2024 Monument Research Symposium

By: Zaynab Brown

Every year, the Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is delighted to award a number of grants to undergraduate and graduate students and Indigenous Americans for faculty-supervised research projects that enhance the understanding, appreciation, preservation and/or protection of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. These research projects can, and have, taken many forms including in the realms of biology, environmental sciences/education, sociology, arts, humanities, and business. 

An essential component of receiving this grant is the presentation of the students’ research at our annual Monument Research Symposium. This research represents many hours spent in our beautiful Monument gathering data and then countless more analyzing it. To ask our three grant recipients from 2023 to distill all of their findings into a 20 minute presentation is no small feat, but they delivered with flying colors.

Our first presenter, Trevor Holt, is a senior biology major at Southern Oregon University. He worked with his advisor, Dr. Jacob Youngblood, to catalog grasshopper species found in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and pilot a long-term monitoring program. Both of these objectives were designed to better understand grasshopper biodiversity in the Monument in the face of climate change and human development. Monitoring grasshoppers is important because they are a keystone species, the most abundant grassland herbivore, and comprise a diverse biology in many diverse habitats. When it comes to climate change in particular, we learned that grasshoppers can be an important indicator species due to the fact that all of their life stages are dependent on temperature, from hatching to feeding, movement, and population growth. With that in mind, some grasshoppers are more adept and hardy while others, such as the endemic Siskiyou slant-faced grasshopper (Chloealtis aspasma) is more vulnerable to change and to the threat of becoming isolated. With over 2000 individuals collected and identified, Trevor proved what many would have suspected: The Monument is rich in grasshopper biodiversity with over 17 species found in his study!  As the monitoring program continues into the future, Dr. Youngblood and his team hope to monitor at lower elevations and analyze the relationship between populations and weather. 

Grasshoppers (and a spider!) perched on the edge of a collection net.

Photo by Trevor Holt

Our next presenter, Tayla Moore, used her Monument Research Grant to focus on a single grasshopper species, the aforementioned Chloealtis aspasma. Tayla is also a senior biology major at Southern Oregon University who worked with her advisor, Dr. Jacob Youngblood to map the distribution of C. aspasma and uncover its natural history. C. aspasma, as mentioned above, is also called the Siskiyou slant-faced grasshopper. While Chloealtis species are widespread in North America, C. aspasma is endemic to Southern Oregon and potentially Northern California where they are designated as a species of concern by the Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service. They live in open fields and meadows at high elevations and their dispersal is limited by smaller wings and their preference for high elevation, mountainous regions. In total, Tayla was able to visit 26 sites within the Monument and found C. aspasma in ten. Of these ten, five were previously undocumented populations. Unfortunately, observing this elusive grasshopper’s natural history proved to be more difficult and further research will need to be done to uncover more information on its feeding, reproduction, and thermoregulation patterns. 

Chloealtis aspasma

Photo and annotations by Tayla Moore

Finally, our third presenter, Hilary Rose Dawson, a Ph.D. candidate from the University of Oregon, joined us for a second year in a row to explore truffle species found in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Now, most people’s experience with truffles begins and ends in a culinary context, and while there are certainly a handful of culinary truffles found in Oregon, we also learned about the fascinating diversity of non-culinary truffles found just below the surface. These truffles have scents ranging from artificial banana to burnt rubber and serve a variety of essential ecological functions. However, humans aren’t exactly known for their sensitive noses so it was essential for Hilary –aided by her sister, Heather Dawson–to employ a canine friend named Rye. In 2023, they visited almost 30 sites in the Monument and found 57 species across 26 genera, an incredibly diverse range! Of these, 32 were not documented in genetic databases making them potentially undescribed species. Hilary hopes to finish sequencing and finalizing the list of truffle species found in the Monument and ultimately publish a paper on the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument’s truffle diversity and a case study on how truffle dogs can be used in truffle research.

Heather Dawson photographs a Hysterangium truffle while Rye waits for her to throw the ball again. Photo by Hilary Rose Dawson

  If you are interested in learning more about these projects, the symposium can be watched in its entirety on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@friendsofthecascade-siskiy4103

With our 2024 Monument Research Symposium a resounding success, we are looking forward to getting to experience the unique projects that students will propose for this coming grant cycle. Applications are now open and information can be found at https://www.cascadesiskiyou.org/programs . The deadline for applications is April 26 at 11:59 PM PST.

Wildlife Tracking - 2024

By: Zaynab Brown

For most people, when we experience nature we experience it through the lens of a human. This is, of course, to be expected. However, in learning about wildlife tracking, you not only learn to differentiate between a feline and canine paw print but are also invited to see the world from the perspective of an animal. While the animal is absent, you get a snapshot into a moment of his/her life as he/she navigates the world. Maybe you observe that the animal is trotting and ask yourself “why?” or “where?” Why was it that the coyote decided to detour around the ravine and what did he find there? What did the trees look like from his perspective? Needless to say, we can’t know the true answers to these questions but in the process of considering them we may begin to look at the environment around us differently. We may notice things that before had seemed too small or insignificant to grab our attention. Suddenly, the world is much more fascinating.

To begin this fascinating journey into the world of animal tracking, we started in a classroom. Admittedly, this is less exciting than a forest floor or open plain but humans are strange creatures. Our instructor for the Friday lecture and Saturday hike was Nolan Richard, a biology teacher at South Medford High School who currently holds a Level 3 Track and Sign Certificate from Cybertracker International. 

Together, in a group of almost thirty participants, we learned to identify paw prints belonging to cats, such as bobcats and cougars, and dogs such as coyotes and foxes. We examined the subtle differences in the orientation of their pads and the presence of claws. We saw large bear tracks and discussed the differences between elk and deer. We even learned how to use our own hands to determine the left and right orientation of what had initially appeared to be identical images. Together, we examined rubbery casts of prints and attempted to identify the animal who had made them. Some were from our area, such as the skunk, beaver, and mountain lion. Others however, like the massive grizzly bear, we were unlikely to see in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (or in Oregon at all for that matter!)

Rubber-like casts of prints. #11 is a grizzly bear.

Armed with this new knowledge, we met on Saturday excited to find some tracks and put our burgeoning skills to the test. Although we quickly learned that when it comes to tracking, some conditions are better than others. In a perfect world there would be powdery snow, not too deep and not too recently fallen. We don’t live in a perfect world however and the snow we had was icy and hard. While this will allow some larger animals to still leave tracks, most animals will simply walk on top of it without leaving a trace. But this didn’t stop us and soon we found coyote tracks snaking through a small meadow and many deer tracks. These prints, while not pristine, could still tell us a story if we looked closely enough. 

An important thing to remember, especially when looking at tracks that lack fine detail, is to consider the environment around you coupled with knowledge about local species. Some species, while abundant at lower elevations –such as a skunk– are much less likely to be found at higher elevations. Or, if you are looking for snowshoe hare tracks, they are much more likely to be found around tree cover than out in the open. 

