In 2024, we engaged with nearly 8,000 community members and students in our education and community programs.
Onsite Education
Our onsite education program provides science-based nature experiences in our 100-acre outdoor classroom. The Education Team led 196 field trips for 4,626 students and 997 teachers and chaperones. Programs focused on water quality, decomposition, salmon habitat, and more!
“We had a fabulous time. The educator was amazing with the kids and adults. We come back every year because the program is so wonderful. It aligns so well with the curriculum and is a wonderful, hands-on experience. Thank you!”
Summer Camps
Every summer, we offer engaging day camps at Columbia Springs to explore, experience, and learn through nature. Our Education Team (including five seasonal interns) led three weeks of summer camp for 78 campers.
“My daughter was so excited to dissect owl pellets and hike and make new friends. She came home each day buzzing with information on what she learned and stories from her daily adventures. It really is a special place and offering to have this affordable option for kids in the summer locally.”
Salmon in the Classroom
This program engages students in project-based learning about the salmon life cycle, biology, and habitat. During the spring, 43 schools raised eggs and the Education Team led 31 fish release field trips. In the fall, 35 schools fostered coho fingerlings and the Education Team taught 23 in-class programs for 560 students.
“It was not only a great experience for our kindergarten classes but for the whole school! Everyone truly enjoyed raising the Salmon, learning about them and exploring how we can help them by keeping our ecosystem clean! I also learned some amazing things as well and can’t wait until next year!”
Community Programming
Columbia Springs hosts events and visitor center hours throughout the year to encourage community members to engage in nature. In 2024:
- More than 700 visitors came to the Visitor Center
- We hosted 6 Nature Days with 620 attendees
- We led 5 guided tours for 65 participants
- Our Kids Fishing Festival had over 600 attendees (300 fishers)
“My youngest was so inspired [after the Kids Fishing Fest] that he convinced me to take him to Battle Ground Lake in the afternoon so he could try out his new rig…thanks for putting together a memorable family time!” – KFF participant parent
Repair
Through the efforts of dedicated volunteers (nearly 60!), the Repair program hosted five events in 2024. Volunteer fixers repaired 600 items including appliances, mending, jewelry, bikes, electronics, and more! They also sharpened knives and tools. They had a fix rate of nearly 90%.
“Repair is more than just a place to fix broken items. It’s a community-driven education experience that brings Columbia Springs’ mission to life by fostering a greater awareness of the natural work and inspiring stewardship.” – Executive Director Katherine Cory
Volunteers and Interns
Volunteers and interns help our programming and events run smoothly! In 2024, we hosted five interns who contributed over 1,300 hours. They especially assisted with our summer camps. Volunteers contributed nearly 1,100 hours to education programs, community events, visitor center hours, and stewardship projects.
“My favorite things about volunteering was being able to encourage learning in both kiddos and adults and teaching that it’s a lifelong skill, not just something you need when you’re a kid.” – longtime volunteer Xavier Corey
Vancouver Trout Hatchery
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife rears hundreds of thousands of steelhead, rainbow trout, and chum salmon yearly. Rainbow trout are planted to support fisherines in local lakes and chum salmon are released as part of a statewide recovery program.
In 2024:
- 67,676 rainbow trout were planted in Battleground Lake, Lacamas Lake, and Klineline Pond
- 117,948 summer steelhead were transferred to Skamania Hatchery
- 97,350 chum salmon went to the Columbia River near Duncan Creek
- 97,656 chum salmon went to E Fork Lewis River near Daybreak Park
