The Nature Conservancy - Spring 2011 Oregon … · struction business. Part of that vision was...
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Spring 2011 Wild(ish) venture A landmark acquisition — Willamette Confluence — protects river, forest and prairie When the deal was finally done — while leaning against the truck at the gate to the property — Derek Johnson and Dan Bell cracked open a local IPA brew. They also handed two bottles to Randy Hledik, from the Wildish Land Company, before toasting a legacy changing hands. It was the last day of the contract and, on the drive down to Eugene that morning, Johnson, the Conser- vancy’s Oregon director of protection, still hadn’t gotten the word. Bell, Willamette Valley conservation director for the Conservancy, drove through the rain as Johnson made phone calls that finally brought long- awaited news. Where the Coast and Middle forks of the Willamette River meet near Eugene, cool waters, thick woodlands and teeming wetlands represent a unique chance to preserve increasingly rare elements of the Willamette Valley’s natural heritage. © Charles Quinn contents Wild(ish) venture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2 Power to heal the world’s waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Special Insert: Tillamook Bay welcomes wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 There is an “i” in team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 2011 Volunteer Newsletter (continued on p. 2) The Inside Story on Protecting Nature in oregon
Transcript of The Nature Conservancy - Spring 2011 Oregon … · struction business. Part of that vision was...
Spring 2011
Wild(ish) ventureA landmark acquisition — Willamette Confluence — protects river, forest and prairieWhen the deal was finally done — while leaning against the truck at the gate to the property — DerekJohnson and Dan Bell cracked open a local IPA brew. They also handed two bottles to Randy Hledik, fromthe Wildish Land Company, before toasting a legacy changing hands.
It was the last day of the contract and, on the drive down to Eugene that morning, Johnson, the Conser-vancy’s Oregon director of protection, still hadn’t gotten the word. Bell, Willamette Valley conservationdirector for the Conservancy, drove through the rain as Johnson made phone calls that finally brought long-awaited news.
Where the Coast and Middle forks of the Willamette River meet near Eugene, cool waters, thick woodlands and teeming wetlandsrepresent a unique chance to preserve increasingly rare elements of the Willamette Valley’s natural heritage. © Charles Quinn
contentsWild(ish) venture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2Power to heal the world’s waters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Special Insert:
Tillamook Bay welcomes wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3There is an “i” in team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
2011 Volunteer Newsletter
(continued on p. 2)
The Inside Story on Protecting Nature inoregon
Ultimately destined for public ownership, a diversity of habitats at the Willamette Confluence property will be restored formore than 30 fish and wildlife species considered at-risk — including northern red-legged frog, Chinook salmon andwestern meadowlark, Oregon’s state bird. From left: © Michael Durham/durmphoto.com, © Jeffrey Rich, © John and Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS
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Power to heal the world’s waters
In Kenya, Nolmekiji Lenkililli fills a large plastic contain-er with water at her village’s first gravity-fed reservoir. Onher Oregon ranch, Liza Jane Nichols watches theWallowa River carve its familiar path through her landonce again.
Every day, all around the world, women are connectingwith water. Indeed, water is at the core of women’sresponsibilities in many societies, and millions spendtheir days collecting and preparing water for cooking,cleaning and drinking.
In the United States, most of us simply lift a handle or turna knob, and out it pours. But regardless of where we live,women are dependent on clean water for their health andhappiness, to nourish themselves and their families.
From the tiniest blue threads to mile-wide ribbons, riversstitch together our lands. But we have pulled at thesethreads for centuries, extracting water for everythingfrom growing crops to producing energy. As we takemore, we’re depleting fish stocks, reducing drinkingwater supplies and spoiling natural places that we love.
Fixing these problems on a global scale will take bigideas and participation of all of society.
Women like Liza Jane Nichols (above), Conservancysteward at Zumwalt Prairie Preserve, are leading the wayby steering sustainable use and conservation in house-holds, farms, classrooms, governments and businesses.
“As a 4th generation rancher and mother, my greatesthope for water is that its value will be acknowledged,and it will flow naturally through our land, supporting lifetoday and in the future,” says Nichols.
“The Wallowa River is my connection to the Earth, theplace where I feel safe,” she says. “To keep it healthy, weplanted trees and native grasses and completed a pro-ject to restore historic habitat for Chinook salmon andother wildlife. ”
Reviving our waters is like making a quilt: you work withwhat you have. The more people are working on the dif-ferent parts, the faster it goes. With fresh water, thismeans involving women and men everywhere in protect-ing and, in some cases, reconstructing the natural pat-terns that ensure all of us have the safe and availablewater we need.
The Nature Conservancy invites you to join a global com-munity of like-minded women such as Nichols who areworking to protect clean water.
Visit nature.org/womenandwater today, and celebratea resource that connects us all.
The $23.4 million acquisition for 1,270 acresanchoring the southern end of the WillametteValley had closed. It’s the Conservancy’s mostexpensive transaction in Oregon, ever.
“The history of this thing just goes so far back,” Bellsaid.
Public interest in the property dates to at least 1971— just around when Bell was born, in fact — when Governor Tom McCall and others proposed aregional park that included land owned and operat-ed by the Wildish family since the 1960s. It was asand and gravel resource for their successful con-struction business.
Part of that vision was fulfilled years ago in LaneCounty’s Howard Buford Recreation Area aroundMt. Pisgah. But the land along the two forks of theriver and its floodplain remained elusive.