Finally, it is not only tracks that animals leave behind! There is also a whole world of “animal signs.” Perhaps most well known of the animal signs is scat, or feces. Our group discovered lots of scat when we visited Buck Prairie Two. We learned to differentiate between smaller deer scat and larger, more irregularly shaped elk scat. The scat can also tell you a lot about the diet of the animal that left it. For example, a domestic dog that primarily eats processed food will have scat that is very uniform in texture while that of a similar-sized animal such as a coyote or bobcat will usually contain fur or bones. Our group also found squirrel middens –mounds of discarded douglas fir cone debris, elk rubs, old beaver chews, holes made by a pileated woodpecker, and lots of browse. 

Near the end of our hike, we stumbled upon some of the most detailed tracks yet. Four clear toes with claws and a heel pad were starkly visible and the animal that made them was slowly plodding in a direct-register walk where the back foot directly replaced the front in the same print. Participants were suggesting a large coyote or maybe even a cougar! The answer turned out to be much more mundane. It was a domestic dog. According to Nolan, dog tracks are some of the most common you find, especially if you are at a location that humans frequent. Since domestic dogs range extensively in size and shape, it can be almost impossible to differentiate them from their wild counterparts. This is why, Nolan reminded us, that it is especially important to pay attention to your environment. Are there human boot prints nearby? Is it near a road? In these circumstances, always assume it’s a dog. 

Dog or not, I couldn’t help but imagine the way the animal saw the world as it walked through the peaceful forest and left prints in the crunchy snow. Did he/she also notice the squirrel middens and smell the elk scat, or take note of the way the snow glittered in the afternoon sun? We’ll never know but we can imagine.





Meet the Monument at Public Lands

By: Zaynab Brown

One of the things I enjoy most about working for the Friends is getting to tell people about the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. As I explain its size (114,000 acres) and its proximity to Ashland, people’s eyes usually widen. We live in a valley surrounded by mountains and wild places, but we often take them for granted. The fact that some of that landscape is so biodiverse that it merited federal designation is even more of a surprising fact to some. While it is possible to describe rare and endemic species, eco regions, and mountain ranges, it’s not the same as getting to see it with your own eyes. So, when words fail me, as they often do, I will direct the curious to a very special video. 

At just over 17 minutes long, it may initially seem short for a documentary. But contained within those minutes is an incredible cinematic and photographic journey of the Monument and the creatures who call it home. Sweeping drone footage is coupled with captivating shots of some of the smallest Monument inhabitants. Combined with insightful narration by Crystal Nichols, the filmmaker, it transports you to another world in our own backyard that is open to all of us to explore responsibly. Therefore, it was an easy decision to base an event called Meet the Monument around Crystal’s film.

At Public Lands, an outdoor recreation and gear store based in Medford with whom we collaborated, a group of around thirty participants gathered on a Thursday evening.The crowd was made up of both Monument lovers and those who had never even heard of it. With snacks and drinks provided by the store, the film was played to a keen audience. Afterwards, Crystal took the stage, so to speak, and among the displays of jackets and ski goggles answered questions about her process of creating the film and the many adventures she had getting those perfect shots. Collette, Executive Director of the FCSNM, then shared a brief presentation on our organization and resources for exploring the Monument and getting involved.

The film itself was partially funded by the Friends Research Fund which awards small grants to university students and indigenous people that enhance the understanding, appreciation, preservation, and/or protection of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Crystal’s film certainly did just that. 

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for the 2024 grant cycle of the Friends Research Fund, the application will be opening soon and can be found under the Student Research Grants section of our website.



Exploring Conifer and Shrub Diversity on the PCT Trail with Naturalist Nolan Richard

Starting in Ashland, the day was gloomy. Rain thudded down through gray skies and the chilly air nipped at our hands. Our group had high hopes the rain would become snow at the higher elevation of our destination, a section of  the PCT off of old highway 99 toward Pilot Rock. As we piled into the cars and took off, we found that slowly, the rain dissipated and sun broke through the clouds to illuminate the fresh snow along the roadside. 

Our guide and teacher for the day, Nolan Richard, a local naturalist and seasoned biology teacher, embarked on an introduction to the world of conifers and shrubs. Nolan, with a decade-long devotion to studying native plants along the West Coast, has shared his expertise in the past by teaching classes for the Native Plant Society. His deep interest in Plant Biogeography—understanding the distribution of plant species and communities—propelled our adventure.

The trees encircled us, prompting Nolan to engage us in identifying the varying conifer species that thrived in this environment. Brushing snow off a couple of saplings, Nolan showcased how to inspect needles to discern between the Grand Fir and the White Fir. As a group, we gathered around, following Nolan's techniques to identify a White Fir displaying hybridization traits and a Grand Fir with minimal signs of hybridization. 

Our journey led us to a halt in an area teeming with a dense understory. The shrubbery, devoid of leaves and bereft of vibrant colors, posed a challenge in identification during its dormant phase. Nolan assured us that although daunting, it wasn't impossible. With his guidance, the group keenly observed nuances in branch sizes, textures, and growth formations. Soon, we triumphantly identified snowberry, serviceberry, oregon grape, and several other shrub species amidst the subdued winter landscape.

Nolan often emphasized the importance of identifying conifers and understanding their environmental placement by asking, 'Why are they growing here?' In the end, our hike under Nolan's tutelage was not merely a stroll but an enlightening journey through the diverse world of conifers and shrubs.




Fire History & Ecology of the Monument

By: Zaynab Brown

To watch a recording of Rich’s lecture click HERE

Living in Southern Oregon or Northern California, it is impossible to ignore the reality of fire. In particular, the raging forest fires that blanket the valley floor in a thick, acrid layer of smoke that obscures the mountains and turns the sun red. Each year when the moisture of springs starts to give way to crisp undergrowth and fire season begins, a sense of anxiety informs almost every day; what is going to burn next? It is true that our local ecosystems rely on fire for health and productivity, a fact that the indigenous people have known and used to their advantage for countless generations, yet are these huge, destructive fires the norm? If not, how can we change our approach to fire to work with nature instead of against it? These and other questions are what Rick Fairbanks set out to address in our Fire History and Ecology Hike and Learn. 

Rich Fairbanks has accumulated a wealth of knowledge and interesting stories through his career with the U.S. Forest Service for 32 years in fire management, planning, and silviculture. He is informed by his degree in forestry, his work on the Biscuit Fire Recovery Project, and his experience at his own property where he does a considerable amount of underburning in the mixed conifer forest. It was with his classic dynamism and humor that Rich began to take us through the multi-dimensional picture of fire in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

It isn’t possible to discuss the ecology of something without considering the plants. When it comes to fire ecology in particular, it is truly the plants that tell the story of an ecosystem that coevolved alongside this force of nature and has the adaptations to prove it. While there are many herbaceous species that also benefit from being burned, we primarily focused our attention on trees. We appreciated the robust fire resistance of the ubiquitous ponderosa pine with its thick bark, self pruning habit, and robust wound response. Other conifers such as the douglas fir, sugar pine, and incense cedar, while not quite as impressive as the ponderosa, still sported fire resistant bark and the ability to easily withstand a low-severity fire. However, fire resistance is not confined just to conifers. Oak trees also wield adaptations to fire in the thick bark of older trees, the ability to resprout from stumps, and how acorns stored in the duff are stimulated to sprout and grow. If you are interested in learning more about the Monument’s oaks, please visit our previous blog post: Oak Trees in the Monument

When the indigenous people first arrived in the region of the present-day Monument, they were faced with an environment that already had intense fire activity. That left them with a choice: React to fires started by lightning or work with this natural phenomenon and pick up the torch. They chose to make friends with fire and learned how to predict and wield it to manage the landscape. When European colonists arrived in the area, they did not recognize the important role and invaluable knowledge of the indigenous people in the management of the landscapes that they took for granted. This led to a period of fire suppression that we still experience today where smaller, low severity fires are not allowed to burn and huge, high severity fires are now ripping through the dense vegetation spurred on by hotter and drier summers.

