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Accessible Birding Outing at Whitaker Ponds
Join Portland Audubon for an accessible birding outing at Whitaker Ponds! It’s a great time to practice duck identification and search for raptors. Together we’ll make our way through the natural area by foot or by wheelchair, observing and learning about birds, plants, and other wildlife.
This outing is reserved for people who identify as disabled, chronically ill, or neurodivergent and their family, friends or caregivers. Our accessible outings are made for and led by birders with disabilities. Beginning birders are welcome! Extra binoculars will be available.
Register:Click to Register. Limited to 12 participants. Trip Leaders: Ali Berman, Tara Lemezis, Fern Wexler Masks: Masks are now optional at our outdoor events. However, we’ll check in with each participant in advance in case anyone who is immunocompromised needs to be in a masked environment. We also recognize that some people can’t wear masks due to their disability. Physical distancing will be required.
Accessibility
We recognize that within the disability community, access needs vary and sometimes conflict. That’s why we’ll offer different opportunities throughout the year prioritizing different kinds of access needs. If this one doesn’t work for you, we hope the next one will. If you have any accessibility needs that aren’t covered below or have requests on what we should offer to meet your needs for future events, please reach out to trip leader Ali Berman at aberman@audubonportland.org.
If you have any accessibility needs that aren’t covered below, please reach out to Ali Berman at aberman@audubonportland.org.
Parking: Large parking lot Public Transit: TriMet bus #75 makes a stop at the corner of NE 47th Avenue and Columbia Blvd and visitors can walk north from there to the park entrance. Seating: None, but we will move slowly and can stop at any time.
Distance: From 1/4 to 1 mile. Total distance will depend on the needs of the group. Great access to nature can be seen within the first ⅛ of a mile. Pacing: Slow, with frequent stops to view and listen for birds. Elevation Changes: None Trail Tread: Trails are flat, and typically 4-6 feet wide with gravel tread. There are two wooden ramps with gentle pitch down to the pond and the slough. Bathrooms: There is one ADA-accessible portapotty at the site in the parking lot.
People birding at Whitaker Ponds, photo by Jess Columbo
Register for this accessible birding outing!
Be in community with other folks who identify as disabled, neurodivergent, and/or chronically ill as we search for waterfowl, songbirds and more!
Ali Berman (she/her) has been the Communications Manager at Portland Audubon since 2015. She serves on the board of both Disabled Hikers and Portland Parks and Recreation. Ali loves birds, building community, and sharing her love of wildlife with others.
Tara Lemezis (she/her) is the Education Administrator and Marketing Liaison for the Education team. Tara is an avid birder and she loves sharing her passion for birds and the environment with others.
Fern Wexler (they/them, he/him) has been a Portland Audubon volunteer since 2018, as well as a seasonal educator. They love birding, fancy pigeons, sharing their birding knowledge, and getting outside as much as possible.
