Environmental Learning Center at CCC

06/24/2026

Thanks to the Rose City Astronomers for providing wonderful viewing experiences at Haggart Observatory! One of our ELC field trip instructors, Elsa, and her son recently visited and saw Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, and the dual star Albireo which appeared as two different colors. Save the Date for the annual Star Party at Clackamas Community College on the evening of August 27, 2026!

06/22/2026

Week of June 22nd Theme: Pollinators
10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Monday-Thursdays and Saturdays
Arts, crafts, and games with a Naturalist-led walk at 11:00 a.m.
All ages are welcome! Free, donations appreciated.

06/21/2026

Happy Summer from the ELC ☀️

Join us for a new line up of summer offerings for the community!

Monday-Thursdays and Saturdays.
10:00 a.m -12:00 p.m
If you’re looking to get out of the house with the kids, come on by for our open classroom sessions. Each week we have a different theme for the arts, crafts, and games we will have set up. (Free, donations appreciated)

On Wednesdays:
9-11:00 a.m. we will have family gardening days at the community garden to teach families about gardening. (Free, donations appreciated)
12-1:30 p.m. for adults, we have an Herbal Study Group featuring a different locally and seasonally accessible herb that is generally safe for common use, providing a comprehensive introduction to best practices in western folk herbalism. (Sliding sale)

On Saturdays:
12-2:00 p.m. , for adults, our Plant Chemistry for Plant Nerds class is a layman’s introduction to phytochemistry! Learn how carbohydrates, terpenes, antioxidants and more impact plants, preparations and people. (Sliding sale)

See link for more info:
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/environmental-learning-center-43385899163

06/18/2026

Check out the activities at the ELC on Saturday, June 20th!

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Nature Spy Discovery Days' theme is Butterflies this week. Learners of all ages can find out more about these amazing insects through games, crafts, and a nature walk at 11:00 a.m.
Free -Donations appreciated!
No registration needed.
Don't forget to visit Oregon City Year Round Farmers Market and Home Orchard Education Center, too!

Nature Spy Discovery continues througout the summer on Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays at the same time. During the week of June 22nd, visit us to learn about Pollinators.

9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Haggart Observatory Public Viewing
There is no pre-registration; simply come on out to the Environmental Learning Center and join Rose City Astronomers to view the night sky through the 24-inch Newtonian reflector telescope.

Viewings are free and on a first-come basis. All of the lights in the area will be off to help with the viewing but the Observatory will be open.

If the skies are cloudy, call Rose City Astronomers for cancellation updates: 503-594-6044 or check their website: https://www.rosecityastronomers.net/

06/12/2026

Thank you to everyone who took part in our kickoff to summer program, Explore the Outdoors! If you missed the event, there are many more activities that the ELC and partners have planned for the season.

For more information, visit our website or stop by The ELC. We will be open Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. with activities highlighting different topics related to the wetland.
Sponsored by NWNatural.

Special thanks to our partners:
Home Orchard Education Center Oregon City Year Round Farmers Market
Clackamas Free Clinic - Volunteers in Medicine
Clackamas River Basin Council
Clackamas River Water Providers
Rotary Club of Oregon City
Oregon City Optimist Club

06/12/2026

Check out the projects and vote today!

06/12/2026

We can all do our part!

You Are Key!
This summer feels different. With climate change, reduced snowpack, and the likelihood of a longer, hotter dry season, more people are asking us: What are we going to do?
Whether you use a hose or an underground irrigation system, and cool off with a swimming pool or a sprinkler, and you care about protecting the Clackamas River water for people and wildlife, visit our website, https://www.clackamasproviders.org/water-conservation/, to see what you can do to decrease the amount of water you are using right now and throughout the year.
Read the following articles at https://www.clackamasproviders.org/outdoor-conservation-articles/ “We Have Summer Droughts Every Year” and “You are Key” to learn more.

06/12/2026

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT AVAILABLE THRU END OF JUNE!

If Macroinvertebrate surveying is part of your water quality and habitat assessment work, come join us to brush up on your skills alongside a fantastic instructor, Zee Searles Mazzacano, Ph.D., and Owner at CASM Environmental LLC. Visit link to register: https://bit.ly/4er2NOa

Thanks to the class sponsor Clackamas River Water Providers.

06/03/2026

Join us for our second annual Explore the Outdoors event on Saturday, June 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

All activities are free, open to the public, and happening throughout the event.

1:00 p.m. Jerry Hermann will be presenting information on the ELC namesake, John Inskeep, in Lakeside Hall.

Clackamas River Water Providers will be sharing water conservation tips, as well as providing education about insects with Clackamas River Basin Council .

Rotary Club of Oregon City will have volunteers helping children make crafts and other activities.

Oregon City Optimists have generously sponsored a free copy of the ELC coloring book story "If I Were a Dragonfly" and a box of crayons for children attending the event.

OC Farmer’s Market will have activitites at their Info Booth to learn more about what the Market has to offer. They are open every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the summer season.

Home Orchard Education Center will be sharing more about Beetle Bumps. They are open 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the year.

Clackamas Community College Community Gardens will share tips for getting your garden ready for planting and family friendly activities available there over the summer.

Clackamas Free Clinic will provide information about their services along with free giveaways to encourage healthy habits during the hot summer months.

Visit any of the locations to get a map, explore the activities, and turn in a completed map to the ELC to be entered into a drawing for one of the prizes.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-the-outdoors-2026-insects-tickets-1982832439202 (Link in bio)

Join us to learn about the insects that are all around with crafts, hands-on activities, and live insects!

06/03/2026

Join us for our second annual Explore the Outdoors event on Saturday, June 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

All activites are free, open to the public, and happening throughout the event.

1:00 p.m. Jerry Hermann will be presenting information on the ELC namesake, John Inskeep, in Lakeside Hall.

Clackamas River Water Providers will be sharing water conservation tips, as well as providing education about insects with Clackamas River Basin Council

Rotary Club of Oregon City will have volunteers helping children make crafts and other activities.

Oregon City Optimist Club have generously sponsored a free copy of the ELC coloring book story "If I Were a Dragonfly" and a box of crayons for children attending the event.

Oregon City Year Round Farmers Market will have activitites at their Info Booth to learn more about what the Market has to offer. They are open every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the summer season.

Home Orchard Education Center will be sharing more about Beetle Bumps. They are open 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the year.

Clackamas Community College Community Gardens will share tips for getting your garden ready for planting and family friendly activities available there over the summer.

Clackamas Free Clinic - Volunteers in Medicine will provide information about their services along with free giveaways to encourage healthy habits during the hot summer months.

Visit any of the locations to get a map, explore the activities, and turn in a completed map to the ELC to be entered into a drawing for a prize ($30 value)!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/explore-the-outdoors-2026-insects-tickets-1982832439202