More recently, as scientists scored the Wildishproperty ever higher among opportunities toprotect habitats increasingly imperiled in theWillamette Valley, the family agreed to sell. LaneCounty asked the Conservancy to step in.
The Bonneville Power Administration provided agrant of $20.8 million in fish and wildlife mitigationfunds. An additional $2.5 million came from theOregon Watershed Enhancement Board and$100,000 from the Doris Duke CharitableFoundation.
Named the Willamette Confluence, the propertyincludes six miles of river and extensive floodplainforest and wetlands, as well as uplands with nativeoaks and prairie. It provides critical habitat for morethan 30 fish and wildlife species considered at-risk— including Chinook salmon, northern red-legged
frog, vesper sparrow and western meadowlark.
Now Bell will lead a team, consulting with partners,to create a management and restoration plan for theproperty. Engineering and construction to fill gravelponds and reconnect the river to its floodplain willlikely keep contractors working the better part of adecade. There will be work for volunteers as well,removing invasive species and replanting native veg-etation. Eventually the property will be turned overto public ownership.
“There is no other property like this left in theWillamette Valley,” said Russell Hoeflich, theConservancy’s vice president and Oregon director.“It’s literally an ecological crossroad where waterand wildlife come together in tremendous diversity.Our children and grandchildren will be eternallygrateful to the Wildish family and the many otherpartners for their foresight and commitment to pro-tect this special place.”
Nature Conservancy volunteers will remove invasive ivy at theWillamette Confluence property during our first-ever workparty there this summer. See the 2011 Volunteer Newsletter,inside, for details and to get involved.
(continued from p. 1)
A New Way to Look at NatureYou told us what you liked (and didn’t) about ourwebsite, and we listened. That’s why The NatureConservancy launched a new and improved onlinepresence in March.
Take a tour and enjoy bigger, breathtaking images,more multimedia, simpler navigation and improvedinteractivity.
If it happens in nature, it happens on the new site.Explore your world at nature.org.
© 6 Ranch
Willamette Confluence
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Alvord Hot Springs in southeastern Oregon © Alan D. St. John
Create income for today.Leave a legacy for tomorrow.
The Nature Conservancy recently acquired 67 acres near themouth of the Kilchis River, and will soon own a 40-acre tract onthe Miami River. Partners are already undertaking extensiverestoration on the Miami River, including removing dikes toreconnect channels with tidal wetlands. We asked Dick VanderSchaaf, our coast and marine conservation director, to tell uswhat’s happening.
Why Tillamook Bay?Your question implies there hasn’t been a lot of con-servation attention paid to Tillamook Bay. Maybethat’s true in the past but no longer. Tillamook isOregon’s second-biggest estuary, fed by five rivers.The lower reaches of the rivers are all tidal and partof the estuary, extremely productive for salmon andother fish. But about 85 percent were converted topasture, mainly for dairies. The wetlands that remainaren’t enough to maintain a healthy estuary. That’s achallenge the local community has embraced, andthey’ve enlisted other partners including us, the Wild Salmon Center and the Oregon WatershedEnhancement Board.
What’s at stake for the local community?The Tillamook Estuary Partnership is a federallysupported local collaboration among governmentsand community groups. They’re actually doing mostof the restoration work. Historically, Tillamook hasbeen one of Oregon’s most disaster-prone communi-
ties because of flooding. When you restore tidal wet-lands, you expand the bay’s capacity to absorb flood-waters. In the future, that means less threat to lifeand property, plus you get all the benefits of renewedhabitats for fish and wildlife. Everybody wins.
Is climate change an issue?All the climate models predict higher sea levels atsome point. Obviously, higher seas will tend to pushestuaries upstream. This illustrates that you have tobe thinking about how your conservation work todaywill enable ecosystems to move and adapt tomorrow.
Are chum salmon good to eat?You know, they’ve fallen out of favor and you neversee them on the menu. They’re not that abundantanymore. But back in the day, huge chum runs inTillamook Bay and other estuaries fed massivesalmon canning operations. The great thing is, thechum are still there, they’re still returning to spawn inthese estuaries and, with restored habitats, they couldbe the comeback kid.
Tillamook Bay welcomes wetlands
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By making a life-income gift such as a charitable gift annuity with The NatureConservancy, you can donate cash, securities or real estate to support thenatural world you love — and provide yourself with income and significanttax savings in return. It’s a gift that benefits nature and your future.
For more information, please contact Wes Milligan, director of planned giving,at (503) 802-8100 or [email protected] — or fill out this coupon and mail it in the enclosed envelope. Minimum gift size is $5,000. You can also learn moreat the Conservancy’s planned giving website, nature.org/annuity.
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To reduce our impact on the environment, TheNature Conservancy now offers an eco-friendlydelivery option that enables you to receive manyConservancy publications via e-mail, including thisOregon newsletter.
To sign up, submit an online form today at support.nature.org/OregonNews — and know wethank you for all you do to preserve life on Earth.
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Q&A with Dick Vander Schaaf, coast and marine conservation director in Oregon
Dick Vander Schaaf, the Conservancy’s coast and marineconservation director in Oregon © Stephen Anderson/TNC
NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE
PAIDPORTLAND, ORPERMIT NO. 428
Following in the foot-steps of nearly 50 vol-unteers before them,Oregon’s fifth Ameri-Corps ConservationTeam (ACT) beganlending nature a handin January. Workingwith conservation staff, the 13-person team will spendthe year advancing field research, restoring habitats andengaging local communities across Oregon — while alsooffering opportunities for members to gain valuableskills. Increasing critical conservation action statewide,their efforts additionally help to attract and retainhundreds of volunteers who, like you, are committed topreserving Oregon’s rich natural heritage.
