On Saturday, Aug. 5, Columbia Springs held its annual Hooked on Nature fundraiser at the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center.

Columbia Springs focuses on creating learning opportunities and raising awareness about nature for community members of all ages. The non-profit’s 100-acre park and education center are visited by thousands of students and citizens each year for volunteer events, festivals, guided hikes, and workshops.

The park is open to the public daily and there are on-site, hands-on programs for students. Columbia Springs will also bring the outdoors into your school through their Salmon in the Classroom program.

The Port of Vancouver was a sponsor for the event, which helps Columbia Springs keep its programs accessible to everyone. Those in attendance enjoyed live music, silent and live auctions, raffle drawings, and dinner and dessert. The fun continued through the evening with five local chefs competing in a salmon entrée competition and a photo booth with Columbia Springs’ mascot, Frank the Fish!

Commissioner Eric LaBrant and several port employees attended the event, including Director of Environmental Services Patty Boyden, Environmental Project Manager Matt Harding, Economic Development Project Manager Jim Hagar and Community Relations Specialist Julie Rawls.

The Port of Vancouver is proud to sponsor Columbia Springs and support our common value of stewardship.

For more information about Columbia Springs and upcoming events and volunteer opportunities, visit https://www.columbiasprings.org/