Michael Barton

Michael D. Barton believes in the power of nature to increase the well-being of children’s lives, and so gets outside with his two kids — Patrick (9) and Afton (2) — on Portland’s parks and trails as much as possible. He blogs about kids and nature at exploreportlandnature.wordpress.com and recently started a new effort at natureplaysign.com. They live in Southwest Portland with wife and mom Catherine, a librarian, and as a family run an Airbnb guest room.

The All-Natural Playground

MP’s guide to the new natural play areas sprouting up around the metro area.

Native Nature

Family Fun, Field Trip / By Michael Barton

Checking out the treasures at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, indoors and out.