Rich took us on a tour of the science behind wildfires and what causes their behavior including fuels, weather, and topography. Ultimately, the only factor that humans can influence is fuels. It was from there that we learned about fuel categories and how the surface area to volume ratio affects how materials burn. Finally, Rich discussed what he hopes will be the future of fire in the Monument. In his opinion, this future includes a lot more planned fire, mechanical fuel treatment when appropriate, the effective management of noxious weeds, more fire research, and greater support for Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST). 

We were fortunate to have many attendees in the audience who brought their own experience with fire and botany to the table. Questions ranged from adaptive phenotypes of local douglas fir to the importance and power of community engagement in how fire is managed in our public lands. In particular, we discussed the importance of MIST in preserving the character and value of wild places that would otherwise be damaged due to heavy-handed suppression techniques.

It was with enthusiasm that we all gathered at the trailhead to the Green Springs Mountain Loop trail in the Monument the next day. Despite the discussion of the possibility of snow, the weather could not have been more beautiful. Warm sun shone down and made us a little too warm for our winter jackets and the shade had just enough chill to keep us on our toes. With an impressive group of 17 people, we began to snake our way down the trail. Rich, who helmed our educational adventure, stopped us along the way to quiz us on conifer identification and to admire old-growth Douglas firs casting cool shadows from above. 

As we walked along the relatively popular trail, we were stopped just as frequently by participants who had insightful questions or spotted plants that they wanted to share with the group. It made for slow going, but often the best hikes are the ones that meander and pause frequently to notice the little things. 

We emerged from the trees and found ourselves gazing out at an incredible vista looking down into a valley. The golden meadow stretched into the horizon before giving way to mighty blue mountains. It is here that we turned right and crossed through a grove of oak trees, arranged in a “fairy ring.” Rich stopped to tell us that this was a tell-tale sign of fire where an oak had been burned and then resprouted around the trunk. Most likely, if you were to look carefully, you could find charred bits of oak in the center. But this was not our final destination. Soon, we found the real goal of our detour: A fire refugia. 

Fire refugia are unique places that are protected from high severity fire by topography, microclimate or fuel conditions and allow individual trees to reach a very old age. The centerpiece of this particular refugia were towering ponderosa pines and douglas firs. As we approached, their true age and size were humbling. People often make pilgrimages to the redwoods to witness trees that evoke a sense of wonder, but we had our very own in the Monument. Neon green lichen clung to their trunks and their thick and gnarled bark told a story of past fires that charred but did not kill. Blackened fire scars crawled up their sides. 

We had the honor of eating our lunch below the soaring trees as their branches cast shade like they had for hundreds of years. Due to a random quirk in the landscape, we were able to experience a miniscule slice of what the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument may have looked like hundreds of years ago when people and fire were able to work together. 






Creating Cascade-Siskiyou Beaverhoods with Vesper Meadow

By: Zaynab Brown

As the saying goes “Even the best laid plans often go awry.” This was the case on Saturday morning when residents of the Rogue Valley woke up to find fall gardens covered in frost. While I was sad to see the end of my tomato plants, the more pressing concern was the day of stewardship the Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (FCSNM) had planned in collaboration with Vesper Meadow. A day of wading into a creek wielding shovels and loppers was suddenly less appealing when it felt more appropriate to be wearing a warm hat and mittens. 

The event, called Creating Cascade-Siskiyou Beaverhoods, was to be a day of “behaving like beavers” as volunteers toured along Latgawa and Spencer Creek on Vesper Meadow property and Monument lands to see and tend to the beaver-based restoration projects that were put in place over the last couple of years. Not only would participants get to learn about low-tech, process-based restoration strategies, they would also get a chance to get their feet wet, so to speak. However, with the prospect of those feet also getting frozen, the tough call was made to cancel. 

Yet, all was not lost. For those intrepid participants who were up for the challenge of a hike with some snow on the ground, we met at Buck Prairie II at 1:00 PM. There, Stasie Maxwell, FCSNM board member and Indigenous Partnership Programs Manager at Vesper Meadow, led us along Spencer Creek as it passed through the Monument and Vesper Meadow property. There, we were able to observe past structures made from local, natural materials meant to span the creek channel, slowing and spreading the water. We also saw past sloping of the creek bank. As we snaked through the trees, frozen mushrooms peaked out of the snow like time capsules from the last heavy rain. 

Even though our purpose had shifted and the size of our group reduced, the afternoon was filled with insightful questions and joyful curiosity. Zaynab Brown, Program Coordinator for FCSNM, and Stasie painted a picture of a partnership that would further the creation of a landscape that could once again support beavers, the true stewards of our waterways.

A Successful 2023 Annual Celebration

It is a strange feeling, to work for so many hours, days, weeks, and months on something and then have it be over in the blink of an eye. However, that bittersweet feeling is balanced by the joy of witnessing the community coming together. Volunteers were at their stations, the decorations were beautiful, and we could smell the delicious aromas wafting over from where the caterers were setting up. We found ourselves taking a moment to pause and be in awe of the beautiful weather we had, of the still air that barely caused the tablecloths to flutter. 

We knew that having our Annual Celebration in the middle of October would be a gamble. Every day in the week leading up to October 15, Collette, executive director of the Friends, and I would anxiously check the forecast. We dreaded seeing a small, pixelated raincloud posted next to our chosen Sunday and our hopes dashed. Of course, we had a back up plan, but the Pinehurst School gym with its dim lighting and basketball hoops couldn’t hold a candle to an afternoon under blue skies and sunlight. So, as the clock ticked closer to 3:30 PM and the sun gently warmed our skin in t-shirts and summer dresses, we couldn’t believe how lucky we were. 

On the lawn in front of the picturesque red school house of Pinehurst School, nestled in the heart of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, stretched a small sea of round tables under the shade of a grove of towering ponderosa pines. Each had a centerpiece crafted from pine cones, needles, and bright red berries collected from the local landscape by the fabulous, Mary Ann and assembled with care by volunteer extraordinaire, Cindy. 

All around us, our board members and volunteers were putting on finishing touches. Stasie Maxwell, board secretary, arranged the raffle table that was overflowing with the generosity of local businesses who donated kindly and enthusiastically to our humble fundraiser. Taylor McAllister, student board member, organized the merchandise table where our new biodiversity t-shirt was proudly on display. Meanwhile Daniel Collay, board chair, and Rob, also a volunteer of extraordinary enthusiasm and muscle power, set up the last remaining chairs and unloaded plates and glasses that were generously lent to us by Willow-Witt Ranch. There was a final hush as the last detail was moved into place. The table was set, both literally and figuratively, for the 2023 Friends Annual Celebration. 

