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—Mondays and Thursdays

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 nature with a trained educator. Children attend with an adult who assists in guiding them 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

Mondays and Thursdays • 10:00–11:00am • $5 per child

(Children under 2 attend for free)

Day Date Location Activity

Th 9/8 Farragut Park M 9/12 Lincoln City Park Th 9/15 Laurelhurst Park 1148324 1148325 1148326

M 9/19 Rose City Park Th 9/22 Council Crest 1148327 1148328

M 9/26 Tideman Johnson

1148330 Th 9/29 Woodlawn Park 1148331 M 10/3 Overlook Park Nature Patch 1148419 Th 10/6 Forest Park—Holman Lane 1148420 M 10/10 Midland Park 1148421 Th 10/13 Woods Memorial Park 1148422 M 10/17 Whitaker Ponds Natural Area 1148425 Th 10/20 Willamette Park 1148426 M 10/24 Cathedral Park 1148427 Th 10/27 Mt. Scott Park 1148428 M 10/31 Irving Park Nature Patch 1148429 Th 11/3 Luuwit View Park 1148430 M 11/7 Brooklyn Park 1148431 Th 11/10 Arbor Lodge Park 1148432 M 11/14 Cully Park 1148433 Th 11/17 Marshall Park 1148434 M 11/21 Lents Park Nature Patch 1148435

Ladybug Nature Walks—Saturdays

Age 12 & under with an adult Children ages 15–24 months need to register but attend for free.

Join us for a special extended Ladybug Nature Walk one Saturday each month this Fall! These Saturday programs are for families ages 1–12. In addition to ladybug backpacks for children 1–6, we will also have tools, and plant and animal guides for older children to use for nature exploration.

Saturdays • 10:00–11:30am • $5 per child

(Children under 2 attend for free)

Day Date Location Activity

Sa 9/26 Leach Botanical Garden 1148329 Sa 10/15 Mt. Tabor Park 1148423 Sa 11/19 Hoyt Arboretum 1148424

View the schedule of upcoming Ladybug Nature Walks online:

portland.gov/parks/environmental-education /ladybug-nature-walks

ACCESS PASS

With resources from the Parks Local Option Levy (Parks Levy), we can offer new payment options for City of Portland residents that allow you to choose payment levels based on your needs. Register for a free Access Pass to receive an ongoing discount of 25, 50, 75, or 90%. No proof of income is required. Learn more online: portland.gov/parks/discount