Photo by Rhonda Dorsett, courtesy of Hoyt Arboretum Friends
Take your family on a stroll through Portland’s museum of trees. This summer, Hoyt Arboretum is hosting Family Forest Days.
This beautiful nature oasis features 2,300 species of trees and plants from around the world along 12 miles of trails. Hoyt Arboretum is free to visit with lots of great cheap events available each week, including free tours, tai chi and preschool walks. You can also hop on the free Washington Park shuttle at the visitor center.
Family Forest Days invite you and your family to explore and learn at Hoyt Arboretum.
Family Forest Days at Hoyt Arboretum
During Family Forest Days, Stevens Pavilion at Hoyt Arboretum is transformed into a nature center with activity tables and special guests covering different nature education topics. There’s also themed games, science exploration stations, nature crafts and live music. Activities are created elementary school-age children, but participants of all are welcome.
While you’re there, take some time to stroll along the trails and explore nature with your family.
Here are the 2024 Family Forest Days:
July 13: Tree Are Homes
The first Family Forest Days of the year explore the many ways that trees are homes.
Hoyt Arboretum educators will lead interactive stations focused on forest habitats. Activities include building fairy houses. Arborist Ryan Gilpin is hosting a table on tree care for birds.
Local children’s entertainer Make Music with Matt will play energetic music sets at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
At 11:30 a.m., author Leslie Barnard Booth is reading of her book “One Day This Tree Will Fall” accompanied by a puppet show.
August 17: Best Trees Forever
In August, nature educators, volunteers and community partners will lead and share activities for all to learn about and connect with native trees and nature. Participants will use all their senses to connect with their new Best Trees Forever, Douglas fir, western redcedar, bigleaf maple, western hemlock, and learn how to recognize them in their own neighborhoods.
Special guest Sequoia (Siletz, Tututni, Chetco, Sixes, Tolowa, and Yurok) will share information and lead a special activity about Indigenous traditional ecological cultural knowledge and the western redcedar.
Illustrator and author Audrey Sauble will share her book, which asks the very poignant question: “Can A Tree Be Blue?”
Cottonwood School teacher McLean Cannon will share his class’s Plant Teaching Songs, and perform folk songs written about the Best Trees Forever by his students after a field trip.
Family Forest Days are free to attend and no registration is required. Stop by from 9 a.m. to noon to participate.
Steven’s Pavilion is located at 4000 SW Fairview Blvd. For more information, visit the Hoyt Arboretum website.
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