Conservation Education Community Science Partnership
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WINTER 2018 Wetlands VOLUME 10 ISSUE 2 conservation community science partnership education TheWetlands Conservancy THE WETLANDS CONSERVANCY builds community, creating strong, long-lasting relationships with diverse partners. We encourage people to explore and discover how wetlands central coast play a vital role in their everyday lives, inspiring them to protect and preserve wetlands throughout Oregon. n Conservation of Oregon’s greatest wetlands rely on the actions of local communities, landowners, non-profits, and public agencies. TWC offers sup- port and technical assistance to others working to conserve them. In partner- ship with businesses, TWC showcases the ecological, social and economic value of conserving Oregon’s wetlands. portland metro 2 TheWetlands Conservancy willamette valley harney county 3 OF OREGON’S GREATEST 55%WETLANDS ARE PERMANENTLY CONSERVED Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands Conserved Wetlands Map by Jimmy Kagan Institute for Natural Resources, PSU Oregon has lost over half of the wetlands Over the past twenty years since TWC began the present when the first settlers arrived in the 1800’s. Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands (OGW) project, just under To ensure that the remaining wetlands are conserved, 770,000 acres of wetland in 162 separate sites have The Wetlands Conservancy (TWC) launched the permanent conservation status and will remain Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands Project. Over the past and be managed as important wetlands forever. twenty years, we have identified and mapped the These irreplaceable gems include montane meadows, wetlands, collected ecological information, identified high desert marshes, playas, riverine bottomlands, potential threats and worked closely with local freshwater wetlands, wet prairies, coastal fens, communities, private landowners, land trusts, and estuaries. watershed councils and state resource managers For the next two years, TWC will focus on conserving across Oregon to conserve these wetlands. more Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands at the Central Coast, the Willamette Valley and Harney Basin. 4 Living in Tsumani Zones OUR MISSION To partner with Community Choice to Promote Safety and Restore Salt Marsh communities across our state In the 1950s, the in conserving, Lincoln County School enhancing and District decided to restoring the physical construct a new high school in Waldport, and ecological Oregon. They chose values of Oregon’s property to the west of Crestline Drive and greatest wetlands to the south of High- for current and way 34. They probably thought the selected future generations. property, a low swampy area, was a wasteland that would better serve the public as the site for The location of the former a new high school. The swampy land was filled Waldport High School, between 1956 and 1958. The high school was likely taken in the early built in 1959 and was used for the past 50 years. 1950s. Several years ago, the City of Waldport and the School District realized the school was Engelmeyer Paul built in a tsunami zone. The School District was steelhead trout. awarded interest free loans and a $3,000,000 Juvenile salmon use the from FEMA to move the school to higher ground. saltmarsh to acclimate The students will now be safe if an earthquake or to tidal and saltwater tsunami hit the coast. environments prior to We now know that the low swampy land was swimming into the ocean. Additionally, the area historically a salt marsh that was hydrologically provides important habitat for migrating shore- connected to Lint Slough. The slough and its birds like Common Goldeneye, Great Yellowlegs, bordering salt marshes, provide important Brown Pelican, Peregrine Falcon and resident habitat for juvenile salmonids, such as Chinook Bald Eagles, and has been identified as salmon, coho salmon, chum salmon and Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. The former high school property now offers an excellent opportunity to remove the fill that was placed more than 50 years ago and to restore the salt marsh. Recent excavations show the soils and even the seeds of the historic salt marsh Paul Englemeyer Paul are still present below the concrete and rubble. Removing the fill can restore the salt marsh and although it may never support salmon habitat again, it can still provide many of the functions that make estuaries some of Oregon’s greatest wetlands. 