NPSO 2022 Annual Meeting

1 Native Plant Garden at McMinnville Library                          Leader:  Rob Tracey

    1 - 4 p.m.      Easy

Stroll through the garden to enjoy 80 labeled species of plants indigenous to the Willamette Valley and surrounding low elevation Cascade and Coast Ranges. Many will come into bloom during the Annual Meeting. Established in 1999, the garden is maintained by volunteers from the Cheahmill Chapter. Questions about propagation and ethnobotany welcomed.

2 Erratic Rock and Maysara Winery                    Leaders:  Lisa Blackburn, Moe Momtazi

    1 - 4 p.m.      Easy to moderate  (0.5 mile)

Walk on short, paved trail to a spectacular viewpoint. Examine the erratic rock that floated into the Willamette Valley in an iceberg and was deposited on a hillside 250 feet above the valley floor. Learn about Ice Age floods that brought such rocks to the valley from Canada. Travel a short distance to Maysara Winery for a tour of the vineyard and learn about biodynamic farming.

3 Deer Creek Prairie Park                                            Leader:  Dave Hanson

    1 - 4 p.m.      Easy  (0.5 mile)

This is Yamhill County's most biologically diverse park, with upland and wet prairies, beaver ponds, and riparian habitats. After many attempts to farm the site, it was abandoned and acquired by Yamhill County. It is now a designated mitigation site for enhancement of endangered Fender's blue butterfly populations and its host species, threatened Kincaid's lupine.

4 Grass ID Workshop at Deer Creek Prairie Park                Leader:  Cindy Roché

    1 - 4 p.m.      Easy

Join Dr. Cindy Roché to explore native and introduced grasses at Deer Creek Prairie Park. Use the Field Guide to Grasses of Oregon and Washington to learn about grass anatomy and the art of using a dichotomous key to identify a variety of grasses growing in the park.

5 Chachalu Museum and Cultural Center                           Leader:  Rachelle Kellogg

    1 - 4 p.m.      Easy

The museum tells the story of the more than 27 tribes and bands of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and honors the Elders who have kept traditions alive. Exhibits tell the story of the Missoula Floods, traditional foods and housing, relationship to Willamette Falls, and more.

6 Drift Creek Falls                                                  Leader:  Bruce Waugh

    1 - 4 p.m.      Easy  (3-miles round-trip, plus optional 1-mile North Loop to view old growth)

Hike through a beautiful forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, and other coastal woodland species to cross a 100-foot high suspension bridge overlooking a spectacular 75-foot waterfall as it cascades over columnar basalt.

7 Grass Mountain at the Sitka Center                               Leader:  Alison Dennis

    1 - 4 p.m.      Easy  (1 to 2 miles)

With views of the Pacific, walk through a lovely coastal forest and meadows in the Cascade Head Scenic Research Area, an 80-acre site newly acquired by the Sitka Center for Art & Ecology. The Center is in the process of determining how the property will be used, with an emphasis on promoting stewardship of the land and deepening an understanding of ecology through art and science.

20 Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge and Left Coast Winery     Leaders:  Tom Kaye, Chris Seal, Bob Pfaff

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Easy  (4 miles at refuge, 1 mile at winery)

The sweeping view from this National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) stretches from the Willamette Valley to the foothills of the Cascade Range. Varied habitats include wetland, wet and dry prairie, oak woodland, and mixed forest. The refuge is home to the largest known population of Fender's blue butterfly and its host plant, Kincaid's lupine. Leaders will discuss efforts to improve habitat, reintroduce native plant species, and restore plant communities. Following a picnic lunch at Left Coast Winery, we will tour the winery's 200+ acres of ecological compensation areas.

21 Confederated Tribes (CTGR) Plant Nursery and Champoeg State Park     Leaders:  Jeremy Ojua, Peter Moore, Andy Neill

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Easy to moderate

The Plants for People project aims to make culturally important plant species more available for restoration projects. In the morning, we will tour the CTGR native plant nursery and will hike a short nature trail where these plants have recently been established and should be in bloom. In the afternoon, we will visit Champoeg State Heritage Area where the Institute for Applied Ecology is helping to restore a 45-acre prairie that eventually will be a traditional tribal harvest area.

