OREGON STEWARDSHIP 4015 S. Stage Rd. Medford, OR 97501 www.oregonstewardship.org [email protected] or [email protected] 541-770-2703 or Jim at 541-621-6982 Fall, 2018

WILDLIFE HABITAT The following birds and animals have been seen at Bear Creek along the Greenway: otter, great blue heron, night heron, green heron, white egret, beaver, and of course salmon and steelhead.

One of the best places in Southern Oregon to view birds and some mammals is Myrtle Point Marsh, next to Myrtle Tree Motel along Highway 42. Over the years we have observed bittern, green heron, night heron, great blue heron, white egret, wood duck, mallard duck, cinnamon teal, bald eagle, mink, otter, beaver muskrat, deer, and fox. Elementary students visit the marsh in the spring to study marsh ecology. They return to their classrooms to write about what they observe.

VIEWING SPAWNING SALMON

Each year, Jim takes Butte Falls first grade stu- dents to watch spawning salmon on Big Butte Creek. As they leaned over the railing, Jim cautioned them to be careful not to fall. One of the girls responded, “No, we don’t want to crush the salmon eggs.”

SUMMER WORK During the summer, gardens and trails have to be maintained. Oregon Stewardship maintains 10 miles of trails that included 3 trails at Den- man Wildlife Area, 2 at Gold Beach, 2 at Illinois Valley, 1 on the Sixes River, and 3 miles along the Bear Creek Greenway . Garden work con- tinues at Illinois Valley, Coquille, Installing a brush bundle in Gold Beach, and Myrtle Point Tree trimming at Grayback Creek schools. Coquille High School BELIEVE YOU CAN ACHIEVE HIGH SCHOOL PROJECTS All high school participants are offered a scholarship for college or vocational training. Thank you to the Dubs Foundation, Jacksonville Garden Club and Middle Rogue Steelheaders for supporting our scholarship program.

Coquille High School

“No Dumping—drains to stream” stencils are painted on city streets. Wave pansy baskets are planted for winter sales. Willow and osier dog- wood cuttings will again be planted along Cunningham Creek.

Gold Beach High School

High School seniors and fourth graders are studying forest and estuary ecology on Elephant Bar Trail. To the right a student is redoing a garden area that was planted by students over 20 years ago. Students also maintain Rotary and Elephant Bar Trails.

Illinois Valley High School

Students care for campus gardens, including a native plant garden in the courtyard. However, they would much rather work on trails, including log cut- ting, than to weed gardens. They maintain Upper Grayback Trail (on right) and Forks Trail on the Illinois River. They continue to plant pine trees along West Fork of the Illi- nois River. Myrtle Point High School

Students cleared brush around the elementary school and repainted benches with Bobcat blue paint. They were also leaders on our annual field trip to Camp Myrtlewood to study forest and river ecology and search for salmon. Warm cookies are served by our host at Camp Myrtlewood.

Pacific High School Annual bulb planting at the school entrance occurred in early November. Two students this year are continuing to work on Crooked Fir Trail on the Sixes River. They are designing an in- terpretative brochure for six stops, numbering the posts, and building a metal brochure box. The goal is to have the brochure and posts in place by late April or early May. Year round maintenance includes work at Ironhead Boat Ramp and Elk River Hatchery.

