Get out your calendar, take a look at the amazing array of events below, and make note of those you don’t want to miss!
Corvallis Spring Garden Festival
Sunday, May 5, 2024
10 am to 4 pm
This annual local favorite has something for the whole family! Vendors will offer a wide variety of items for sale, including annuals, perennials, specialty plants, garden art, gifts, ceramics, seeds, edible goods, succulents, herbs and more. Enjoy live entertainment, with music performed by local musicians. Details HERE.
At The Arts Center Plaza/Madison Avenue, between 7th & 8th Streets, in Corvallis
Contact: serenakapuler@gmail.com
Sponsors: Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Food Action Team, Corvallis-Albany Farmers’ Markets, Corvallis Parks & Recreation, and The Arts Center
Camas at Marys River Park in Philomath
Sunday, May 5, 2024
11 am to 12:30 pm
This small park in Philomath has meadows, a picnic area, a disc golf course, and a forest along Marys River. It’s a great place to see both species of camas blooming, and there will be many other wildflowers to see, as well as birds. It will be an easy, flat walk of less than a mile. Some trails may be muddy if it’s wet. Please bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Please don’t bring dogs. NOTE: This is not Marys River Natural Area in Corvallis, we will email you full directions after you sign up. Registration is required, as space is limited.
Sign up form: https://forms.gle/6v3WgupCHBUVzNV69
Contact: Don Boucher, donaboucher@gmail.com
Sponsor: Neighborhood Naturalist
Hesthavn Nature Center Open House
Monday, May 6, 2024, through Friday, May 10, 2024
12 to 2 pm daily
Special features at the Nature Center include the Museum and the Bluebird Display that honors the conservation efforts led by Elsie Eltzroth and the Bluebird team of volunteers that saved the Western Bluebird in the Willamette Valley. Enjoy walks along the Oak Creek riparian trail and in the meadow to enjoy colorful displays of larkspur and other spring blooms.
At 8590 Oak Creek Drive, Corvallis
Contact: audubon.corvallis@gmail.com
Sponsor: Audubon Society of Corvallis
“Bioblitz” Nature Hunt at Avery Park
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
4 pm
Join us for a kid-friendly exploration of Avery Park and see how much life we can discover on our adventure! We will use iNaturalist and Merlin to help identify organisms. We will also have a technology-free Eco Survey option. After our adventure, families are invited to visit Avery House to see our animals.
Meet near the Lion’s Shelter (close to Avery Park).
Contact: karen@corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
Sponsor: Corvallis Environmental Center
Webinar: Imagining Marys Peak
Thursday, May 9, 2024
7 pm (online)
Presenters Julia Johanas from the U.S. Forest Service and Dave Eckert from the Marys Peak Alliance of AFRANA will reveal the conceptual phase of a proposed Marys Peak Interpretation Plan and will seek your input to improve its effectiveness.To register for this free and open to the public webinar, click on: Contact Dave Eckert: deckert@willamettewatershed.com
Sponsors: Marys Peak Group Sierra Club, Marys Peak Alliance of AFRANA, and Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
Corvallis Audubon Bird Walk, Led by Caryn Stoess
Saturday, May 11, 2024
8 am to 12 pm
We will meet at the shelter in Willamette Park, at the east end of SE Goodnight Avenue, and tour the park. This four-hour excursion (you can leave early) is free and geared toward people with an interest in learning more about birds that can be found in the Corvallis area. All levels of expertise are welcome. Bring suitable hats, shoes, and rain gear, as well as water and snacks! Note: The weather may alter plans. Registration is required.
Register at: CorvallisAudubonSecondSaturday@gmail.com
Sponsor: Audubon Society of Corvallis
SOIL! Walk with James Cassidy at Evergreen
Saturday, May 11, 2024
9 am to 12 pm
Take a walk with soil expert James Cassidy of Oregon State University and have your mind expanded by the incredible world of soil! The basis of human civilization, the reason you live where you live, the origin of every single atom in your body is SOIL! We will tour Evergreen, a 221-acre property outside of Philomath that features vernal pools and abundant wildflowers in restored wetland prairie. Registration is required.
