Spring Native Plant Festival

Welcome new growth at Oxbow, where native plants bloom alongside fresh inspiration, shared discovery, and local landscape love.

Spring in the Snoqualmie Valley is both subtle and spectacular, and we invite you to notice it all—from ephemeral fawn lilies and their bowing flowers along the forest floor to the joyful song of Swainson’s thrush signaling the return of bright pink salmonberry blooms.

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!

YOU'LL DISCOVER

• 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, “How Winter’s Flood Reshaped Our Spring Plant Sale ” for a full picture of the flood, our recovery efforts, and our pivot from our annual spring plant sale to this year’s festival.

TICKETS

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 4Culture.
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.

ABOUT OXBOW FARM & CONSERVATION CENTER

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.