The atmosphere was friendly and jovial as the lawn was slowly filled with attendees. The guitar music of Greg Starbird drifted through the background. Even though many people came from different towns and led different lives, they all shared something in common: A love and appreciation for the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Walking around, we saw many familiar faces from this past year’s Hike & Learns, Sunday Hikes, and Stewardship Days. The same people who we spent hours together sweating and removing barbed wire fencing, or stooped over an old stump examining a burn scar, now enjoyed refreshments and reflected on a year well spent. 

Mike, another amazing volunteer, was armed with a practical apron and broad smile, offering an “arm’s length” of bright red raffle tickets as people strategically made their selections and put their tickets into metallic silver cans. On a nearby table, a crowd was clustered around a map of the Monument where pictures of beavers waited along the margins to be moved onto the map in exchange for a small donation. Teresa Coker, board member, explained that it was in support of a future “Beaver Scavenger Hunt '', an important first step in the Friend’s new stewardship program in partnership with Project Beaver.

Soon enough, armed with warm spiced cider and a colorful salmon dinner from Maren Faye catering, everyone found their seats. The lucky raffle winners were drawn and then Collette took the stage. It isn’t usually easy to distill an entire year of an organization’s changes, accomplishments, and future goals into a succinct and interesting presentation but Collette did so admirably. Not only did she highlight our successful programming, including our Hike & Learns, Friends Research Fund, and Monument Days with the Crest, she also celebrated the hiring of Program Coordinator, Zaynab Brown, and temporary Operations Manager, Meaghen O’Rourke. We even got to commemorate our new office! Finally, Collette addressed what all of the cute little beaver cut outs had been hinting at: Our beaver habitat stewardship program in 2024. With this, Jakob Shockey took the stage. 

It is hard not to fall in love with beavers when you spend just a little time learning and getting to know them. This is particularly true when they have an advocate such as Jakob Shockey, executive director of Project Beaver. Jakob took us on a journey through the historic presence of beavers in our local area and in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Not only were we all impacted by the tragic loss of their numbers due to removal by white settlers, we were also impressed with their promise for the future of riparian restoration. From table to table there was a palpable excitement, a drive to help these unassuming rodents take charge of our waterways once again. 

As Jakob wrapped up his presentation, the air had taken on a decided chill and the sun had disappeared quickly as it so often does in the mountains. The Friend’s 2023 Annual Celebration had officially come to a close and attendees claimed their raffle prizes and headed back to their vehicles for a curvy drive back down to the valley. However, the night wasn’t yet over for our volunteers and their families. Quickly, everyone jumped into action and started taking down decorations, piling tables, and putting back chairs. Even the small kitchen in the school was bustling with brave volunteers tackling piles of dishes. It is always surprising to me how an event that took months of planning and hours of setting up can come down in what seems like mere moments.

Soon, it was quiet and dark, the moon hidden behind clouds. The towering ponderosa pines were no longer casting a shadow but their presence was noted nonetheless. The guests and volunteers had gone home, but all left with a renewed sense of community and anticipation for what was to come.

Artist-in-Residence Shares Her Experience 

I served as Artist in Residence in Cascade Siskiyou National Monument during the last week of June, 2023. It was a glorious time, with spring flowers and new growth everywhere, and the weather was pleasant. The strongest impression I had, though, was that everything was green. Overwhelmingly green. 

             I live on Washington’s dry side where the predominate color is desiccated brown. There really aren’t many shades of brown: light brown, medium brown, dark brown, brown in sunlight, brown in shadow. And for most of the year, the occasional touches of green are faded, like the pale green of sagebrush. In contrast, green was not at all reticent at Cascade Siskiyou National Monument in June.

            Cascade Siskiyou has a full palette of greens. “50 Shades of Green” could have been the title for at least one of the paintings! I frequently work en plein air and try to replicate the feeling of a specific place. It’s challenging when everything is green because green comes in such an amazing variety: Pine tree green is not fir tree green; grass green is not moss green; dogwood tree green is not aspen tree green, along with random touches of contrasting burnt orange and russet. Furthermore, green is not easy to reproduce. Yellow plus blue is green, of course, but which yellow (bright cadmium, earthy yellow ochre) and which blue (sky blue cerulean or deep-water ultramarine)? Each combination produces a different range of tones. And any yellow-blue mixture must be moderated with its complement, a red hue, so it looks like it belongs in nature rather than in a coloring book.

            So I spent my time in the Monument painting green in all its glory. I painted the variety of greens in the forest and in the reflections in Hyatt Lake, and I painted the delicate soft pale green of mullein and the chartreuse green of moss on a fence. There were more greens, lots more, reflecting the variety of plants and ecosystems in the Monument. I suppose the overwhelming green was, in part, a seasonal condition and that summer, fall, and winter would bring a different set of colors. And that will be a challenge for another Artist in Residence!

Words and paintings by Leslie Ann Hauer

2023 Nature Camp - An Unforgettable Season!

The 2023 Monument Days with The Crest’s Nature Day Camp have recently concluded an unforgettable season. The program spanned seven weeks and served about 150 students aged 5 to 12. These days provided the perfect backdrop for young explorers to forge connections with nature, engage in captivating discussions, and cultivate collaborative skills. Participants were not only immersed in the beauty of the outdoors but also had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the environment through hands-on activities and educational sessions. The diverse range of age groups allowed for the exchange of unique perspectives. 

This program holds immense value as it enables children to spend more time in nature, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the world around them. The increased duration spent amidst natural surroundings has been correlated with enhanced physical and mental well-being, the nurturing of curiosity, and the fortification of critical thinking skills. As the children hiked through trails, observed local wildlife, and participated in interactive workshops, it helped them develop a sense of interconnectedness with the ecosystem while learning information that will be highly relevant to their futures.

Looking forward, we are eagerly anticipating an ongoing collaboration with The Crest, envisioning further growth and refinement to the program. Our goal is to continue inspiring and nurturing the next generation of nature enthusiasts and environmental stewards.

Learning About Water Rights at Little Hyatt Reservoir

By Meaghen O’Rourke

Last weekend, our adventure led us through the awe-inspiring landscape of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. We set out to hike to peaceful Little Hyatt Reservoir, following a section of the iconic PCT. The journey began in a dense and secluded forest, where nature enveloped us in its beauty. As we ventured further along the trail, the trees gradually gave way to rays of sunlight cascading down to the forest floor.

Approaching the trail's end, the pleasant sound of rushing water reached our ears, beckoning us closer even before it came into view. Emerging from the forest's embrace, we encountered a gravel road that led us towards an intriguing sight - a weathered and time-worn dark barrier. Atop this barrier, crystal clear water flowed gracefully, sparkling as it descended into the tranquil flow of Keene Creek.

Little Hyatt Reservoir, the destination of our hike, holds a place in the region's history of water rights and natural resource usage. As we gathered together, I transported the group back in time, sharing the history of the early 1900s and mid-1920s when irrigation districts in the area completed several water diversion and delivery systems. The complexity of water resources is evident in the presence of transbasin usage throughout this region. In 1923, the construction of Hyatt Reservoir in the Klamath Basin was completed, with the purpose of transferring water to users in the Rogue River Basin. Subsequently, Little Hyatt Reservoir became another addition to the system at a later time.