22 Masonville and Muddy Valley Habitat Reserves     Leaders:  Amie Loop-Frison, Josh Togstad, Chris Seal, Thomas Hoskins, Lynda Boyer

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Easy to moderate  (2- to 3-mile hikes at each site)

These adjacent sites are managed by the Yamhill Soil & Water Conservation District and are normally inaccessible to the public. Both sites offer excellent examples of how partnerships have enabled a transition to high quality habitats with restored ecological function and protected remnant native plant populations. Masonville Habitat Reserve includes a diversity of habitats, including wet and upland prairie, marsh, riparian, Garry oak savanna, and coniferous forest. Muddy Valley Habitat Reserve includes 540 acres of wet prairie, oak savanna, mixed forest, and ponds with western pond turtles.

23 Deer Creek Prairie Park and Yamhill Oaks Preserve     Leaders:  Dave Hanson, Josh Togstad, Paul Hammond

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Easy to moderate  (0.5 mile at Deer Creek Park; 1.5 miles at Yamhill Oaks Preserve)

Deer Creek is Yamhill County's most biologically diverse park, with upland and wet prairies, beaver ponds, and riparian habitats. It is a designated mitigation site for enhancement of endangered Fender's blue butterfly populations and its host species, threatened Kincaid's lupine.

Yamhill Oaks is a 640-acre remnant upland prairie and oak woodland that is managed by the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District and is not normally open to the public. With more than 27 at-risk species, it is home to one of the largest populations of Fender's blue butterfly. A special feature of this field trip will be a butterfly tour and walk with lepidopterist Paul Hammond.

24 Basket-Making Workshop                                    Leader:  Stephanie Wood-Craig

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Easy

Stephanie Wood-Craig is an accomplished basket maker and teacher. She will lead a workshop on how to construct a simple tule rush or cattail basket involving twining and plaiting. Students will explore the plant materials followed by a demonstration of how to construct their baskets.

25 Lost Prairie and Saddle Bag Mountain                         Leader:  Heidi Christensen

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Easy to moderate with a strenuous option  (about 1 mile total)

Lost Prairie was designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern to protect 60 acres of mid- to high-elevation sedge fen, Sphagnum bog, and beaver marshes in the Oregon Coast Range. The fen supports a diverse array of vascular plants and bryophytes that are uncommon in coastal coniferous forests of northwestern Oregon. Saddle Bag Mountain Research Natural Area occupies 300 acres on the 3,290-foot summit and western slopes of the mountain and was established to protect one of the last remaining stands of Pacific silver fir in the Oregon Coast Range. Many of the trees at the site are between 250 and 400 years old. This site is normally inaccessible to the public.

26 Salmon River Estuary                                            Leader:  Kami Ellingson

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Easy

A little-known gem on the Oregon Coast, the estuary forms a bay between two basalt headlands. In 1960, salt marshes were diked to exclude saltwater to provide areas for pasture. Restoration efforts focus on restoring native plant communities and controlling erosion and noxious weeds. The trip to this extraordinary site will visit two restoration projects and discuss what was learned about the recovery of native vegetation and the return of juvenile salmon to the estuary.

27 Cascade Head Nature Conservancy Preserve                         Leader:  Aislinn Adams

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Moderate to strenuous  (4.2 miles)

Cascade Head is a basalt headland offering a spectacular view of the Oregon coast and the Salmon River Estuary. The trail begins with a steep climb through a coastal rainforest of Sitka spruce and western hemlock and emerges onto a coastal prairie, home to numerous native wildflowers.

28 Camp Westwind - Beach                                          Leader:  Kareen Sturgeon

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Easy  (about 0.5 mile)

Nestled between two basalt headlands, the camp sits in a beautiful bay beside the Salmon River Estuary. This extraordinary site harbors a wide diversity of habitats on beaches, seaside cliffs, and dunes. An optional hike to High Meadow leads through a coastal forest to a meadow and spectacular view overlooking the ocean.

