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City of Vancouver Volunteer News
Fall 2023
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Out with the Old, In with the New
In early September, the City of Vancouver announced a very exciting new website! You can use the same link as always: www.cityofvancouver.us but now you will see more accessibility features, translation and a modern design.
On September 27, our volunteer management system, VicNet is also getting an upgrade. If you are a volunteer who logs their own service hours in the system, you will need a new link to access the system. Please bookmark www.volgistics.com/vicnet or you can download the app by searching "VicNet - Volunteer Portal" in your mobile device's app store. If you have questions on this, please email our Volunteer Programs team.
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Forever Young Hikers
Do you love exploring with us? Volunteer with Forever Young Hikers!
Volunteer hike guides and drivers are needed for Vancouver Parks Recreation & Cultural Services 50 and Better Program. Perfect for the retired, young at heart and active explorers. Make this year the year you share your adventurous spirit with others!
Call 360-487-7084 to inquire about this opportunity.
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LeRoy Haagen Work PartiesFourth Saturdays
10 a.m. - noon
Join the Adopt-A-Park volunteers at LeRoy Haagen Memorial Community Park to remove invasive plants in the natural area. This dedicated adopter volunteers every month to spruce up the park. Please register in advance using the link below. Additional details provided upon registration. Next work party is this Saturday, September 23.
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John Ball Work PartySaturday, September 30
10 a.m. - noon
Join the John Ball Adopt-A-Park group and City staff in stewarding this beautiful neighborhood park! They will be working on a variety of projects including cleaning up the playground and signs, pulling invasive plants, removing litter and mulching.
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| Water Resources Education Center
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Marine Park Beach CleanupWednesday, September 27
9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
As summer comes to a close, we anticipate the rains to be here soon. Volunteer to help clean beaches around Marine Park before rainy weather raises water levels and carries trash and plastic into rivers and out to the ocean. Litter-pickers and buckets will be provided.
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Bird Language for BeginnersSaturday, September 30
9:30 a.m. - noon
Have you ever wondered why birds sing? Did you notice a landscape become silent when it should be bustling with bird activity? Songbirds are the alarm system of the forests. Birds are paying attention to everything, and their vocalizations have meanings for other birds and mammals.
Join an educator from the Water Center to discover how to decipher the language of birds and understand the story they are broadcasting from the treetops. This class will introduce bird sound mapping and sit spots.
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Vancouver Lake Paddle
Saturday, October 7
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Explore Vancouver Lake from a whole new perspective! Join the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Vancouver’s Water Center education staff for a family-friendly canoe paddle aboard 29-foot, 14-passenger Big Canoes! Glide past shore birds, look for signs of beaver activity, and learn about the Columbia River ecosystem from seasoned paddle guides educators. Advanced registration is required and space is limited.
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Meadowscaping for PollinatorsSaturday, October 28
10 a.m. - noon
Do you like birds, butterflies, bees and flowers? Do you have lawn that you would like to convert to wildflower pollinator patches? This workshop is for you!
Join Clark Conservation District, Vancouver Bee Project and the City of Vancouver in a meadowscaping workshop at the Water Resources Education Center. Removing lawn and planting with native plants help conserve water and provide premium habitat for pollinators and birds. In this free hands-on workshop, learn the basics of how to convert your lawn into a bustling pollinator patch.
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Wednesday, September 27
Class: RecycleU Prevent Food Waste
Location: Online
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Class: RecycleU Organics 101
Location: Online
Time: 7:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
directly following RecycleU Prevent Food Waste
Tuesday, October 3
Class: RecycleU Recycling 201—Beyond the Curb
Location: Vancouver Community Library
Time: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Class: RecycleU Organics 101
Location: Vancouver Community Library
Time: 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
directly following RecycleU Recycling 201—Beyond the Curb
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Old Apple Tree Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2023
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Join the annual celebration of Vancouver's Old Apple Tree at Old Apple Tree Park, 112 Columbia Way in Vancouver. Learn about the rich history of the Old Apple Tree while enjoying live music, fruit tree workshops, free apple tree starts, kids activities, cider pressing, and more at this family-friendly festival.
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Volunteer at the Festival
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Join the City of Vancouver's Urban Forestry Staff to turn community members' apples into delicious cider! We will walk you through the entire process, and you will have the opportunity to learn how this tasty fall drink is made. You'll be able to rotate through various stations, including apple washing, chopping, and pressing. Please wear clothes you don't mind getting sticky and dirty, and wear closed-toed shoes. Gloves and aprons will be provided. RSVP by email or call 360-487-8308.
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Yard Tree Giveaway
Saturday, October 28, 2023
10 a.m. - noon
Vancouver's Urban Forestry department distributes free yard trees (planted on private, residential property in Vancouver) through our Yard Tree Giveaway Program each the fall. The free yard trees are available on first-come, first-served basis by advanced registration. People with limited mobility can email Urban Forestry to access free tree delivery and planting.
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Welcome, AmeriCorps members!
Please help us welcome our 5 AmeriCorps members for the 2023-2024 term. Kristin Naber will be serving with the Solid Waste department, Sara Hollar will serve with the Water Resources Education Center, Rose White will serve with Volunteer Programs, Heather Day-Melgar will serve with Naturespaces and Riley Schleiss will be with Urban Forestry. Say hi when you see them out at volunteer and community events!
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Saturday, October 212 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Esther Short Park
Save the date to attend the annual Día de Muertos event and sign up to support as a volunteer. There will be multiple volunteer shifts available to help with setup, information booth, coloring table, luminarias and cleanup.
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Behrens Woods Work PartiesEvery second and fourth Saturday
9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Join our Naturespaces volunteers at Behrens Woods twice a month to remove non-native plants, mulch and build community with neighbors and friends. The next work party is this Saturday, September 23.
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Fall events
We're busy getting volunteer and stewardship events on the calendar for the fall and winter seasons and they're going to be busy! Please check back for opportunities to support this exciting pilot project. Sign up for the Naturespaces newsletter to stay informed and bookmark the webpage at the link below.
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| Greenway Sensitive Lands
& Watershed Alliance
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Make a Difference Day
Saturday, October 28
9 a.m. to noon
The Watershed Alliance of SW Washington is partnering with the City of Vancouver's Greenway Sensitive Lands team to plant trees along Burnt Bridge Creek. Please click on the link below to register or to find out more information.
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IDEAfest 2023
IDEAfest is a showcase of remarkable ideas and a platform for change. This event connects creativity and exploration designed to connect the innovators, thinkers, creatives, and makers of our community. If you dream of change and want to grow your network of change makers this may be the event for you. Learn more about this event on November 4 and purchase tickets below.
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