5 Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands Tours Hmm... this would Plan out your year exploring Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands with The Wetlands Conservancy. There’s make a great no better way to enjoy the outdoors than by taking a Wetlands Conservancy tour. Discover and holiday learn about wetlands from Conservationists, scientists and community members who live and gift! breathe the magic of wetlands. Grab your rubber boots, binoculars and cameras and join TWC staff in exploring Oregon’s Greatest wetlands. There are limited spots on each of these tours. Willamette Valley Wet Prairies Tour Be one of the first to visit TWC’s next wetland easement acquisition! Willamette Valley wet prairies are among the most endangered habitat types in the state of Oregon, and among the rarest of North American ecosystems. Come tour Evergreen Wetlands, approximately 1.5 miles south of Philomath with wetland banker Ray Fiori and “It was hard to believe I had TWC Executive Director, Esther Lev. Over the past 12 years Ray and Oregon Wetlands LLC have restored 175 acres never seen a native wetland of Willamette Valley Wetlands, with significant prairie habitat. Prior to restoration of the wetland, the site was in prairie in all my years in agricultural production. Eleven years later, the site is dominated by native wetland plants, including some rare Oregon. The many flowering species, and turned the wetlands into a tapestry of color and texture. Bring your binoculars, as the fauna is just plants and native grasses were beautiful and I learned as diverse as the flora! Today the restored rye grass field a lot about the challenges of qualifies as an Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands. managing these areas and What: All-day tour includes transportation and lunch. assuring diversity for not When: June 4, 2019 only plants but fish Bring: Sturdy shoes as terrain is uneven. and wildlife too.” Cost: $80 per person, minimum of 5/maximum of – FRAN RECHT 14. Lunch and transportation to site from Portland is included. “I was struck by the degree to which the partners, and in particular the long-standing Central Coast Watersheds and Wetland Tour relationships between the Tour the Wetlands Conservancy’s Central Coastal Initiative partners was at the heart of Area (Yaquina Estuary, Beaver Creek, and Alsea Bay) with TWC the success of the Coastal Coastal Land steward Paul Engelmeyer and Executive Director program. You could feel it Esther Lev. This all -day tour includes lunch and ends with a when listening to them talk social hour with TWC coastal partners. If we are lucky we might about the work….” – CAROL MURDOCK catch a glimpse of spawning lamprey or taste some Yaquina oysters. Tour will be limited to 15 people, and start in Newport, Oregon. What: Full day tour of TWC’s central coast preserves with Esther Lev and Paul Engelmeyer. Includes dinner. When: February 2, 2019 Bring: Comfortable clothing and shoes that can get wet, snacks Cost: $80 per person. Limit 15 people. 6 Event Sponsors Hmm... Coopers Hall this would Pacific Foods make a great Wolf Water Resources holiday Hahn & Associates, Inc. gift! Boeing Oregon Wetlands LLC Pacific Habitat Services 2018 Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District TriMet Clean Water Services Wetlands and Wellies 2018 was Pembroke Asset Advisors a true celebration of wetlands, City of Portland Bureau community and partners. New of Environmental Services friends and old from Burns to Earth Designs Consultants Inc. Yachats, Newport, Corvallis and all around sing and lively auction that will send the lucky Metro the Portland Metro area mingled while dining winners out to explore some of Oregon’s Winterbrook Planning on great food and drinks. Greatest Wetlands raised $77,000. Columbia Bank Sun, changing leaf color and above average As you head into the holiday season, think Cardno ESA Environmental Science temperatures provided the perfect backdrop for about visiting one of our restaurant partners, Associates 7 Metro Area Wetlands & Wellies wetland tours. ordering some oysters, grabbing a growler of Cascade Environmental As the sun set, more than 200 people gathered beer, purchasing some wine, trying a new spirit, Group at Coopers Hall for the evening celebration satisfying a sweet tooth, taking home some tasty Spence Tobey Group SWCA Environmental and fundraiser. Sharing stories of field trips, food or buying a friend or family member a gift Consultants wetlands all around Oregon and tastes with certificate. Thanks to all of our event sponsors local chefs, winemakers, distillers, brewers who help us implement our mission of conserving Menu Sponsors showcased the diversity and breadth of our Oregon’s Greatest wetlands. Bambu Bull Run Distillery wetland conservation community. A group Campari Cana’s Feast Winery LUI XIN’S PAN-FRIED PACIFIC OYSTERS Coopers Hall Winery and Taproom n 12 oz container fresh Pacific Oysters Dr. Brew Kombucha n 1 cup corn meal Enoteca Nostrana Fishpeople Seafood n DOUGLAS DERRICK’S NEGRONI 2 eggs, beaten with 1 teaspoon water Flying Fish n 1 oz London dry gin (over 90 proof) n 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or Groundwork Coffee Hopworks Urban Brewery n cooking fat 1 oz Campari Helioterra Wines n 1 oz Cinzano sweet vermouth Drop oysters into boiling water for 2 Hoxie Cove minutes. Transfer to bowl with cold water La Moule Build the drink in the rocks glass. Add for several minutes. Pat dry. Dip prepared Little Beast Brewing all ingredients with lots of ice into the Millenium Farms oysters in egg, then in corn meal, coating glass. Stir. Garnish the top of the drink Miss Zumstein Cakes thoroughly.