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!
SATURDAY, MAY 3 (9 am – 11 am)
Flower and Bird Walk around Woodpecker Loop
Short 2-mile gentle walk around the Loop
Meeting Location: Woodpecker Loop Trail, W.L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Contact: Esther McEvoy, estherco@peak.org or 541-990-0948
Sponsor: Native Plant Society of Oregon
SUNDAY, MAY 4 (9:30 am – 11 am)
Beginning Birding Workshop
This outdoor workshop is a brief introduction to birding. You’ll learn the basics about binocular use and bird identification. Suitable for adults and children 12 and older.
Meeting Location: Willamette Park, Corvallis
Registration Required: To find out more and register for free, click here
Contact: Don Boucher, donaboucher@gmail.com
Sponsor: Neighborhood Naturalist
SUNDAY, MAY 4 (10 am – 4 pm)
Corvallis Spring Garden Festival
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. Details at sustainablecorvallis.org.
At Arts Center Plaza/Madison Avenue, between 7th & 8th Streets
Contact: serenakapuler@gmail.com
Sponsors: Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Food Action Team, Corvallis-Albany Farmers’ Markets, Corvallis Parks & Recreation, and The Arts Center
MONDAY, MAY 5 through FRIDAY, MAY 9 (12 noon – 2 pm)
Hesthavn Nature Center
Visit our Nature Center this week (Monday – Friday) to see the Museum & the Bluebird Display that honors the conservation efforts led by Elsie Eltzroth & the Bluebird team of volunteers that saved the Western Bluebird in the Willamette Valley. Enjoy walks along the Oak Creek riparian trail & in the meadow to see the spring blooms. Open to the public, all ages welcome!
Location: 8590 Oak Creek Drive, Corvallis
Contact: audubon.corvallis@gmail.com
Sponsor: Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance (previously Audubon Society of Corvallis)
TUESDAY, MAY 6 (6:30 pm – 8 pm)
Jackson-Frazier Wetland Sundown Spotting
Watch the wetlands come alive! Jackson-Frazier has over 140 acres of high-quality habitat for all types of birds, bats, owls, and other wildlife that start to come out in the evening. The 50-acre wetland prairie restoration completed in 2022 has also added to the incredible habitat along the boardwalk. Enjoy a nice walk around the handicap accessible boardwalk and special access to the rare wet prairie habitat, as you learn about the restoration and conservation work. Be sure to bring binoculars if you have them! Light Refreshments will be available.
At Jackson Frazier Wetland
RSVP Required
Contact: Adam Stebbins, Natural Resources Coordinator, Benton County Natural Areas, Parks, and Events Department; adam.stebbins@co.benton.or.us, (541) 250-6209
Sponsor: Benton County Natural Areas & Parks
THURSDAY, MAY 8 (1 pm – 4 pm)
Oak Basin Tour
Tour Greenbelt’s newest conservation easement property – Oak Basin in the Coburg Hills of Lane County. With 428 acres of diverse forest and prairie habitat, including an important high-altitude population of Fender’s blue butterfly, Oak Basin is a significant addition to a regional stronghold of protected lands with high conservation values. This tour will include up to 3 miles of moderate to strenuous hiking, including on uneven or wet ground and steep slope. Please be prepared for the weather and consider whether this tour will be safe and comfortable for you. Landowner Jim Merzenich will share his decades of knowledge and work in sustainable forestry and land management on this tour as we climb into the high prairie for some great views and blooming wildflowers.
Meeting Location: details will be provided after registration. Oak Basin is approximately 40 minutes from Corvallis.
Registration Required: https://greenbeltlandtrust.org/event/oak-basin-tour/
Contact: Matt Benotsch mbenotsch@greenbeltlandtrust.org
Sponsor: Greenbelt Land Trust
THURSDAY, MAY 8 (7:45 pm – 9:30 pm)
Sunset, Stars & Lights Gazing at Fitton Green – CANCELLED
SATURDAY, MAY 10 (8 am – 12 noon)
MWBA (Audubon) Second Saturday Field Trip
Led by Duncan Evered & Caryn Stoess
Location: Willamette Park; meet at Willamette Park Shelter, east end of SE Goodnight Avenue
Registration required
Contact: CorvallisAudubonSecondSaturday@gmail.com
Sponsor: Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance (previously Audubon Society of Corvallis)
SATURDAY, MAY 10 (9 am, 10:30 am or 12 pm)
Camas Meadow Walk
We’ll see both species of camas and other wildflowers. An easy, flat walk of about ¾ mile
Meeting Location: Marys River Park in Philomath (not Corvallis)
Registration Required: https://forms.gle/JQ63w9DKx5XST6hn6
Contact: Don Boucher, donaboucher@gmail.com
Sponsor: Neighborhood Naturalist
SATURDAY MAY 10 (10 am – 2 pm)
Bald Hill Farm Open House
Walk along Bald Hill trails and learn about beavers, prairie restoration, and pollinators at Beavers, Blooms, and Bees. Drop in anytime from 10 am to 2 pm to visit stations along the trail and learn about beavers, observe beaver dams, explore a restored prairie in bloom, and discover the bees and other pollinators that make it home. Great for all ages!
Meeting Location: Along the trails at Bald Hill Natural Area and Bald Hill Farm. From the Oak Creek Drive parking lot, walk the loop in either direction. Additional parking at the fairgrounds.
Contact: Matt Benotsch, mbenotsch@greenbeltlandtrust.org
Sponsors: Greenbelt Land Trust and Marys River Watershed Council
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 10 & 11 (11 am – 4 pm)
Mother’s Day Art in the Garden
Art, food, music and family fun at The Thyme Garden. Herb and flower starts, forest trails, and 40+ regional/local artists with their creations. Free samples from the new Thyme Garden Cookbook!
Location: 20546 Alsea Hwy, Alsea
Cost: $5, under 5 free. No dogs. Tickets available online.
Contact: emilythyme@gmail.com
Sponsor: The Thyme Garden, www.thymegarden.com/art-in-the-garden
SUNDAY, MAY 11 (2 – 4 pm)
Beazell Open House & Mother’s Day Nature Walk
Spend Mother’s Day afternoon in the beautiful Beazell forest, prairies, and streamside. Have a guided tour of the education center – a remodeled gorgeous space using the original 1800’s homestead barn wood! Then join in the afternoon walk to see and learn about the beautiful wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and other wildlife! Light refreshments will be available. Reserve your space as only 30 people total can participate!
Meeting Location: Beazell Memorial Forest parking lot, 32783 Kings Valley Hwy., Philomath
RSVP Required
Contact: Adam Stebbins, Natural Resources Coordinator, Benton County Natural Areas, Parks, and Events Department; adam.stebbins@co.benton.or.us, (541) 250-6209
Sponsor: Benton County Natural Areas, Parks, and Events Department