In 2003, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) applied for water rights to Little Hyatt Reservoir, and by 2010, they had secured a recreational, aesthetic, and wildlife water right. As we discussed the acquisition of water rights, we examined the dam, observing large cracks spanning its length. Concerns had surfaced during a 1999 structural review about the dam's stability, as it relied on the support of a deteriorating concrete canal. The KPFF Consulting Engineers recommended repairs to prevent potential dam failure.

A subsequent 2007 assessment confirmed the dam's precarious state, mirroring the 1999 report's findings. By 2010, the BLM made the decision to buttress the dam as the primary option, with a contingency plan of partially removing the dam by lowering it to about 6 feet. However, the implementation of repair options depended on securing the necessary funds.

Taking a moment to absorb all this information and gaze at the old structure, we stood in contemplation. The reservoir had transformed into a captivating case study, showcasing the intricate complexities of water rights and usage. Yet, there was more to explore. To gain a vantage point above the dam, we had to navigate over old concrete slabs and clamber up a small rock face, a challenging endeavor. Undeterred, the adventurous group bravely embraced the task, and our efforts were richly rewarded with a breathtaking view of the reservoir from above.

Sitting amidst the serene beauty of the water and the lush forested surroundings, the day exuded tranquility. Reflecting on the reservoir's history and contemplating its future added an extra layer of meaning to the experience, making it all the more gratifying. Our hike to Little Hyatt Reservoir was both relaxing and informative as we examined the intricate relationship between the natural world and human needs.

Partnering with Beavers

As a resident of Oregon, I had always taken beavers for granted. Oregon is the “Beaver State” after all. I thought they were like elk or black bears, present in the Monument but secretive. So it was to my surprise when, at the Beavers in the Monument Friday Night Talk, I learned that there are only two known populations in the entire 114,000 acre Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. This fact on its own is shocking. However, as Jakob Shockey, Executive Director of Project Beaver and leader of July’s Hike and Learn, explained their historic prevalence on the landscape, their absence became even more disquieting. 

Beavers were once the engineers of much of our landscapes in the Northern Hemisphere. They dammed streams and rivers to create wetlands areas where they were protected from predators and their foods of choice (willow, aquatic plants, etc.) grew abundantly. But it wasn’t only the beavers benefitting. Through thousands of years of coevolution, entire ecosystems grew reliant on these riparian areas. Yet that all changed with the arrival of the European colonists to North America. It didn’t take long for economic demand for beaver pelts to result in unmitigated trapping and removal of them from the environment. 

Over time, without their stalwart creators maintaining them, those precious wetlands began to drain and shrink. No longer was water being spread across meadows by beaver dams. Instead, it began carving a path through the ground as it raced toward the ocean. These are the incised streams we are used to seeing today. 

It is not a mystery that healthy riparian habitat is crucial to water quality and ecosystem resiliency. Every year, millions of dollars are poured into improving this habitat through human intervention. Jakob, however, pointed out an obvious strategy that is often overlooked: Reestablishing beavers. Not only do beavers work for free, they also do a better job at it than people ever could. While a person might check on a restoration site a couple times a year after completion, the beaver is out every single day caulking holes, digging canals, and moving vegetation. Juvenile fish find protection in their wetlands and adults are not stymied by their dams. As the saying goes “Beavers taught salmon to jump!” 

While reintroducing beavers might seem like a perfect solution, humans have long had a complicated relationship with these aquatic mammals, one that has been fraught with misunderstandings. It seemed that every person in attendance on Friday had a question or myth about beavers that they wanted debunked. In fact, the law itself in Oregon perpetuated one of these myths by categorizing beavers as predators until only recently with the passage of Representative Pam Marsh’s Beaver Believer Bill. The new law, once signed by Governor Kotek, will categorize them as furbearers, with the same protection as racoons or foxes. 

After stressing the importance of beavers and their precarious position, Jakob introduced Project Beaver’s new partnership with the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Working with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and area ecologists, Project Beaver mapped the waterways of the Monument and determined areas of “high intrinsic potential habitat” for beavers. This is where the Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and volunteers come in. At the end of the Friday lecture, after we were all fully convinced of the essential function of beavers, Jakob introduced a new initiative to survey and monitor the waterways using citizen science. 

On Saturday morning, a group of enthusiastic volunteers came armed with two new apps: Avenza (with a map of potential beaver habitat) and ArcGIS Survey123. Once we were done with the obligatory tech support, we took a convoy up to Friedenberg Springs. Friedenberg Springs is a special area in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument where Jenny Creek flows through what was a historic beaver meadow. It is also the site of many Beaver Dam Analogues (BDAs) installed last fall by Project Beaver and the BLM. Our expedition that day had two goals: To learn how to collect and report data using the Survey123 form and to check on the potential presence of beavers. 

As we waded down into the creek –blissfully cool on that hot July day– we stood amongst the willows as Jakob showed us how to identify beaver sticks. What for many people would look like an unassuming stick resting on the creek bed took on new meaning as we noticed the scraped lines of a beaver’s teeth on the ends and the patches of stripped bark and cambium. There was noticeable excitement amongst the group as we realized we may be in the vicinity of these elusive rodents. 

Splitting up into small groups, we journeyed down the creek. Along our way we used loppers and hand pruners to cut down willows and plant their stakes along the bank so they could propagate and provide further food and habitat. Like finding easter eggs, we exclaimed in delight as beaver sticks were found and logged in the app. The ultimate goal, however, was to find the beaver dam that Jakob had spoken about where he had confirmed beaver activity a couple months before. We had some false starts as we mistakenly identified BDAs as actual dams. But soon the density of the beaver sticks began to increase and chutes and canals became visible along the bank. We knew we were close. Then, we saw it. 

Unlike the previous BDAs, this dam was covered in plant matter, additional sticks, and caulked with mud and rocks. Since the dam was originally a BDA the beavers had improved upon, you could still see the posts sticking out along the top. However, the joy was short lived as Jakob informed us that the dam was no longer being maintained since he had last been there. The beavers were gone. It is possible that the beavers simply went on a “summer vacation,” an observed phenomenon where beavers will explore other waterways during the summer months, perhaps looking for a different site to settle down. Yet a more ominous possibility hung over us; That they had been trapped. 

There are no rules against trapping in the Monument, and if a person does trap a beaver they do not have to report that they did. The beaver simply disappears. This poses a serious challenge to bringing them back into the landscape. 

While this disappointment hung heavy in the hearts of all the staff and volunteers, it also brought a sense of urgency and enthusiasm. What other beaver populations might exist within the Monument that we don’t know about? With better monitoring, we might be able to get a more accurate idea of where beavers are moving and why. Even as we sat down for lunch after removing our wet shoes, the air was thick with questions. The waterways highlighted in neon green on the map were both a mystery and cautious reassurance. We couldn’t wait to get back out there. 

Please stay tuned for volunteer opportunities for beaver monitoring and riparian restoration within the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. We will be announcing further dates on our website and through our newsletter. 