“I’m really excited about the new team and the numerousprojects we’ll accomplish together,” said Kyle Strauss, theConservancy’s ACT coordinator in Oregon. “And, as aformer AmeriCorps volunteer, I very much appreciate theinvestment the Conservancy is making in the future.Several former ACT members have dedicated theircareers to conservation after service.”
To read more about the Conservancy’s partnership withAmeriCorps, visit nature.org/oregon/americorps. To seethe many ways you can help protect Oregon’s importantlands and waters, see our 2011 Volunteer Newsletter, inside.
821 S.E. 14th AvenuePortland, Oregon 97214nature.org/oregon
There is an “i” in team(see our AmeriCorps volunteers)
Recyclable and madefrom recycled materials.Printed with soy ink.
A publication of The Nature Conservancy in Oregon (503) 802-8100 nature.org/oregon Melissa Roy-Hart, editor
The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
Faces of conservation: Robert G. Gootee
“Oregon is a land of special places, landscapes sculpted by wind, chiseled by time. We can sometimes hear them speak, and hope we can be wise enough to pay attention. The Nature Conservancy pays attention, making sure these places are here for us, andfor those that come after, to call special . . . and to call home.”
Robert G. Gootee, president and CEO of ODS, serves on The Nature Conservancy's Oregon Board of Trustees.
We thank ODS for supporting The Nature Conservancy in Oregon during our 50th Anniversary celebration.Stay tuned for a special anniversary announcement later this spring.
© Greg Ko
zawa
The Nature Conservancyin Oregon
Leafcutter bee at Zumwalt Prairie Preserve(Megachile frigida)
© Michael Durham/durmphoto.com
Member Households20,597
Last Great PlacesSociety Members
60
Acres protected505,145
Acres managed143,469
Preserves and cooperativelymanaged areas
47
© Kyle Strauss/TNC
CascadeHead
Camassia Natural AreaYamhill Oaks
WillowCreek
Agate DesertWhetstone Savanna
Dunstan Homestead,Middle Fork John Day River
BoardmanGrasslands
Kingston PrairieKingston Prairie
Juniper HillsJuniper Hills
Zumwalt Prairie
Popcorn Swale
Blind Slough Swamp
Sycan Marsh
Cox Island
Rogue River Plains
Sandy River GorgeKilchis River
Miami River
Williamson River Delta
Willamette Confluence
BaskettButte
Message from Molly
Thank you to more than 700 volunteers whocontributed over 45,000 hours of time andeffort toward accomplishing our statewide
conservation goalslast fiscal year!
Much appreciationto our AmeriCorpsConservation Team(ACT) memberswho contributedover 23,000 ofthose hours toresearch, habitatrestoration and to engaging local communities across
Oregon. We hope you can join our 2011ACT members and other volunteers in protecting Oregon’s ecologically importantlands and waters.
The Nature Conservancy offers many ways foryou to lend nature a land throughout the year.
Join a work party or our growing practicum/volunteer intern program. Attend one of ourspring training sessions to become a crewleader, naturalist or weed watcher. Check ourvolunteer classifieds, visit our website,nature.org/oregon/volunteer, or call (503)802-8100 to get involved.
We look forward to working with you!
Molly Dougherty, director of volunteer programs© Cliff Alton
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 to receive e-mailupdates about current and upcoming volunteer opportunities across Oregon.
1. Visit our website, nature.org/oregon.2. Go to the “Volunteer” section.3. Enter your e-mail address.
That’s it — we hope to hear from you!
Since they began volunteering six yearsago, Mark and Brenda Wittwer have seri-ously taken the helm. Successful oysterfarmers, they’ve donated much-neededprofessional expertise and countless hoursto planting, growing and monitoring mil-lions of native Olympia oysters in NetartsBay. They’ve even steered, stored andmaintained Conservancy boats, with Markalways leading the way as captain. No oneknows Netarts — or oysters — like they do.
“Mark and Brenda navigate Netarts Baybetter than anyone, and know how thetidal channels have changed over theyears,” said Dick Vander Schaaf, coast andmarine conservation director for theConservancy in Oregon. “But most impor-tantly, they can tell you how to successfullygrow a native oyster.”
Mark’s dedication was seeded as a child.“Some of my fondest childhood memoriesare days spent exploring little bays andestuaries,” he said. “We want to do whatwe can to protect and restore them.”
Doug White joined the Conservancy’sOregon volunteer team in 2005. He’s heldthe ‘most work parties attended annually’
record ever since (his current total: 76 andcounting). But White’s dedication doesn’tstop there. He’s also helped with officetasks on more than 125 Wednesday nights.Whatever job needs doing — pullingweeds, maintaining trails, removing fences,filing — Doug gets it done with a smile.
“Doug is my ‘go-to’ volunteer and truly apleasure to work with,” said MollyDougherty, director of volunteer programs.“He’s so reliable, professional and commit-ted to the Conservancy and the places weprotect. I don’t know what we would dowithout him!”
