Moss Appreciation Week 2026

Moss Appreciation Week will return to Watzek Library and other campus locations, as well as a new off-campus location, February 8-15, 2026. Please join us! 

December 15, 2025
moss on wall
moss on wall

For the eighth time, the Lewis & Clark College Natural History Club invites you to join in celebrating Moss Appreciation Week, “an annual invitation to the community to salute our bryophyte brethren and, in doing so, revel in our Pacific Northwest habitat.”

 

This week was organized by club leaders Finn Goldberger-Judd ’26, Kenji Yamamoto ’26, and Desi Potter ’27.

 

Sunday through Sunday, February 8-15th

 

***Moss Petting Zoo

Watzek Library Atrium, beginning at noon on Sunday, February 8th

Curated by John Christy, Herbarium Manager, Portland State University Herbarium

 

***Including stickers featuring original artwork and bookmarks featuring original poetry by LC students and alumni - 2026 artists will be revealed on February 6

 

***MOSScam - Sunrise to Sunset: Join Here!

Presented by Justin Counts ’99, Educational Technology Specialist, IT

 

***Make & Mail a Mossy Valentine

Library Atrium, all day

Created by Soff Olmedo ’28 and couriered by Desi Potter ’27

 

***MOSS sounds: a moss week playlist - Listen Here!

Spun by Jim Bunnelle and the Center for Cassette Studies



Monday, February 9th

 

***Opening of Indigenous Moss Stories, an ear-forest installation

Ear Forest, 3:40 pm

Curated by Kenji Yamamoto ’26

 

Featuring:

Ancient Green from the Potawatomi Nation told by Kai Mermis-Cava ’27

The Great Blanket of Moss from the Coast Salish told by Jo LaPlaca ’29

Raven’s Dancing Blanket from the Tsimshian told by Errol Sloan ’29

Flood Myth from the Cree told by Aviva Meisel ’29

How Coyote Happened to Make the Black Moss Flood from the Salish Secwépemc & Okanagan told by Alder Kindseth ’26

Blue Jay’s Skinny Legs from the Bitterroot Salish, told by Kenji Yamamoto ’26

 

With gratitude to Dr. Luhui Whitebear, Oregon State University, for their guidance.

Hot Cider and Cupcakes

 

The installation will continue to play afternoons 12-4 pm through Sunday, February 15th.

 

***Opening of Moss Video Installation Artwork by Lauren Arriola ’24

Watzek Library Atrium, 4:45 pm

Refreshments



Tuesday, February 10th

 

***Gastropodcast

Olin Balcony, 3:30pm and on Twitch

Cohosted by Deanna Sunnergren ’24, Doctoral Candidate at Oregon State University & Finn Goldberger-Judd ’26.

 

***Gastropod Derby

Olin Balcony, 4 pm and on Twitch

Gastropod handler: Deanna Sunnergren ’24, Doctoral Candidate at Oregon State University

Refreshments

Racer profiles here 

Place your wagers here 

 



Wednesday, February 11th

 

***Draw Moss

Library Atrium, all day

Supplies provided

 

***Investigate a Moss Clump: Meet a Tardigrade

Watzek Library Atrium, from 1:30pm on throughout the afternoon

Tended by Sammy Kutsch ’24, Madeline Jones ’25, and Finn Goldberger-Judd ’26

 

***Mossy Movie Night

Frank Manor House, 7 pm

Hosted by Finn Goldberger-Judd ’26






Thursday, February 12th

 

***Dress like Moss Day

As it suits you

 

***Draw Moss

Library Atrium, all day

Supplies provided

 

***Investigate a Moss Clump: Meet a Tardigrade

Watzek Library Atrium, from 1pm on throughout the afternoon

Tended by Finn Goldberger-Judd ’26 and Zack Stack ’26

 

***Terrarium Workshop led by Robin Fujita ’18

Meet inside the front doors of the Watzek Library at 4:45pm

Supplies provided




Friday, February 13th

 

***Moss Valentine Candy available at the Petting Zoo

Library Atrium, all day

 

***Snow Flea Circus!

Watzek Library Classroom, 3:30 pm

Curated by Deanna Michinski, Portland State University and Dr. Christopher J. Marshall, Curator of the Oregon State Arthropod Collection, Oregon State University

 

***Mossmates, meet and greet

Watzek Library Classroom, 3:30 pm

Assorted bryophyte friends presented by:

Finn Goldberger-Judd ’26, Frasier Shanker ’26, Desi Potter ’27, and Zack Stack ’26

Pizza provided!

 

***Keynote Lecture - Tiny Titans of the Mossy Log: A Safari into Hidden Realms

Watzek Library Classroom, 4 pm

Also by Zoom: Meeting ID: 269 487 7562 Passcode: moss

Presented by Dr. Christopher J. Marshall, Curator of the Oregon State Arthropod Collection, Oregon State University

Preceded by BryotaBiota Trivia





***A satellite instance of the Moss Petting Zoo, curated by John Christy, Herbarium Manager, Portland State University Herbarium, will appear at the Portland Japanese Gardens from February 9-15th featuring an informational sheet co-developed by Kenji Yamamoto ’26, Max Allen ’25, and Finn Goldberger-Judd ’26.

 

Learn more about how Portland Japanese Gardens are joining in the celebration here.

More Stories

moss at sunset
help us design banners to hang on the lightposts outside the library this fall
Phyllis Yes pictured in her lace Porsche parked outside of Frank Manor at Lewis & Clark College.