2023 Nature Camp Continues at Greensprings Loop Trail!

Monument Days with The Crest’s Nature Day Camp have moved to Greensprings Mountain Loop Trail! Our Summer Interpretive Rangers, Meaghen O’Rourke and Christina Gilbert, hosted their first amazing group of campers at this scenic and lushly-forested trail on July 19, 2023.

The younger students, aged 6 to 8, known as the “turtles” took a short hike to a viewpoint overlooking the valley below. While hiking they practiced “zooming in and zooming out,” by playing games that encouraged their curiosity and practiced their skills for closely examining their environment. The kids learned how to identify pinecones, examined what makes up a lichen, and compared the shapes of different types of bird feathers. Sometimes the best hikes are the ones where you don’t go very far from the trailhead!

The older students, aged 9 to 11, went on a more adventurous hike around the entire loop trail. They examined the many different types of trees that can be found on this trail, and enjoyed the many vistas. They also had some exciting animal encounters where they got to observe a ribbon snake and several lizards basking in the sun.

At the end of the day, we all gathered together to share stories and play more games. It was a wonderful ending to an educational and fun day.

2023 Nature Camp Kicks Off

Nestled within the lush surroundings of the CSNM, the first Monument Day of The Crest’s Nature Day Camp unfolded on the picture-perfect day of June 28, 2023. As the kids arrived by bus, their excitement was palpable; they were ready to embark on an adventure filled with exploration and discovery. The group, known as the "foxes," consisting of kids aged 6-11 years, gathered together to begin their journey to Hobart Bluff with the Friends’ Interpretive Rangers.

While on the trail, the kids were encouraged to contemplate the concept of an ecosystem. With their curious minds at work, they shared insightful answers, demonstrating their understanding of the intricate relationships between living organisms and their environment. As the group traversed the trail, the kids observed various elements that corroborated their initial responses, reinforcing their comprehension of how ecosystems function.

In addition to becoming familiar with the concept of a healthy ecosystem, the kids learned the potential impacts that can disrupt an ecosystem’s delicate balance including how human activities and natural occurrences can influence the overall well-being of an ecosystem. By understanding the significance of maintaining ecosystem health, these young explorers developed a greater appreciation for their role as stewards of the environment.

At the first viewpoint along the trail, the kids practiced a "sit spot", an exercise that fosters a deeper connection with nature. They found a comfortable spot and quietly observed their surroundings. They absorbed the sights and sounds of the Monument's biodiversity, and captured their experiences and emotions in their personal journals.

As the educational hike drew to a close, the kids returned from their immersive adventure, brimming with newfound knowledge and excitement. The hike had not only provided them with a chance to explore the landscapes of the Monument, but also ignited a sense of wonder and curiosity within them. Our hope is that experiences such as this one will broaden the children's understanding of and foster a love for the natural world, contributing to a generation of environmentally-conscious individuals. 

The Nature Camp Monument Days that we run in partnership with The Crest will continue for eight weeks, during which our Summer Interpretive Rangers, Meaghen O’Rourke and Christina Gilbert, will lead all-day educational adventures in the Monument for 6-11 year olds. If you want to sign your child up for Nature Day Camp, visit The Crest’s website at https://thecrestatwillowwitt.org/programs/summer-camps/nature-day-camps/.

Artist-in-Residence Reception

When you’re up in the Monument, do you ever wish that you could capture a moment perfectly? Not just with your phone, where the greens don’t seem as vibrant and blue sky lacks a certain brilliance contrasted with a rolling cumulus cloud. Perhaps you want to freeze an emotion that floods over you as you look across the landscape swaying gently in a warm breeze, the almost invisible birds and insects flitting between the boughs and blades of grass. Even though the technology in our pockets always seems to be improving, it more often than not lacks the vividness of life. This is where artists come in. 

Every year, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) selects artists for a one to two week stay in the Monument. During this time, the artists dedicate themselves to capturing the natural beauty of the landscape, its biodiversity, and unique character. Not only do they donate a digital copy of one of their pieces to the BLM, but they also participate in a reception hosted by Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. It was at this reception that we got to meet this year’s artists in person. 

Leslie Ann Hauer, who is from the east side of Washington State, set up her gorgeous oil paintings along a table. While she has no formal art training, you wouldn’t be able to tell. Her paintings all captured a snapshot of the Monument in colorful detail. From a gorgeous landscape at Hyatt Lake –with “50 shades of green”-- to a detailed study of a mossy fence post, you truly felt as though her subjects came alive. 

Nisty Tharp, a native of Colorado who currently resides in Utah, worked primarily in acrylic paint and markers. She represented the Monument and its wildlife in punchy colors that evoked the vitality of its biodiversity. An art teacher by profession, Nisty spoke about her process and also the challenges of working on unconventional materials such as pieces of local pine wood. 

It was great to see so many beautiful pieces and we look forward to experiencing what next year’s artists create. 

We would like to thank Leslie and Nisty for donating 20% of their sales at the reception to FCSNM. To learn more about the artists and explore more of their work, please visit their websites: 

Nisty Tharp: https://www.nistyartwork.com/

Leslie Ann Hauer: https://hauerart.com/





Sunday Hike at Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area

Horseshoe Ranch, formerly a working Cattle Ranch spanning from 1908 to 1970, underwent a transformation in 1977 when it was converted into a wildlife area by California Fish and Game. Recognizing its significance for biodiversity and maintaining habitat connectivity, the Ranch was incorporated into the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in 2017. The hike through Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area offers a captivating experience, showcasing remnants of the ranching industry amidst rolling hills adorned with native vegetation and abundant wildlife.

As we embarked on the trail, we encountered native plants and nesting birds, witnessing the resilience of the ecosystem in the fire-scarred trees. Heather Stewart-Ahn, a Master's student in biology at Eastern Washington University and a 2022 Friends Research Fund recipient, co-lead our hike. Heather has been studying an extremely rare, vividly red lichen, Umbilicaria phaea var. coccinea, found in the Monument. Heather showed us a population of Umbilicaria phaea var. coccinea and we explored the micro ecosystem of the red lichens clinging to the basalt and learned about their structure, reproduction, and vulnerabilities. To hear more about Heather’s research, check out her presentation at our 2023 Monument Research Symposium HERE. 

Continuing our trek, we came upon a crumbling ranch spring house. Nestled near Scotch Creek enveloped by grasses and wildflowers, with Pilot Rock proudly standing in the Oregonian backdrop, its metal roof glinted in the sunlight. There were many bird species around, one of which was the Killdeer whose nests they guarded along the rocky creekside.

Ascending the old fire road, we hoped to glimpse the expansive grasslands beyond Scotch Creek, frequented by feral horses whose impact on the riparian area was evident, eroding the creekside. Despite reaching the hilltop, the horses eluded our sight, perhaps avoiding the hot sunlight. On a level stretch of terrain, an exclamation redirected our attention. Swiftly grabbing binoculars, we witnessed small specks in the distance swiftly moving – the feral horses were there taking advantage of the area's nourishing grasses and riparian areas.

Throughout our hike in the Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area, we encountered remnants of a bygone era, witnessed the preciousness of rare lichens, and marveled at the resilience of nature. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or simply seeking a rejuvenating outdoor activity, exploring this wildlife area within the Monument promises a rewarding and memorable hiking experience.

