Nature Station: 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 1 at Wallace Falls State Park, 14503 Wallace Lake Road, Gold Bar. Visit the park’s nature station and learn how to identify native plants and wildlife before you take a hike. Free. For all ages. A Discover Pass is required, except on Aug. 25. Call 425-455-7010 or email adamas.weitzenfeld@parks.wa.gov.
Intro to camping: The Beginner’s Camping workshop is at 6 p.m. Aug. 15 at Alderwood REI, 3000 184th St. SW, Suite 952, Lynnwood. REI experts demonstrate how to set up tents, select the best sleeping bag and get practical experience. No experience is necessary. Gear will be provided. Space is limited. Registration is $15 for members, $35 for non-members. More at www.rei.com.
Smartphone photography: Learn how to optimize your smartphone’s camera in a beginner class at 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at Alderwood REI, 3000 184th St. SW, Suite 952, Lynnwood. Lessons will include 10 simple rules for compelling compositions, adjusting settings to conserve power and specific settings for the Android or iPhone photos apps. Space is limited. Registration is $19 for members, $39 for non-members. More at www.rei.com.
Ride to Canada: Join the Cascade Bicycle Club on a ride from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., on Aug. 23-24. The 175-mile route, which follows scenic backroads, starts at the north end of the University of Washington’s E-18 parking lot and finishes in downtown Vancouver two days later. More at www.cascade.org.
Moonlight Beach Adventure 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at Marina Beach, 470 Admiral Way S., Edmonds. Interpretive program and summer tradition. See and touch live creatures brought to shore by volunteer scuba divers. Dress warm and bring a flashlight. Free. More at www.edmondswa.gov.
Free park-ing: The next day to visit Washington state parks without an entrance fee is Aug. 25, National Park Service’s birthday. Other free days are Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) and Nov. 29 (Autumn free day). More at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Washington Outdoor Women: Registration opens in July for the WOW’s Weekend Workshop, featuring hands-on workshops to increase the outdoor confidence of women, Sept. 13-15 at Lazy F Camp near Ellensburg. Choose from 20 classes, including archery, basic freshwater fishing, fly-fishing and fly-tying, big-game hunting basics, map and compass reading, survival, beekeeping, birding, Dutch oven cooking, duck hunting, wildlife awareness and wilderness first aid. Registration fee is $340. Deadline to register is Sept. 1. More at www.washingtonoutdoorwomen.org.
Mount St. Helens: Want to know more about the May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens? Washington State Parks offers a diverse series of programs through Sept. 15 at Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, 3029 Spirit Lake Highway, Castle Rock and at Seaquest State Park across the highway. Programs include interactive talks and demonstrations on the region’s history and the eruption, guided walks through the wetland ecosystem of Silver Lake and Junior Ranger evening activities. More at www.parks.state.wa.us/245/Mount-St-Helens.
Climb a tree: Washington State Parks and AdventureTerra of Seattle teamed up to offer guided, educational tree-climbing adventures to visitors at Deception Pass State Park, Hoypus Point area, 41020 U.S. 20, Oak Harbor. Cost is $149 for session lasting four hours. Helmets, harnesses, safety glasses, foot holds and instruction included. For ages 7 and older. More at www.AdventureTerra.com.
Puget Sound Bird Fest: The festival is set for Sept. 13-15 at Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St., Edmonds; 425-771-0227. Guided field trips to other sites. Free general admission. Opening reception 7 p.m. Friday at Edmonds Plaza Room, 650 Main St. More at www.pugetsoundbirdfest.org.
Get wild: The Camano Wildlife Habitat Project, sponsored by Friends of Camano Island Parks, hosts presentations the third Wednesday of the month. The next presentation, “Bats,” is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Island County Multi-Purpose Center, 141 NE Camano Drive, Camano Island. Meg Lunnum of Happy Valley Bats will give the talk. Call 360-387-2236 or go to www.camanowildlifehabitat.org.
Return of the Salmon Celebration: The festival is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Osprey Park, 801 First St., Sultan. Features riverside tours, drumming, cedar weaving, dancing, horse-drawn wagon rides and fish hatchery tour. Kids get to release a fish from the hatchery into the river. 5K run from Osprey to River park starts at 9 a.m. More at www.skyvalleychamber.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
