In 2025, we engaged with nearly 9,000 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 144 field trips for 4,698 students and 998 teachers and chaperones. Programs focused on water quality, decomposition, salmon habitat, and more!
“We had an incredible time and our students absolutely loved the experience your team provided. You all know how to engage students and you show a genuine joy being around them. The content was just right for them. This was my third or fourth time doing this trip and it never gets old. Keep up the great work! We will be back next year!” – 5th Grade Teacher
Summer Camps
Every summer, we offer engaging day camps at Columbia Springs to explore, experience, and learn through nature. Our Education Team and summer interns led three weeks of summer camp for 81 campers.
“We live nearby and like to go hiking and see the fish, so it’s really fun to be able to have a camp experience here! Both my kids have gone and have had really positive experiences. The most important part of this camp is the hands-on learning opportunities.” – Camper Parent
Salmon in the Classroom
Through our Salmon in the Classroom program, classrooms across Clark County become living laboratories where students step into the role of fish scientists. During the spring, 40 schools raised eggs and released 6,300 fish into local streams. The Education Team led 9 fish release field trips. In the fall, the Education Team taught in-class programs for 2,041 students at 18 schools.
“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!” – SITC participant teacher
Community Programming
Columbia Springs hosts events and visitor center hours throughout the year to encourage community members to engage in nature. In 2024:
- We hosted 9 Nature Days and 12 Guided Tours for 1,045 participants
- Our Kids Fishing Festival had 568 attendees (308 anglers)
“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 50!), the Repair program hosted five events in 2025. Volunteer fixers repaired 625 items including appliances, mending, jewelry, bikes, electronics, and more! They also sharpened knives and tools. They had a fix rate of nearly 86%.
“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 2025, we hosted 19 interns who contributed over 2,000 hours. They especially assisted with our summer camps. Volunteers contributed nearly 1,900 hours to education programs, community events, visitor center hours, and stewardship projects.
“It is deeply fulfilling be present when someone experiences the joy and wonder of nature all around us. Columbia Springs has provided these opportunities for children and adults of all ages. Those “AH HA” moments of discovery and connection are magical!” – Field trip volunteer
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 2025:
- 65,002 rainbow trout were planted in Battleground Lake, Lacamas Lake, and Klineline Pond
- 100,000 summer steelhead were transferred to a different hatchery
- 147,359 chum salmon were released into two locations
Photos by Bob Daane, Katy Daane, Sarah Ells Fish, Michael McPhie, and Grace Peterman.