Fully Accessible Bird Hike and Scavenger Hunt with Lunch - Portland - Thursday 7/16 - 9am

Accessibility: More detailed accessibility information will be provided upon sign-up.

Trail Tread: Paved

Distance: Under 2 miles

Pacing: Slow, with rest stops and benches along the way

Incline: No more than 5% grade, but steady uphill/downhill each way

Sun exposure: Full with minimal opportunities for shade

Public Transit: The 9 and 74 bus lines have a stop at SE Powell & Naegeli, which is a ½ mile walk from the meeting point.

Parking: Ample lot with four accessible spaces and a drop-off area. Designated paved walking paths lead from parking to the visitor center. Parking lot can get very busy depending on the time of day.

Meeting Point: Powell Butte Visitor Center (16160 SE Powell Blvd)

Join Iris and Tess on a birding journey to the summit of Powell Butte, an extinct cinder cone volcano with beautiful views of the neighboring mountains. Revel in the joys of getting out in nature with bird-themed fidgets, a wildlife scavenger hunt, and provided picnic lunch (optional). This welcoming outing is designed to be accessible to wheelchair and power chair-users and neurodivergent community members. Avid lovers of birds and spiders, Iris and Tess are delighted to share fun facts about the beautiful natural world around us and spend time listening to birdsong together.

What to bring: No birding experience needed. Please bring your own sun/bug protection, water bottles, binoculars (if you have them), accessibility accommodations and anything else you like to bird with. Sensory kits, extra binoculars, and optional picnic lunch will be provided.

Amenities: ADA bathrooms and water fountain

Outing Leaders:

Tess Hudson is the Executive Director of The Connection Club. As a neurodivergent person and parent of a mobility challenged adult, they have spent their time striving to build events that are inclusive and welcoming to all.

Iris Emerick is a doctoral candidate in occupational therapy completing their final project on accessibility and inclusivity in birding. As a genderqueer and neurodivergent person, they are passionate about prioritizing a variety of access needs over expertise. Iris is drawn to birding because it connects us to our environment while strengthening our physical and mental wellbeing. They own a pair of earrings for every day of the year, many of them birds. 

Please reach out with any questions about this outing, Iris’ doctoral project, or any accessibility considerations at iris.e.ot@gmail.com.