Grandmother Camus Median Flora & Fauna Friday

Event Name: Grandmother Camus Median Flora & Fauna Friday

Date and Time: Friday, March 28, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Location: Grandmother Camus Median, St Johns Blvd and Q St, Vancouver, WA

Event Description:
Join the Vancouver Bee Project and the City of Vancouver’s Volunteer Programs for a hands-on work party at the Grandmother Camus Median! This week, we’ll be distributing wood chips, picking up litter, and removing invasive plants to help improve the site’s habitat for pollinators and native flora.

What to Expect:

• Hands-on work including mulching, invasive plant removal, and litter cleanup.

• Opportunities to learn about the local ecosystem and connect with fellow volunteers.

• Tools, gloves, water, snacks, and training provided.

This event is family-friendly and suitable for teens. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear long pants, and bring closed-toe shoes. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form.

Accessibility:
This location is wheelchair accessible. Tasks may involve shoveling, twisting, lifting, kneeling, or pushing wheelbarrows. If you have any accessibility needs, please let us know when registering, and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Registration Required:
Registration closes two days prior to the event at 2:00 PM. If registration is full or closed, email cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us to sign up as a walk-up participant.

Contact:
For questions or assistance, contact Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344.

Be a part of this meaningful project to support pollinators and enhance local green spaces. RSVP today!

Watershed Alliance 2025 Environmental Film Series: Native Seeds: Supplying Restoration

Stop by and meet Vancouver Bee Project as we table at this event!

About the film:

Native Seeds: Supplying Restoration is a nine-part video series that explores the native seed supply chain in the western United States. Filmed over four seasons, this series weaves together footage of seed collectors, farmers, researchers, and land managers working to scale up the supply of native seeds to meet the growing restoration demand. We see the staggering scale of damage to vast landscapes and meet tenacious people who are finding creative, scrappy solutions to restore ecosystems.

When: Tuesday, March 25 from 4:30pm to 7:00pm

Where: Columbia Room at the Vancouver Community Library, 901 C St, Vancouver, WA 98660

Captions Provided: No.

Learn More: Watershed Alliance

🌼 Introduction to Spring Mason Bees (and Other Pollinators) 🌸
🗓️ Date: Sunday, March 9th
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room

Join us for an engaging and informative session all about the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystems, with a special focus on the industrious and gentle Spring Mason Bee! This event is perfect for gardeners, nature enthusiasts, and anyone curious about supporting pollinator health in their own backyards.

Learn about the life cycle, habitat needs, and fascinating behaviors of Mason Bees, as well as how to encourage other beneficial pollinators. Discover practical tips for creating a pollinator-friendly environment that helps sustain these essential creatures and ensures a thriving garden.

This event is free and open to the public. Come with your questions and a love for nature!

Join Us for the North County Seed Swap & Giveaway!

📅 Date: Sunday, January 26, 2025
🕒 Time: Noon - 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Hockinson Community Center at 15916 NE 182nd Ave., in Brush Prairie

Get ready to kick off the growing season with the North County Seed Swap & Giveaway, an annual community event that supports local gardeners and the North County Community Food Bank. Stop by the Vancouver Bee Project table and say hi. We should have some native wildflower seeds available while supplies last!

🌱 What to Expect:
This free event is perfect for gardening enthusiasts of all skill levels. Participants are encouraged to bring seeds to share, trade, and donate. Don’t have seeds to bring? No problem! Plenty of free seeds will be available, so everyone can leave with something to grow.

🎉 Highlights Include:

• Seed Sharing & Trading: Exchange seeds with fellow gardeners to diversify your garden and contribute to the community spirit.

• Educational Resources: Learn about sustainable gardening, heirloom seeds, and best practices for a fruitful growing season.

• Supporting a Good Cause: Donations are welcome and will directly benefit the North County Community Food Bank, aiding in its mission to fight food insecurity in our community.