29 Camp Westwind - Upland                                             Leader:  Bruce Waugh

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Moderate  (0.5 mile)

Nestled between two basalt headlands, the camp sits in a beautiful bay beside the Salmon River Estuary. This field trip begins with a hike through a lush coastal rainforest and understory of Pacific rhododendron to Lost Lake and High Meadow for a fabulous view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In the afternoon, participants will visit the beach with seaside cliffs, dunes, and dune forest.

30 Mt. Hebo - Driving                   Leader:  To be supplied by the U.S. Forest Service

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Easy  (1 mile round trip)

This peak in the Coast Range is a 2.5-mile long ridge, more than 3,100 feet in elevation, offering panoramic views of the ocean and eight Cascade peaks. Soils on the hard, basaltic rocks are shallow, covered with mosses, boggy areas with Sphagnum, and numerous wildflowers, such as dwarf camas and Cardwell's penstemon. A short walk through the forest reveals fawn lilies, orchids, and more.

31 Mt. Hebo - Hiking                                                  Leader:  John Savage

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Moderate  (4 miles)

This peak in the Coast Range is a 2.5-mile long ridge over 3100-foot elevation offering panoramic views of the ocean and eight Cascade peaks. Participants will hike through a beautiful coastal forest, visit meadows where two culturally significant species of Vaccinium are managed by Forest Service and tribal members, and visit sites with shallow soils on basaltic rocks covered with mosses, boggy areas with Sphagnum, and wildflowers, such as dwarf camas and Cardwell's penstemon.

32 High Peak/Moon Creek Research Natural Area          Leaders:  Dan Luoma, Joyce Eberhart

    9 a.m. - 4 p.m.      Strenuous  (3-4 miles)

Hike through a representative cross-section of low- to mid-elevation forest associations in the northern Oregon Coast Range that developed following late 19th century wildfires. See 500-year old Douglas-fir, riparian areas with alder and maple, and noble fir on the 2,980-foot summit.

90 Native Plant Garden at McMinnville Library                          Leader:  Rob Tracey

    9 a.m. - Noon      Easy

Stroll in the garden to see 80 species of plants indigenous to the Willamette Valley and low elevation Cascade and Coast Ranges. Established in 1999, the garden is maintained by volunteers from the Cheahmill Chapter and Master Gardeners. Questions about propagation and ethnobotany welcomed.

91 Miller Woods Conservation Area                                Leader:  Sonya Wilkerson

    9 a.m. - Noon      Easy or moderate  (0.3 mile interpretive walk and optional 4.5 miles)

Located west of McMinnville in the foothills of the Coast Range, Miller Woods covers 130 acres. An extensive trail system highlights a wide array of ecosystems including oak savanna, coniferous forest, ponds, and streams that are home to a diverse group of native plants, birds, and other wildlife. An on-site native plant nursery provides plants for restoration projects.

92 Erratic Rock State Park and Maysara Winery         Leaders:  Lisa Blackburn, Moe Momtazi

    9 a.m. - Noon      Easy to moderate  (0.5 mile)

Walk on short, paved trail to a spectacular viewpoint. Examine the erratic rock that floated into the Willamette Valley in an iceberg and was deposited on a hillside 250 feet above the valley floor. Learn about Ice Age floods that brought such rocks to the valley from Canada. Travel a short distance to Maysara Winery for a tour of the vineyard and learn about biodynamic farming.

93 Deer Creek Prairie Park                                           Leader:  Dave Hanson

    9 a.m. - Noon      Easy  (0.5 mile)

This is Yamhill County's most biologically diverse park, with upland and wet prairies, beaver ponds, and riparian habitats. After many attempts to farm the site, it was abandoned and acquired by Yamhill County. It is now a designated mitigation site for enhancement of endangered Fender's blue butterfly populations and its host species, threatened Kincaid's lupine.

94 Drift Creek Falls                                                 Leader:  Bruce Waugh

    9 a.m. - Noon      Easy  (3-miles round-trip, plus optional 1-mile North Loop to view old growth)

Hike through a beautiful forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock, western red cedar, and other coastal woodland species to cross a 100-foot high suspension bridge overlooking a spectacular 75-foot waterfall as it cascades over columnar basalt.