With more than 1,400 volunteer hours,White is simply enjoying himself. “There’sno preserve where I haven’t had a goodtime,” he said. “It’s gratifying to work withpeople who are so passionate about mak-ing a positive impact on the planet.”
Congratulations and genuine thanks toMark, Brenda and Doug. Without dedi-cated supporters like you, our successeswould not be possible.
Conservation Heroes: 2010 Volunteers of the YearEach year, we honor exceptional volunteers who advance The Nature Conservancy’smission in Oregon. We are delighted to announce the 2010 Ray C. Davis Volunteer of the Year Award winners, Mark and Brenda Wittwer and Doug White.
NaturalistDo you enjoy meeting the public and want to learn more aboutOregon’s natural history? Become a volunteer naturalist! Greet visitors, answer questions and foster compliance with visitor guide-lines at our most heavily visited preserves. Volunteers patrol “their” preserves at least twice during the 2011 field season.Trainings: Tom McCall (season April - June) : Saturday, April 9Cascade Head (season May - Oct.) : Saturday, May 21
Crew LeaderLike working outside? This training is for you! Crew leaders providesupport and leadership for work parties around the state. Volunteerscommit to leading two work parties during the 2011 field season. Training: Saturday, April 30 (in Portland)
Weed WatcherBe a “weed watcher,” and help protect biodiversity while you hike!Prevent the establishment of invasive plants by surveying for andreporting new infestations. Active weed watcher programs currentlyexist in Clatsop, Crook, Jackson, Josephine, Lane and Multnomahcounties. Contact Tania Siemens, invasive species project coordina-tor, at (541) 914-0701 or [email protected], for more information.
See Oregon’s Last Great Places —Join a Volunteer Work Party!
Volunteer Ben Whitestone paddles to Blind Slough Swamp Preserve. Every August, Nature Conservancy volunteers canoe and kayak to the site to remove invasive purple loostrife © Kathryn Lucas/TNC
Above from left: Mark and Brenda Wittwer, Doug White;© Molly Dougherty/TNC, © Philip L. McCarty
Volunteer interns Kate Cross and LeighMingledorff remove fences to benefit wildlife at Zumwalt Prairie Preserve near Hells Canyon. © Amy Goodwin
Stay ConnectedJoin Our Volunteer E-list
Spring Trainings and Wildflower HikesOur spring trainings provide volunteers with a variety of opportunities to develop and expand leadership, naturalist or surveyingskills while helping to protect some of Oregon’s most remarkable places. To learn how to apply, please contact Molly Doughertyat (503) 802-8100 or [email protected] (unless otherwise noted).
Spring Hikes on the Table RocksEnjoy the wonderful wildflowers, geology, history and wildlife ofthese ancient landmarks near Medford. Free, naturalist-guided hikes are offered weekends throughout April and May. For a sched-ule, visit the Table Rocks webpage at nature.org/oregon/preserves, or contact Teresa Fernandez at (541) 770-7933 ext. 5# or [email protected].
Throughout the field season, volunteer naturalists share information with visitors about Tom McCall Preserve’s rare plants, wildlife and habitats.Naturalists are also needed at Cascade Head Preserve near Lincoln City.© Morgan Parks
Spring 2011Volunteer NewsletterSandy River old-growth © Rick McEwan
Volunteer Work Parties
Portland Area
Camassia Natural AreaHome to over 300 plant species, including severalrare ones, this 27-acre preserve is a special gem in a rapidly growing urban area.Saturday, June 25Monitor native plantings and remove invasive ivy.
Sandy River Gorge PreserveJust 20 miles east of Portland, this preserve hostspristine habitats, including an old-growth Douglas-fir forest, and provides a home to salmon, elk, riverotter and other wildlife.Saturday, May 14Saturday, June 11Remove invasives and maintain trails.Saturday, October 15Prepare and plant willow cuttings.
Oregon Coast
Blind Slough Swamp PreserveOregon’s best remaining Sitka spruce swamp provides habitat along the Columbia River for bald eagle, osprey and river otter.Saturday, August 13Remove invasive purple loosestrife(requires canoeing).
Cascade Head PreserveThis spectacular coastal headland near Lincoln City provides habitat for the endangered Oregon silverspot butterfly and Cascade Head catchfly.Saturday, June 11Remove invasive blackberry.
Cascade Head Preserve (cont.)Saturday, June 25Pull invasive pennyroyal.Saturday, July 16Build and maintain trails.Saturday-Sunday, August 20-21Remove Queen Anne’s lace on the pin-nacle and control salmonberry/blackberry.Saturday, September 24Remove Queen Anne’s lace (includesa volunteer appreciation party). Saturday, October 1Transplant violets.
Cox Island PreserveEast of Florence in the Siuslaw River, this low elevation salt marsh island is visited by over 80 species of waterfowl and other birds.Saturday-Sunday, August 6-7Remove fabric from Spartina patens patches.
Kilchis RiverIn the southeast corner of Tillamook Bay, tidal wetlands are being restored to improve habitat for Chinook, chum and coho salmon. Saturday, July 9Remove barbed wire fence and controlinvasive ivy.
Miami RiverAdjacent to Tillamook Bay, restored wetlands willbenefit northern red-legged frog, chum salmon,peregrine falcon and other at-risk wildlife.Saturday, September 10Remove invasives and barbed wire fence.