🌟 Why Attend?
The Seed Swap & Giveaway is more than just an opportunity to gather seeds. It’s a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, learn valuable gardening tips, and contribute to the resilience and growth of our local food system.

📌 Important Details:

• All seeds should be labeled clearly, and participants are encouraged to bring small envelopes or containers for swapping.

• No registration is required, and the event is open to everyone in the community.

Let’s plant the seeds for a bountiful 2025 together! We can’t wait to see you there.

For more information, visit the North County Community Food Bank website

Spread the word and bring a friend—gardening is better together! 🌻

🐝 Join us for our quarterly speaker series: A Primer on the Native Bees of the Pacific Northwest, presented by Vancouver Bee Project board member Bella Padgett! 🌸

📅 Saturday, January 11
⏰ 10:30 AM
📍 Vancouver Community Library, Columbia Room

Learn all about the fascinating world of native bees and connect with others passionate about supporting pollinators in our community. We can't wait to see you there!

Clark County Historical Museum After Hours Featuring Vancouver Bee Project

📅 Date: Friday, January 3, 2025
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Clark County Historical Museum

Join us for an engaging evening at the Clark County Historical Museum After Hours, where the Vancouver Bee Project will be featured! Stop by to learn about our mission to support pollinators, discover how you can help native bees thrive, and explore the fascinating connection between pollinators and our local history.

This is a great opportunity to meet the Vancouver Bee Project team, ask questions, and connect with others who care about pollinator conservation in our community.

Happening during First Friday Art Walk Admission is free—swing by and say hi! 🐝

Event: Power Lines Meadow Planting Event
Date & Time: Saturday, November 16th at 1:00 PM
Location: Meet at Meadow Homes Park

Come help us create a vibrant native wildflower meadow under the BPA power lines in central Vancouver! We’ll be planting a variety of native wildflowers to support pollinators and bring beauty to the area. Before planting, we’ll go over meadow preparation and planting techniques, so it’s a great chance to learn and contribute. No experience necessary—all tools and guidance will be provided. Bring your love for nature and help us make a lasting impact!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Event: 3rd Annual Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning
Date: Saturday, November 9
Time: 11:30 am - 2pm
Location: Fourth Plain Community Commons

Join us for the 3rd Annual Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning event hosted by the Vancouver Bee Project! 🐝 This hands-on event will teach you how to clean out your mason bee houses and cocoons, ensuring healthy bees for next season. We'll also cover common diseases that can impact mason bees and how to prevent them.

No RSVP is needed—just bring your mason bee houses and cocoons, and stop by at 11:30 AM. This is a free event, perfect for both beginners and seasoned bee enthusiasts! This is a kid-friendly event and even if you don’t have bee houses you’re welcome to stop by to watch and learn. Let's work together to support our pollinators. 🌼

Event: Cleanup and Weed the Grandmother Camus Site
Date & Time: Sunday, November 3rd at 10:00 AM
Location: Meet on Q Street and St Johns Blvd by the site

Join us for a hands-on day of giving back to nature! We're gathering to weed and tidy up the native plantings at the Grandmother Camus site, making sure everything is ready for the winter season. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just want to help out, your efforts will make a big difference. Gloves and equipment will be provided by Fourth Plain Forward, so just bring yourself, some friends, and your enthusiasm for keeping our community green!

See you there!

SAVE THE DATE: Do you like birds, butterflies, bees and flowers? Do you have lawn or a space that you would like to convert to a wildflower pollinator patch? If so, this workshop is for you!

Join Vancouver Bee Project and the Water Resources Education Center in a morning meadowscaping workshop. Removing lawn and converting barren or weedy areas to native plant zones helps provide habitat for pollinators and birds and can help conserve water. In this free hands-on workshop, learn the basics of how to convert barren areas or lawn into a bustling pollinator patch. Participants will plant a native wildflower patch that has been in the solarization phase since spring and help prep other areas for winter plantings.

