering at McMenamins Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, complete with bands, beer, bratwurst and more in celebration of Oktoberfest!
Live music performances begin at 2 p.m.:
o CHERVONA (party troupe) 2 p.m.
o TRANSCENDENTAL BRASS BAND (marching jam band) 4 p.m.
o GYPSY CARAVAN (belly dancers) 5 p.m.
o DEER TICK (rock) 7 p.m.
o JACK McMAHON (folk/blues) 7 p.m.
SUNDAY, Sept. 27:
Tualatin Riverfront Music Festival
Enjoy the unique bluegrass and gospel sounds of the Misty Mamas band at this new annual event in Tualatin’s Browns Ferry Park.
Paddle your boat to the festival or borrow a boat on site from Tualatin Riverkeepers, the beneficiaries of the event.
A special Tualatin River Oktoberfest beer, brewed by Fanno Creek Brew Pub, will be available, along with Oregon pinots, sausages, veggie dogs and dessert.
Cost is $20 for adults; kids are free. The event is from 3 to 7 p.m.
Both SATURDAY & SUNDAY:
Festival Japan
Uwajimaya at 10500 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway in Beaverton, again hosts its annual free two-day festival, which includes Japanese food, music and art for all ages! It ranges from taiko drumming to martial arts. The fest is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tags: beaverton, Beaverton farmers market, live music, mcmenamins, Tualatin, Tualatin Riverkeepers, uwajimaya, washington county oregon
Posted in Arts & Culture, Events, Family Fun, Nature, Water Fun | No Comments »
September 22nd, 2009 by Angie Marsh
As summer sunshine extends into fall, this coming weekend offers perfect conditions for fair-weather hiking, biking and tracking in Washington County.
Saturday, Sept. 26:
* Stub Stewart State Park hosts its final guided Saturday hike of the year at 10 a.m., and all are welcome.
Explore the area’s natural and cultural history in this free hike. A park ranger leads participants on a trail in the Stub Stewart State Park forest.
* Join author and walking guru Laura Foster for a
Fanno Creek Greenway Trail walking tour. Participants in this free event, sponsored by Metro, will stride along the paved multi-use trail bordering Portland Golf Club, ponds and marshes. To join in, meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Garden Home Recreation Center’s main entrance. Foster is the author of several guidebooks, including “Portland City Walks: Twenty Explorations In and Around Town.”
Sunday, Sept. 27:
* Enjoy a two-wheeled outing in the Second Annual Hillsboro Tour de Parks, where all are invited to tour a sampling of Hillsboro’s parks by bike. This family-friendly ride offers 3 route choices: 15 miles, seven miles or three miles. To participate, meet at Civic Center Plaza, where there will be tire pressure checks, brief riding rules discussion and final route maps. Start times are between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. based on which route riders are taking.
The event emphasizes the rules of the road for cyclists, and offers leisurely stops at the city’s parks, such as Shadywood and Shute. At the finish line all will receive ribbons and enjoy festivities.
* Join Metro naturalist and animal tracker Deb Scrivens at Cooper Mountain Nature Park for a workshop to learn the basics of animal signs, track identification and interpreting animal movement. Learn the stealth skills needed to watch wildlife at close range then make plaster casts of tracks to bring home. Practice your skills the following Sunday during a special tour of the park. Meet at the Nature House. Suitable for ages 10 and older.
Registration and payment required in advance; call 503-629-6350. Hosted by Metro and Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District.
Tags: fanno creek greenway, Hillsboro, LL Stub Stewart State Park, portland metro, tour de parks, washington county oregon
Posted in Biking, Events, Family Fun, Nature, Seasonal Fun | No Comments »
July 24th, 2009 by Allison George
Putting in at Munger Farm, Tualatin Riverkeepers
Paddling on the Tualatin River is a fun outdoor recreational opportunity during the summer months, and recently some of the WCVA staff and our guests went on a guided canoe trip on the Tualatin River led by the Tualatin Riverkeepers. If you haven’t heard of the Riverkeepers, they are a terrific community-based nonprofit organization working to protect and restore the Tualatin River watershed through education, restoration, advocacy, and facilitating public access to nature.
The paddle trip was also intermingled with a good cause: habitat restoration. Some of my coworkers started the day by helping the Riverkeepers hand-clear some invasive, non-native plant species. Hand pulling weeds may be hard work, but it protects the nearby watershed and wildlife from herbicides and other chemicals, to give native, soil-stabilizing plants a chance to recover.