Central Oregon
Boardman GrasslandsThe Columbia Plateau’s best expanse of unplowednative sage and bunch grass also harbors Oregon’slargest Washington ground squirrel population. Saturday-Sunday, May 14-15 Survey and remove invasives, collectnative seed and improve facilities.Saturday-Sunday, November 5-6 Plant native wildflowers.
Juniper Hills PreserveThis 14,000-acre preserve east of Prineville harborsancient junipers, an outstanding diversity of bunchgrasses and colorful earth formations.Saturday-Sunday, May 7-8Plant willow and cottonwood.Saturday, August 20Remove and repair fence.
Klamath Basin
Sycan Marsh PreserveSurrounded by forest, this high elevation wetland ishome to nesting and migrating birds, threatened fishand newly discovered aquatic creatures.To register, contact Teresa Fernandez at (541) 770-7933 ext. 5# or [email protected], August 13-14Remove fence and paint facilities.
Williamson River Delta PreserveLocated on Upper Klamath Lake, this pioneeringwetland restoration project benefits a multitude ofmigrating birds and endangered fish.To register, contact Alix Lee at (541) 273-0789 ext. 2or [email protected], July 30Construct and erect signage (carpentryskills beneficial).
Northeast Oregon
Dunstan Homestead PreserveFour river miles of riparian and streambed habitatare being restored for wild salmon and steelhead onthis former ranch and dairy farm.Saturday-Sunday, July 23-24Control and remove invasives.Saturday-Sunday, October 15-16Install riparian caging and plant natives.
Zumwalt Prairie PreserveOregon’s largest private nature sanctuary, this 51-square-mile preserve high on the edge of HellsCanyon hosts a remarkable number of nesting raptors.Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19Improve fence for wildlife, remove inva-sives and improve facilities.Saturday-Sunday, September 17-18Improve fence for wildlife, collect nativeseed and improve facilities.
Willamette Valley
Baskett Butte PreserveComposed of key Willamette Valley oak and prairiehabitat, this 152-acre preserve is adjacent to BaskettSlough National Widllife Refuge west of Salem.To register, contact Amy Soriano at (541) 343-1010ext. 307 or [email protected], May 21Remove fence.
Kingston Prairie PreserveSoutheast of Stayton, this 128-acre site is the bestnative prairie remaining in Oregon’s centralWillamette Valley.Saturday, July 23Collect native seed.
Yamhill Oaks PreserveThis 582-acre preserve west of McMinnville is the northern Willamette Valley’s first protected area for the endangered Fender’s blue butterfly.Saturday, July 16Saturday, August 20Collect native seed.
Willamette ConfluenceWhere the Coast and Middle forks of the WillametteRiver meet near Eugene, woodlands and wetlands provide habitat for salmon and other at-risk wildlife.Saturday, June 18Remove invasive ivy.
Willow Creek PreserveHome to native plants and the Fender’s blue butterfly, this 508-acre preserve is the ecologicallyrichest remnant of native wet prairie in the southernWillamette Valley.To register, contact Matt Benotsch at (541) 343-1010 ext. 302 or [email protected], May 14Saturday, July 9Saturday, October 8Each work party is from 9:30 a.m. to noon.Projects include propagating native plants,removing invasives and collecting native seed.
Southwest OregonTo learn more or register in Southwest Oregon,please contact Teresa Fernandez at (541) 770-7933 ext. 5# or [email protected].
Agate Desert PreserveNorth of Medford, this Rogue Valley grassland is asanctuary for rare wildflowers and a federally listedspecies of fairy shrimp.Saturday, May 14Remove invasive wild oats.
Popcorn Swale PreserveA wildflower haven in the spring, this remnant ofUmpqua Valley wet prairie near Roseburg containstufted hairgrass and several rare plants.Saturday, June 4Saturday, August 6Count rare plants.Saturday, July 9Pull teasel.
Rogue River Plains PreserveNear the Table Rocks, this 125-acre site protects the endangered large-flowered meadowfoam and a threatened fairy shrimp.Saturday, April 16Control curly dock in vernal pools.
Whetstone Savanna PreserveMounded prairie and vernal pools north of Medfordsafeguard a key portion of the Rogue Valley’s bestremaining oak savanna.Saturday, March 26Control curly dock in vernal pools.
Volunteer Baird Abel Quinn pulls invasive plants atWhetstone Savanna Preserve in Southwest Oregon.The Table Rocks are visible in the background.
© Charles Quinn/TNC
Nature Conservancy volunteers take a well-earnedbreak after a busy day of removing invasive plants at Sandy River Gorge Preserve. © Jason Dumont/TNC
Jennifer Terry-Zalewski, 2010 AmeriCorps Conserva-tion Team member, removes Queen Anne’s lace during a Cascade Head work party. © Kathryn Lucas/TNC
Volunteer ClassifiedsYour time and talents are needed! The following volunteer positions are currently available. To learn moreand apply, please contact MollyDougherty at (503) 802-8100 [email protected] (unless other-wise noted).
Dunstan Homestead FieldAssistants (Northeast Oregon)Survey for bird species at 30 sitesalong the Middle Fork John DayRiver. Bird enthusiasts of all experi-ence levels are encouraged, withexisting audio/visual ID skills appre-ciated. A minimum commitment of two days between May 10 andJune 27 is required. You’re also invit-ed to help eradicate invasives duringa weeklong work party: July 25-31.
