May 30, 2026

Peavy Arboretum
Corvallis, OR

Thank You for Making 2026 Get Outdoors Day a Wonderful Success!

What an incredible day! Thank you to everyone who joined us for 2026 Get Outdoors Day at the Peavy Arboretum. Thanks to the enthusiasm and support of our community, we welcomed 608 participants, along with 70 amazing volunteers and 24 exhibitors, for a day filled with discovery, learning, and outdoor adventure.

Families explored the forest, connected with nature, and learned about the many organizations working to conserve our natural resources, educate our communities, and inspire the next generation of outdoor stewards. From hands-on activities and educational displays to wildlife encounters and interactive demonstrations, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Some of the day's biggest highlights included a surprise visit from Benny the Beaver, meeting new friends like George the Tortoise from Brad's Reptiles, fishing with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the chance for kids (and adults!) to try putting out a simulated fire using the Oregon Department of Forestry's fire engine. These memorable experiences, along with beautiful weather, made for the perfect day to explore, learn, and spend time together outdoors.

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our exhibitors and community partners. A heartfelt thank you to:

• OSU Botany & Plant Pathology Graduate Outreach Team
• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
• OSU Extension Master Gardeners
• Mary's Peak Group of the Sierra Club
• Oregon Naturalist Program
• Coyle Outside
• Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
• OSU Research Forest
• Mary's River Watershed Council
• Greenbelt Land Trust
• LaChína Taco Truck
• Benton County Natural Areas, Parks and Events
• Linn-Benton OSU Master Forest Program
• The Arts Center (TAC)
• OSU KidSpirit
• U.S. Forest Service – Siuslaw National Forest
• Casa Latinos Unidos
• Mid-Willamette Bird Alliance
• Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex
• OSU College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences
• Talk About Trees
• MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences)
• Starker Forests
• Benton Soil & Water Conservation District
• Oregon Department of Forestry
• OSU Extension Service – Groundwater Protection Program
• Benton County Health Department
• Mary's Peak Search and Rescue
• Emergency Management Volunteer Corps
• Brad's Reptiles

We also extend our deepest gratitude to our 70 volunteers, whose time, energy, and enthusiasm helped everything run smoothly from start to finish. Your dedication created a welcoming and fun experience for every visitor.

Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, exhibited, and supported Get Outdoors Day! Together, we celebrated our forests, strengthened community connections, and inspired people of all ages to get outside and explore Oregon's natural spaces.

A very special thank you goes to Jenna Baker, OSU Research Forest Recreation & Engagement Manager, for leading and organizing Get Outdoors Day over the past five years. As Jenna moves on from the Research Forest, we want to express our sincere gratitude for her dedication, hard work, and the lasting impact she has made on this event and our community. Her passion and commitment have helped make Get Outdoors Day a memorable experience for countless families and outdoor enthusiasts. Thank you, Jenna, for everything you've done. We wish you all the best in your next adventure!

We look forward to seeing everyone again at Get Outdoors Day 2027!

2026 Event map and activities located here!

This bilingual, free family event is jointly hosted by OSU Research Forests, Benton County Health Department, and OSU Extension.

We have SO MUCH fun in store: free fishing for kids, archery, nature crafts, tree coring, bug hunts, spray water from a fire house, rockhounding, pond netting, outside safety tips, and much more. 

Bring a picnic, enjoy free snacks (thank you Benton County Health Department!), or purchase food on-site. Due to limited parking at Peavy Arboretum, please park at Crescent Valley High School and take a free and on-going shuttle to the event. People who need accessibility accommodations are welcome to park at Peavy Arboretum and can use a wheelchair accessible shuttle to visit the activities.

No registration needed. Hope to see you!

Note: there will be no general public parking at Peavy Arboretum from 5am to 5pm for the event.

What is Get Outdoors Day?

Every year the OSU Research Forests, OSU Extension Service, and Community Health Centers of Linn and Benton County hosts Get Outdoors Day in Peavy Arboretum. During this event, the forest brims with bilingual activities, families, and community groups – all coming together with the goal of getting people outside, enjoying community, and hopefully trying something new along the way (like catching a fish in Cronemiller Pond for the first time). We make sure to offer free transportation to the event to ensure that every family has a chance to take part in the fun.

Cada año, los Bosques de Estudio de OSU, Servicios Extensiones de OSU, y los Centros Comunitarios de los Condados Linn y Benton organizan Día Al Aire Libre en el Arboreto Peavy. Durante este evento, el bosque está lleno de actividades bilingües, familias, y grupos comunitarios, todos unidos con el objetivo de salir, disfrutar con la comunidad, y con suerte aprender algo nuevo. Nos aseguramos de ofrecer transporte gratuito al evento para que cada familia tenga la oportunidad de participar en la diversión.