Expect to be stationary for a small portion of time, and active while planting, weeding, and seeding pollinator patches. 

Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Sign up on City website open soon!

Make your voice heard! 🐝 Join the Vancouver Bee Project at the Vancouver City Council meeting on October 28th to advocate for making Vancouver a Bee City USA. During the 3-minute public comment period, you'll have the chance to express your support for pollinator-friendly policies that promote habitat protection and sustainable landscapes.

Your voice can help Vancouver take a big step toward creating a healthier environment for bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators. 🌼 Let’s unite in our commitment to protecting biodiversity!

Sign up early to secure a spot to speak.

6pm - Vancouver City Hall Council Chambers

415 W 6th Street, Vancouver, WA 98660

🌿 Speaker Series: Green Schoolyards - Native Plants and Habitats in Local Schools, a presentation by Jane Tesner Kleiner🌱

Join us to learn about the exciting projects, partners, and initiatives that bring hands-on learning to our local schools, including the creation of native plant and habitat gardens! This session is perfect for beginners or teachers looking to inspire their students to explore the outdoors and learn how to care for our local pollinators. 🐝This is a free event hosted by Vancouver Bee Project in the Columbia Room at Vancouver Community Library on Saturday October 19 at 4:30pm.

Join us this Saturday, October 19th, at Esther Short Park for the Luminarias Día de Muertos celebration from 2pm to 8pm! Vancouver Bee Project will be tabling at the event, sharing how you can help support local pollinators like bees and butterflies. Learn how native plants can create vital habitats for pollinators and why protecting them is so important for our community. Stop by our booth for fun activities, free pollinator plants & seeds, educational resources, and more!

We can't wait to see you there!

Learn more about the event and Vancouver Ballet Folklórico: Vancouver Ballet Folklórico (vbfolklor.org)

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for a hands-on Native Demonstration Meadow Planting at Flat Tack Farm! 🌾🌼 Learn how to create a thriving pollinator habitat using native plants that support local bees, butterflies, and other beneficial species. This community event is perfect for anyone interested in sustainable gardening and biodiversity. We'll provide the seeds and tools—just bring your enthusiasm! 🌱 Let’s work together to create a beautiful meadow that will support pollinators for years to come. No RSVP needed, just come by the farm at 11am.

Old Apple Tree Festival -The City of Vancouver, WA

Celebrate the Old Apple Tree Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of October at Old Apple Tree Park, located on Columbia Way just east of Interstate 5 Bridge.

The annual Old Apple Tree Festival is a celebration centered on the oldest living apple tree in the Northwest, planted at Fort Vancouver in 1826.

Providing fun, food, music, and history of Vancouver’s Old Apple Tree, the festival celebrates our community and its rich heritage. Throughout the day Urban Forestry Commissioners give away cuttings from the Old Apple Tree; cuttings are limited and will be given out until they are gone. This free, family friendly event, features activities for children, food for sale, apple tastings and sales, live music, cider pressing and walking tours of Fort Vancouver Village, the Fort Vancouver Historic Orchard and the Land Bridge. Local musical groups will provide live music throughout the day. Check out your favorite artists: The Ottomatics at noon and JT Wise Band at 1:45 p.m.

Registration required - email info@naturescaping.org to sign up. Join us for an informational introduction to native bees and meadowscaping. Learn about the vital role of native bees in our ecosystems by expanding your borders or filling in that ugly and underused parking strip with a pocket meadow. Learn tips to help prepare for and create beautiful, pollinator-friendly meadows in your own yard. This hands-on workshop will cover the basics of native bees, meadow design considerations, and sustainable gardening practices. Send in photos (info@vancouverbeeproject.org) of your space and we’ll talk about some things to consider when updating them with native plants or meadow flowers. Perfect for beginners and garden enthusiasts alike! See the flier below for details and registration.

