From Salmonberry to Sagebrush Exploring Oregon’s Native Plants An ecoregional curriculum for grades 9-12 Written by Jennie Cramer, Jody Einerson Significant contributions from: Carolyn Menke, Ian Silvernail, and Sarah Stevens Cover Art by: Paula Fong Illustrations by: Amanda Devine Jody Einerson Barbara Gleason Graphic Design by: BGleason Design © 2011 Institute for Applied Ecology P.O. Box 2855 Corvallis Oregon 97339-2855 • 541–753-3099 • www.appliedeco.org ii Acknowledgements We would like to thank the following people for their contribution in producing From Salmonbery to Sagebrush: Exploring Oregon’s Native Plants. Special thanks to the following for their vision in making this curriculum possible Peggy Olwell—Bureau of Land Management, Plant Conservation Lead, BLM National Program Joan Seevers—Bureau of Land Management, Plant Conservation Lead BLM, Oregon/Washington Nancy Sawtelle—Bureau of Land Management, Plant Ecologist, Eugene District, Oregon In addition we have had numerous people who have acted as advisors and have contributed botanical, ecological, or educational expertise, and painstakingly edited and re-edited materials. Thank you all, your contribution has been important and appreciated. Advisory Council Teresa Matteson, Benton Soil & Water Melissa Kirkland, USFS Botanist Conservation District Jenny Lippert, USFS Botanist Heath Keirstead, Benton Soil & Water Holly LeMasurier, Middle Fork Willamette Conservation District Watershed Council Maggie Livesay, OSU Extension Faculty Tim Whitley, Rachel Carson High School 4-H Youth Development Loren Gerig, Woodburn High School Jeff Mitchell, Philomath High School Elly Veyera, Wy’east Middle School Paul Bradley, Wilson Elementary School Mary Ann Schmidt, Oregon Trout Healthy Dan Bregar, Crescent Valley High School Waters Institute Holly McRae, Willamette Resources & Jennifer Martin, Owyhee Watershed Council Education Network Jon Souder, Coos Watershed Association Sujaya Rao, OSU Faculty Rural Science Education Susan Sahnow, Oregon Natural Resource Kendra Mingo, Willamette University Botanist Education Program Brad Withrow-Bobinson, OSU Extension LeeAnn Mikkelson, Oregon Natural Resource Faculty Forestry Education Program Andy Moldenke, OSU Botany & Plant Pathology Nancy Sawtelle, BLM Plant Ecologist Dio Morales, Curriculum Design Consultant Joleen Schilling, OSU Graduate Student Eve Montanaro, Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council Content Reviewers and Resource Experts Tom Kaye, Institute for Applied Ecology Director, Melanie Gisler, Institute for Applied Ecology, Botany & Plant Pathology Restoration Ecologist Carolyn Menke, Institute for Applied Ecology, Matt Blakeley-Smith, Institute for Applied Plant Conservation Biologist Ecology, Restoration Biologist Rob Fiegener, Institute for Applied Ecology, Amanda Stanley, Institute for Applied Ecology, Native Seed Network Ecologist iii Content Reviewers and Resource Experts, continued Stacy Moore, Institute for Applied Ecology, Douglas Kendig, BLM Medford District, Botanist Environmental Education Director Teresa Matteson, Benton Soil & Water Berta Youtie, Eastern Oregon Stewardship Services Conservation District Tim Rodenkirk, BLM Coos Bay, Botanist Kathy Pendergrass, NRCS Plant Material Laura Potash Martin, Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Specialist—Oregon National Forest, Botanist Marcia Wineteer, BLM Medford District, Botanist Kristi Mergenthaler, Siskiyou Field Institute, Botanist Robert Kentta, Cultural Resources Director, Gene Yates, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians Botanist Wenix Red Elk, Public Outreach & Education Katie Grenier, Deschutes/Ochoco National Coordinator, Confederated Tribes of the Forests, Botanist Umatilla Indian Reservation Reid Schuller, Botanist Misty Thorsgard, Cultural Resources, The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Marty Stein, Siuslaw National Forest, Botanist Mary Van Brocklin, Falconproof Susan Fritts, BLM Medford Distric, Botanist Piloting Teachers April Fong, Linda Wolf, Sean Kenna, Loren Gerig, Edith Moore, Kevin Celtura, Tim Whitley, Jonathan Pope, Michelle Barray, Lacy Beahm, Brian Wach, Jeff Michell Thank you to our funders USDA Bureau of Land Management—vision and creation National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Native Plant Conservation Initiative—printing and distribution Special thanks to Earth Partnership for Schools Program for acting as a model in developing place- based curriculum and for allowing us to adapt some of their materials for Oregon. University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison WI 53711. www.uwarboretum.org About Institute for Applied Ecology Founded in 1999, the Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) is a non-profit