Calendar

Wednesday, July 29, 2026
9:30am - 11:30am

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Join us on a Wednesday morning guided nature walk where we will explore the rich ecosystems along the Columbia River and adjacent wetland. As we wander, we’ll discover native plants, search for wildlife, and learn how these vibrant waterways support life all around us. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned nature lover, there’s always something new to see and learn on the trail.

This program is great for families with youth ages 6 and older as well as adults who want to get out and wander! Be prepared to walk 2 miles on paved pathways, unpaved wetland trails, and along sandy beaches.

Registration is required.  Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Thursday, August 6, 2026
10:00am - 11:30am

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Join us for a free tour of the City of Vancouver’s Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Facility. This 90-minute walking tour will take you behind the scenes of what happens to all the water that goes down the drains in your home, school, or business.  From a flush, to laundry, to washing dishes, all the water we use goes into underground pipes and to a treatment plant to be cleaned. Learn how to care for our water and our utilities in this unique tour.

Tour is suitable for ages 8 and older.  Closed-toed shoes required for all tour participants. Expect to walk 0.75 on paved surfaces. Participants will encounter several stairways during the tour of this facility and will need to be able to traverse multiple staircases.  Tour is 20% indoors and 80% outdoors. All safety gear will be provided to participants.

Meet at the Water Resources Education Center.  Detailed logistics will be sent to registered participants.

Registration is required and space is limited.  Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Friday, August 7, 2026
9:30am - 11:30am

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Have you ever wondered how fish like lamprey and salmon make incredible journeys to the ocean and back home again? Dive into the fascinating life cycles of these amazing fish and discover fun facts through hands-on indoor and outdoor activities!

This program is suitable for families with youth ages 6-10 years old. All youth need to be accompanied by an adult during the program.

Advanced registration is required. Sign up today!

This program will be indoors and outdoors. Plan to spend at least half of the program time outside, rain or shine.

Space is limited for this program. If the event becomes full contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Saturday, August 8, 2026
9:00am - 11:30am

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Wild animals are secretive and often go unseen to humans. Animal tracking offers a way for us to glimpse into their hidden lives, by knowing how to interpret the clues they leave behind on the landscape.  As the seasonal wetlands drain, muddy substrate helps etch the story of the animals into the land. This class is suitable for beginners who want to learn how to track animals by their footprints, scat, feeding sign and more!

This workshop is best suited to adults and youth ages 14 and older.  Advanced registration required. Sign up today!

Expect to walk 2.5 miles, often standing in one place for some time, to decipher the tracks we find. We will be mostly off trail, in sandy areas, with uneven terrain and mud.  All youth need to be accompanied by an adult.

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Saturday, August 15, 2026
9:30am - 11:30am

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Grab your binoculars and join us for a morning of bird discovery! Learn how beaks, feet, and feathers help birds thrive, then hit the trail to see who lives in the wetlands. Along the way, we’ll play games, enjoy hands-on activities, and use our eagle eyes and owl ears to spot and identify local birds.

This program is suitable for families with youth ages 6-10 years old. All youth need to be accompanied by an adult during the program.

Advanced registration is required. Sign up today!

This program will take place outdoors. Expect to walk 1-mile round trip, on mostly paved surfaces.

Space is limited for this program. If the event becomes full contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Tuesday, August 18, 2026
7:30pm - 9:00pm

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Experience the magic of a late summer evening as we explore the wetlands around the Water Center in search of bats. Guided by Water Center educators and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service volunteers, we’ll take a leisurely sunset stroll along the Columbia River, learning about the unique features that make great bat habitat.

Using bat detectors, we’ll listen for the high-frequency calls of these fascinating nighttime creatures and discover more about their role in the local ecosystem.

This program is geared for adults and youth ages 6 and older. Be prepared to walk up to 2 miles on a mix of paved trails, unpaved paths, and sandy, uneven beach terrain. Please leave flashlights at home to preserve the twilight atmosphere and experience walking in the dark.

Advanced registration is required and space is limited.  Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Saturday, August 22, 2026
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? Where does it end up?  How is it cleaned? What should and should not go down your drains?  Join us for a tour of the city’s Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Plant to learn the answers to all these questions and more!

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.

Tour is suitable for adults and youth 8 years and older.  Tour is inside and outside and will happen rain or shine.  Closed toed shoes are required. Expect to walk 2.5 miles on paved pathways and up and down flights of stairs in the treatment plant.

Space is limited.  Sign up to reserve your spot today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details

Thursday, September 3, 2026
10:00am - 11:30am

4600 SE Columbia Way,
Vancouver, WA 98661

Join us for a free tour of the City of Vancouver’s Marine Park Wastewater Treatment Facility. This 90-minute walking tour will take you behind the scenes of what happens to all the water that goes down the drains in your home, school, or business.  From a flush, to laundry, to washing dishes, all the water we use goes into underground pipes and to a treatment plant to be cleaned. Learn how to care for our water and our utilities in this unique tour.

Tour is suitable for ages 8 and older.  Closed-toed shoes required for all tour participants. Expect to walk 0.75 on paved surfaces. Participants will encounter several stairways during the tour of this facility and will need to be able to traverse multiple staircases.  Tour is 20% indoors and 80% outdoors. All safety gear will be provided to participants.

Meet at the Water Resources Education Center.  Detailed logistics will be sent to registered participants.

Registration is required and space is limited.  Sign up today!

If the event becomes full, please contact the Water Center at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111 to add your name to the waitlist.

Meeting Details