2nd Annual CSNM Painting Days

The 2nd Annual CSNM Painting Days took place June 15, 16, & 17, 2023. The group of experienced artists returned to Babbitt Saddle, just east of Pilot Rock, and to the high point above the Hobart Bluff trailhead to take in the amazing array of wildflowers, grand vistas, and engaging rock and tree formations. They also made a visit to Hobart Lake and to a location in the Siskiyou Mountains outside of the Monument near the campground on Mt. Ashland. 

They painted images in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument to share the natural qualities of these unique wildlands and to call attention to the way they benefit society whether you visit them or not. Wildlands contribute to clean air and water, and provide habitat for a wide range of life forms whose very existence supports our own. 

The painters Midge Black (midgeblack.com), Sarah Burns (sarahfburns.com), Erik Sandgren (eriksandgren.com), Kathryn Cotnoir (artshine.org/artist/kathryn-cotnoir/), Desmond Seratorre (desmondserratore.com), Howard Hunter, and organizer Katy Cauker were joined this year by Mary Hills and Nicole Pizziconi. All of the artists strive to paint steadily throughout the year and most have websites with work available for viewing pleasure and purchase. 

Event Leader - Katy Cauker: Draw  Paint Print, www.kcgallery6.com

Words by Katy Cauker.

Volcanoes in the Monument Hike & Learn

On Friday, June 9, the Ashland Food Co-op Community Classroom was full to the brim with geology enthusiasts. As additional chairs were being located, Jad D’Allura took his place at the front of the room to begin his presentation. Jad has spent a lot of time in the world of geology, particularly that of Southern Oregon. After receiving his Ph.D. in geology from UC Davis, he worked for Texaco as an exploration geologist for two years before coming to work for Southern Oregon University for 33 years prior to retirement. Yet he still continues to do basic geology research with University of Oregon undergraduate seniors in the Monument. 

The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument comprises 114,000 acres set aside for its biodiversity. Still, it’s only natural that that biodiversity would rest upon a diverse and fascinating geological foundation. The Monument itself is made up of two mountain ranges including the Cascade Mountains and Siskiyou Mountains. In particular, its geological history has been characterized by volcanic activity with most of the rocks found in the Monument being volcanic in nature. But, what exactly is a volcano and how is it formed? It would be difficult to find someone better qualified than Jad to answer this question. 

A volcano is a rupture in the Earth’s crust fundamentally caused by plate tectonics. In the case of the Monument, the denser oceanic crust (the Juan de Fuca Plate) is pulled beneath the less-dense continental crust (North American Plate) at the Cascadia Subduction Zone. This process usually results in earthquakes. The upper mantle is then melted due to water released by the downgoing oceanic crust in a dehydration reaction. This melting generates less-dense magma that may then rise through the denser crust and erupt at the surface, forming a volcano. 

We learned that volcanic rocks will appear as different colors depending on how quickly  that magma rises to the surface. Rapidly rising magma contains more iron and appears darker, such as basalt. Magma that is slower to rise, or is interrupted, has a chance for crystals to form within it and is lighter in color due to less iron. An example of this type of rock is andesite. 

When someone thinks of a volcano, what usually comes to mind is a cone with the top neatly shorn off. While this can be an example of a stratovolcano, or composite volcano, another very common type of volcano found in the Monument are shield volcanoes. Shield volcanoes tend to be lower in profile and very basaltic. In fact, much of the volcanic remnants in the Monument are hidden in plain sight. Pilot rock is one such remnant. What was once a large volcano with spreading and sloping sides has been eroded away over millions of years to the point where only the neck, or vent, remains. 

At this point in Jad’s presentation, we finally got around to addressing the original question: How has the geological underpinnings of the Monument contributed to its incredible biodiversity? Jad made sure to not leave this stone unturned. Land bridges were created between distinct regions due to the activity of faults, such as the Siskiyou Summit Fault. This allowed for the movement of flora and fauna around the landscape. Additionally, the cooling and shrinking of lava provided conduits and reservoirs for water. Even the diversity of soils can be traced back to the Monument’s geology as different soils are derived from different rock types. These different soil types allow for varying levels of permeability and can be observed with the naked eye through patchworks of vegetation types. 

On Saturday, June 10, Jad then took our intrepid group of participants on a geological tour of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument itself. There, they transferred knowledge from diagrams and pictures to real rock formations, a process made much easier with our capable guide! Our tour of the Monument took us up Indian Memorial Highway to see the Colestin and Roxy formations. We stopped at the side of the road to look at basaltic andesite rocks and the debris from ancient eruptions and lava flows. 

An unexpected fringe benefit of cutting roads through mountains is the layers of rock that are exposed. This is where our group found ourselves as vehicles whizzed by and Jad, armed with a hammer and pick, chipped off bits of rock to give us a glimpse into eons of time. 

Lost Creek Falls Sunday Hike

We began our day by leaving Ashland in the rear view mirror. The town slowly shrunk as we snaked our way up the paved road leading into the Monument. The sun had just started to peek through the clouds and the sky held the promise of more sunshine to come. The car was quiet as the occupants observed the changing landscape outside the windows. We traveled into rolling hills and meadows, soon reaching towering forests. Our destination, Lost Creek Falls, is exactly what the name implies. Lost. Off the beaten path, this secluded hike is hard to find and often unknown. Soon we turned off the paved road, onto a gravel one that led us deeper into the forest. The further we drove the more changes we saw, lush greenery along the road, tall trees, and eventually, a small creek.

When we finally came to a stop and opened the doors, we were greeted by the earthy scent of the forest floor accompanied by the fresh water that trickled in the creek. The area was stunning, and the chirping birds sang as we gathered our group to begin the hike to Lost Creek Falls. Starting in we found a small single file trail winding through the open forest. Following the trail we found many native flowers, some of which were rare species to find. This prompted a conversation about the origin of the Monument. How in 2000 former President Bill Clinton used the Antiquities Act to conserve and preserve this area of land because of its expansive biodiversity. We continued to hike, thinking about what this meant, and beginning to see for ourselves the rich mosaic of plant and animal life living and thriving in the very place we walked. The canopy began to tighten, allowing only a few streams of sunlight through to the forest floor. Not long after the dense forest started, we began to encounter large fallen trees across our path. It was amazing to see the smiles everyone bore as they traversed the terrain, sensing the wilderness of the place and becoming enchanted by it. Soon, the canopy cover reopened, and rocky outcroppings emerged in the distance. The sound of the creek had grown so gradually, one could almost miss the change. 

Leading the group out of the forest and into a clearing, we found ourselves at the top of a gorge. The steep rocky walls were covered in rich green vegetation, but there was no waterfall in the distance. Instead, we found the trail had led us directly to the top of the falls. Walking around the side we made our way to a craggy outcropping alongside the gorge wall and looked back at the falls. We meandered in the area, appreciating the beauty in the falls and finding new flowers, trees, and wildlife. As the sun shined down on us, eventually it was time to go. Walking the trail back out, we reflected on what it meant to have accessed such a beautiful and wild feeling place. 

Overall, the Lost Creek hike gave a sense of discovery, adventure, and connection with the landscape. As citizens, advocates, and stewards of the environment, we question the roles we play within the Monument and how we can take action to preserve these wild places.


