📰 What's Making News

Columbia River Clinches Share of 2A Baseball Title in 12-2 Rout

Zach Sims went 2 for 3 with three runs and two RBI as Columbia River rolled past Hockinson 12-2 on Monday to clinch a share of the 2A Greater St. Helens League baseball title. It's a milestone moment for the Chieftains, who controlled the game from start to finish. If you've been following this squad all season, this one felt inevitable — but no less sweet. Full recap here.

Washougal's Addison Paul Grinds Out 2A GSHL Girls Golf Crown

When the course is punishing everyone, the winner is whoever stays composed the longest — and that was Washougal's Addison Paul. She outlasted a brutal day on the links to claim the 2A GSHL girls golf title, holding her own when scores ballooned all around her. It's exactly the kind of gritty performance that bodes well heading into the postseason. Read how she did it.

Ridgefield's Evangeline Fulton Named Columbian Athlete of the Week

Ridgefield girls golfer Evangeline Fulton earned The Columbian's Week 23 Prep Athlete of the Week honor, collecting 156 of 415 votes cast by readers. It's well-deserved recognition for a Spudders golfer who's been putting together a strong spring. The award is sponsored by Killer Burger, so here's hoping a celebratory burger was involved. See the full story.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Tuesday, May 5

• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest with Vancouver Audubon — Submit your nature photography entries. Details and categories at the link.
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Gardens — 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens, Woodland. It's the 50th anniversary of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society! $10 adults, kids 12 and under free. Monday senior discount ($5 for 62+).
• White Salmon Wildflower Festival — Month-long celebration of nature, art, and community in the Columbia River Gorge, featuring guided hikes, art shows, wine walks, and live music. White Salmon, WA.
• KEEP IT WILD Collaborative Art Show — On display May 1–30 at Arrowleaf Workshop, White Salmon. Opening night reception May 8, 5–7 p.m.
• Vancouver's Neighborhood Tree Stewards Workshops — Learn to become a Tree Steward for your neighborhood. Apply online at the link.
• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Community Paddling — Free community paddling sessions running through October. Paddlers must be 14+. No experience needed. Ridgefield, WA.
• Watershed Stewardship Program with Clark Conservation District — Six-week course covering local watersheds, wildlife, and conservation. Details and registration at the link.
• Monday Trivia Night at Pour Choices Pub — 6:30 p.m., 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Hosted by Don Elliott. Can you dethrone the 4-time reigning champs, High Bar Low Expectations?

Wednesday, May 6

• Cascadia Wild Naturalist Training Program: Reading the Landscape — Part of an 8-class series covering wildlife tracking, botany, ecology, navigation, and more. Details and registration at the link.

Thursday, May 7

• VPS High School Plant Sale — Fort Vancouver — 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (also May 8, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. and May 9, 9 a.m.–noon). Flowers, veggies, and more grown by horticulture and FFA students.
• Dog Mountain Hike with Mazamas — 6.9-mile hike with 2,750 ft. elevation gain for stunning wildflowers and views of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River. Columbia River Gorge.

Friday, May 8

• Campus Community Garden Flora & Fauna Friday — Mid-day volunteer work party with the City of Vancouver. Hands-on service, snacks, and learning about the local ecosystem.

Saturday, May 9

• WSU Extension Master Gardener Mother's Day Plant Sale — Shopping appointments available. Sign up at the link.
• Beacon Rock Trail Day Work Party — Spend a day (or the weekend!) helping the Washington Trails Association maintain trails at Beacon Rock State Park. Camping available Saturday night.
• Thrillium Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance Work Party — Help the Southwest Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance maintain Thrillium Trail in the Yacolt Burn State Forest. Larch Mountain trailhead. Contact Sean Callaghan for details.
• Adopt-A-Park Event at St. Helens Park — Morning volunteer event removing ivy and spreading mulch. Training, tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided. Family-friendly; great for teens. Vancouver, WA.
• Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival — Fat bikes, trikes, scooters, e-bikes — if you can pedal it on the sand, you're welcome! Scenic beach cruises and activities for every skill level. Cannon Beach, OR.
• Mt. St. Helens Swift Creek Worm Flows Climb with Mazamas — Year-round route from Marble Mountain Snow Park. Permit fee included in registration. Strenuous climb.
• Cape Disappointment Coastal Forest Loop Volunteer Vacation — Spend a week doing beachside trail work and staying in historic lodging at Fort Columbia State Park. Sign up with Washington Trails Association.
• Volunteer Land Stewardship at Baker Bay — Two days of conservation work with Columbia Land Trust at forested wetlands near Chinook, WA.
• Clark County Parks & Nature Fee Free Day — International Migratory Bird Day — Free access to Clark County regional parks. Get outside and celebrate the birds!

