Ladybug Nature Walks

 Touch slimy slugs, smell tree bark, look under rocks, feel crinkly and soft leaves, hear musical bird songs, creep up on furry bunnies or even climb a tree. Youngsters and their parents are exposed to a variety of environmental activities and curiosities in parks around town. Techniques are practiced that are necessary for developing good observation skills for young naturalists – looking closely at insects, dissecting plant parts, using magnifying glasses, and listening quietly are some of the skills. All walks take place at 10:00am, regardless of weather conditions, and last 1 to 1½ hours. No registration is necessary – just meet in the park. Routes that are accessible to strollers are marked with an *. We recommend you bring a snack and water. Cost is $2/child; no fee for parent. Each week’s walk will have a different focus; for example:

• Flowers & Seeds
• Nesting & Feeding Birds
• Bugs from the Ground Up
• Exploring Trees in the Park
• Patterns in Nature
• Nature Scavenger Hunt

Ladybug Walks in the Arboretum will take place Friday, Feb.15, 2008, Friday, April 25, 2008 and Saturday, June 28, 2008.  All walks begin at 10 AM in front of the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center (4000 SW Fairview).
For more information about  Ladybug Walks in other parks in Portland  call 503-823-3601 or follow this link: http://www.portlandonline.com/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=146382

                        Summer Nature Day Camps  
             (various park locations throughout the summer)

Hoyt Arboretum sessions in 2008: 
June 23 - 27; July 21 - 25; Aug. 11 - 15.         

A  first-hand experience with nature through hiking, scientific observation, forest crafts and story-telling is offered through  Portland Parks and Recreation’s Environmental Education department for students ages 5 to 13. 

Mail-in registration through Portland Parks and Recreation only (Hoyt Arboretum cannot accept reservations).  

   For more information call Sue Thomas at 503.823.3601.