Explore Our Environmental Education Programs
Environmental Education Outreach
The Environmental Education Outreach (EEO) program creates and nurtures greater awareness of and stewardship for the environment through community events and professional development for educators. EEO provides resources and encourages our community to make behavioral changes that will protect, conserve and restore our natural environment.
Hatchery Operations
The Vancouver Trout Hatchery is one of Columbia Springs’ unique assets and shares 40 acres of Columbia Spring’s managed properties and lends itself to lessons about ecology and fish biology. Over 100,000 trout are raised on site and planted in local lakes for seasonal fishing.
Master Composter/Recycler
The Master Composter/Recycler program focuses on providing opportunities for the public to learn about the importance and methods of diverting yard debris, organic kitchen scraps and recyclables from the waste stream. This is accomplished through volunteer trainings and dissemination of research-based composting and recycling information to the community.
Naturally Beautiful Backyards
The Naturally Beautiful Backyards (NBB) Program is offered in partnership with Clark County Solid Waste Program. The NBB program promotes the creation of healthy and productive ecosystems in residential yards and gardens throughout Clark County, Washington by providing education on earth-friendly gardening techniques.
On-site Education
The on-site educational offerings at Columbia Springs are tailored to enhance the educational experience of students in grades K-16. Learning takes form as hands-on lessons helping students to acquire knowledge and skills outside the classroom walls with the goal of engaging students in in-depth investigations with natural objects, materials, phenomena, and ideas and drawing meaning and understanding from those experiences.
Salmon in the Classroom
The Salmon in the Classroom program works to protect, restore and enhance the regions salmon populations by fostering a non-partisan, community based approach to increasing salmon populations through education. The program blends best available science and the social and economic realities of each unique watershed where salmon and people live together.