Nadaka Nature Park Highlights From This Summer! Workshops, Cleanups, Kids Activities and more

By Monica McAllister, Nadaka Park Coordinator

Nadaka’s 5th Annual Nadaka Community Festival was a huge success! We had 23 partnering organizations hosting booths, free refreshments provided by Albertsons and Earth H2O, Aztec dancers, steel drum performer, a Ukrainian folk singer, and a variety of family fun activities and crafts. Between 350-400 community members attended the event. All of this was made possible by our wonderful volunteers, partnering or-ganizations, and local community members. We're always look-ing for great new ideas and help planning. To join the Festival Planning Committee email the Nadaka Park Coordinator at monica@friendsofnadaka.org.

Since June, we've had 3 Nadaka Community Cleanups and the SOLVE Beach and Riverside Cleanup at Nadaka. This year’s “No Ivy Day” had 60 high school students from “College Possible” volunteer to remove invasive plants! We are so thankful for all our volunteers and their hard work! We’re always looking for volunteers, groups, organizations, and businesses to come to our stewardship events. Our next stewardship opportunity is the Native Planting Event February 27th 9-12pm.

We also hosted a series of classes and private organizations at Nadaka for environmental and garden education. These include our monthly Bird Walks, Garden Workshops, and “Tadpole Tales” with story time, a craft, nature walk, and show and tell. We held a nature day camp called “A Week in the Woods” taught by Earth Art and Agriculture.

Nadaka will host an Urban Coyote Talk with Audubon Society of Portland, Monday November 16th 6:30pm, St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Murdock Hall. Coyotes have become established in Gresham neighborhoods just as they have become established in many urban areas across the United States. Some people are happy to see these wild dogs while others are concerned about conflicts. Come learn about urban coyotes with Audubon Conservation Director, Bob Sallinger. Bob has been working on coyote issues in the Metro Region for more than two decades.

Monthly Bird Walks will continue with the Audubon Society of Portland. Meet us at the picnic shelter: Saturday November 14th 9-10am, Friday February 12th 9-10am, and Saturday March 19th 8-9am. Join the Christmas Bird Count at Nadaka, Saturday January 9th 9-11am. We recommend you attend the Christmas Bird Count Rev-up Class at Leach Botanical Garden, December 15th 7-8:30pm. Leach Botanical Garden and The Audubon Society of Portland will also have the “Fireside Nature Chat Family Event at Leach” January 16th 3-6pm.

For Nadaka updates and more information visit www.friendsofnadaka.org, “Friends of Nadaka” on Facebook, or wilkeseastna.org. If you're interested in volunteering, becoming a park ambassador, or providing environmental education to your school, contact Monica McAllister at monica@friendsofnadaka.org or call 503-956-8558. Help us fulfill our mission to nurture nature, food, and families in West Gresham. See you at the park this winter!