Date/Time
Date(s) - August 16, 2025
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Categories
Celebrate with Us!
In this FREE Family Forest Day, we will be gathering under the Stevens Pavilion to celebrate native trees of the Pacific Northwest. Hoyt Arboretum Nature Educators and community partners will share information about native tree species including Western redcedar, bigleaf maple, Western hemlock, Douglas-fir. Participants will leave the celebration with a new Best Tree Forever (BTF is the new BFF) that they’ll be able to identify in their own neighborhoods.
Participants of all ages are invited to play games, hands-on activities, nature crafts, book readings, guided nature walks on the trails, live music and so much more! Activities and nature walks will be led in both English and Spanish.
Community Partners
We’re honored to host Audrey Sauble, local author and illustrator of Can a Tree Be Blue? and Acorn Party– nature-themed picture books to get kids thinking about the natural world through a scientific lens. Audrey will be doing book readings throughout the event, and will also lead nature exploration activities about trees and wildlife.
Audrey’s books are available at the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center- get a copy and have it signed by the author at the event!
Get ready to sing, dance, and play along with fun, energetic, and interactive music for kids and families with Make Music with Matt! Formerly known to many as Tallulah’s Daddy, this Portland-based performer shares original songs inspired by his daughter and the awesome kids he meets, along with playful covers and classic tunes everyone can enjoy.
Community-owned and worker-run, Alberta Cooperative Grocery is providing free snacks at a build-your own trail mix bar at this event.
Thank you!
This is a free family-friendly program. Drop by 9am – 1pm to celebrate trees and the wildlife they support with us!
Bring a Picnic!
Hoyt Arboretum Friends will provide picnic blankets and reading circles in the shady meadow behind Stevens Pavilion during the event. Feel encouraged to bring picnic-style snacks to enjoy under a protective canopy of Doug-firs!
Getting Here
This event will take place at Stevens Pavilion across the street from the Hoyt Arboretum Visitor Center at 4000 SW Fairview Blvd. There are 2, all-gender, accessible bathrooms available outside the building. Pay-to-park lots are located on Fairview Blvd adjacent to the Visitor Center. See our Plan Your Visit page for more information about parking.
Pro-tip: Skip the parking lot and take public transit!
Hoyt Arboretum is located in Washington Park and is easily accessed from the Washington Park MAX station by Blue or Red MAX lines. Then, you can take the Free Washington Park Shuttle OR walk up to the Visitor Center.
Request free TriMet Passes to get to Washington Park from Explore Washington Park’s Transit Pass Program.
This free event is hosted by Hoyt Arboretum Friends and sponsored by International Paper Foundation.