Preserve Stewards (Portland Area)Restore native vegetation at CamassiaNatural Area in West Linn and/or theSandy River Gorge. By clearing inva-sives and regularly returning to onespot, you will clearly see the “fruits”of your labor. Must be physically fitand able to work once a month for ayear. Orientations will be held at Camassia as needed and at Sandy River Gorge Preserveon Saturday, May 14.
Native Habitat RestorationInterns (Portland Area)Restore salmon habitat in the SandyRiver watershed by removing invasivespecies. Projects include outreach, data collection, monitoring and weederadication with herbicides. Kayakingand rafting may be required, as is astrong swimming ability. Work isMonday through Thursday with aminimum of eight 10-hour work daysbetween June 14 and September 29.
There are numerous opportunities this spring, summer and fallto enjoy the great outdoors while working with Conservancyecologists and volunteer teams to protect some of Oregon’smost critical habitats.
For more information or to register for a work party, please call
(503) 802-8100, or send an e-mail to [email protected](unless otherwise noted).
When you register, you will receive a complete list of everythingyou should bring to be fully prepared for a fun day or weekendin the field.
Field season is here: Get outside and give nature a boost!
Volunteer Work Parties
Portland Area
Camassia Natural AreaHome to over 300 plant species, including severalrare ones, this 27-acre preserve is a special gem in a rapidly growing urban area.Saturday, June 25Monitor native plantings and remove invasive ivy.
Sandy River Gorge PreserveJust 20 miles east of Portland, this preserve hostspristine habitats, including an old-growth Douglas-fir forest, and provides a home to salmon, elk, riverotter and other wildlife.Saturday, May 14Saturday, June 11Remove invasives and maintain trails.Saturday, October 15Prepare and plant willow cuttings.
Oregon Coast
Blind Slough Swamp PreserveOregon’s best remaining Sitka spruce swamp provides habitat along the Columbia River for bald eagle, osprey and river otter.Saturday, August 13Remove invasive purple loosestrife(requires canoeing).
Cascade Head PreserveThis spectacular coastal headland near Lincoln City provides habitat for the endangered Oregon silverspot butterfly and Cascade Head catchfly.Saturday, June 11Remove invasive blackberry.
Cascade Head Preserve (cont.)Saturday, June 25Pull invasive pennyroyal.Saturday, July 16Build and maintain trails.Saturday-Sunday, August 20-21Remove Queen Anne’s lace on the pin-nacle and control salmonberry/blackberry.Saturday, September 24Remove Queen Anne’s lace (includesa volunteer appreciation party). Saturday, October 1Transplant violets.
Cox Island PreserveEast of Florence in the Siuslaw River, this low elevation salt marsh island is visited by over 80 species of waterfowl and other birds.Saturday-Sunday, August 6-7Remove fabric from Spartina patens patches.
Kilchis RiverIn the southeast corner of Tillamook Bay, tidal wetlands are being restored to improve habitat for Chinook, chum and coho salmon. Saturday, July 9Remove barbed wire fence and controlinvasive ivy.
Miami RiverAdjacent to Tillamook Bay, restored wetlands willbenefit northern red-legged frog, chum salmon,peregrine falcon and other at-risk wildlife.Saturday, September 10Remove invasives and barbed wire fence.
Central Oregon
Boardman GrasslandsThe Columbia Plateau’s best expanse of unplowednative sage and bunch grass also harbors Oregon’slargest Washington ground squirrel population. Saturday-Sunday, May 14-15 Survey and remove invasives, collectnative seed and improve facilities.Saturday-Sunday, November 5-6 Plant native wildflowers.
Juniper Hills PreserveThis 14,000-acre preserve east of Prineville harborsancient junipers, an outstanding diversity of bunchgrasses and colorful earth formations.Saturday-Sunday, May 7-8Plant willow and cottonwood.Saturday, August 20Remove and repair fence.
Klamath Basin
Sycan Marsh PreserveSurrounded by forest, this high elevation wetland ishome to nesting and migrating birds, threatened fishand newly discovered aquatic creatures.To register, contact Teresa Fernandez at (541) 770-7933 ext. 5# or [email protected], August 13-14Remove fence and paint facilities.
Williamson River Delta PreserveLocated on Upper Klamath Lake, this pioneeringwetland restoration project benefits a multitude ofmigrating birds and endangered fish.To register, contact Alix Lee at (541) 273-0789 ext. 2or [email protected], July 30Construct and erect signage (carpentryskills beneficial).
Northeast Oregon
Dunstan Homestead PreserveFour river miles of riparian and streambed habitatare being restored for wild salmon and steelhead onthis former ranch and dairy farm.Saturday-Sunday, July 23-24Control and remove invasives.Saturday-Sunday, October 15-16Install riparian caging and plant natives.
Zumwalt Prairie PreserveOregon’s largest private nature sanctuary, this 51-square-mile preserve high on the edge of HellsCanyon hosts a remarkable number of nesting raptors.Saturday-Sunday, June 18-19Improve fence for wildlife, remove inva-sives and improve facilities.Saturday-Sunday, September 17-18Improve fence for wildlife, collect nativeseed and improve facilities.
Willamette Valley
Baskett Butte PreserveComposed of key Willamette Valley oak and prairiehabitat, this 152-acre preserve is adjacent to BaskettSlough National Widllife Refuge west of Salem.To register, contact Amy Soriano at (541) 343-1010ext. 307 or [email protected], May 21Remove fence.
