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Community Education at the ELC
We invite everyone in the community to join in the fun at the Environmental Learning Center!
Whether you want to learn how to attract wildlife to your garden, identify native wetland species, or gaze at the stars with Rose City Astronomers, we offer a variety of events and classes that bring the community together to enjoy what the Environmental Learning Center has to offer.
Our current offerings:
Community education at the ELC
Show your love of the ELC by volunteering at Stewardship Saturday events! Join other community members in various activities to enhance wildlife habitat, including pulling invasive plants, mulching and clearing trails. Coffee, tea, snacks and all necessary tools and equipment will be provided. Dress to be outside.
When: First Saturday of every month
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Where: Environmental Learning Center
What: Onsite volunteer opportunities
- April 1
- May 6
- June 3
- July 1
Thank you to all of our wonderful speakers and guests who shared their knowledge, advice and stories with us during the 2023 winter series. We couldn't provide these sessions without you! And a huge thanks to all the attendees who joined us each week. We had record-breaking attendance this year, and we appreciate having you spend your time with us.
We hope you join us next year for our 2024 series on how to garden with less water, manage too much stormwater and generally provide a healthier habitat for birds, pollinating insects and more. Each week, experts will share their experience, stories and best practices. There will be plenty of time for discussion, so come prepared with your garden questions!
2023 Program Offerings
When: Thursdays, Jan. 26-March 9, 2023
Time: Noon-1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Who: Anyone interested in home gardening for wildlife and water quality
Where: Zoom (virtual), link will be provided upon registration
Speakers and Session Descriptions: Event Details
- Jan. 26, 2023: How to Grow a Sustainable Lawn
- Feb. 2, 2023: Encouraging Beneficial Insects, Spiders, & Mini-Creatures
- Feb. 9, 2023: Avoiding Bullies in the Garden
- Feb. 16, 2023: Drought-Tolerant Native Plants for Pollinators
- Feb. 23, 2023: Attracting Birds While Protecting Watershed Health
- March 2, 2023: Ways That We Impact Watersheds in our Garden Decisions
- March 9, 2023: Garden Design Considerations for Managing Stormwater & Erosion
Special thanks to our sponsor, Clackamas Water Environment Services and our community partners: Clackamas River Basin Council, Clackamas River Water Providers, Oak Lodge Water Services and North Clackamas Watersheds Council.
Please join us for our second annual Bioblitz!
When: Saturday, July 8, 2023, 8 a.m.-noon. Two guided walks happening at the top of every hour.
- 8 a.m. is reserved for ages 14+. This group will be inputting data into the iNaturalist app.
- All ages are welcome at the 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. time slots.
Where: Environmental Learning Center at CCC
Cost: Free (registration required)
Registration: Bioblitz at the Environmental Learning Center
What:
- The Bioblitz is an event that offers guided exploration of the ELC - to explore the wetland, collect data, and learn about the native flora and fauna.
- Guided walks, led by local experts, will begin at the top of every hour. People are asked to pre-register for this free event.
- Designed for all ages and ability levels
- Local organizations will have activities and information near the ELC entrance to provide visitors with information from other community-based environmental organizations.
- Water, coffee and snacks provided
A Bioblitz event takes a snapshot of the biodiversity, or variety of life, in a specific place. Students, scientists, naturalists and other community members join together to find and identify as many plants, animals and other organisms as possible in a short period of time.
Thank you to our Bioblitz sponsor, Clackamas Water Environment Services!
This is a collaborative event with our partner, Greater Oregon City Watershed Council. We are grateful for the leadership of two AmeriCorps volunteers, Willow and Sam.
Come check out galaxies, stars and the moon! Rose City Astronomer volunteers will share highlights through their telescopes. Meet at the athletics fields across from the Environmental Learning Center. Bring chairs, blankets, and binoculars.
Free and open to all!
Where: The athletics field, near the Environmental Learning Center at the Oregon City campus
When: July 21, 2023
Cost: Free