Water Resources Education Center effort engages kids, adults

Educator Erin Bowen reads a story to parents and children on Wednesday during a Reading in the Wild event at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Educator Erin Bowen reads a story to adults and children on a Wednesday during a Reading in the Wild event at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Hazel, left, 6, and sister Willow Bendt, 2, work on making paper birds during a Reading in the Wild event.

Hazel Bendt, 6, looks at an example bird before coloring her own Wednesday during a Reading in the Wild event at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Royce Andrews, from left, walks with her kids Penelope Eakin, 4, Cora Eakin, 4, and Atlas Eakin, 5, during a scavenger hunt July 1 during a Reading in the Wild event at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver. (Photos by Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Water Resources Education Center’s Suzanne Herbert, from left, helps Cora Eakin, 4, Atlas Eakin, 5, mom Royce Andrews and Penelope Eakin, 4, spot a birds nest as part of a scavenger hunt Wednesday during a Reading in the Wild event at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Penelope Eakin, 4, checks off a box on a scavenger hunt clipboard Wednesday during a Reading in the Wild event at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

A pair look for birds during a scavenger hunt Wednesday during a Reading in the Wild event at the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)