ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Environmental Education offers outdoor programs that focus on stewardship and nature connection. All programs meet in PP&R parks and natural areas. For children and families, Environmental Education offers field trips, summer camps, and guided walks. For teens and young adults, Environmental Education offers stewardship, nature education, and jobs in natural areas.
Ladybug Nature Walks
Age 6 & under with an adult | Children ages 15–24 months need to register but attend for free. Ladybug Nature Walks take place in Portland's parks and natural areas. They are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who want to explore in nature with a trained educator. Children attend with an adult who assists in guiding them along as they explore. Ladybug Nature Walks are a way for children ages 6 and under (and an adult) to explore a local Portland park. Nature educators guide families to notice plants and animals. Walks are child-directed and open-ended. Nature educators walk with the children in small groups. Children learn through questions, observation, and play. Groups move slowly through the park, stopping often. In this way, children have time to notice the plants and animals around them. If we have extra time we might also read a story, sing a song, or use puppets for imaginative play. Walks last one hour. Content is geared for children ages 15 months–6 years. (Younger siblings under 15 months are welcome. Please give us their names and ages when prompted during registration.) While exploring with a nature educator, children borrow a small ladybug backpack containing a few tools that are easy to clean: • • • •
Magnifying lens Small plastic tub with a lid Metal spoon Laminated color wheel for matching
• Plastic bug box • Plastic paintbrush • Small toy insect for imaginative play
9:30–10:30am • $3, $6, or $9 (per child ages 2–6)* Day
Date
Location
Activity
Th
6/23
Pendleton Park
1145488
M
6/27
Creston Park
1145489
Th
6/30
Fernhill Park
1145491
Th
7/7
Maricara Natural Area 1145492
M
7/11
Bloomington Park
1145505
Th
7/14
Columbia Park
1145506
M
7/18
Forest Park at NW 53rd Drive
1145507
Th
7/21
Dickinson Park and Woods
1145508
M
7/25
Midland Park
1145509
Th
7/28
Woodstock Park
1145510
M
8/1
Peninsula Park
1145511
Th
8/4
Alberta Park
1145512
M
8/8
Hoyt Arboretum
1145513
Th
8/11
Northgate Park
1145514
M
8/15
Kenilworth Park
1145515
Th
8/18
Gabriel Park Pollinator 1145549 Meadow
M
8/22
Wilshire Park
1145517
Th
8/25
Kelley Point Park
1145555
M
8/29
Argay Park
1145556
Th
9/1
A Park
1145516
6
*PAY WHAT YOU CAN Pay what you can to attend! Thanks to funds from the Portland Parks Local Options Levy, we are working to make programs more accessible. Add one or more discounts during the checkout process to pay the amount that works best for you.
City Nature Explorers
Grades 1–5 Parks are a magical place to learn about science and nature. Give your child a way to be curious about nature, ask questions, explore, and learn through play. Topics include birds, mammals, plants, invertebrates, pollinators, and more. Trained nature educators encourage children to share their own stories and make their own observations in nature. Lessons make space for both individual and group learning, incorporating games, discussion, and observation. W • 10:00am–2:00pm • $40* Grades 1–3
Grades 3–5
Location
Date
Activity
Date
Activity
Sellwood Park
6/22
1145558
6/29
1145563
Powell Butte
7/6
1145569
7/13
1145570
Whitaker Ponds
7/20
1145581
7/27
1145579
Mt. Tabor Park
8/3
1145584
8/10
1145585
Hoyt Arboretum
8/17
1145703
8/24
1145704
Before registering, read our policies regarding air quality, extreme heat, and lightning at the link below (or by scanning the QR code): portland.gov/parks/environmental-education/ city-nature-explorers#toc-policies-air-quality-extreme-heatlightning-wind-and-inclement-weather
Portland Parks & Recreation | portlandparks.org