organization established to provide a service to public and private agencies and individuals by developing and communicat- ing information on ecosystems and effective management strategies. IAE offers habitat restoration services complete with habitat management plans, site preparation, maintenance and monitoring. Our Native Seed Network connects buyers and sellers of native seed while our Conservation and Research division conducts native ecosystem research and monitoring and provides surveys for rare plants. The Ecological Education Program provides opportunities for K-12 students, teachers and the adult community in place-based education and service learning projects. For additional copies of the curriculum contact: Institute for Applied Ecology P.O. Box 2855, Corvallis Oregon 97339-2855 541-753-3099 • www.appliedeco.org iv From Salmonberry to Sagebrush: Exploring Oregon’s Native Plants Table of Contents Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iii Introduction ..................................................................................................................... ix SECTION 1: PLANT IDENTIFICATION Section1: Plant Identification Section Divider ................................................................. xii 1. Botany Bouquet .......................................................................................................... 1 Explore and become familiar with plant names, and the usefulness of a common plant language. 2. Botanical Terms Challenge ........................................................................................... 5 . A plant structure and function vocabulary-building lesson using vocabulary sheets or a crossword puzzle. 3. The Secret Life of Flowers .......................................................................................... 14 An art-based activity using the flower paintings of Georgia O’Keefe for inspiration. Students dissect, observe, and record flower anatomy. 4. Drupes, Pomes, & Loculicidal Capsules: A Botanist’s Lingo for Describing Native Fruits ...22 Understand the different types of native fruits and learn to categorize them. 5 . What’s in a Name? ..................................................................................................... 27 A technology-based lesson on the importance of using scientific names. 6. Plants Have Families Too ............................................................................................ 33 Learn nine common Oregon plant families and explore the science of taxonomy. 7. Mechanics of a Key .................................................................................................... 39 Learn the basics of how a dichotomous key works and how to construct one by keying out the students in the classroom. 8. Make a Field Guide for Your School .......................................................................................45 . Construct a dichotomous key and field guide to a natural area near the school grounds. 9. Make Your Own Plant Collection ..........................................................................................5 .0 Make a herbarium of local species. Learn proper technique for collecting, pressing, labeling, mounting, and storage of the collection. 10. Create-a-Plant ........................................................................................................... 5 6 . Create a fictional plant and field guide entry to demonstrate understanding. v SECTION 2: ECOREGIONS OF OREGON Section2 ........................................................................................................................... 64 11. Explore Oregon’s Ecoregions ..................................................................................... 65 . An overview of Oregon’s eight ecoregions. Learn about the biological, climatic, and geographical diversity of the state. 12. The Place I Call Home ................................................................................................. 74 Explore what makes your or each ecoregion different from its neighbors, find out about human influences, land use, and a few of the special species that live there. 13. Ecosystem Comparisons ............................................................................................. 81 Collect data to compare and contrast different native habitats in their ecoregion. 14. An Ecosystem through an Artist’s Eye ........................................................................ 89 Explore the concept of ecological scale through art to encourage aesthetic appreciation of natural landscapes. SECTION 3: ECOLOGY of NATIVE PLANTS Section3 ........................................................................................................................... 93 15 . What’s Goin’