Extra Credit Opportunities
The maximum extra credit point you may earn is 450 points!
This may be full already. The tale of the Cooper Mountain landscape includes volcanoes and wildfire, Oregon white oaks and perched wetlands, rare wildflowers and uncommon birds. Recent controlled burns have encouraged a proliferation of native wildflowers, including a rare larkspur. Explore this greenspace, compare diverse habitats and track wildlife with Metro naturalist Deb Scrivens. We may spot a savannah sparrow, a lesser goldfinch, or perhaps a Western bluebird. Bring a snack and plenty of water for this stroll. Terrain is steep and rough in some places. For adults and children 6 or older; children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Advance registration required; call (503) 797-1850 option 4. You will receive directions to the meeting place and other details after you register.
3) Evening Bird Walk at Orchard Park (100 points)
Thursday, May 20th or June 3rd; 7 - 8:30 pm
Orchard Park in Hillsboro is a quiet retreat for people and wildlife along Rock Creek. Located at 20900 NW Amberwood Drive, just south of Northwest Cornell Road and west of John Olsen Avenue. One mile north of the Quatama MAX Station. Advance registration required (503) 797-1850 option 4. Write a few paragraphs about what your learned and saw, and earn up to 100 points!
4) Down by the Riverside (200 points)
Saturday, May 22; 9 am - 1pm
A day for volunteers to do enhancement work and clean up public spaces. You can work to help repair Canemah Bluff in Oregon City, a METRO open-space overlooking the Willamette River. Call (503) 797-1850, option 8. Bring gloves if you have them. Write a few paragraphs about what your learned and did and saw, and earn up to 200 points!
5) Painted Turtle Walks (100 points)
Saturday, May 22 or June 5; 12:30 - 2 pm
Smith and Bybee Lakes is home to one of the largest populations of painted turtles in the northwest! Learn about the natural history of the painted turtles and why they are so rare.
Take I-5 to west N. Marine Dr. (exit 307). (If you’re going north on I-5, the exit road continues for about 1 mile before a right turn onto N. Marine Dr.) After 2.2 miles on N. Marine Dr., you'll be on an overpass from which you can see Smith Lake on the left. At the bottom of the overpass, turn left into the parking lot at the brown and white wildlife area sign. Meet in the parking area. Advance registration required: call (503) 797-1850, option 4. Write a few paragraphs about what your learned and saw, and earn up to 100 points!
Note: You could combine #5 and #6 for 2 experiences!
6) Spring Bird Walk (100 points)
Saturday, May 22 or June 5, 9 am - 11 am
There are more than 25 different songbirds at Smith and Bybee Lakes in spring, as well as waterfowl and birds of prey. Learn to ID birds by sight and sound.
Take I-5 to west N. Marine Dr. (exit 307). (If you’re going north on I-5, the exit road continues for about 1 mile before a right turn onto N. Marine Dr.) After 2.2 miles on N. Marine Dr., you'll be on an overpass from which you can see Smith Lake on the left. At the bottom of the overpass, turn left into the parking lot at the brown and white wildlife area sign. Meet in the parking area. Advance registration required: call (503) 797-1850, option 4. Write a few paragraphs about what your learned and saw, and earn up to 100 points!
7) The Underwater Guided Hikes (100 points)
Saturday, May 29, 10 -11:30 am
At Tyron Creek Natural Area, join a naturalist to experience what life would be like underwater as a fish, crawdad, or a salamander! Call (503) 636-9886, ext 25. Write a few paragraphs about what your learned and saw, and earn up to 100 points!
8) ELC Observatory (75 points) http://depts.clackamas.edu/haggart/
Saturdays; 30 minutes after sunset next to our classroom!
Call (503) 657-6958 x5665 on Saturday afternoon for exact times and to see if it will be open (on cloudy or rainy nights it is closed). Write a few paragraphs about what your learned and saw, and earn up to 75 points!