Family & Kids

• Kids Fishing Festival with Columbia Springs — Fishing for ages 5–14 with expert mentors, hands-on science activities, and a BBQ lunch. 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. $8/person; advance registration required.
• Plant Sale at Northlake ES — Lower Columbia School Gardens — Support school gardens in the Longview and Kelso school districts. Longview, WA.

Sunday, May 10

• Bloom Where You Are Planted — Multicultural Festival — Hosted by the Fourth Plain Five neighborhoods along the Fourth Plain Corridor in central Vancouver, WA.
• Plant & Seed Swap — Bring plant starts, saved seeds, or plants you no longer want — or just come browse! Hosted by Kindred Vancouver, 2213 Main St., Vancouver.
• Ridgefield Learn to Kayak Tour — Paddle the Columbia River Water Trail near Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. Ridgefield Waterfront Park.

Monday, May 11

• Bird Walk with Vancouver Audubon Society — Captain William Clark Park, Washougal. Watch for Bullock's Orioles, Western Wood-Pewees, and Caspian Terns along the Columbia River.

Tuesday, May 12

• The Resilient Yard: Change at Home — Free library presentation on reducing your carbon footprint yard by yard. Details at the link.
• The Evolution of Birds with Vancouver Audubon Society — Professor Emeritus Steven Clark of Clark College speaks about the evolutionary processes behind the birds we love. In-person program and meeting.

Wednesday, May 13

• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd — Explore beautiful spots on Plas Newydd Farm with hosts Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan. Registration required at the link.
• Online Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Burrowing Owl — Join Bird Alliance of Oregon for a fun online art workshop painting these quirky ground-dwelling owls.

Thursday, May 14

• Conboy Lake NWR Hike with Washington Native Plant Society — 3.8-mile loop along the marsh edge with views of Mt. Adams and diverse wildflowers. North of White Salmon.
• Nature Walk: Wildflowers of Jewett Creek — Meet at White Salmon Valley Community Library for a half-mile walk with local author Ashley Erdely. Free.
• Spice of Life: Growing Herbs — WSU Master Gardener Terrie Phillips shares how to plant, grow, harvest, and preserve popular herbs. Free library program.

Friday, May 15

• Cape Horn Trail Hike with Washington Native Plant Society — 5-mile round trip, 700 ft. elevation gain. Lush woods, fantastic views, and spring wildflowers. Email Ron Klump at klumpton@gmail.com to register.
• Gardening with Compost Workshop — Learn to use Bokashi, vermicompost, and leaf mulch for a fertilizer-free garden. 9411 NE 94th Ave., Vancouver. Register at the link.

Saturday, May 16

• Clark College Spring Native Plant Center Plant Sale — Stock up on native plants for your pollinator habitat. Reserve St., Vancouver.
• Ridgefield Bachelor Island Circumnavigation Kayak Tour — 10-mile full-day paddle around Bachelor Island with Alder Creek. Birds, wildlife, and stunning scenery on the Columbia River Water Trail.
• Wildflower Hike: Upper Swale Creek Canyon — Join the Washington Native Plant Society Suksdorfia Chapter for a scenic canyon hike from Harms Road Trailhead in Klickitat County.
• Clark County Parks & Nature Fee Free Day — "Kids to Parks" Day — Free access to Clark County regional parks for the national day of outdoor play.
• Volunteer Stewardship at Raistakka Preserve — Join Columbia Land Trust for a morning of litter pickup and Scotch broom removal along the Grays River in Wahkiakum County.
• Tandem Bike Clinic — NW Association of Blind Athletes — Open to athletes of all ages and ability levels who are blind or visually impaired. Register at the link.
• Cascades Pika Watch Training Workshop — Learn to locate and map pikas in the Columbia River Gorge with monthly volunteer surveys.

Family & Kids

• Pollinators & Poetry with FVRL — Kids learn about pollinators and create haiku poetry with local author Ashley Erdely. Free. Sprint/Baker Gallery Room.

Sunday, May 17

• Life After the Great Eruption: Mt. St. Helens — Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Visitor Center Theater. Volunteer Alex Lennox explores what happened after the transformative 1980 eruption.
• Mountains & Meadow Watercolor Painting Class — Free watercolor class with Claire Giordano. Details at the link.

Monday, May 18

• Mt. St. Helens Eruptiversary: Views & Brews — Join the Mt. St. Helens Institute to commemorate the 46th anniversary of the 1980 eruption. USGS Scientist Emerita Carolyn Driedger shares personal memories and the science that followed.

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