The Calochortus
Newsletter of NPSO Portland Chapter
Summer 2022
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Greetings!
The Calochortus, published quarterly, is the newsletter of the Portland Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon.
We promote the enjoyment, knowledge, and protection of Oregon's native plants through outings, classes, lectures, stewardship, partnerships, and research.
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President's Page
Willow Elliott
Welcome Summer Field Trips....and a PICNIC!
In this edition of The Calochortus, you'll find no less than 10 Field Trips where you can see and learn Oregon's native plants..many in bloom. And don't forget to sign up for Meetup to catch spur-of the-moment trips. Most are within 50 miles of Portland, and many are right in the metro area. Register now for our live second Thursday Zoom events featuring Dr. Chris Adlam, OSU Extension Fire Specialist and for September, our own Don Jacobson, photographer extraordinaire. If you miss either one, you'll find the recordings on our website. Programs will not be featured during July and August
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Program: Good Fire: Revitalizing Indigenous Burning from the Salish Sea to the Sierra Nevada
Christopher Adlam PhD OSU Extension
June 9 Thursday 7pm
Dr. Chris Adlam, OSU Extension Fire Specialist for southwest Oregon, will discuss efforts to restore the use of Indigenous cultural burning practices to prairies and forests of the West Coast. He helps communities live well with fire through a greater understanding of its ecological role and diverse management options.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtf-GorjstHN2AKmhL18YdUw4_fGokM3Du
After registering, you'll receive a confirmation email from Zoom with a link to join the meeting. SAVE it!
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Program: Flowers of Iron Mountain and Cone Peak
Don Jacobson
Thursday September 8 7-9pm
Don Jacobson is a former electrical engineer turned glass blower who took up photography as a creative outlet. As a decades-long member of the Portland Chapter, he has always shared his passion for capturing the light and beauty of native plants in their natural habitats using special effects he’s developed over the years. He has been awarded first prize in numerous professional photo contests, been featured on magazine covers, and has contributed to wall calendars for Audubon Society and the Portland Japanese Garden. His photos have been published in at least five books.
Register in advance for this meeting,
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYlfuCqpzwjG9fsUwqjDnYdwrv7rM4D6P7V
After registering you'll receive a confirmation email from Zoom with a link to join the meeting. SAVE IT.
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Your NPSO PDX Board and Volunteers: Clockwise from left: Willow Elliott, President, Gina Bono,Zoom Moderator,
Nancy Howarth, Merchandise Sales, Mary Hayden, VP, Hikes and Newsletter
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From left, clockwise: Lecia Schall, Treasurer, Frank Howarth, Audio Visuals, Liz Dally, secretary, Gabe Campbell, VP, Programs
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Looking into the Future....
A Special Message from Your President
Dear Valued Members,
June marks three years and three months since a group of four volunteers stood up at a members' meeting in March 2019 to say, "We will serve as your new board." A sense of service is key to volunteering for any non-profit organization, and we have a long history of outstanding contributions from our membership. The Portland Chapter has been blessed with the skills of Mary Hayden, Lecia Schall, Nancy Howarth, and Liz Dally taking us to a new level of community outreach via our newsletter, website, Meetup, and new online shopping platform. We offered engaging programs via Zoom, organized field trips, including during pandemic times, grew the membership, welcomed every new member, and sold t-shirts and more while keeping our finances on solid footing. Gina Bono and Gabriel Campbell have joined us this year and we welcome their youthful perspectives on programs, workshops, and shortcuts for streamlining routine procedures. We are a paperless green board for the most part, and we are a team! At the same time, the health of any volunteer organization depends on fresh new ideas and rotating responsibilities. We are not paid, and we are each equally important to a well-functioning group. We'll be looking for nominees to be elected when in February, most board members will be stepping down after four years in office. As the new Current Past President, I will offer assistance and mentoring to all incoming officers. If you would like to help lead Portland NPSO into the future, consider attending our June 20 board meeting. Email us at npsopdxchapter@gmail.com with subject line "2023 Board Interest"
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Willow Elliott
President
NPSO Portland Chapter
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Fawn Lilies, Canemah Bluff M Hayden.
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Self Heal in Pink or Purple Canemah Bluff M.Hayden
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Above Photos: Cliff Penstemon, Govt. Cove, MHayden,
Oregon Grape, Three Creeks Natural Area, MHayden
Naked Broomrape, Weldon Wagon Road, Gail Webb
Matted Saxifrage, Govt. Cove, M.Hayden,Common Catchfly, Govt.Cove, Gail Webb
Field Trips: June and July PICNIC!
Your trip leader will contact you if able to arrange carpools or to suggest you arrange them yourselves. If you carpool, be sure to pay your driver to cover gas and maintenance costs using the chart below. Be prepared with lunch and water, sturdy footwear, and dress in layers for any weather, including significant wind. Field guide, trekking poles, and binoculars are optional. Ending time is at the venue and approximate. Joint trips with the Washington Native Plant Society are with Suksdorfia Chapter, Vancouver.
Contact us at npsopdxchapter@gmail.com to suggest a destination, lead a trip, or offer comments or suggestions on a trip you've taken with us.
Be sure to join Meetup to be notified of spur-of-the moment trips.
