Calendar

Friday, June 7, 2024
9:30am - 11:30am

4501 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Join the Water Center to remove invasive 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.

Registration is required. Sign up today!

All ages 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.

Meeting Details

Saturday, June 8, 2024
10:00am - 12:30pm

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

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

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

Tour is geared towards adults and youth 8 years of age or older.  Tour is inside and outside and will happen rain or shine.  Dress for all weather conditions. For the nature walk portion, expect to walk 1.5 miles on paved pathways and uneven and sandy beaches.

Space is limited.  RSVP required. Sign up today!

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.

Detailed logistics will be emailed to registered participants.

Meeting Details

Friday, June 21, 2024
9:30am - 11:30am

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Join Water Center staff outdoors 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.

Registration is required. Sign up today!

All ages 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.

Meeting Details

Tuesday, June 25, 2024
7:30pm - 9:00pm

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

As the summer sun sets and the heat dissipates, movement begins along the water’s edge. Join a Water Center educator to explore the twilight in and around the Columbia River and its wetlands.  Look for signs of animals, learn about plants, look for bats, and identify the twilight stars and planets that appear in the early evening sky.

Expect to walk 2 miles on uneven, sandy beaches and along paved pathways.  Trail not suitable for strollers.  Binoculars available to borrow.  Walk is suitable for ages 6 and older.

Registration is required. Sign up today!

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.

Meeting Details

Thursday, June 27, 2024
10:00am - 12:00pm

4911 NW 122nd St,
Vancouver, WA 98685

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 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! 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 raingear or a hat and sunscreen/sun protection.
• Personal flotation devices (PFD’s) 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.

Meeting Details