Spring Native Plant Festival

Join us at the Spring Native Plant Festival to grow awareness, deepen appreciation, and inspire action through workshops, guided walks, nature crafts, and hands-on exploration of the native plants that shape our corner of the Pacific Northwest.

Whether you’re growing a backyard habitat, tending a balcony pot, or simply seeking a refreshing day outdoors with loved ones, come explore!

• Hands-on Exploration: Each festival activity is an invitation to engage directly with nature, from meadow and nursery tours to crafts for all ages, including DIY paper pot planters and hand-dyed fabric created with colors coaxed from native flowers, bark, and berries.

• Nature Connection & Learning for All Ages & Experience Levels: From guided ID and ethnobotany trail hikes to in-depth gardening workshops, opportunities throughout the day encourage consideration and stewardship of the native plants that sustain this ecoregion and help shape what makes it so special.

• Gathering & Sharing: Food trucks, open spaces, and communal experiences create a welcoming atmosphere for connection and celebration. There’s space to ask questions, tell stories, and enjoy the moment together.

• Native Plant & Plant Stand Shopping: Browse a high-quality but limited* selection of native plants this year, along with new Oxbow merchandise, and support our restoration efforts with every purchase

*Due to December’s historic flooding, our nursery lost over 16,000 plants, resulting in a significantly smaller inventory than in previous years. Read our blog post, for a full picture of the flood, our recovery efforts, and our pivot from our annual spring plant sale to this year’s festival.

Admission: FREE
Includes crafts, tours, guided hikes, and freedom to explore the living playground, orchard, and scenic farm trails.

Workshop Add-ons: $5

Plants, Plant Stand goods, food, and select workshop tickets are available for purchase.

Oxbow's Spring Native Plant Festival is supported, in part, by .
We’re deeply grateful for their partnership, which allows us to offer accessible ticket pricing and connect more people with outdoor learning experiences.

See what's growing!
Register to receive the full plant availability list in your inbox a week before the event. While advance registration isn’t required, it’s a great way to plan your picks and helps us make your plant shopping experience even smoother. It also helps us prepare the right amount of food and event materials while minimizing waste.

From forest and farmland in the Snoqualmie Valley, Oxbow cultivates conservation and food security to support and sustain a healthy Cascadia region.

How we turn our mission into impact:

• Steward The Land: From the banks of the river to the crest of the hills, we use conservation practices to support healthy habitats for wildlife and pollinators.
• Grow Native Plants: Our Native Plant Nursery grows Washington native plant species and cultivates conservation by connecting people to native plants and encouraging their widespread use in local landscapes.
• Grow Food: We donate the fruit and vegetables we grow to those in need through our food security partners.
• Provide Immersive Experiences: Our programs connect people of all ages to the natural world and engage them in the dynamic relationship between conservation, native plants, and the food we eat.

Info: Check in at the Welcome Tent to receive your service number (also your raffle ticket!) and event info. Then explore the farm! Sip fresh Downpour coffee, chat with plant experts, or simply take in the spring landscape. Line-Up: At 9:50, guests may begin lining up in service number order. The Plant Stand opens right at 10:00 AM.

Info: Browse a limited selection of native plants and Oxbow merchandise, and connect with nursery specialists at our Ask the Expert and Information tables. Whether you’re planning a backyard habitat or choosing your first native plant, get personalized guidance and practical tips to help your outdoor space thrive.

Info: Declutter by bringing us your used seedling containers! We’re working to reduce plastic waste by reclaiming black 4-inch, band, and 1-gallon pots. Please bring only these sizes and colors. Reusable pots will be sanitized and put back into circulation, while damaged ones will be responsibly recycled.

Info: [10:00AM, 11:30AM, & 1:30PM] Explore the history, design, and ecology of Oxbow’s native meadow while learning about seasonal maintenance, habitat restoration practices, and future stewardship plans.

Info: Fold and decorate your own biodegradable newspaper pot, plant native seeds inside, and take it home to grow indoors before transplanting outside later!

Info: [Adults, 10:30AM & 1:30PM] Develop plant identification skills and deepen your connection to the landscape as you explore Pacific Northwest species and their ecological and cultural significance through stories, seasonal cues, and close observation. Expect uneven terrain and a small-group experience limited to 15–20 participants.

Info: [10:30AM, 12:30PM, & 2:30PM] Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour and learn how our nursery is able to grow 160 species of plants native to the Puget Sound region to support the conservation of our region’s native plants, wildlife, and ecosystem. Dig deeper into processes such as seed saving, seed germination, and pest management, and take a closer look at how our nursery grows plants with a focus on biodiversity and resilience.

Info: [Adults, 10:30AM & 2:15PM, $5] Explore how annual native plants can offer unique ecological support and design elements to your home garden. We'll discuss common annuals native to Western Washington, how to incorporate them into your garden, and how to save seed to re-grow them year after year. This workshop is designed for adults with all levels of expertise.

Info: [All ages, 10:30AM & 2:00PM, $5] Put your chef hats on and get creative with seasonal ingredients in our outdoor kitchen! Use your imagination to make brand new bite-size dishes. Describe each flavor with color, drawing, and story. Team up for interesting flavor combinations, and write your recipes down for inspiration at home.

Info: [Experienced Adults, $5] Build practical propagation skills as you learn about seed harvest timing, processing techniques, storage best practices, and pretreatment methods for Pacific Northwest native species. This session is designed for adults with intermediate to advanced plant knowledge. The small group setting, limited to 15–20 participants, keeps the experience interactive and engaging.

Info: [All ages, $5] Discover the vibrant colors hidden in native flowers, bark, and berries as you learn the basics of plant dyeing. This beginner-friendly session covers how to harvest, prepare, and use natural materials to create sustainable colors, and you’ll takeaway your own hand-dyed piece.

Info: Create your own spud stamp and nature-inspired artwork in this playful, family-friendly activity.

Info: [Experienced adults, $5] Learn how to manage garden pests using organic, ecologically friendly Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Identify common Pacific Northwest pests, understand prevention techniques, and explore solutions that work with nature, including beneficial insects, mechanical and cultural controls, and safe organic alternatives to pesticides. This session is designed for adults with intermediate to advanced plant knowledge.

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Host or Publisher Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center