Register at: SOIL! Walk with James Cassidy at Evergreen (greenbeltlandtrust.org)
Sponsor: Greenbelt Land Trust
Restore Habitat for First Foods at Champoeg Harvest Area
Saturday, May 11, 2024
9 am to 1 pm
Join the Institute for Applied Ecology to help restore prairie habitat at a First Foods Harvest Area in Champoeg State Heritage Area. All are welcome! Help us restore indigenous First Foods in native prairie habitat, while contributing to the recovery of the land. All tools and instructions are provided. A restroom is available on site, and limited carpooling from Corvallis is available. All volunteers must complete IAE’s volunteer release form. Our thanks to the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District for funding this project and our partners at the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
At Champoeg State Heritage Area (exact location provided upon RSVP)
Contact: evanlasley@appliedeco.org
Sponsor: Institute for Applied Ecology
Exploring Nature: A Fun and Easy Family-friendly Bilingual Nature Walk around Woodpecker Loop Trail at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, May 11, 2024
10 to 11 am
Explore Woodpecker Loop trail, learn about the natural world around us, and hone your observation skills. All are welcome, Spanish interpretation will be made available. Dress accordingly and wear your walking shoes (no sandals). Length of the walk will be approximately 1 hour long.
Folks will not need to register, the more the merrier!
Meet at the Woodpecker Loop parking lot.
Contacts: Sam Bartling, Samantha.Bartling@fws.gov and Ricardo Rodriguez, ricardo.rodriguez@fws.gov
Sponsor: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Pollinators and Wildflowers Family Day
Saturday, May 11, 2024
10 am to 1 pm
Join us for a family day of learning and exploring the beautiful, restored meadows of Greenbelt Land Trust’s Bald Hill Farm. Learn how we protect bee and butterfly species. Stroll through the meadows to find blooming wildflowers and pollinators at work. We’ll have fun pollinator education activities for kids aged K-5th grade, and then we’ll head out to explore. All minors must be accompanied by an adult, and registration is required. For further details and to register, go to https://greenbeltlandtrust.org/event/pollinators-and-wildflowers-family-day-at-bald-hill-farm/
Contact: kendra@greenbeltlandtrust.org
Sponsor: Greenbelt Land Trust and Marys River Watershed Council
Art in the Garden: Celebrate Mother’s Day at The Thyme Garden
Saturday, May 11, 2024, and Sunday, May 12, 2024
11 am to 4 pm
Celebrate Mother’s Day at The Thyme Garden with local and regional artists, food, and music. See details at www.thymegarden.com/events
At 20546 Alsea Hwy – Alsea OR (Head west from Corvallis and take a left at the Y in Philomath, on Hwy. 34 to Waldport. Continue 3 miles past Marys Peak turnoff. Venue is on left.)
Contact: Emily Stimac, emilythyme@gmail.com, 541-487-8671
Sponsor: The Thyme Garden
Spring Bird Walk at J2E Tree Farm
Sunday, May 12, 2024 (and Sunday, May 19, 2024)
8 am to 12 noon
Join this guided walk to learn how to identify birds in a variety of habitats, including ponds, riparian areas, mixed hardwood and conifer forests, oak woodlands and upland prairie. Registration is required! Directions will be on the registration confirmation page and also emailed to you before the event.
Register/Contact: https://www.luckiamutelwc.org/may-12-2024-bird-walk-report.html
Sponsor: Luckiamute Watershed Council
Mother’s Day Stroll among the Lamprey Creek Native Plants
Sunday, May 12, 2024
4 to 5 pm
Stroll with a guide alongside a short portion of Lamprey Creek to view, discuss, and understand the native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that support the creek ecosystem. Pick up some planting ideas for your yard along the way! Specific meeting location available when you register.
At Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 4905 NW Walnut Blvd., Corvallis
Register/Contact: Dave Eckert, deckert@willamettewatershed.com
Sponsors: Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Water Action Team and Marys Peak Group Sierra Club