(Photo by Ruandy Albisurez/Warpaint Magazine)
As part of our work to connect people with Forest Park and Marquam Nature Park, we host free educational events every summer with local instructors, experts, and artistsin Forest Park and Marquam Nature Park as part of our Nature Education Program. If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, we hope you will join us in the park!
This year, we have the return of many popular events like yoga, forest bathing, and painting, all taught by knowledgeable and enthusiastic local instructors! In addition, you can join us for some new event offerings such as bilingual hikes for Spanish and Vietnamese speakers and puppet shows. With all of these offerings, we hope that there will be at least one event that will catch your eye!
For more details, you can see an abridged list of events below, go directly to our Events Calendar, or visit our Nature Education Program page to meet this year’s instructors. Additionally, to adequately prepare for these events, we ask that you RSVP in advance to confirm your intention to attend.
Events:
Painting Classes: Inspiration is found everywhere in nature, especially in Forest Park! Come channel that inspiration through watercolor painting, make new friends and learn new skills during this 2-hour event. Materials will be provided, all skill levels are welcome! Click here to sign up.
Forest Yoga: Take a pause and reset in the beauty of our forests with some forest yoga! Our instructors are ready to help you reset through yoga, no matter your skill level! Click here to sign up.
Forest Bathing: Looking to relax and get in touch with your creative side? Join us for forest bathing sessions combined with haiku writing to encourage you to engage with the world around you! Click here to sign up.
Nature Hikes: Join local experts for hikes in Forest Park and Marquam Nature Park! There are a variety of different hikes, from general nature hikes, to history hikes, mushroom identification, and more! Some bilingual Forest Park hikes will be available in English and Spanish or Vietnamese.
Click here to sign up for a hike.
Click here to sign up for one of our bilingual opportunities.
Bilingual Puppet Show: Join us for Nico the Banana Slug! Nico, the Banana Slug follows the adventures of a banana slug exploring Forest Park, where he meets forest friends and discovers the importance of kindness, curiosity, and caring for the natural world. After the show, children will be invited to color and create their own paper puppets inspired by the story to take home and continue their storytelling experience. The program blends English and Spanish to welcome and engage bilingual audiences. Click here to sign up.
Ivy Basket Weaving: Invasive English ivy and Himalayan blackberry are massive problems in our parks, but we can take these problems and make them into art! Join us as we take these plants and craft gorgeous, and practical, baskets. Click here to sign up.