Kingston Prairie PreserveSoutheast of Stayton, this 128-acre site is the bestnative prairie remaining in Oregon’s centralWillamette Valley.Saturday, July 23Collect native seed.
Yamhill Oaks PreserveThis 582-acre preserve west of McMinnville is the northern Willamette Valley’s first protected area for the endangered Fender’s blue butterfly.Saturday, July 16Saturday, August 20Collect native seed.
Willamette ConfluenceWhere the Coast and Middle forks of the WillametteRiver meet near Eugene, woodlands and wetlands provide habitat for salmon and other at-risk wildlife.Saturday, June 18Remove invasive ivy.
Willow Creek PreserveHome to native plants and the Fender’s blue butterfly, this 508-acre preserve is the ecologicallyrichest remnant of native wet prairie in the southernWillamette Valley.To register, contact Matt Benotsch at (541) 343-1010 ext. 302 or [email protected], May 14Saturday, July 9Saturday, October 8Each work party is from 9:30 a.m. to noon.Projects include propagating native plants,removing invasives and collecting native seed.
Southwest OregonTo learn more or register in Southwest Oregon,please contact Teresa Fernandez at (541) 770-7933 ext. 5# or [email protected].
Agate Desert PreserveNorth of Medford, this Rogue Valley grassland is asanctuary for rare wildflowers and a federally listedspecies of fairy shrimp.Saturday, May 14Remove invasive wild oats.
Popcorn Swale PreserveA wildflower haven in the spring, this remnant ofUmpqua Valley wet prairie near Roseburg containstufted hairgrass and several rare plants.Saturday, June 4Saturday, August 6Count rare plants.Saturday, July 9Pull teasel.
Rogue River Plains PreserveNear the Table Rocks, this 125-acre site protects the endangered large-flowered meadowfoam and a threatened fairy shrimp.Saturday, April 16Control curly dock in vernal pools.
Whetstone Savanna PreserveMounded prairie and vernal pools north of Medfordsafeguard a key portion of the Rogue Valley’s bestremaining oak savanna.Saturday, March 26Control curly dock in vernal pools.
Volunteer Baird Abel Quinn pulls invasive plants atWhetstone Savanna Preserve in Southwest Oregon.The Table Rocks are visible in the background.
© Charles Quinn/TNC
Nature Conservancy volunteers take a well-earnedbreak after a busy day of removing invasive plants at Sandy River Gorge Preserve. © Jason Dumont/TNC
Jennifer Terry-Zalewski, 2010 AmeriCorps Conserva-tion Team member, removes Queen Anne’s lace during a Cascade Head work party. © Kathryn Lucas/TNC
Volunteer ClassifiedsYour time and talents are needed! The following volunteer positions are currently available. To learn moreand apply, please contact MollyDougherty at (503) 802-8100 [email protected] (unless other-wise noted).
Dunstan Homestead FieldAssistants (Northeast Oregon)Survey for bird species at 30 sitesalong the Middle Fork John DayRiver. Bird enthusiasts of all experi-ence levels are encouraged, withexisting audio/visual ID skills appre-ciated. A minimum commitment of two days between May 10 andJune 27 is required. You’re also invit-ed to help eradicate invasives duringa weeklong work party: July 25-31.
Preserve Stewards (Portland Area)Restore native vegetation at CamassiaNatural Area in West Linn and/or theSandy River Gorge. By clearing inva-sives and regularly returning to onespot, you will clearly see the “fruits”of your labor. Must be physically fitand able to work once a month for ayear. Orientations will be held at Camassia as needed and at Sandy River Gorge Preserveon Saturday, May 14.
Native Habitat RestorationInterns (Portland Area)Restore salmon habitat in the SandyRiver watershed by removing invasivespecies. Projects include outreach, data collection, monitoring and weederadication with herbicides. Kayakingand rafting may be required, as is astrong swimming ability. Work isMonday through Thursday with aminimum of eight 10-hour work daysbetween June 14 and September 29.
There are numerous opportunities this spring, summer and fallto enjoy the great outdoors while working with Conservancyecologists and volunteer teams to protect some of Oregon’smost critical habitats.
For more information or to register for a work party, please call
(503) 802-8100, or send an e-mail to [email protected](unless otherwise noted).
When you register, you will receive a complete list of everythingyou should bring to be fully prepared for a fun day or weekendin the field.
Field season is here: Get outside and give nature a boost!
CascadeHead
Camassia Natural AreaYamhill Oaks
WillowCreek
Agate DesertWhetstone Savanna
Dunstan Homestead,Middle Fork John Day River
BoardmanGrasslands
Kingston PrairieKingston Prairie
Juniper HillsJuniper Hills
Zumwalt Prairie
Popcorn Swale
Blind Slough Swamp
Sycan Marsh
Cox Island
Rogue River Plains
Sandy River GorgeKilchis River
Miami River
Williamson River Delta
Willamette Confluence
BaskettButte
Message from Molly
Thank you to more than 700 volunteers whocontributed over 45,000 hours of time andeffort toward accomplishing our statewide
conservation goalslast fiscal year!
Much appreciationto our AmeriCorpsConservation Team(ACT) memberswho contributedover 23,000 ofthose hours toresearch, habitatrestoration and to engaging local communities across
Oregon. We hope you can join our 2011ACT members and other volunteers in protecting Oregon’s ecologically importantlands and waters.
