Plank splitting demonstration at the Cathlapotle Plankhouse on Ridgefield NWR, March 25, 2006. Photo by Eric Anderson, USFWS.

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

March 25^th, 2006

Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration

On March 25, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge hosted a Lewis and Clark Commemoration on the Carty Unit of the refuge. 

Events  such as cedar plank splitting, flint knapping, basket, and cordage making took placeThroughout the day. Lectures on “The Global Significance of the Cathlapotle Archeological site”, the “Chinookan perspective of Lewis and Clark” and “The butifull buzzard of the Northwest” (The California Condor) were presented, as well as a guided hike to the Cathlapotle Archeological Site.

The following Monday-Wednesday 550 4-6^th graders from  surrounding communities also visited the refuge.  Their field trip took them through the Plankhouse, and the Wildlife Tales exhibit. One notable school that visited was the Washington School for the Deaf, the volunteers interpreting the story of the Plankhouse said this group was challenging and rewarding.