Rain carries dirt,oil,and grease off driveway surfaces straight into storm drains and into our streams. Reduce the amount of water that runs off your property by installing permeable pavement. Many local municipalities install permeable asphalt and permeable pavers already. Ron Putz from Xeripave will talk about permeable paver installation, maintenance, and benefits of permeable pavement systems. Learn how to make your driveway more attractive or your patio more interesting while reducing the runoff from your property.

Washington State University Clark County Extension and Clark County Environmental services co-sponsor this Permeable Pavements Workshop with cooperation of the Southwest Washington Stormwater Partners. It will be offered on Thursday, March 3, 2011, from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Three Creeks Library in Salmon Creek (800 NE Tenney Road, Vancouver (across the parking lot from Fred Meyer).

Jenifer Naas, Watershed Stewards Program Coordinator, says, “You see examples of permeable pavers all over the area, now you can learn how they work and how to use them on your property.” This is a free workshop, however class size is limited to 30 participants and pre-registration is required. Call the WSU Extension at 360-397-6060 ext. 0.

Learn more about Watershed Steward workshops at http://clark.wsu.edu/volunteer/ws/

Bats turn into Vampires at night.  If you get bit by a bat, you’ll get rabies. Bats are just flying mice.  Actually, none of these myths about bats are true.  You can find out more about bats at WSU Vancouver in Salmon Creek on Halloween (I don’t think they could have picked a better day for a class about vampires…er, I mean, bats!)

“VANCOUVER, Wash. – Christine Portfors, associate professor of biology at Washington State University Vancouver, and Peter Ritson, instructor of chemistry at Clark College will give their seventh annual presentation on bats Oct. 31, from 2 – 4 p.m. in Administration building, room 110. The event is free and open to the public. It’s an ideal activity for families with children 4 to 12 years old.

At a time of year when bats are often portrayed as blood-sucking, vicious animals, local families have an opportunity to see live bats up close, and learn why bats are largely misunderstood. In addition to teaching the visitors about bats, Portfors and Ritson will read a short story and lead the group in making bat crafts.

In the presentation, Portfors dispels popular folklore and teaches about the beneficial role bats play in nature managing insect pests, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. She shows pictures of different bats, as well as a few of her captive tropical fruit bats.

“Many people want to get rid of bats and consequently, certain species are becoming endangered,” she said. “These misunderstood animals need to be understood in order to protect them. My role as a scientist is to help educate the public about their importance, and kids especially have a lot of fun coming to see the live bats.”

Portfors is a biologist and neurobiologist who has studied bats in the wild and in the lab for more than 15 years. For more information about her research, visit her website, “The Bat Lab,” at www.vancouver.wsu.edu/fac/portfors/portfors_home.html

WSU Vancouver is celebrating 20 years of bringing quality education, research and service to the citizens of Southwest Washington. The campus is located at 14204 NE Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service. WSU Vancouver offers 16 bachelor’s degrees, 10 master’s degrees, one doctorate degree and more than 36 fields of study. Learn more at www.vancouver.wsu.edu “

via Discover the Unspooky Side of Bats on Halloween at WSU Vancouver – WSU Vancouver Press Releases.

I feel lucky to live in a City and County (Vancouver/Clark County) that has so many trees (although, some may disagree with me, especially right now with all the raking, clogged gutters, and all); and all those trees need, and deserve good care.

There is a Tree Care and Pruning Workshop 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2009 at Marshall Community Center (1009 E McLoughlin). Join this workshop and hands-on demonstration with an industry professional to see examples of good and bad pruning on neighborhood trees and the long term impact on tree health and structure.

All workshops are FREE, but registration is required. Call (360) 619-1108 or email urbanforestry@ci.vancouver.wa.us to register.

So, come learn the proper way to prune, and get choppin’. Just don’t try to prune your neighbor’s tree without permission!

via Calendar of Events – City of Vancouver, Washington.