Whether you revel in the summer sun or prefer to hide in cool shade, there is plenty to do for the Corvallis science and nature enthusiast this week, from a festival of engineering at OSU to habitat restoration projects and nature tours, plus a webinar on making your garden a safe and healthy place for bees.
Thursday: River Cleanup
With more summer use of our Willamette River and the parks along its shores comes an increase in trash that could make its way into the water. Volunteers are invited to join Willamette Riverkeeper this Thursday, June 8, to help clean up the river between Avery Park and Micheal’s Landing. If you have a boat or raft, bring it along, or reserve a seat in one of the boats already signed up. The cleanup starts at Avery Park at 9 am and runs until 1 pm. More details and registration available here.
Friday: Engineering Expo
Did you know that OSU’s College of Engineering awards more computer science degrees each year than any other institution in the country? This Friday, June 9, over 1,200 students of all engineering disciplines, from software to robotics to nuclear, will put their latest work on display in the college’s annual Engineering Expo. Student displays are open to the public, free and with no registration required, from 11 am to 4 pm at the Kelley Engineering Center on 2500 Monroe Avenue. An awards ceremony and reception will follow. If you aren’t able to make the event in person, a virtual look at the work on display will be available, along with more details, here.
Saturday: Marys Peak Restoration
Prairies are some of Oregon’s most endangered habitats. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, over 95% of our prairies and oak savannahs are gone, due to development, fire suppression and invasive species. This Saturday, June 10, you can help with that last one, pulling and cutting invasive conifer seedlings on Mary’s Peak with the Institute for Applied Ecology. Bring a lunch and water, closed-toed shoes and layers for wind or rain. Keep in mind that the weather conditions on Mary’s Peak are often wetter and cooler than those on the valley floor. Volunteers can meet at the Mary’s Peak summit parking lot at 9 am. If you’d like to carpool, meet at 563 SW Jefferson Avenue at 8 am. More information is available here.
Next Tuesday: Gardening for Bees
Bees have been in the news more and more over the past few years. The importance of these buzzing pollinators, as well as the dangers they face, have never been more clear. Next Tuesday, June 13, from 12 to 1 pm,, two OSU graduate students will lead a one-hour webinar to teach gardeners how to make their spaces more welcoming and nutritious for bees. Nicole Bell is a Masters student whose work centers on wild bees in urban green spaces, and Jen Hayes is a PhD candidate studying how farms and gardens can help bees while improving crop yield. This Zoom webinar is part of the ongoing Level Up series from Oregon State Master Gardeners. Register and find out more here.
Next Wednesday: Two Area Nature Tours
There is so much natural beauty to see in our city and valley, especially this time of year, when the warmth and sunshine make it harder than ever to stay inside. Next Wednesday, June 14, there are two options for guided nature tours right here in the Corvallis area. With one in the morning and one in the afternoon, you could even take both.
First, from 10 am to Noon, the Institute for Applied Ecology staff will lead a tour of Herbert Farm and Natural Area, at 1760 SW Herbert Avenue in Corvallis. The area includes oak groves, wetlands and prairies, and is a great birding spot, with 169 species listed on eBird for the site. Check this page before the event for details.
Corvallis Forest, on the lower slopes of Mary’s Peak, is a 2,400 acre forest full of lush scenery and wildlife, which also provides 30 percent of the city’s drinking water. Only one guided tour is offered per year of the forest, a three-hour tour starting at 4:30 pm on Wednesday. The tour leaves from Corvallis City Hall and is free, but registration is required. More information and registration details here.
By Ian Rose
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