Successful Tree Planting Season Wraps Up

During the winter volunteers from The Mazamas, David Douglas High School and the watershed council completed high priority planting projects at several side channels on the Salmon River near Welches. A mixture of native trees and shrubs were planted to provide shade and prevent bank erosion. On the Arrah Wanna side channel hundreds of native wetland plants were planted in areas where we have been working to replace dense stands of Reed canarygrass an aggressive, invasive plant that had taken over large areas.

The side channels provide very important habitat where juvenile salmon can grow, feed and take refuge in areas with slower currents. Large logs and rootwads that have been placed in the side channels help to create deep pools of cool water and provide shelter from great blue herons and other predators. By early April 2010 juvenile Spring Chinook salmon, recently emerged from the spawning gravels, were visible in slow water areas of the Arrah Wanna side channel. They'll spend the summer in the side channel.

Project partners included The Mazamas, David Douglas High School, local residents, U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and The Freshwater Trust. We appreciate the funding support for these important projects that was provided by Ecotrust, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) and the BLM.

Help Stop the Silent Invasion - Protect Oregon from invasive animals and plants

Any way you look at it invasive plants and animals are a big problem - and it is getting worse. Just ask the boaters who've found their favorite lake choked by hydrilla. Or the drinking water supply operator whose pipes have been clogged by zebra mussels. Homeowners know what a nuisance blackberries, English ivy and other invaders can be. Invasive species can also have a huge economic impact on our forests, local governments who try to control them and private landowners who have to hire crews to eradicate them.

What can you do to help prevent the spread of invasive species?

If you find one of the aquatic invasive species or suspect there may be a new infestation, report it to the toll-free Oregon Invasive Species hotline, 1-866-INVADER.

Boaters and paddlers-
Never launch a dirty boat. The best prevention is to clean your boat between trips and especially if you've been in water where invasives may be present.
Clean all aquatic plants, animals and mud from your boat and gear.
Drain your watercraft and rinse or flush areas that can trap mud or debris that may contain New Zealand mud snails or other invaders.
Dry your boat as much as possible.

Follow this link to see more photos of aquatic invasive species and a video showing how to inspect your boat.

Anglers -
Clean and dry your waders, boots and other gear where New Zealand mud snails or other invaders may have become attached. Follow the link above for more information.

Some of these organisms are really small and it is easy for them to hitch a ride and go unnoticed. Look at how tiny the pesky New Zealand Mud Snail is. And it can clone itself!

Homeowners and gardeners -
Non-native, invasive plants can look attractive and pretty innocent at the garden shop but over time they can spread and take over part of your yard and spread to adjacent areas. Seeds spread by birds, wind or water can start new infestations in our local natural areas where the invaders can out compete native plants. Some, like garlic mustard, use chemical warfare to make it impossible for other plants to grow in the soil where garlic mustard is growing. Over time, you'll be glad you chose some beautiful native plants instead.

If you're going to hire a contractor to do excavation work on your property be sure to request that they clean the tracks of their machine before they bring it to your site. More than one local homeowner has had to deal with the nightmare of invasive plants spread by a contractor's dirty equipment.

Hikers and equestrians
Non-native, invasive plants can look attractive and pretty innocent at the garden shop but over time they can spread and take over part of your yard and spread to adjacent areas. Seeds spread by birds, wind or water can start new infestations in our local natural areas where the invaders can out compete native plants. Some, like garlic mustard, use chemical warfare to make it impossible for other plants to grow in the soil where garlic mustard is growing. Over time, you'll be glad you chose some beautiful native plants instead.

After travelling on your favorite trail please check your pants, boots, dogs and horses for any seeds that may have hitched a ride. Equestrians can also help by purchasing weed free feed for use in the backcountry. Some invasive plants like to grow in the upper elevation forests and meadows that you love to ride in.

If we all work together we can keep Oregon a special place for current and future generations.

To register for an event and receive directions to meeting place please send an email to with the name of the event in the subject line or call 503-668-1646. Children ages 10-18 are welcome when accompanied by an adult. For outdoor events please wear boots or sturdy shoes and dress for the weather.

May 2010
May 1st 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.	Golf Course Quality Lawns Oregon City Golf Club 20124 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City This workshop, will teach participants how to get great green while spending less green. The class will focus on maximizing the beauty of your lawn, while minimizing your use of irrigation and lawn care products. More info at: www.conservationdistrict.org Brought to you by Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District
May 1st & 2nd 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Clackamas County Master Gardeners Spring Garden Fair Clackamas County Event Center Fairgrounds 694 NE 4th Ave. Canby, OR 97013 Come to the Clackamas County Master Gardeners Spring Garden Fair at the Clackamas County Fair Event Center Fairgrounds to see all things plants and to visit the Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District educational booth. We will have information on rain gardens, rain harvesting, nativescaping, our equipment rental program and more!
May 13th 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	Nativescaping Gladstone Senior Center 1050 Portland Ave., Gladstone Not sure how or where to begin planting natives in your yard? This class will help you get started designing a native landscape appealing for you and your local wildlife! More info at: www.conservationdistrict.org
May 16th 1:00 - 5:00 pm	Rain Gardens 101 Troutdale City Conference Building Learn the "how to's" of constructing your own rain garden, and about the critical role rain gardens can play in urban stream restoration. You will learn how to site, plan, and build your own rain garden. More info at: www.emswcd.org/workshops-events
May 17th 6:30 pm	Monthly Watershed Council Meeting Restoration Tip - Spring is a good time to remove Scotch broom to prevent the plants from flowering and producing seeds. Small plants can be hand pulled; plants with stems more than 1 inch diameter should be cut off at ground level to reduce disturbance of seeds already in the soil (they can still germinate many years after they were produced). Plan to keep pulling new seedlings through the summer.
May 26th 6:00 - 9:00 pm	Rain Gardens 101 EMSWCD Office Learn the "how to's" of constructing your own rain garden, and about the critical role rain gardens can play in urban stream restoration. You will learn how to site, plan, and build your own rain garden. More info at: www.emswcd.org/workshops-events

Summer 2010 Events

We’re planning some exciting events for the summer. These are likely to include: A hike to explore old-growth forests along the Salmon River Tours of salmon habitat restoration project Tour of the Sandy River delta Please check our calendar later in the spring for more details

2009 News & Events Archive