”In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.” — Mark Twain
The Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to visit in April and, yes, you might well encounter 36 different kinds of weather when you visit. But that’s the excitement and appeal of spring: One moment you’re soaking up the sun and the next, you’re outrunning a rainstorm.
However, there are wonderful rewards at the refuge no matter when you walk.
The year round trail is always open and the seasonal trail will open on May 1. Wildflowers and shrubs are blooming in the woods so look for fringecup, wood violet, dogwood, salmonberry and fawn lily.
Shorebirds are passing through the refuge now. You’re likely to see least and western sandpipers, dunlin, greater yellowlegs and killdeer. Stop and listen to the singing of the songbirds.
You may hear black-throated gray warblers, MacGillivray’s warblers, and Townsend’s warblers. Mallards and western Canada geese will have hatched their first broods around tax day so look for ducklings and goslings following their parents.
Puddle Stompers: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 10
Join us to learn about Earth Day. Activities include storytime, nature crafts, and a short walk on our trail.
Puddle Stompers programs are designed for kids 2 to 5 years old. Children’s rain coats and boots are available to borrow. This popular kids’ activity is free.
Registration is required at www.fws.gov/refuge/tualatin-river/events. Please email us at tualatinriver@fws.gov or call us at 503-625-5944 with any questions.
Conversations on Conservation: 9 a.m. April 13 at the visitor center
Guest speaker will be Jeremy Roberts, a cinematographer from Missoula, Montana. Jeremy works throughout the West and has collaborated on wildlife and conservation video work with The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Trout Unlimited. He will talk about his work, techniques and share footage from some of his adventures.
Native Plant Sale returns April 20 and 21
The Friends of the Refuge will once again host our very popular Native Plant Sale for the public. All plants will come from our partner at Bosky Dell Natives. A Friends-only pre-sale will happen on April 19. If you want to attend the preview event, you can join at the door. Check the Friends’ website, friendsoftualatinrefuge.org , for more information.
Second Annual Oregon Youth Climate Summit: 1-4 p.m. April 27, visitor center outdoor plaza
The Friends of the Refuge will host middle and high school students from around the metropolitan area as they come together and share with the public what their climate clubs and green teams have been working on to address climate change.
The Friends of the Refuge, along with USFWS, will be joined by other conservation organizations for this one day summit. The summit is open to the public and will be held on the visitor center’s outside plaza.
Youth art contest winners
Check out the recent winners of the third Annual Friends of the Refuge Oregon Chinese Coalition Youth Art Contest. Copies of the first, second, third place and honorable mention winners are now featured on the gallery wall in the refuge visitor center. This year’s theme is “The Healing Art of Nature.”
There are four grade level categories. This art contest is part of the Friends of the Refuge’s growing partnership with the Oregon Chinese Coalition.
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