I loved going here on a field trip with my daughte...
I loved going here on a field trip with my daughter when she was in the 5th grade and if there was a public bus that went there that would be one of our exploring spots
I loved going here on a field trip with my daughter when she was in the 5th grade and if there was a public bus that went there that would be one of our exploring spots
We visit often! Sometimes just to visit and feed the fish, other times to go on a beautiful hike and view nature!
Great environmental education center on the grounds of an historical fish hatchery. Hiking trails, wetlands, ponds, small lakes. Guided tours or on your own. Lots of informational signs. Special activities on a regular basis and summer day camps for kids. Look up their scedule.
Nice place but many things were closed due to COVID
Visited Sunday 3/22/2020. The fish hatchery is closed right now due to the Pandemic, but Columbia Springs and the two small trails are open. I walked cedar Creek trail, evergreen and trillium trails, all are in great shape. Both loops together are less than a mile.
Some of the pictures made it seem like you could play in the water but you cant, it's a neat place to walk and look if it's not too hot out
Stumbled upon this place randomly, never knew Vancouver has a hatchery.
Beautiful. Went here for my field trip. I learned about a lot of stuff.
Awesome natural area with beautiful trails. Very involved in the community and education! A truly amazing place!
Very nice place! Lots of short but beautiful trails connected together so you can customize your outing for whatever distance you want. The kids really enjoyed the fish hatchery as well. Grounds were well maintained, and they had a water fountain and bathrooms which are definitely helpful when you have a potty-training toddler. And of course you can't beat the price: FREE. Will definitely explore some more next time we are in town.
We meet here for free forest school and it's a wonderful place for all ages to enjoy! The new visitor center is great!
Fish hatchery and walking trails are fun to explore.
This is a cool, easy hike with fun things to read along the way. There are few trails of varied length for different skill levels. I was impressed.
I love this place. It s a small hidden gem to do short walks with my dogs or solo. Their is pond you can feed the fish with the food provided. I never knew trout grew so large! The path that goes to Biddle Lake is super easy and the trails are clean and maintained. Maybe you can spot the huge Heron that hangs out in the lake. They do allow leashed dogs and they provide poop bags. Please clean up after your dog and don t leave the poop bag on the trail.
Really cool place, lots of history. A must see if you are in the area!
Local fish hatchery. Fun hiking trails. Lots of local edible berries and plants. Just beautiful and fun. Oh and they have a fish feeding tank. Totally awesome.
This is one of our favorite places to connect with Nature.
I loved it. The Heron Lake trail is closed due to repairs though. I liked seeing the brown trout in the fish retaining tank.
Super awesomely awesome place.
My favorite
I have enjoyed coming here for years to enjoy the fish feeding pond, the beautiful wooded trails, and the fun volunteering opportunities. My young children also enjoy exploring nature and all of the fish.
All about nature in a small place. Easy walking trails. Environment school. Science and nature field.
Awesome learning about the wildlife and the fish cool spot
I've been going here for over 15 years and it never gets old. Beautiful, historic area. Feed the fish, walk around Biddle Lake. Nicely kept secret of Vancouver.
Columbia Springs EEC: A Unique Setting for Environmental Education
Columbia Springs is a non-profit organization that offers a unique setting and educational experiences to foster greater awareness of the natural world and inspire stewardship. Located in Vancouver, Washington, Columbia Springs is situated on 100 acres of forested land with wetlands, streams, and ponds. The organization provides environmental education programs for all ages, including school field trips, summer camps, community events, and workshops.
The mission of Columbia Springs is to provide hands-on learning experiences that connect people with nature and promote sustainable practices. The organization believes that by educating people about the environment and how it works, they can inspire them to take action to protect it.
One of the unique features of Columbia Springs is its location on the historic site of a fish hatchery. The hatchery was established in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program. Over time, the hatchery became obsolete due to changes in fish management practices and was eventually decommissioned in 1987.
In 1995, a group of concerned citizens formed Friends of Vancouver Lake with the goal of preserving this important natural area from development. They worked tirelessly for several years to raise funds to purchase the property from private owners who had plans for commercial development.
In 2001, Friends of Vancouver Lake merged with another local environmental group called Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership (LCEP) to form what is now known as Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center (EEC). Since then, Columbia Springs has been providing environmental education programs that help people understand their connection to nature while promoting sustainable practices.
Today Columbia Springs offers a variety of educational programs designed for different age groups ranging from preschoolers through adults. Their school field trip program provides hands-on learning opportunities aligned with state standards across multiple subjects such as science or social studies.
Their summer camp program offers week-long sessions where kids can explore nature through activities like hiking trails or catching frogs at nearby ponds while also learning about sustainability practices such as composting or recycling.
Community events are another way that Columbia Spring engages with local residents throughout Clark County WA area offering free admission days where visitors can explore their grounds at no cost while participating in various activities like bird watching or guided hikes led by knowledgeable staff members who share their passion for conservation efforts within our community!
Workshops are also available year-round covering topics such as gardening techniques or wildlife identification skills which provide participants an opportunity not only learn new skills but also connect more deeply with our natural world around us!
Overall if you're looking for an immersive experience into nature's beauty while gaining knowledge about sustainability efforts within your community then look no further than visiting one-of-a-kind destination - "Columbia Spring EEC"!