About Columbia Springs
History
Columbia Springs was created in 1997 through the partnership of Clark Public Utilities, Evergreen School District, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, City of Vancouver/Clark County, and Clark College.
Columbia Springs Today
Columbia Springs' goal is to provide environmental education to the community through on-site education for local students in grades K-12 and college and off-site through outreach programs. The facilities and programs offered by Columbia Springs are available to all public and private schools in Clark County and to interested adults. We have a laboratory classroom and an outdoor classroom available for use. Interested community groups are encouraged to contact us for additional information.
The center is open to the public daily from dawn till dusk and is located on the site of the historic Vancouver Trout Hatchery, which is still in use today. With more than 100 acres of urban green space, Columbia Springs encompasses many different microclimates and ecosystems providing excellent environmental education opportunities. The Biddle Trail, located on the west end of the center, is a self-guided interpretive nature walk. Bird blinds provide ample opportunity for wildlife viewing as well as shelter in wetter weather.
Columbia Springs is featured as the starting point for the "Evergreen Trail" on the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Trails page.
Vision
A community captivated by the magic of nature.
Mission
To engage the community in environmental education within an historically significant urban setting.
Location
Columbia Springs is located at 12208 S.E. Evergreen Highway, which has been the site of the Vancouver Trout Hatchery since 1938.
Arriving via I-5 from Portland, Vancouver, or Seattle:
- Go east on Hwy 14 to 164th Av.
- South on 164th to Evergreen Hwy
- West on Evergreen Hwy to 12208 SE. Very close (almost underneath!) the I-205 overpass.
For more detailed instructions and maps, click on MapQuest link below.