Wildflower Identification Hike & Learn

On Friday, May 26, the Co-op classroom looked like the outside had come inside a little more than usual. All around the room were rag-tag bunches of flowering plants placed in an eclectic collection of containers. While they may have made for underwhelming decorative bouquets, they were there for a much more interesting purpose: Plant identification! More specifically, they were for plant identification using the Botany in a Day methodology by Thomas J. Elpel. Instead of focusing on memorizing individual species, Elpel’s method has the student learn plant families. This is a relatively less overwhelming task and can be done by learning to recognize patterns associated with each family. 

There are approximately 320,000 described plant species worldwide; of those, they fall into hundreds of families. However, for the class, Collette Streight –Executive Director of Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and that night’s instructor– selected seven of the most common to focus on 

  1. Rose Family (Rosaceae)

  2. Aster Family (Asteraceae)

  3. Mint Family (Lamiaceae)

  4. Pea Family (Fabaceae)

  5. Mustard Family (Brassicaceae) 

  6. Parsley Family (Apiaceae)

  7. Lily Family (Liliaceae)

After Collette introduced each plant family, everyone took out their hand lenses and examined the unconventional bouquets where an example was present. Participants were soon counting petals and identifying inferior and superior ovaries! We learned that in the aster family, there are actually two kinds of flowers: Disc flowers and ray flowers. What looks like one large flower to most people (think of a sunflower) is made up of hundreds of individual flowers, each with its own set of stamens and pistils. 

Armed with this new knowledge about plant families, we met Liz Landreth on Saturday to get to know some flowers in their natural habitat. Liz, also known as the “Flower Floozy,” is an amateur botanist focusing on intriguing stories about plants and our relationship with them. Liz’s approach to plant identification, emphasizing species and habitat characteristics, paired well with Collette’s approach. Not only was Liz able to identify the plant species, but we could also use the Botany in a Day method to determine the family. 

Our excursion started in the CSNM at a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail that passed Hobart Bluff. It would be an understatement to say that the area was botanically diverse. We made it only ten feet down the trail before Liz was pointing out flowers. Slowly we inched along, spending time with plants such as Jacob’s Ladder, waterleaf, and Larkspur. 

“Whenever people ask me how long a wildflower hike is going to be,” Liz joked, “clearly have never been on one!” And she was right. We were marking distance by new species, not by miles. We spied many types of Lomatium –also called biscuit root– and Liz informed us that they were an important First Food for the Indigenous Peoples of the area and are still considered by their descendents today as an ecocultural source of carbohydrates. Under the tree canopy, we saw trillium and checkered fritillaria (a member of the lily family). We even observed a peony that was very different from the cultivated varieties found in gardens but whose similarities were also unmistakable. One by one, Liz had us gently feel its leaves which were cool to the touch. 

Our final stop was at Little Hyatt Lake, where we once again caught up with the Pacific Crest Trail. The meadow we walked through was drier and more exposed at this lower elevation. Yet we still saw the tell-tale umbel flowers of biscuitroot and the feathery fronds of medicinal yarrow. Nearby we could see the still blue water of the reservoir and thought of the summer to come and all of the flowers it would bring with it. 

Star Thistle Pull with Pinehurst School

I once heard the adage “Oregon kids are tough!” and it couldn’t be more true for the students from Pinehurst School. Most kids, when presented with the prospect of hiking off-trail towards a destination where they would be expected to put in some hard work to pull weeds, would be understandably unenthused.  However, the Pinehurst students, their parents, and teachers started trooping down the hillside full of curiosity and good humor. As we began our hike –with a path marked the previous day with fluorescent orange tape– we were swallowed up by a rolling landscape of oak savannah. This certainly made our wayfinding easier as we were greeted by widely spaced trees casting gentle shade and quiet meadows interspersed along our path. 

We were joined by BLM Interpretive Ranger John Duwe and soon paused in one such meadow. Even though we could hear the distant roar of I-5 over the hill, the little world we had entered felt set apart. John Duwe led the students in an activity where they matched a rainbow of paint chips to the natural colors around us. It certainly made us realize that nature is full of colorful surprises when you look carefully! 

The trail we blazed led us down into several draws. In the second, we found a flowing creek where we could see practical examples of how humans can aid in restoring streams and riparian areas. We observed budding willow stakes cut from the large willows upstream and placed by volunteers the year before. We also saw rock dams which, to the uninitiated, are just that simple: Rocks placed in a row perpendicular across the stream to slow the flow and spread the water further across the landscape. While it’s not quite as impressive as what a beaver could do, rock dams are still valuable tools we can utilize to rehabilitate the area. 

After carefully crossing some treacherous mud, we began our ascent up the final hill toward a large, stately ponderosa pine and a couple of juniper trees that marked the area where we would pick yellow star thistle. The thistle, Centaurea solstitialis, is native to Eurasia but has become invasive in much of the United States, including Oregon. In particular, it has had an outsized impact on native grasslands, which are among the most important and endangered ecosystems in the United States. Native grasslands are essential for increasing and maintaining biodiversity by providing wildlife habitat, but they also contribute to water quality and quantity through root filtration and increased water holding capacity. They even store high amounts of carbon for sequestration!

  As we walked, we could feel the dead stalks and flower heads from last year’s thistle catching on our clothes and scratching our skin. While it was clear that the entire preserve could use many more hands to help control the noxious weed, we had our mission for that day and found a large square plot already marked with rebar and orange flags. The plot is one of eighteen grassland areas selected in 2020 within the Monument boundary as part of the BLM’s Grassland Restoration Project in partnership with the Sampson Creek Preserve and The Understory Initiative. One of the project’s objectives is to test the efficacy of various treatments for removing weeds such as yellow star thistle. 

Collette Streight, Executive Director of the Friends of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, showed the students how to identify the plant. Somewhat at odds with its spiny flowers, the leaves of the young yellow star thistle are soft to the touch. Many of the students described them as “fuzzy!” Collette showed us that the most important thing to remember was to get as much of the root as possible. If we get the whole root, the plant will not be able to come back. Once we were confident that all students and volunteers could adequately identify the plant, we set to work. Slowly, we picked our way across the plot, digging out the small plants with fingers and sticks. Occasionally, someone would get a particularly long root and show it off to enthusiastic shouts of admiration. Soon, it became a contest to see who got the longest root! Yet even hard work flies by with friends, and shortly it was time for lunch. As everyone scrambled for one or two final plants, we realized they were much more challenging to find than when we had started! 

Lunch was had at the base of the tall ponderosa we had passed on our way in. While some enjoyed their sandwiches and snacks, many of the students explored the old apple trees planted as part of a long-gone homestead on the site. Soon, we harnessed this creativity, and Collette led the students in an activity that had them find a plant or insect they didn’t recognize and spend some time observing it. They were encouraged to observe using their senses and get to know the plant by asking questions, even if they may not have the answers. At the end, we all took a tour of each other’s new botanical and insect friends. 

Soon it was time to trek back to the cars and bid Mariposa Preserve goodbye. It was bittersweet because we all left feeling a greater sense of connection to this little corner of the Monument, but also knew we had left it better than we had found it.