A Typical Field Day

After registering, you will get a confirmation email and a follow-up email with details about the trip the week before the field day. This follow-up email will include:

Hooray! You’re signed up for a field day!

To do before the field day

  • Please fill out the ‘2024 Carpool Form‘ whether you would like to carpool or not. Carpooling is optional! 
  • Please review the Covid-19 policies and expectations for drivers if you plan to carpool.
  • Signed up for a wetland or beaver day? Reserve rubber boots! If you do not reserve them, we cannot guarantee boots in your size.
  • If you would prefer to meet at the secondary location, reach out to Bark so we know when and where to expect you.
  • Look at our packing list! Make sure to bring 2-3 L of water and lunch you can eat in the field, away from the vehicles.
  • Need other gear? Bark has extra warm clothing, rain gear, backpacks, water bottles and other items for those who need them. To reserve, email Bark.
  • Email Bark with any medical issues (diabetes, allergies, etc.), accommodations, questions or concerns.

During the Field Day

Time frames can vary based on the distance the survey location is from the meetup, what time field day participants need to get back home, and the time of year. We have some flexibility around this, so please reach out if you have a specific time we need to consider or need other changes to the outlined schedule.    

9:00 am: Meetup at Gateway/NE 99th Ave. TC Park and Ride parking garage and coordinate carpools

  • Meet at Gateway/NE 99th Ave. TC Park and Ride parking garage.
  • Bark staff will meet you at the entrance to the parking garage- look for a Bark sign.
  • We will organize carpools and head to the secondary location (provided via email before the field day) by 9:15am.

10:30 am: Arrive at the secondary location. 

  • The secondary location will be announced in the sign-up email along with coordinates and amenities available.
  • The secondary location will LIKELY have cell service, access to grocery stores and gas stations in case you need to get water, food, gas, or use the bathroom before heading into the forest. This meeting spot can be busy, so DO NOT plan to purchase your food for the day.
  • Once everyone arrives, there will be a brief overview of the day’s plans, and driving directions and coordinates to the survey location will be provided. 
  • We will caravan to the survey site, so no one gets separated from the group.

11:00-11:15 am: Arrive at survey site and begin the field day. 

  • Once we arrive, we will do group introductions, do our Land Acknowledgement practice, discuss the site briefly, hand out gear and start our field work.
  • Our survey area may be small, large, steep, or flat. We regularly push through dense brush, go over logs, and wade through shallow puddles and thick mud. Site conditions vary significantly. Please include concerns about terrain on our Safety Considerations page or reach out to Bark directly before the field day.
  • Email Bark with any medical issues (diabetes, allergies, etc.), accommodations, questions or concerns.
  • Plan to eat lunch in the field, away from the vehicles. Bring plenty of water!

3:45 pm: Meet back at cars after fieldwork. 

  • Meetup time after the survey will change depending on the length of the drive back to Portland (we aim to return to the meetup location by 5-6pm), the time of year and whether anyone in the group needs to get back at a specific time.  
  • Here everyone will finish filling out the survey forms, return Bark survey gear, and debrief the day (talk about exciting finds, ask questions, etc.). 

4:00 pm: Head back to Gateway/NE 99th Ave. TC Park and Ride. 

Afterwards

Following the field day, you will receive an email asking you to: