Oregon Wild Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3

A lovely place for a clearcut Working to protect and restore Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and waters as an enduring legacy.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Main Office Western Field Office 5825 N Greeley Avenue Portland, OR 97217 P.O. Box 11648 Eugene, OR 97440 Phone: 503.283.6343 Fax: 503.283.0756 454 Willamette, Suite 203 Oregon – home of the clearcut {4-7} www.oregonwild.org Phone 541.344.0675 Fax: 541.343.0996 Win, Lose, or Draw The e-mail address for each Oregon Wild Conservation & Restoration Coord. doug Heiken x 1 in the Oregon Legislature {8-9} staff member: [email protected] Western Oregon Field Coordinator chandra LeGue x 2 (for example: [email protected]) Eastern Field Office Call of the Wild: Membership Associate marielle Cowdin x 213 A Benefit for Oregon Wild {back cover} Wilderness Coordinator erik Fernandez x 202 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend, OR 97701 Phone: 541.382.2616 Fax: 541.385.3370 Director of Finance & Admin. candice Guth x 219 Communications & Outreach tommy Hough x 223 Eastern OR Development Coordinator Jonathan Jelen x 224 Wildlands Advocate tim Lillebo Wildlands & Wildlife Advocate rob Klavins x 210 cover photo: tim giraudier The recently proposed “O&C Trust Act” Southern Field Office would put millions of acres of beautiful, public Oregon forests like this Conservation Director Steve Pedery x 214 one on the chopping block. Klamath Advocate Quinn Read x 226 P.O. Box 1923 Brookings, OR 97415 Phone: 541.366.8623 Executive Director Sean Stevens x 211 Wildlands Interpreter Wendell Wood Oregon Wild Board of Directors Daniel Robertson, President Brett Sommermeyer, VIce President Pat Clancy, Treasurer Vik Anantha, Secretary www.facebook.com/OregonWild Leslie Logan William Sullivan @oregonwild Jan Wilson Oregon Wild is a tax-exempt, non-profit charitable organization. Newsletter printed on New Leaf 100% recycled, 50% post-consumer, FSC certified paper with soy based inks. Oregon Wild is printed locally by Environmental Paper and Print, an Oregon Wild donor and business partner.

Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 2 From the Director’s Desk Of pride and passion Sean Stevens, Executive Director

joined Oregon Wild in 2007, not entirely Two experiences that bookend my time at In October 2007 the Bush administration knowing what I was getting into. My Oregon Wild – one recent and one way back was in the thick of devising the Western mostI recent job was at a local television when I first started – remind me of how Oregon Plan Revisions (WOPR) – a news station in Bend and I wanted my new essential our work is and how proud I am to clearcut logging plan that looks all too line of work to express my personal values. I be a part of it. familiar to current proposals for western wanted to fight for the environment. Oregon forest management (see page four). In July of this year, the Oregon Wild staff But with so many organizations in Oregon headed out to far northeast Oregon for our I headed out to the forested slopes above the working on issues ranging from toxics annual staff retreat. One morning, while Rogue River to tour a New York Times reduction to forest management, it was hard hiking through the Imnaha Pack territory, reporter who was writing a feature on the to figure out where the ideal place to land we all froze as a sound rose up from the new threat to Northwest forests. That day, would be. adjacent forest – the piercing howl of a wolf. the threat seemed so great it was hard to imagine that we would overcome it. Today’s Six years later, I pinch myself sometimes at As we listened, I knew that we were hearing clearcut plans can sometimes make us think how lucky I am to have found Oregon Wild. a wolf that likely would have been killed if the same thing. I have the distinct privilege to work with not for our October 2011 lawsuit that halted some of the most talented, dedicated, caring, Oregon’s wolf killing program and the And that’s why Oregon Wild – our staff, and selfless people that I know. And every subsequent landmark settlement agreement board members, volunteers, and supporters day I am reminded that I have the that gives us the most progressive wolf – are all so amazing. We’re in it for the long responsibility to represent thousands of conservation plan in the nation. haul to keep Oregon a special place. And people like you who contribute to the we’re motivated every day to make sure wolf mission of Oregon Wild – either financially When I think about this amazing outdoor howls and big trees will always be a part of or with your volunteer hours or by sending a experience – hearing wolves howl across the our state. Thank you. letter to an elected official. What an honor. Oregon landscape after decades of absence – my memory traces me back to the first field trip I took as an Oregon Wild staffer.

greg vaughn The Eagle Cap Wilderness – where hikers, and wolves, now roam. 3 Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 Oregon – home of the clearcut In a state already besieged by antiquated logging practices, will clearcuts return to national forests? Chandra LeGue, Western Oregon Field Coordinator

regon is known for its beautiful Unfortunately, these discussions are favorite trail in the Cascades are on landscapes, world class even more relevant today. The “O&C private or state land, and are regulated Orecreation, and...clearcuts? Trust Act” written by Oregon Reps. by the notoriously lax Oregon Forest Peter DeFazio, Kurt Schrader, and Practices Act (OFPA). Over the past century, millions of Greg Walden – which would acres of western Oregon’s forests transfer more than 1.5 million acres Clearcutting is the dominant form of have been clearcut – dirtying of public lands to a “timber trust” to logging on private industrial timber drinking water, driving salmon and be managed more like private timber lands and state forest land in Oregon. other wildlife close to extinction, and lands and exempt from many federal The Society of American Foresters degrading our stunning scenery. A environmental laws –passed out of defines “clearcut” as “a stand in which drive through Oregon’s Coast Range the Republican-led House essentially all trees have been removed is enough to provide anyone with a Committee on Natural Resources in in one operation.” In western Oregon, vivid illustration of the toll August as part of a legislative clearcuts are usually done on a 40-60 industrial-scale logging continues to package that includes some of the year rotation – meaning that after take on the landscape, and the worst environmental provisions seen each clearcut, trees are replanted and environment. in a generation. then cut again 40-60 years later, though this timeframe has been In previous issues of Oregon Wild Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, who chairs shrinking as economic pressures to we’ve described Oregon’s forests “at the Senate Energy and Natural liquidate timber for investment firms the crossroads” – facing a choice Resources Committee, is under grows. between a path of restoring our tremendous pressure to also support forests, watersheds, and wildlife after a return to clearcutting on these The OFPA allows clearcuts of up to decades of abusive logging, or western Oregon O&C lands. As he 120 acres at a time, with minimal making a U-turn back to the clearcut drafts legislation to address county logging that got us here. funding and forest management in We also exposed the myth that western Oregon, the fundamental Oregon’s state forest laws are question must be asked: Can environmentally strong, highlighting Oregon’s forests survive more clearcut logging? 40% the serious threat from proposals that would see public lands managed Clearcutting Oregon – a primer under the lax rules that currently Oregonians who receive their Most of the fresh clearcuts you see kelly morgan Oregon’s backyard forests are at a crossroads. Will Senator apply to private industrial forest drinking water from lands at risk. Wyden heed the people’s call to protect our public forestlands and watersheds? lands. on your way to the coast or your Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 4 stream buffers and retention trees. volume to solve a complex economic Clearcut areas are densely replanted, problem. and herbicides are often used to kill A clearcut by any other Whither Ron Wyden? competing native vegetation and name… Steve Pedery, Conservation Director maximize survival of desired crop trees. Land managers and timber industry Oregon timber emphasis areas with reckless policies being advocated in spin doctors know that the public Sen. Ron reduced environmental protections, Congress by the House Republican Clearcutting was common on public doesn’t like clearcuts. So, in recent Wyden has and protect public lands values like leadership. Hope remains that he lands until the early 1990s, when the years, they’ve come up with some tried to clean water and old growth will stand up for Oregon values impacts of unsustainable old-growth truly Orwellian terms to describe the keep his feet without undermining existing and preserve our public lands logging were finally recognized and practice of clearing a patch of forest on both environmental laws. It remains to heritage, and the science-based protections for fish and wildlife on land of all its trees. sides of the be seen whether these two framework of the Northwest the brink of extinction were put in fence on concepts can actually coexist. Forest Plan. place. Since then, clearcutting has Long referred to as “regeneration proposals to not been widely practiced on federal harvest” in forestry circles, the aggressively Wyden has said he will unveil As chair of the Senate Energy and lands for a variety of reasons ranging newest trend in clearcut camouflage log public “O&C” lands. A specific “O&C” lands logging Natural Resources Committee, the from inherent controversy to impacts is called “variable retention harvest.” legislative framework he released legislation in September. Early direction Sen. Wyden chooses has to wildlife habitat. But clearcuts are First demonstrated in a series of in May had two diametrically indications suggest he may follow profound implications for Oregon’s still allowed on federal public lands “pilot” timber sale projects initiated opposing goals: increase logging by the lead of Reps. DeFazio, Walden, natural heritage, and for Wyden’s in areas designated as “matrix” under by the Secretary of the Interior on moving a large portion of and Schrader and promote legacy and reputation as an the Northwest Forest Plan. Federal BLM lands, variable retention publicly-owned “O&C” lands into aggressive clearcutting – essentially environmental champion. laws protecting endangered species harvest (VRH) leaves about 20-30% a toned down version of the and clean water on these lands mean of the trees in a given area, both in that more trees are required to be left clumps ranging from ¼ - 4 acres, the need to protect and restore old behind than on private land, and and as scattered trees. This leaves the forests, it would undo decades of streamside buffers are much better rest of the area essentially clearcut, work to reorient the agencies toward protected. with little or no structure and highly Oregon Jobs & $ thinning dense young stands that disturbed soil. While this method Recreation vs. Logging Though most logging on federal were previously clearcut and are in may leave more trees (and in a public land over the past 15 years has need of ecological restoration. It different pattern) than a traditional $955 million in state and local tax rev. 2011 been focused on thinning forests would switch the BLM’s focus from clearcut, the results on the ground already clearcut in the past, the restoration back to destruction. have similar ecological and 21,600 statewide average jobs 2011 agency in charge of the O&C lands, hydrological impacts to clearcutting Oregon’s future is not in the Bureau of Land Management clearcuts 31% Predicted Job Growth 2010-2020 (BLM), is now facing pressure to Expanding VRH across much of the move back to controversial practices, While it may be the most efficient BLM landscape, as recommended by $39 mil. in local gov rev. from BLM timber 2011 including clearcutting, largely to the BLM, would have many negative way of generating income from satisfy the timber industry’s and impacts. Not only would it be a chopping down trees, clearcutting 5,400 statewide average jobs 2011 some counties’ cry for greater timber significant departure from the has many negative ecological Northwest Forest Plan’s emphasis on 3% Predicted Job Growth 2010-2020 *Data from outdoorindustry.org, www.leg.state.or.us, www.qualityinfo.org 5 Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 Anatomy of a clearcut Clearcuts are more than just eyesores – the consequences are complex and far-reaching throughout ecosystems and communities.

Tons of carbon stored in Habitat trees for living trees (and future woodpeckers, raptors, growth potential) removed, and flying squirrels much released into removed. atmosphere.

Cover and food plants for deer and elk removed and suppressed.

Shade and wood sources for healthy Soil disturbed - stream removed. disrupting important root and fungal interactions.

Chandra Le Gue

Icons by the Noun Project. Clockwise from left: Michael Bundscherer, public domain, Francesco Terzini, Tiago Rodrigues and Pieter J. Smits Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 6 Outdoor recreation has become one clearcutting on public lands. After of the fastest growing segments of decades of abuse, resulting in the loss our economy. A recent analysis of of most of our amazing old-growth Welcome to Oregon! likely job growth by Georgetown forests, Oregon’s forests need less Jonathan Jelen, Development Director 68% University found that in Oregon clearcutting, herbicide spraying, and employment in recreation and logging road runoff – not more. It is We know and you know that Oregonians aren’t in favor of any Oregonians who related industries is expected to grow time for Oregon to move on from plan that takes us back to the days of industrial-style clearcuts participate in outdoor by 31% by 2020, far surpassing the the era of clearcuts across the and threatens the clean drinking water, critical wildlife habitat, 3% expected job growth in logging landscape. and world-class recreation that are provided by our backyard recreation each year. and related industries. And, *Not including those who hunt, fish, and view wildlife. Our public lands, including BLM forests. according to the BLM, in 2010 O&C lands, are where we find recreation on BLM lands in Oregon But here’s the problem – Most Oregonians don’t yet know our amazing recreation and clean impacts. It removes important provided 6,800 jobs and pumped forests are at great risk! drinking water right in our wildlife habitat and natural forest $662 million into Oregon’s economy. backyards. They are the places that So, Oregon Wild is launching an ad campaign in some of components like snags and down Timber lagged far behind. will nurture our recovering streams, Oregon’s most frequented places (like the Portland and wood; increases invasive weeds and fish and wildlife, and old-growth Eugene airports) to call attention to archaic logging practices fuel loads on the ground; fragments Focusing on tourism, recreation, and forests so that future generations can on private lands and the clearcutting that could be returning to the forest landscape; depletes carbon the quality of life provided by living enjoy them. Oregon’s future lies in our national forests. We’ll be running billboard, poster, and stores and adds to global warming near protected forests can help draw embracing and preserving our radio ads to make sure that politicians hear one thing loud and pollution; harms soils, and degrades new businesses to Oregon and boost natural heritage, not in letting our clear: water quality and scenic views. our economy. But no one comes to Oregon to go hiking in a clearcut, public forests become a sacrifice Oregonians support protecting their forests! Clearcutting is not only fishing in a river that has been zone for logging interests impossibly environmentally destructive, it is buried by a mudslide, or to live next stuck in the past. Running an effective ad campaign is expensive. So we’re asking also harmful to the future of to forests that could be clearcut and Oregonians statewide to Oregon’s economy. As Oregon’s sprayed with herbicides without Take Action! chip in so that economy and population has grown their input. Returning to clearcutting Visit www.oregonwild.org to our voice can and changed, there has been a shift our public lands is not the way to learn more about clearcuts in be heard. towards valuing clean drinking encourage the future of Oregon’s Oregon and send a message water, wildlife viewing opportunities, economy. To make a to Oregon’s decision-makers recreational opportunities, and special scenic beauty – more than just With all the drawbacks to increased letting them know that you contribution to timber – on public lands. Clean clearcutting, you might think the want to see more clean water, this campaign, streams and healthy forests enhance downside would be clear to everyone. salmon, wildlife, and please use the Oregon’s quality of life and may be But, even as private lands are being recreational opportunities from envelope logged at an increasing rate and log provided or go to its most valuable economic public lands in Oregon – not www.oregonwild. exports are skyrocketing, some development assets. Clearcuts more clearcuts. org/donate compromise these values and assets. politicians and the logging industry . are pushing for a return to

7 Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 Chicago has its blues, Boston its history, and New York is a melting pot of culture. Here in Oregon our Win, Lose, or Draw identity is based on big, wild places, pristine waters, abundant wildlife, and a vibrant outdoor culture. We treasure those values and the high quality of life that depends on them. But unfortunately, we also have some state politicians who remain stuck in the past. Jokingly referred to as “Timbercrats,” they in the Oregon hail from all corners of the state and both political parties. They still see clearcuts as the path to prosperity, wetlands as wasted space, and wild wolves and salmon as a nuisance. All too often, they set the agenda on environmental issues in Salem.

Legislature To address this disconnect between Oregonians’ strong conservation values and the terrible record of Oregon’s legislature on Rob Klavins, Wildlands and Wildlife Advocate wildlife and water, Oregon Wild increased our engagement in the state capital this year. While we didn’t win every battle, we Steve Pedery, Conservation Director are happy to report we helped move things in the right direction.

BIG WIN! WIN! WIN! Draw Draw Waldo Lake Our biggest Waters It’s been 25 years since Wolves In recent years wolf kill Other Wildlife Several Forests As U.S. Rep. Peter win was a decisive victory in a Oregon updated its system of bills have nabbed headlines as the positive bills to reform and help DeFazio’s public lands clear-cutting decades-long campaign to protect protected waterways. In the Legislature grappled with extreme fund wildlife management in the scheme drew broad public criticism, Waldo Lake. In May, Governor meantime, the state has been invaded proposals to undo protections for state died quiet deaths. Efforts to Timbercrats in Salem tried to sneak Kitzhaber signed a bill that, once by a small army of “hobby” miners endangered species. In 2012, kill native wildlife, exclude the through a resolution endorsing and for all, bans noisy polluting moving north after California Oregon Wild blocked the state’s majority of citizens from having a aggressive industrial logging on motors from one of the world’s most banned the destructive practice of wolf killing program when we and voice in wildlife management, and public lands. Oregon Wild and our pristine lakes. The bill received votes suction dredge mining. Though we our conservation partners filed a overturn the will of the voters allies were successful in convincing from both sides of the aisle after fell short of expanding permanent legal challenge. This year, we passed created unnecessary conflict but several leaders to ditch the plan’s moving testimony from the scenic waterway protections, we did legislation codifying a landmark were all ultimately defeated. most controversial aspects and grandsons of Judge Waldo – the pass legislation limiting the number legal settlement giving Oregon the ultimately defeat the ill-conceived lake’s namesake. of permits for suction dredging to most progressive wolf plan in the Rep. Jules Bailey introduced measure. 2009 levels, and requiring new rules west. several positive measures. Sen. Floyd Prozanski & Rep. to protect salmon and clean water. Oregon Conservation Paul Holvey – co-sponsors of Sens. Jackie Dingfelder & Bill The House Natural Resources Network for helping beat back the bill. Oregon Sierra Club Sens. Alan Bates & Jackie Hansell, Rep. Bob Jenson, Committee, where Reps. Brad the measure. – who helped lead the fight Dingfelder led the charge and Governor John Kitzhaber, Witt & Sal Esquivel and rally the votes. endured threats of violence Cascadia Wildlands. attempted to ban non- Rep. Peter DeFazio for from tea-party activists. hunting and fishing creating the terrible Sen. Betsy Johnson – the only The Obama administration Oregonians from serving on clearcutting scheme in the Democrat to vote against the Sen. Betsy Johnson forced – working to strip federal the state Wildlife first place. bipartisan bill. conservationists to water protections from American Commission. down the bill and then voted gray wolves across the West. against it anyway.

Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 8 A tale of two Committees

In 2012, the Oregon House Committee on ever serving on the commission that oversees Agriculture and Natural Resources earned wildlife conservation across in the state. Salem national media attention as “the place where wildlife goes to die.” Our hopes were In stark contrast, in 2013 the Oregon Senate high after one of the committee’s most Committee on Environment and Natural anti-environment members was voted out of Resources focused on rational policies aimed office, and its chair demoted. at conserving wildlife, protecting clean water, and preserving Oregon icons like Waldo Sadly 2013 wasn’t much better. Under the Lake. Under the leadership of Sen. Jackie leadership of Rep. Brad Witt, the committee Dingfelder, the committee advanced entertained a variety of proposals to make it measures to protect rivers from destructive easier to kill protected wildlife in Oregon. suction dredge mining, safeguard treasures What’s Next Worse, the Chair held a hearing on a like Waldo Lake, and codify the landmark We took on a broad agenda in the measure that would have banned all but the legal settlement over conservation of capital in 2013. But we’re just getting most diehard hunters and fishermen from American gray wolves in our state. started. In 2014, we’ll fight to ensure the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife is more A tale of two legislators willing and able to pursue its Environmental politics in Salem may be best shrewd deal maker, and reliable vote for conservation mission. We’ll counter the characterized as the conflict between old-school logging interests and polluters. In 2013, she pro-clearcutting campaign promoted by “Timbercrats” and younger, more conservation- opposed protecting Waldo Lake from the timber industry and the spin doctors oriented legislators with a background in pollution, protecting salmon from destructive at the Oregon Forest Resources Institute science and policy. The dichotomy between two suction dredge mining, and renewing important and push for reform of the abysmal Oregon Democrats shows this divide isn’t clean energy legislation. Her stands earned ire Oregon Forest Practices Act. always a partisan one. from Democratic leaders around the country. Of course, bad ideas never go away, Rep. Jules Bailey (D-Portland) is a rising star in In advancing environmental protection in and we will remain vigilant to threats to Salem, and widely regarded as one of Oregon’s Salem, legislators like Johnson are a huge Oregon values. With your help, we aim smartest legislators. He put those smarts to use challenge. Often, in order to secure her vote for in 2012, proposing several visionary bills as the measures on education, health care, or social to make 2014 another successful year Chair of the House Committee on Energy and services, legislative leaders are forced to water for conservation in the Oregon the Environment, including measures to better down, or even abandon, environmental legislature. fund ODFW to conserve non-game species. priorities. Changing this dynamic will be critical to protecting Oregon’s natural heritage On the other hand, Sen. Betsy Johnson in the 2014 legislature, and beyond. (D-Scappoose) is known as a key swing vote, Thumb icon by the Noun Project, Gilad Fried

9 Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 If your knees aren’t green…

rotecting Oregon’s wildlands requires a lot of in-office time. PSo when we get the chance to step Sign up for fall hikes! out the door for an adventure, we Calvin – the philosopher of Calvin & Hobbes fame – once said “If your knees love that we get to share it with aren’t green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life.” Oregon Wild members, With the long days of summer winding down, it’s a good time to take a look at supporters, and familiar faces. your knees. Whether your re-examination leaves you satisfied or wanting more, What’s more, we get to come full it’s also a good time to look forward to fall. circle on our work to protect Oregon’s wilderness over the last We’re pleased to announce a series of hikes to hold you over until the snow falls and the snowshoes come on. Join us for a fall full of mushrooms, salmon, waterfalls, (almost!) 40 years, and revel in the www.oregonwild.org charms and glories of some of our colors, and more! Visit to find out more and sign up. favorite places. Friday, September 13 Saturday, October 26 OREGON WILD SUMMER Our Upper McKenzie Waterfalls & Pools Eagle Creek Mushroom Hike [PDX] was full of summit hikes, old [EUGENE] Monday, October 28 growth explorations, and Saturday, September 21 Herman Creek Mushroom Hike [PDX] wildflower ramblings. We even Salmon River Hike [PDX] Wednesday, October 30 threw in a few service trips and a Friday, October 4 Larch Mountain Mushroom Trip [PDX] Wolf Rendezvous for good Tamanawas Falls Hike [PDX] measure. As summer comes to an Sunday, November 10 end, the Oregon Wild team closes Sunday, October 20 Fall Creek Mushroom Hike [EUGENE] the book on another fun season of Oregon Dunes [EUGENE] exploration on Oregon’s trails, but fall hikes are just around the corner. Thanks to all the volunteers, hikers, and of course the generous support of KEEN Footwear for making Oregon Wild Summer a great success and stay tuned for clockwise from top L: Chandra Le Gue Mount June Rhododendron; LINDSAY WARNE Table Rock Wilderness; rob Klavins Wolf Rendezvous another summer of (free) hikes 2013; jan wilson Tidbits Forest; mary strickworth Buckhorn Lookout next year! chris sokol sue parsons

Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 10 Join the frontline in protecting the Oregon you love Jonathan Jelen, Development Director

When

…the pristine waters of Waldo Lake were threatened…

…the state issued lethal kill orders for Oregon’s wolves…

mark timby odfw …Oregon’s last remaining old-growth mahogany aulenbach was on the chopping block… © darryl lloyd

…we permanently protected Wilderness areas like Mount Hood…

Oregon Wild Evergreen Society members were there!

Joining the Evergreen Society is the best way to help Evergreen Society members make dependable monthly Take Action! Oregon Wild protect our wildlands, wildlife, and waters. By gifts via automatic bank transfer or credit card. These Evergreen Society supporters allow us to proactively plan supporting Oregon Wild with an easy monthly gift, you’ll monthly contributions decrease the amount of money we our campaigns and respond to new threats to our know that – whether you’re rafting the Rogue River or spend on fundraising so we can channel more of your wildlands, wildlife, and waters. To join today, please visit us snowshoeing around Mount Hood – you’re standing up for support toward protecting the places in Oregon that are online at www.oregonwild.org/membership or call Jonathan the Oregon you love year-round. special to you. Jelen at 503-283-6343 ext 224.

11 Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 Creature Feature: Will condors one day soar again over Oregon and Northwest skies? Wendell Wood, Wildlands Interpreter

Creature: California Condor California. Another 170 condors fed on these carcasses were thus Where you can find it: live in zoos or other captive poisoned as well. Today lead In 1805, situations. ammunition is consumed when the Lewis and Clark expedition In focus: condors feed on gut piles of described condors in a number of A new book, “California animals shot by hunters and ingest locations along the Columbia Condors in the Pacific Northwest” lead bullet fragments. In the River, where they are believed to (OSU Press, 2013) documents the condor’s bloodstream, lead affects have once nested in the shallow condor’s history in the region from the central nervous system leading caves found in rocky outcrops prehistoric times to the early 20th to a slow death by starvation or above the river. Unfortunately, century. The authors are Jesse predation in their weakened state. there have been no confirmed wild D’Elia, a wildlife biologist in the condor sightings in Oregon since Endangered Species Division of Although much discussed, 1904, and the species remains the USFWS, and Susan Haig, a presently no immediate plans exist absent from the entire northern wildlife ecologist with the USGS. for Northwest condor half of its historic range. However, reintroduction. However, if While the importance of habitat is the Oregon Zoo’s Jonsson Center condors are to again one day ride well acknowledged, Haig states, “It for Wildlife Conservation near the thermals of the Columbia was heartening to learn that Portland is one of four facilities in Gorge, hunters will likely need to condors were widely distributed in the nation that breeds California adopt the use of lead-free the Pacific Northwest and probably condors and maintains a captive ammunition. In this way, carrion disappeared for reasons other than population. left behind might better provide a habitat loss – most likely their By the numbers: seasonal food source, rather than California decline was caused by secondary unintended poison pills – killing condors are indeed the largest land poisoning.” Early settlers used condors and other scavengers. birds in North America. Weighing large up to 30 pounds with a nearly amounts of 10-foot wingspan, the California strychnine to condor once graced the skies of the kill predators west from British Columbia to such as Baja California. Today they are wolves and considered to be one of the most grizzly bears. endangered birds in the world, with Scavengers 234 wild condors living in such as Chuck Szmurlo California, Arizona and Baja condors that usfws

Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 12 Mood Indigo – An adventure in the proposed Crater Lake Wilderness Lindsay Warne, Wilderness Intern

Crater Lake and its surrounding wildlands have As Oregon Wild’s Crater Lake Wilderness forest of spruce and fir while gradually gaining inspired people for generations, but the natural Campaign intern, part of my job this summer about 600 feet in elevation. As I climbed, many beauty of Crater Lake extends far beyond Wizard involved hiking and field checking the little frogs darted about the trail. The Forest Island and the caldera. Oregon Wild’s Crater Lake wildlands in our organization’s wilderness Service describes this trail as providing “ample Wilderness campaign proposes to protect the proposal. As a result, I’ve been able to spend my opportunity for solitude.” Turns out this did not backcountry of Crater Lake National Park as well summer exploring some of the most beautiful mean solitude from the mosquito swarms of as the critical wildlife corridors surrounding it. By and pristine lands near Crater Lake. It’s a hard late July. I got a full body workout as I hiked scoping out important areas in the proposal where job, but someone has to do it! and swatted in what probably looked like an we had information gaps – whether map based, overly-aggressive Zumba move. ecological, or recreational – Lindsay’s summer work I scouted Indigo Lake on my final fieldwork greatly contributed to the campaign. excursion, one of the proposed Wilderness areas Despite the mosquitoes, Indigo Lake was north of Crater Lake. I began my day at stunning. As the name implies, the water - Erik Fernandez Timpanogas Lake where the Indigo Lake trail radiates a brilliant blue while the rocky cliffs of originates. A fun fact Sawtooth Mountain preside over the scene. William Sullivan points There is also a trail circumnavigating the lake, out in his book 100 Classic which brings you to the deepest water best for Hikes in Oregon, fishing or a refreshing swim. It was a perfect Timpanogas Lake has a spot for lunch – though the mosquitoes thought quirky name history. An so too. overly imaginative map from the 1880s identified Indigo Lake is located in the high Cascades between Utah’s Great Salt Lake as Diamond Peak and Mount Thielsen. It can be the source of the accessed by driving up the Middle Fork Willamette Willamette River, and for River. a time, the Great Salt Take Action! Lake was called For more information, interactive maps, Timpanogas Lake – a and suggested hikes in the proposed strong historical example of the importance of field Crater Lake Wilderness check out checking! www.oregonwild.org/crater-lake- wilderness or the Crater Lake The hike from Wilderness Facebook page. Timpanogas Lake winds photos by jim purscelley through an old-growth

13 Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 Featuring the supporters, foundations, businesses, and volunteers that make our work Keeping it wild possible. This issue’s focus: Activists!

backyard forest Oregon Wild: Are many of these credits the way they did with timber - Grandmother’s O&C lands special because they’re revenue? Imagine monies being Grove. The forest so close to so many Oregonians, received for forests not being cut! and its 300-400 especially in the Willamette Valley? Oregon Wild: year old trees What are your hopes Kate: Yes, I think it’s important for survive to this day for the future of Grandmother’s these neighborhood forests to be a in part due to Grove and other Backyard Forests? part of people’s lives and not far off Kate’s efforts in Kate: and removed – that’s where I think Every time I come upon the bringing her the whole Backyard Forests concept Grandmother’s Grove, we come students there on is really important. In the case of the around the last corner, and my heart field trips and Grandmother’s Grove, there’s a drops – because I wonder, “Is it still hands-on forestry gentleman who lives down the hill going to be there?” and I don’t know lessons. photos by Chandra Le G u e from it who walks up to the grove the answer. I would like to come Kate’s efforts have given a voice Oregon Wild: with his dog every day – he calls the around that corner and know the to Grandmother’s Grove and its beautiful old-growth trees. grove his cathedral. forest has been designated with Kate, you often some kind of protection, and that it take your students Oregon Wild: Is there anything you will still be there. Name: Kate Gessert on field trips to feel is missing in the O&C debate Grandmother’s Grove and other Location: Eugene, OR and the “Timber Trust” proposal? Be an activist! wild areas on the state’s O&C lands. Kate: Oregon Wild member & activist since: How does this play into the courses I’m very scared about the Make the protection and restoration 1999 you teach? DeFazio plan. It started off bad, and of Oregon’s wildlands, wildlife, and it got even worse coming out of waters your enduring legacy. Be an Favorite Backyard Forest: Kate: A lot of my students’ work is committee. I don’t know enough activist and help preserve our Grandmother’s Grove context-based, so it isn’t just learning about what Wyden is proposing. We Backyard Forests for future how to use the language; it’s learning Lane County resident Kate Gessert often talk about wildlife and water generations. about where they’re living. There are teaches English as a second language, quality and recreation, but I work a a lot of new students who have a To learn more about advocating for and has long been a vocal advocate for lot on climate change issues, and the sense of connection to Oregon that’s Oregon’s special places, visit the preservation of Oregon’s forests and thing no one talks about anymore is oregonwild.org/take_action far different from the land they grew , wildlands. Recently featured as a once forests reach an age of about 80 backyardforests.org up in. As a result they don’t feel so , or join the “citizen advocate” on the BLM Special years, they’re really good at storing (backyardforests.org) homesick, and they also feel some Our BLM Backyard Forests Places website carbon. So why not work harder to responsibility to take care of where community on Facebook. launched in partnership with KS Wild, keep these forests growing to they are now. Kate is a champion for her local compensate counties with carbon

Fall 2013 Volume 40, Number 3 14 Staff (and interns) on the move Intern-ally Wild Erin Finucane Alyssa Rohr Wildlife Intern [with Rob Klavins] Photo Contest & Event Intern Klamath staffer migration [with Marielle Cowdin] Audubon Society. She spent the last couple of years Erin spent her time helping local startups get off the ground at the It was 1981 when Wendell researching and A native Boulderite University of Washington. Now, she’s working to get Wood first appeared on the writing about some living in Portland, more birds on the ground in the Klamath Basin. Oregon Wild roster – then as of Oregon’s native Alyssa focused on Welcome Quinn (and don’t worry, Wendell’s not going a board member for a growing wildlife species, managing and anywhere)! organization. In the ensuing including marketing two decades he’s bounced around Staff retreat California condors, sea otters, and major events: the roles as Board President, (the only time we’re not on the offensive!) wolverines, and explored the ways annual Outdoor Photo Contest and Educational Programs Oregon Wild’s Wildlife Program can Oregon Wild’s annual benefit, Call Coordinator, Klamath Coordinator, and Wildlands Every year, the Oregon Wild staff heads out into address the challenges and of the Wild (see back cover). Alyssa’s Interpreter. Most recently, he came back on staff to Oregon’s backcountry for our annual staff retreat. It’s a opportunities these species face summer highlight: working closely turn over rocks in the Klamath Basin and find dirty time for us to get out of the office and think locally. Erin’s summer highlight: with so many different businesses secrets that the Bureau of Reclamation doesn’t want strategically about the year ahead. More importantly, participating in the 2013 Wolf and organizations around the you to know about. it’s a time for us to strengthen our personal connections Rendezvous in NE Oregon. Portland area. to the places we are working to protect. In June, Wendell handed off the Klamath reins to our Roxana Monjaras Lindsay Warne new Klamath Advocate, Quinn Read. Quinn comes to This year, we headed out to wolf country in far Conservation & Outreach Intern Crater Lake Wilderness Campaign [with Chandra LeGue] Intern [with Erik Fernandez] Oregon Wild with a background in environmental law northeast Oregon. We camped in the Wallowa and business development. Her environmental career Whitman National Forest and hiked throughout the Working in Lindsay divided her started as a teenager volunteering for her local Imnaha Pack territory. One morning, while walking along a Eugene, Roxana time between meandering spent time scouting proposed creek, we heard designing wilderness areas the unmistakable informative and supporting the sound of a wolf handouts, creating Crater Lake howling. You can GIS maps for local watersheds, and Wilderness campaign in the Portland hear the wolf organizing events like the Eugene office by updating campaign howl at www. Celebration. Roxana’s summer materials and verifying wilderness oregonwild. highlights: observing eagles from the boundaries. Lindsay’s summer org/wolfhowl . overlook on Tidbits Mountain, highlight: staff retreat and soaking in photographing the wildflowers on the expertise of long-time wilderness oregon wild staff (left to right): Rob Klavins, Jonathan Jelen, Tommy Mount June, and hiking to the North advocates in ruggedly beautiful Hough, Marielle Cowdin, Doug Heiken, Erik Fernandez, Sean Stevens, Steve Pedery, Erin Finucane, Quinn Read, Lindsay Warne, and Chandra LeGue. Umpqua’s Lemolo Falls. Wallowa County.

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