Nature

When: Tue Apr 3, 2012 7-9:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Conference Room 2A 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

Backyard Bird Class
Spring brings thousands of migrating birds to our region; some stay to nest and others pass through. Get ready for great spring birding action with this crash course in identifying spring migrants and summer breeders.

Metro naturalist James Davis will show slides, play some easy bird songs and simplify what seems like a confusing variety of birds to many beginners.

Weed Watcher Workshop When: Sat Apr 21, 2012 10AM-12PM Where: Gresham City Hall Council Chambers 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Be A Weed Watcher
Encroachment by invasive, weedy species like ivy and blackberry directly threatens the health of Gresham's urban forest and leads to weak trees, increased erosion, poor water quality and low biodiversity.

Join us for an Invasive Species Information Fair attended by representatives from the City of Gresham, Metro, Johnson Creek Watershed Council, East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District and the Audubon Society that will follow a 45-minute presentation that will give property owners the knowledge to identify and remove invasive plant species and native replacement options.

Birds Galore! When: Wed Apr 11, 2012 5PM-6PM Where: Columbia Slough Water Quality Facility 19595 NE Sandy Blvd Get Map!

Let's do lunch
Join Metro Naturalist James Davis for a lunchtime birding tour at a hidden wetland in Gresham.

Look for songbirds and spring migrants before settling down to a delicious lunch provided by the Columbia Slough Watershed Council.

RSVP required below.

Weed Watcher Workshop When: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall SpringwaterTrail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

What spring weeds cause problems here? Help us fight off Gresham’s weedy invaders by participating as a Weed Watcher.

The Spring Weeds workshop will cover milk thistle, bull thistle, Scotch thistle, yellow archangel, shining geranium, morning glory, garlic mustard, Russian knapweed and Tree of Heaven.

Free workshop. No RSVP required

Help us fight off Gresham’s weedy invaders by participating as a Weed Watcher in our Early Detection, Rapid Response Program. By familiarizing yourself with problem weeds in our area, you can help us stop these plants in their tracks.

All you have to do is attend one (or all) of our free invasive weed ID classes and use your new plant ID skills to alert us to weeds in Gresham. With your help, we can keep our city and homes weed free.

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Raptor Road Trip 2012 When: Sat Feb 4, 2012 9AM-2PM Where: Sauvie Island Meet: Kruger's Farm Market 18330 NW Sauvie Island Rd Portland, OR Get Map!

Cost: $10 per vehicle

Annual event celebrates birds of prey
Explore Sauvie Island in search of magnificent bald eagles, hawks and falcons that spend the winter on the island. On this special day devoted to raptors, experienced naturalists and hawk experts host activities and answer your questions at four locations around the island. Enjoy guided bird viewing, meet live raptors up close and sharpen your hawk identification skills. Hot drinks and donuts are available in the morning to keep you warm while you breakfast with the birds.

How does the road trip work?
Begin at Kruger’s Farm Market and pick up your event map and raptor identification guide. The event fee is $10 per vehicle, cash only, and includes a Sauvie Island Wildlife Area parking permit.

Volunteers Opportunity When: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7PM-9PM Where: Gresham City Hall Conference Room 2A Gresham, OR Get Map!

Discover Our Feathered Residents
Some of our most familiar birds are the permanent residents that we see in our yards and neighborhoods throughout the year. They are joined by some “winter visitors” and are easily seen at bird feeders during the cold months. These birds are easy to learn because you have excellent chances of seeing them repeatedly. This class will cover some bird feeding basics and identification of the most common birds seen in our yards in winter.

Free. No registration required.

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When: Tue Jan 31, 2012 7-9:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Room 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy Gresham, OR Get Map!

Birds of Prey Lecture
Hawks, eagles and falcons have always fascinated people. Metro naturalist James Davis will discuss how to tell these groups of raptors apart and the key points for identifying the most common species in Oregon. You will also learn about the natural history of birds of prey and the amazing adaptations of these birds for catching and killing their prey.

In addition to slides, there will be stuffed study skins of the most common species for up-close looks. This class will get you primed for the Metro's Raptor Road Trip Feb 4th on Sauvie Island, or any outings of your own.

Invasive: Garlic Mustard

Help Stop the Invasive Invasion When: Tue Nov 15, 2011 7PM-8:30PM Where: Gresham City Hall Oregon Trail Conference Room 1333 NW Eastman Pky Get Map!

Become a Weed Watcher
Want to make a difference in your community and the environment? Become a weed watcher!

The City is offering a series of free invasive plant identification classes so you can help us fight these weedy invaders. All you have to do is come to one (or all) of our free evening classes and use your new identification skills to alert the City to any weeds you see.

With your help, we can keep our city and homes beautiful and weed free.

Join Audubon for Birding along the Gresham-Fairview Trail: Oct 1, 2011 9AM-11AM

Canvasback duck- Jim Cruce

When: Sat, Oct 1, 2011 9AM-11AM Where: Gresham-Fairview Trail Meet at Linnemann Station Springwater Corridor Trailhead 18200 W Powell Loop Gresham, OR Get Map!

Wildlife Galore!
Join Audubon Society of Portland's Bob Sallinger and Bich Trinh and City of Gresham's Laura Guderyahn 9 to 11 AM on Saturday, October 1st, for a morning bird walk along segments of the Gresham-Fairview Trail in West Gresham. We'll take a leisurely stroll along new trail sections taking in views of Grant Butte and the waterfowl in the surrounding wetlands. We'll talk about recent efforts to support parks, trails, and improved access to nature in East County while enjoying some of our local avian fauna. If there is time we'll also visit Gresham Woods via the Springwater Corridor and do some birding along Johnson Creek.

No Registration required.

Wilkes Creek Headwater discussion When :Tue Oct 4, 2011 6:30-8PM Where: Margaret Scott Elementary School 14700 NE Sacramento Portland OR Get Map!

Save the Date

Wilkes Community Group is hosting an open house meeting to provide information on the recent acquisition of the Wilkes Creek Headwaters property. The following panelists will share information and answer questions.

Representing Portland Parks and Recreation:
• Planning Manager
• Natural Areas Supervisor with City Nature
• Zone Four Manager
• Park Security Manager
• Public Involvement Manager

Representing Bureau of Environmental Services:
• Program Coordinator, Watershed Services

Representing Portland Police Bureau:
• Policeman from North Precinct

Representatives from other community organizations with interests in the future development of this new park property have expressed intent to also attend this meeting

To expedite the open microphone forum, please come 15 minutes early to sign in on the speaking list.