2018 Freshwater Field Trips
Freshwater Field Trips: Tuesday, July 31, 2018
1. Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge—Kayaking and Cultural Tour
$64/person
Vans depart from PSU; 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
In the morning, we will take a guided kayak tour with wildlife viewing on Lake River in Ridgefield, Washington. In the afternoon, we will visit the Cathlapotle Plankhouse on Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and participate in unique opportunities for cultural and environmental education in the Columbia River Floodplain that are not matched anywhere in the region. Learn how these programs have been recently revitalized to better align with current standards and stay true to the indigenous legacy of land management along the Lower Columbia River. Limit 22 participants.
2. Tour of the Bull Run Watershed
$20/person
Bus departs from PSU; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Join interpreters from the Portland Water Bureau on a journey behind the scenes at Portland’s own water supply system. It’s not snow melt! Visit the pristine, gated valley that collects and naturally filters rainwater through forest soils. Tour the dam, see the vast reservoir, learn the history of water delivery to the city. Discuss the treatment of water prior to entering the big pipes, and current issues such as filtration and cryptosporidium. Learn and share your knowledge. Limit 24 participants.
3. Cycling the Riverfront
FREE!
Departs from PSU @ 2:30 pm
Join Oregon Zoo Educator and long-standing NAME member Tom Gaskill on a tour of our urban riverfront on Portland’s own public bicycle fleet. On this relaxed pedal along the Willamette River bike paths, we will learn about innovative planning and infrastructure Portland has developed to protect water quality, encourage active transportation, and improve livability for our residents. The trip ends back in town on the East Bank at the Hair of the Dog brewpub for happy hour, and then back to PSU. Participants will receive a free day-long bike pass to use a Bike Town bike for the day of the field trip. Many thanks to BIKETOWN, Portland’s bike share program, for providing the bikes for this field trip!
4. Tryon Creek State Park
FREE!
Trimet from PSU; On your own, times open
Visit this gem of an urban natural area located nearby, next to Lewis and Clark College. Explore the visitor’s center, learn of the park’s history and its educational programs. Take a hike on one of many looped trails, and observe the restoration efforts of the past, largely done by volunteer and school groups, from trail maintenance to exotic-invasive species removal, to the planting of natives and stream habitat improvement.
5. The Willamette River in Big Canoes w/Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership
FREE!
Trimet from PSU; 8:30 – 1:30 + eating picnic sack lunches on Ross Island during trip
Paddle the river to key local destinations in the city. Explore the history of the river and its development. See the rookeries on Ross Island, where many Great Blue Heron and a few bald eagles nest. Discuss river issues through time, problems and solutions, and current challenges. Spit in the river. For more information, including what to bring, please visit the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Canoe Paddles page. Limit 24 participants.
6. Secret Places on Sauvie Island
$20/person
Vans depart from PSU; 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Join Pat Willis and Amber Horn touring and discussing Place-based Education at the Sauvie Island Wildlife Refuge, the largest wildlife refuge in the Portland area. The group will travel to the far northern end of the island along the Columbia River to Ruby Lake, a 126 acre wetland restoration project connected to tide changes along the Columbia River. See how the area has changed and learn how the 7th and 8th grade students from Sauvie Island School participated. Along the way, we will also visit the Dairy Creek project, a $6 million mile long restoration project Sauvie Island school students are correctly working on. Some hiking will be needed. Limit 22 participants
7. Columbia River Gorge Tour
$20/person
Van departs PSU; 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Take the old scenic highway! See the new State Park at the CONFLUENCE of the Sandy and the Columbia. Learn the geology of the Sandy River Canyon and of river issues over time. Visit a “ghost forest” left by lahars from Mt. Hood’s previous eruptions. See spectacular views from the cliffs of Women’s Forum State Park and Crown Point, a brief history of both sites and an overview of the Ice Age Floods that authored the gorge. See several waterfalls including Multnomah Falls. Eat lunch in Cascade Locks Park and discuss the legend of the Bridge of the Gods, evidence for a massive landslide that indeed may have dammed the river there and narrowed the channel to its present state. Eat a great ice cream cone at Marie’s East Wind Drive In. Limit 22 participants.
