Columbia Springs Environmental Education Center

Columbia Springs is located at the Vancouver Trout Hatchery and surrounding one-hundred acres of urban greenspace. In 1997, Evergreen entered into a partnership agreement with Clark Public Utilities, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Clark College, and the City of Vancouver to coordinate and provide environmental education for students in grades K-12.

In the past, Evergreen utilized the hatchery for informal tours. With the partnership agreement, Evergreen has provided an on site educator for Columbia Springs. Environmental education activities include field trips, hands-on science activities, and service learning projects.

These activities are related to FOSS kit curriculum. They last one to two hours and meet a variety of the Essential Academic Learning Requirements. Service learning for fifth and eighth grade exit projects includes non-native plant removal, trail construction and maintenance, and tree plantings. High school students can use the center for culminating projects. Thousands of Evergreen students visit Columbia Springs each year.