It’s graduation week in Corvallis. Congratulations to Oregon State’s class of 2023. Between the colleges of science, engineering and forestry, thousands of new graduates are headed out into the world to do exciting, important scientific work. They are the next generation of ecologists, geneticists, chemists and more, who will bring their knowledge and passion to bear on the most important issues here in Oregon and around the world. We wish them all the best.
Tree Crime in Willamette Park
For the second time this year, Corvallis police are investigating the removal of burls from maple trees in Willamette Park. Burls are growths that develop on the trunks of certain trees, and they are prized by woodworkers for their unique structure and grain. But cutting them from live trees causes significant damage, and can kill the tree, especially if multiple cuts are made. In two separate incidents in January and May, three mature maple trees between 40 and 100 years old were found with a total of 16 burls cut off. For more information, click here.
Benton’s Endangered Butterfly
Did you know that Benton County is the only place in Oregon to find the endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly? Once found throughout the Pacific Northwest, these black, orange and white butterflies have only two sites left in their range in Oregon, both of which are in Benton. The specific sites where they can be found are kept secret, to protect them. Staff from the Institute for Applied Ecology in Corvallis are working to restore the two sites and add more of the right plants, flowering at the right time, to help the Taylor’s checkerspots to stabilize and hopefully grow their population. There is reason to be hopeful, with another local endangered butterfly species, the Fender’s blue, recently coming off the endangered species list due to successful restoration efforts. To learn more, check out this blog post from IAE.
Friday: Oxeye Daisy Pull
Speaking of wildflowers and pollinators, if you’ve walked around any park or natural area around Corvallis this month, you’ve probably seen your share of daisies. Their bright white flowers are eye-catching in any meadow or field. But one daisy in particular, the ox-eye daisy, is invasive in Oregon, and their spread can limit other native wildflowers. This Friday, June 16, the Institute for Applied Ecology is running an ox-eye daisy pulling party in a meadow restoration site in the Marys Peak watershed. The event runs from 9 am to 2 pm. Details and signup is available here.
Please note: We also have native daisies here in the Willamette Valley, some of which are rare and important to pollinators. Unless you’re sure about the species ID, it’s best to leave them. They are being pulled in this site by experts to make way for specific restoration plans.
Saturday: Marys Peak Botanical Trip
Marys Peak is a thriving ecosystem with many unique and rare plant species. This Saturday, June 17, join the Native Plant Society of Oregon for a guided field trip to Marys Peak Botanical Scenic Area. Phil Hays and Esther McEvoy will lead a three-mile hike through noble fir forests and meadows to the summit. Bring lunch, water, and appropriate shoes and clothes for a medium-intensity hike. Those wishing to carpool can meet at Wilkinson Hall on NW Orchard Avenue at 9 am. If you’re planning to attend, please click here to register and for more details.
By Ian Rose
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