Classes
Portland Audubon classes spark curiosity, foster a deeper understanding of the natural world, and inspire people to protect native wildlife and their habitat. Classes are open to people of all skill levels and abilities, with a focus on natural history, regional conservation issues, the intersection of art and the environment, and of course, birds and wildlife.
We offer experiences both in the online classroom and in the field, with classes on bird identification, birding by ear, butterflies and dragonflies, nature-inspired art, mushrooming, plants, and more. When you take a class with Portland Audubon, you are supporting our work to protect wildlife, wild places, and humans alike.
Stay up-to-date on upcoming classes, field trips, and ecotours:
Online Classes
Join Portland Audubon’s expert naturalists and educators from the comfort of your own home. From waterfowl, birding hotspots, bird identification, online watercolor, to owls and more, our selection of online classes will prep you for taking your newly learned skills out into the field. All online classes run from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (except online art classes) and recordings are sent out to registered participants after class.
Quail, Turkey, & Grouse of Oregon with John Rakestraw
- September 26, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Deciphering Molt: The Basics with Candace Larson
- September 28, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Fall and Winter Birding: A Primer on Where, What, and When with Stefan Schlick
- October 11, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Understanding Owls with Brodie Cass Talbott
- October 12, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Barred Owl
- October 13, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. *online
Winter Gull Identification with John Rakestraw
- October 17, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Owls of Portland with Brodie Cass Talbott
- October 19, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Birding by Ear: Winter Migrant Birds with Brodie Cass Talbott
- October 24, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Great Gray Owl
- October 25, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. *online
Owls of Oregon with Brodie Cass Talbott
- October 26, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Getting Into Shape for Bird Identification: Silhouettes with John Rakestraw
- November 7, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Winter World Adaptations with Gina Roberti
- November 13, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Jays, Crows, and Ravens with John Rakestraw
- November 14, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: Holiday Gift Cards – Wrens!
- November 15, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. *online
Birding with Kindness with Faraaz Abdool
- November 16, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Photography Basics: An Introduction with Faraaz Abdool
- December 7, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Birding with a Camera with Faraaz Abdool
- December 14, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The California Quail
- December 13, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. *online
Winter Finches with Brodie Cass Talbott
- January 3, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Deconstructing Composition with Faraaz Abdool
- January 4, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Ducks at a Distance: Learning How to Identify Distant Waterfowl with John Rakestraw
- January 9, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Mastering Light for Bird Photography with Faraaz Abdool
- January 11, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Feeding Birds: What and How to Safely Feed Wild Birds with John Rakestraw
- January 17, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Plant Fossils of Oregon with Brian Magnier
- January 24, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Understanding Raptors with Brodie Cass Talbott
- January 25, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Winter Raptors with Brodie Cass Talbott
- January 31, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Understanding Waterfowl with Brodie Cass Talbott
- February 5, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Little Brown Birds: Winter Sparrows with John Rakestraw
- February 6, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Little Brown Birds: Wrens, Finches and Blackbirds with John Rakestraw
- February 7, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Beginning Waterfowl Identification with Brodie Cass Talbott
- February 12, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Advanced Waterfowl Identification with Brodie Cass Talbott
- February 13, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Backyard Nesters: Hosting Nesting Birds on Your Property with John Rakestraw
- February 20, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The Fascinating Lives of Song Sparrows with Brodie Cass Talbott
- February 13, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Introduction to Herping: Reptiles and Amphibians of the Portland Area with John Rakestraw
- March 12, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
In-Person Classes
Join us for in-person classes! Class sizes are small and are a great way to level up your birding skills, gain a deeper understanding of yourself and nature, learn how to create nature journals, immerse yourself in watercolor painting, plant identification and more. Expert teaching and camaraderie provided!
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The American Kestrel
- September 23, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. *in-person
Journaling Autumn Series: Tips & Ideas for Your Pages with Jude Siegel
- September 30, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Great Horned Owl
- October 7, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. *in-person
Journaling Autumn Series: Coloration, Markings, and Surroundings with Jude Siegel
- October 21, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: Holiday Gift Cards – Wrens!
- November 4, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. *in-person
Little Bird Cards with Jude Siegel
- November 18, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Snowy Plover
- December 2, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. *in-person
Journaling Autumn Series: What to Do on a Cold Rainy Day! with Jude Siegel
- December 9, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Bird Journals: Capturing Bird Basics with Jude Siegel
- January 13, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Bird Journals: Getting that Pose! with Jude Siegel
- February 3, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Bird Journals: Colorations and Markings with Jude Siegel
- March 9, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. *in-person
Immersive Birding Series
Gain a deeper relationship with nature in one of our immersive birding series. Series will often include many class opportunties and sometimes an online class component. When you register for a series, the fee includes all classes and/or field days listed. Check each event listing for details. Expert teaching and camaraderie provided!
Beginning Birding and Sauvie Island Exploration (Saturdays) with Greg Baker & Ricky Allen
- Date and time: Saturdays: February 3, March 2, and April 6, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Beginning Birding and Sauvie Island Exploration (Sundays) with Greg Baker & Ricky Allen
- Date and time: Sundays: February 4, March 3, and April 7, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Deep Birding through the Seasons: Spring Approaches with Dan van den Broek & Candace Larson
- Online Class date: March 20, 2024, Field Day dates: March 23, 30, April 6, 2024 *3 spots left*
Deep Birding through the Seasons: Peak Migration with Dan van den Broek & Candace Larson
- Online Class date: May 8, 2024, Field Day dates: May 11, 18, 25, 2024
Willamette Valley Ecology Series with Dan van den Broek & Candace Larson
- Online Class dates: June 12, 19 and 26, 2024, Field Day dates: June 15, 22 and 29, 2024
Deep Birding through the Seasons: The Next Generation with Dan van den Broek & Candace Larson
- Online Class date: July 10, 2024, Field Day dates: July 13, 20, 27, 2024
Join the Waitlist!
To be added to the waitlist, please click on the event and hit the register button to fill out the inquiry form. Once you have submitted your inquiry for the waitlist, you will only be contacted if a space becomes available. Thank you!
Beginning Birding and Sauvie Island Exploration (Sundays) with Greg Baker & Ricky Allen
- Date and time: Sundays: October 8, November 5, and December 3, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *FULL*
Beginning Birding and Sauvie Island Exploration (Saturdays) with Greg Baker & Ricky Allen
- Date and time: Saturdays: October 7, November 4, and December 2, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *FULL*
Field Class: Forest Therapy at Portland Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary with Andrea Kreiner
-
Date and time: October 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. *FULL*
Click below for information about policies, frequently asked questions, guidelines, cancellations, and more.