This will be a special Art & Nature in the Park just in time for Back to School! Stop by and say hi while we table at Art & Nature in the Park. There will be lots of great resources and things to do!

Join us for a Bee Stroll at the Fort Vancouver historic garden! We will provide education on how to identify bees and walk through the lovely Fort Garden. Bring your cameras and photograph pollinators and plants or use your cell phone and document your observations on iNaturalist. Please plan on wearing appropriate clothing/shoes and make sure and bring water.

Stop by and see us at our table this Saturday at Battle Ground Pride happening 11am-3pm at the Battle Ground Community Center!

Stop by and say hi while we table at Art & Nature in the Park. There will be lots of great resources and things to do!

SPEAKER SERIES: Join us Saturday July 13th at the Vancouver Community Library’s Columbia Room to learn about native bees. Participants will learn about the diverse types of native bees, their vital roles in ecosystems, and their unique behaviors and habitats. The course will cover how to identify common native bees, the challenges they face, and practical steps to support their populations, such as creating bee-friendly habitats and gardening practices. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a gardener, or simply curious about these essential pollinators, this class offers valuable insights and hands-on knowledge to help protect and appreciate native bees. Our new speaker series will replace our popular Bee City USA Committee meetings we’ve been having the past few years. About the speaker: Kyle Roslund is the founder of the Vancouver Bee Project and is a current volunteer with the Washington Native Bee Society, the Washington Bee Atlas and is a part of the OSU Master Melittologist Apprentice Program.

Vancouver Community Library - Columbia Room

901 C Street, Vancouver WA 98660

POSTPONED DUE TO HEAT. Join us for a Bee Stroll on the Farm! We will provide education on how to identify bees and walk through all the beautiful native meadow spaces we’ve been creating at Flat Tack Farm. Bring your cameras and photograph pollinators and plants or use your cell phone and document your observations on iNaturalist. Of note, this is a working farm and you will be traversing uneven terrain. Please plan on wearing appropriate clothing/shoes and make sure and bring water.

Join Vancouver Bee Project at the Summer BioBlitz at the Water Center brought to you by the City of Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center. VBP will be leading a bee walk looking for native bees at the Water Center and VBP Board Member Almendra Velazquez-Perez who will lead a Spanish-language nature walk. All BioBlitz events encourages the use of iNaturalist to photograph local flora and fauna. Sign-up is required on the City’s website (coming soon). Check out our blog on how to use iNaturalist! Requires a sign up through the City Website.

Water Resources Education Center

4600 SE Columbia Way

Vancouver WA 98661

Join us for the return of our popular Bee Strolls. We will provide education on how to identify bees and walk through a private garden during the Clark Green Neighbors Natural Garden Tour. Bring your cameras and photograph pollinators and plants or use your cell phone and document your observations on iNaturalist.

Join Vancouver Bee Project on Monday June 17th at City Council to celebrate they city’s Pollinator Week Proclamation. Please join us to show your support and feel free to sign up during the public comment period to tell council about your support for pollinators and making Vancouver a Bee City USA affiliate. Just showing up helps us show council you support our advocacy efforts!

Vancouver City Hall

415 W 6th St

Vancouver, WA 98660

POSTPONED due to weather: Join us for the return of our popular Bee Strolls. We will provide education on how to identify bees and walk through all the beautiful native meadow spaces we’ve been creating at Flat Tack Farm. Bring your cameras and photograph pollinators and plants or use your cell phone and document your observations on iNaturalist. Of note, this is a working farm and you will be traversing uneven terrain. Please plan on wearing appropriate clothing/shoes and make sure and bring water.

You don’t want to miss out on all the great resources from over 60 organizations and agencies that will be present that day. LCRG will also have raffles, food and cultural dances for all to enjoy! It’s all FREE!! Stop by the Kid Zone and visit Vancouver Bee Project’s table!

Hudson’s Bay High School, 1601 E. McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver WA 98663