Many years ago, when I was a student at university, I worked full-time. Most days looked like classes in the morning through the early afternoon, then working the swing shift until late at night. It is apparent to me now that I was able to sustain this from a mix of my youth and determination. One of those nights, after a long day of classes and work, I was driving home and came across a pack of half a dozen coyotes. At the time, I was 19 years old and living in a small condo near Forest Park. Coyotes would occasionally be spotted at night, either alone or maybe with one other. Larger packs of them, even at night, are quite rare. So, despite me being exhausted and still needing to study, I stopped my car and watched them in amazement.
I have never forgotten that moment, and I am not sure why. I don’t consider myself an animal person, and I don’t really see the sighting as personally symbolic either. What I think it was for me was a pure moment of nature meeting civilization, the wild animal facing the human.
Coyotes are a central symbol of this environment and play a highly significant role in our local ecosystem. This weekend, the third annual Coyote-palooza street fair is happening on Saturday, May 30th, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., just north of the PSU Farmers Market. This family- and pet-friendly event features interactive educational booths where wildlife experts teach us about coyote biology, identification, and cultural significance.
It is a rare opportunity to learn practical ways to coyote-proof our properties and learn about the necessary tools for keeping our families and pets safe. These are magnificent, clever creatures, and this community gathering reminds us how to respect their natural boundaries so we can peacefully coexist and safely admire them from a distance.
Taking the whole family to the Coyote-palooza this weekend will be a perfect Portland outing. It is a rare chance to step out of our daily suburban routine and learn about the wild environment that surrounds us in a way that is both educational and genuinely fun.
Kids can participate in hands-on activities and scavenger hunts, turning this wildlife education into an exciting mini-adventure. Meanwhile, we can all collect practical tips for keeping our own neighborhood safe.
It bridges the gap between generations, giving us a shared language to talk about the nature right outside our windows. Ultimately, it is a great excuse to enjoy the community spirit, grab some food at the farmers’ market, and celebrate the unique, forested city we get to raise our families in.
Reflecting on events like this makes me realize how much Portland truly embraces its wild side. Living out in the suburbs, it is easy to forget that the boundary between our modern backyards and the deep woods is thin. Attending the Coyote-palooza gives us a unique chance to understand these adaptive neighbors better rather than fear them.
Wildlife biologists at the booths offer real, actionable insights into coexisting with these urban predators. They show us how simple changes, like securing trash bins or decoding coyote vocalizations, can make a massive difference.
For my family, learning how to share this landscape safely is a natural part of living in the Pacific Northwest. We are a unique community built right alongside nature, after all. Gathering to learn about these animals helps ensure that both our domestic pets and local wildlife stay safe while honoring the beautiful, untamed forest we all call home.
The Pacific Northwest is a magnificent, wondrous region. I also like to refer to Portland as a city that is carved into a forest. Zooming out, it is quite easy to see how that is the case. But the forest itself is home to a unique, sometimes dangerous ecosystem. Forests never sit still. Instead, they are constantly digesting everything inside, and the animals that inhabit the forest are built to be sustained from it.
Coyotes are a central symbol of this environment and play a significant role in our ecosystem. My family and I live out in the quiet suburbs, but even we have, on occasion, caught sudden glimpses of wild coyotes on late-night or early-morning drives. It serves as a striking reminder to all of us that we still live in a land filled with them, even in our modern town built in a forest. Coyotes are truly magnificent, clever creatures that we can safely observe from afar.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His books, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ and ‘Holy Ghost: Decoding Leonardo da Vinci’s Final Painting’ are available wherever books are sold.