Summer Saturday Interpretive Programs are returning to Battle Ground Lake State Park this August, with two family-friendly presentations offered Saturdays in August, with the last one planned Saturday, Sept. 2.
The first program this month, planned for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, will feature the topic of paddle boarding and kayaks from dry land. The program titled “Stand Up, Sit Down, Float, Float, Float!” is presented by Chris and Kristi Williams and is an introduction to the world of paddle boards and kayaks.
At 7:30 p.m. that day, people will learn about the amphibians that call Battle Ground Lake State Park home. Emma Young, a Paradise Point State Park staff member, will present “Hoppers and Crawlers.”
At 11 a.m. Aug. 12, a native plant identification walk will be presented by Master Gardener and Nature Scaping volunteer Julie Carlsen. Participants will take a one-mile walk around the lake to learn about what is growing there. The walk will include information about a variety of plant species that help support the park’s ecosystem. The plant walk is limited to only 20 people. To sign up, call 360-687-4621.
At 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 12, interpretive guide Ellen Wilson will present “Whooo Are You? Owls!” about the four owl species that call Southwest Washington home.
At 11 a.m. on Aug. 19, Battle Ground Lake State Park staff member Phil Majewski will lead a one-mile hike around the lake for attendees to learn how the lake formed and developed. The hike will also focus on the native plants and animals that call the park grounds home. The hike is limited to 20 individuals. Sign up at the camp host bulletin board, or call 360-687-4621.
At 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 19, Dave Newcomb, a volunteer at Mount St. Helens Institute, will present “Volcanic Eruption! What Survives and Thrives?” During the presentation, Newcomb will talk about the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption and the ongoing recovery that nature has made since then.
At 11 a.m. Aug. 26, Carlsen will host a second native plant identification walk. During the one-mile walk, Carlsen will talk about the variety of plant species that help support the park’s ecosystem. The plant walk is limited to only 20 people. Register by calling 360-687-4621.
At 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 26, attendees can meet some horses and learn about equestrian trail safety. Mindy Lahti-Phillip, senior park aide for Washington State Parks will teach about safety near horse trails and bring her horses for people to meet.
During the last program, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 2, Wilson will present “Batty for Bats” and talk about the good bats bring to ecosystems and what humans can do to help them out.
The locations for the interpretive programs will take place at the nearest covered picnic shelter to the day-use parking lot, 18002 N.E. 249th St., Battle Ground. Picnic tables are available, but organizers recommend that participants bring their own folding chairs. For evening programs, organizers recommend people bring flashlights. Should a presentation get canceled, an alternative one will be substituted.