Pulling invasive species for a good cause.
We all had a great time on the river, and although I personally didn’t catch many glimpses of wildlife during our two hour trip, the little pirates in my canoe claimed sightings of Crocodiles, Chilean Sea Bass, and Harry Potter.
The 'pirates'.
Takin' in some shade before heading back.
After the paddle trip, we hit the South Store Cafe for a delicious lunch, and then headed across the street to shop and pet the goats behind the Smith Berry Barn. *Tip*: remember to bring some quarters for the goat-treat dispensing machine if you head back there. These cute little goats love their treats!
Resources:
The Tualatin Riverkeepers website www.tualatinriverkeepers.org is chalk full of information, including a down-loadable paddler’s map of the Lower Tualatin River with river access points, hazard zones, and estimated paddling times.
Canoe Rentals
The Tualatin Riverkeepers has limited canoes available for participants on their organized paddle trips. Check their website for further information, including their guided trips and events schedule. Other local canoe rental sources include:
Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe 503-285-0464 *Easy Alert*: They offer family friendly paddle-away boat rentals right on the Tualatin River from their location in Browns Ferry Park during the summer months.
Tags: Canoeing, Tualatin River, Tualatin Riverkeepers, vounteering
Posted in Events, Family Fun, Nature, Seasonal Fun, Water Fun | 3 Comments »
June 23rd, 2009 by Sylke Neal-Finnegan
Hikers discover the natural beauty of Cooper Mountain. The site is now home to the new Cooper Mountain Nature Park.
Amid the musical trill of the White-Crowned sparrow was the shrill call of a cicada, a sound I haven’t heard since I left the desert of Southern Nevada for the cooler, greener pastures of Northwestern Oregon. These insects, as naturalist James Davis pointed out, are not common west of the Cascade Range. So these desert dwellers, much like myself, found their way to the new Cooper Mountain Nature Park, which opens to the public June 27.
Washington County’s newest nature spot, located in Beaverton, features three miles of trails with varying difficulty through three distinct habitats – forest, prairie and oak woodlands. Our hour-long walk did not take us through all three miles, but what we didn’t cover trail-wise, we sure earned in newly-acquired knowledge.
Along the trail James pointed out many of the native plants and invasive species that lined the gravel trail. We were educated about the Willamette Valley Ponderosa Pine, which is being reintroduced to the area after virtually disappearing from years of logging and urban growth; spotted poison oak and learned how to identify it in the wild; saw a lone St. John’s Wort plant, which is used as an herbal treatment for depression; and discovered a couple of Bitter Cherry trees, which provide nourishment to various birds and wildlife.
Further evidence of wildlife living in the park included the discovery of mole holes and squirrel nests, while bird enthusiasts on the tour identified the songbirds behind the chorus of musical chirps.
For this desert girl, the guided walk through the park with a group of naturalists provided an eye-opening look into the wonders of nature. Although the loud sound of the cicadas made me a little homesick, the sweet singing of the birds made me realize that this is my home, and I wouldn’t trade it for, well , all the wine in the Willamette Valley.
For those who want to learn more about the wilds of Washington County, Cooper Mountain Nature Park will be hosting guided walks, star parties, garden demonstrations, wildlife talks and more throughout the summer. Check out our event calendar or visit the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District for more information
Tags: Cooper Mountain Nature Park, Tualatin, washington county, washington county oregon, Washington County parks, WCVA
Posted in Events, Nature, WCVA News | 3 Comments »
April 28th, 2009 by Julia Adam
Original art by Andy Everson produced for International Migratory Bird Day
Get ready to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day! On Saturday, May 16th, the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge will host its Migratory Songbird Festival for its 13th year. The full slate of events commences with early morning bird walks at 6:30am and 8:30am, each of which will last approximately 2 hours and cover 2 miles; meet at the Wildlife Center for these complimentary perambulations. If you would rather sleep in on your Saturday morning, then you can choose to arrive for the Guided Nature Walks at 10:30am, 12pm, 12:30pm or 1pm; these walks will also begin from the Wildlife Center and will last one hour. Live music, presentations, arts, crafts and photography exhibits, and a native plant sale will round out the schedule. Continuous activities will run from 10am to 2:30pm. Parking will be available at Home Depot, with a free shuttle running from 9:45am to 3pm.
Tags: activities, art, birding, birds, Events, festivals, guided walks, music, photography, songbird festival
Posted in Arts & Culture, Events, Family Fun, Nature, Seasonal Fun | No Comments »