The Nature Conservancy offers many ways foryou to lend nature a land throughout the year.
Join a work party or our growing practicum/volunteer intern program. Attend one of ourspring training sessions to become a crewleader, naturalist or weed watcher. Check ourvolunteer classifieds, visit our website,nature.org/oregon/volunteer, or call (503)802-8100 to get involved.
We look forward to working with you!
Molly Dougherty, director of volunteer programs© Cliff Alton
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 to receive e-mailupdates about current and upcoming volunteer opportunities across Oregon.
1. Visit our website, nature.org/oregon.2. Go to the “Volunteer” section.3. Enter your e-mail address.
That’s it — we hope to hear from you!
Since they began volunteering six yearsago, Mark and Brenda Wittwer have seri-ously taken the helm. Successful oysterfarmers, they’ve donated much-neededprofessional expertise and countless hoursto planting, growing and monitoring mil-lions of native Olympia oysters in NetartsBay. They’ve even steered, stored andmaintained Conservancy boats, with Markalways leading the way as captain. No oneknows Netarts — or oysters — like they do.
“Mark and Brenda navigate Netarts Baybetter than anyone, and know how thetidal channels have changed over theyears,” said Dick Vander Schaaf, coast andmarine conservation director for theConservancy in Oregon. “But most impor-tantly, they can tell you how to successfullygrow a native oyster.”
Mark’s dedication was seeded as a child.“Some of my fondest childhood memoriesare days spent exploring little bays andestuaries,” he said. “We want to do whatwe can to protect and restore them.”
Doug White joined the Conservancy’sOregon volunteer team in 2005. He’s heldthe ‘most work parties attended annually’
record ever since (his current total: 76 andcounting). But White’s dedication doesn’tstop there. He’s also helped with officetasks on more than 125 Wednesday nights.Whatever job needs doing — pullingweeds, maintaining trails, removing fences,filing — Doug gets it done with a smile.
“Doug is my ‘go-to’ volunteer and truly apleasure to work with,” said MollyDougherty, director of volunteer programs.“He’s so reliable, professional and commit-ted to the Conservancy and the places weprotect. I don’t know what we would dowithout him!”
With more than 1,400 volunteer hours,White is simply enjoying himself. “There’sno preserve where I haven’t had a goodtime,” he said. “It’s gratifying to work withpeople who are so passionate about mak-ing a positive impact on the planet.”
Congratulations and genuine thanks toMark, Brenda and Doug. Without dedi-cated supporters like you, our successeswould not be possible.
Conservation Heroes: 2010 Volunteers of the YearEach year, we honor exceptional volunteers who advance The Nature Conservancy’smission in Oregon. We are delighted to announce the 2010 Ray C. Davis Volunteer of the Year Award winners, Mark and Brenda Wittwer and Doug White.
NaturalistDo you enjoy meeting the public and want to learn more aboutOregon’s natural history? Become a volunteer naturalist! Greet visitors, answer questions and foster compliance with visitor guide-lines at our most heavily visited preserves. Volunteers patrol “their” preserves at least twice during the 2011 field season.Trainings: Tom McCall (season April - June) : Saturday, April 9Cascade Head (season May - Oct.) : Saturday, May 21
Crew LeaderLike working outside? This training is for you! Crew leaders providesupport and leadership for work parties around the state. Volunteerscommit to leading two work parties during the 2011 field season. Training: Saturday, April 30 (in Portland)
Weed WatcherBe a “weed watcher,” and help protect biodiversity while you hike!Prevent the establishment of invasive plants by surveying for andreporting new infestations. Active weed watcher programs currentlyexist in Clatsop, Crook, Jackson, Josephine, Lane and Multnomahcounties. Contact Tania Siemens, invasive species project coordina-tor, at (541) 914-0701 or [email protected], for more information.
See Oregon’s Last Great Places —Join a Volunteer Work Party!
Volunteer Ben Whitestone paddles to Blind Slough Swamp Preserve. Every August, Nature Conservancy volunteers canoe and kayak to the site to remove invasive purple loostrife © Kathryn Lucas/TNC
Above from left: Mark and Brenda Wittwer, Doug White;© Molly Dougherty/TNC, © Philip L. McCarty
Volunteer interns Kate Cross and LeighMingledorff remove fences to benefit wildlife at Zumwalt Prairie Preserve near Hells Canyon. © Amy Goodwin
Stay ConnectedJoin Our Volunteer E-list
Spring Trainings and Wildflower HikesOur spring trainings provide volunteers with a variety of opportunities to develop and expand leadership, naturalist or surveyingskills while helping to protect some of Oregon’s most remarkable places. To learn how to apply, please contact Molly Doughertyat (503) 802-8100 or [email protected] (unless otherwise noted).
Spring Hikes on the Table RocksEnjoy the wonderful wildflowers, geology, history and wildlife ofthese ancient landmarks near Medford. Free, naturalist-guided hikes are offered weekends throughout April and May. For a sched-ule, visit the Table Rocks webpage at nature.org/oregon/preserves, or contact Teresa Fernandez at (541) 770-7933 ext. 5# or [email protected].
Throughout the field season, volunteer naturalists share information with visitors about Tom McCall Preserve’s rare plants, wildlife and habitats.Naturalists are also needed at Cascade Head Preserve near Lincoln City.© Morgan Parks
Spring 2011Volunteer NewsletterSandy River old-growth © Rick McEwan