South Medford High School Five seniors worked this fall on Saturdays, removing blackber- ries and planting native plants along a half mile section of Bear Creek. They earn their senior project hours and make a presen- tation before graduating in June. They have designed and con- structed a 1/8 mile trail on their recent project. They enjoy pizza together after work on Saturdays. We emphasize teamwork and leadership skill with all students. 2018 SALMON COUNTS In Bear Creek ex- On the Illinois River Fall Trail Work posed pipe at Jackson poaching continues in September 24, 2018 Creek forced most of the Kirby area and Jim Hutchins the fish to spawn below. State police downstream, from were called twice. Beautiful fall morning as I set foot on the the mall and above Because of low water first of three trails, Little Butte Creek Loop. McAndrews Ave. salmon spawned in Nick Young Trail will follow, and finally Den- the lower reaches. man Trail—5 miles total. Year Totals Very quiet and dry. Acorns crunch under Year Totals my boots as I move along, cutting a blackberry 1994 10 runner or two. Trail is covered with acorns, 2003 400 indicating a bountiful supply. 1995 144 2004 373 Only 10 gallons of trash total today, and no 1996 27 2005 136 damage to benches. However at the entrance to 1997 26 Denman Trail the “No Horses” sign had been 2006 135 removed. Rosehips and poison oak are color- 1998 17 2007 77 ful, bright orange and red. 1999 4 No hikers today, just one lone jogger and 2008 63 2000 146 one person dog-walking on TouVelle Rd. 2009 136 2001 65 Saw three great blue herons trying for fish 2010 156 or frogs in the very low ponds, waiting for fall 2002 158 rains. 2011 254 2003 283 Acorn woodpeckers were busy harvesting 2012 344 acorns to punch into holes in their granary trees. 2004 59 2013 431 Quail zooming to brush for cover, broke the 2005 70 silence once or twice. 2006 162 2014 161 2007 77 2015 190 BOARD MEMBERS 2008 17  Eric Dittmer-Professor Emeritus, 2016 104* 2009 78 Environmental Studies, SOU  Charles Lane-Professor Environmental Stud- 2010 101 2017 135 ies, SOU 2011 109 2018 145  Lynne Dittmer-Retired, Moss Adams 2012 115  Loren Wittenberg-Retired, BLM Hydrologist *High Water in the Illi-  Carla Hutchins-Retired Office Manager 2013 125 nois R. prevented count-  Mark Millner-Partner, Terra Firma Gifts ing. 2014 404  Todd McDonald-Partner, New Brew Media  Keith Miller-Professor Emeritus, 2015 321 Zoology, University of Alaska 2016 187  Cathy Fultineer, Sr. V.P. Marketing, Procare Software 2017 234 Thanks to Robert Coffan  (Nicolaj Imhof-currently teaching in 2018 231 for presenting Monarch Germany) Waystations at our an-  In Memoriam—Jo Williams nual meeting. Thanks for our sustaining Corporate Sponsors

Ish Ranch Estates

Gold Beach

Butte Falls

Additional Businesses and Agencies Who Support Oregon Stewardship Arthur R. Dubs Foundation Jacksonville Garden Club Ascension Lutheran Church Women Jo Heim Real Estate Bullitt Foundation Kids Unlimited Central Art Medford Parks and Recreation City of Medford Middle Rogue Steelheaders Coquille Rotary Oregon Fish and Wildlife Curry Anadromous Fishermen Oregon Hunters Association Don Hamman, Inc. Philboyd Origins Fishermen Direct Rogue Flyfishers Gold Beach Lions Rogue Outdoor Store Houshour, Inc. Southern Oregon Flyfishers Private Citizens & Public Schools—Thank you

Mission Statement and Vision Statement

It is our mission to offer education that encourages the community to provide stewardship for the land of Oregon.

We encourage students, adults, and all community members to participate in the grassroots stewardship of our environment. We will do this with integrity, responsibility, balance, and knowledge and with community commitment and stewardship. Oregon Stewardship 4015 S. Stage Rd.

Medford, OR 97501

Paper Recycled 100% on Printed

MAIL TO: Oregon Stewardship, 4015 S. Stage Rd., Medford, OR 97501 97501 OR Medford, Rd., Stage S. 4015 Stewardship, Oregon TO: MAIL

mail______- E

Address______

Name______

_____$500 ____Other _____$500 _____$250 _____$100 ____$50

Amount

you. Thank deductible. tax are contributions

We are sustained by membership contributions. We are a 501(c)(3) organization. Your Your organization. 501(c)(3) a are We contributions. membership by sustained are We

Stewardship…. Oregon Support