Google Calendar
If You Carpool: Driver Fuel and Maintenance Contribution
o West Gorge (Portland to Cascade Locks): $10
o Mid-Gorge (Cascade Locks to Mosier): $12
o East Gorge (Mosier to Deschutes River): $15
o 15 cents per mile elsewhere
Hood River Mountain
Saturday, June 4 10:00am – 2:30pm
Mary Hayden
Hood River Mountain is an unusual area described by Russ Jolley (Wildflowers of the Columbia Gorge, P. 278) on the border where green west-gorge begins to transition to dry east-gorge. We'll start by wandering a meadow in the hills above Hood River to look for Columbia Frasera, few-flowered pea, prairie violet, desert parsleys, larkspur, oceanspray, and more, then make a gentle climb on an adjacent dirt road (570' elevation gain) and break for lunch at the top with views of balsamroot, lupine, paintbrush, and Mt. Hood. After lunch we may traverse a windy hillside to a gorge overlook with a vista of multiple snow-capped peaks, or wander through buckwheat and desert parsley into a mixed oak/conifer woods. Sign up or get more information at hayden.mary.k@gmail.com.
Newell Creek Canyon
Wednesday June 8 9:30-11:30am
Mary Hayden
Explore the newest Metro Natural Area in Oregon City. Be notified and sign up for this walk on Meetup. Join Meetup here: https://www.meetup.com/NPSO-Portland/
Larch Mountain
Saturday, June 11 9:00am – 4:00pm
Ron Klump, NPSO/WNPS
This is a moderate to strenuous 6.4 mile loop hike with an elevation gain of 1,300’ through forest and some riparian habitat. We'll likely see wildflowers that have emerged after recent snow melt. Sherrard Point provides one of the highest viewpoints in the Gorge. NW Forest Pass is required. This is a joint hike with Washington Native Plant Society (WNPS). Contact Ron Klump at klumpron@gmail.com to register or if questions.
Three Creeks
Wednesday, June 15 5:30 – 8:00pm
Mary Hayden
Explore a little known nature preserve straddling three creeks, wetlands, and bordering an industrial area near Clackamas Town Center. Be notified and sign up for this field trip on Meetup. Join Meetup here: https://www.meetup.com/NPSO-Portland/
Gabbert Butte
Sunday, June 19 5:30 – 8:00pm
Mary Hayden
Join us Father's Day as we explore this Metro Natural Area south of Gresham. We'll gradually make our way up a wooded trail to the top, a 300' elevation gain, then return on an old road, about 2.5 hours. In this typical lush western Oregon understory, we may find columbine, oceanspray, vanilla leaf, inside-out flower, meadow rue, sweet cicely, hedgenettle, wild blackcap raspberry, ghost pipe, and more. Prepare for any weather and somewhat steep terrain at times.
300 SW Gabbert Rd · Gresham
Drive to the end of Gabbert Rd. Park on the right side of the street where there are no houses. We'll meet at the adjacent trailhead. Sign up: hayden.mary.k@gmail.com
Grassy Knoll WA
Wednesday, June 29 9:00am – 3:00pm
Ralph Rogers
Walk a ridge carpeted with diverse wildflowers, through lush forests, and if time permits, across dryer open patches to an icy spring, We'll make frequent stops to identify flowering plants and birds as opportunities arise. Come prepared for cool, sometimes rainy conditions at this high altitude. We'll meet at 9am in Stevenson, WA. at Skamania Port Waterfront Park. From there we'll carpool/caravan to the Grassy Knoll trailhead. 7.9 miles RT, 1950' elevation gain.Contact Willow Elliott at npsopdxchapter@gmail.com to register or for information.
Lookout Mountain
Saturday, July 2 10:00am – 5:00pm
Ron Klump, NPSO/ WNPS
This is a strenuous 5.3 mile loop east of the Hood River Valley with 1,300' of elevation gain and a variety of plants of forest, meadow, and rocky outcrops. We’ll hike from High Prairie to the top of Lookout Mountain, down to Gumjuwac Saddle, and back up to High Prairie. Drive is 82 miles each way, including 6 miles of gravel.
A NW Forest Pass is required. This is a joint hike with the Washington Native Plant Society. (WNPS). Contact Ron at klumpron@gmail.com to register or if questions.
Silver Star Mountain
Tuesday, July 5 9:00am – 5:00pm
Lisa Appel
Waitlist
The rocky soil and open meadows of Silver Star Mountain offer a wonderland of subalpine and alpine wildflowers not usually seen at this low (4,390 feet) elevation. The species vary with elevation and exposure; climbing higher takes us back in time to earlier spring flowers, including Xenophyllum tenax, Calochortus subalpinus, Erythronium montanum, Lewisia columbiana, Ligusticum grayi, five penstemon species, and more. The summit offers a five volcano view (Mounts Rainier, St. Helens, Adams, Hood, and Jefferson), down to the Columbia River and into the urban cores of Vancouver and Portland. This strenuous hike is 6.3 miles round trip with 2,096 feet elevation gain. Hiking boots required and poles recommended; bring lunch, water, binoculars, etc. Meet at the Grouse Vista trailhead. A Discovery Pass or $12 day parking fee is required. Limited parking, participants are encouraged to carpool. To be added to the waitlist or if questions, contact lisaappel2@gmail.com.
Rhododendrons of Cathedral Ridge, Mt Hood
Saturday, July 9 9:00am – 4:00pm
Dave Andersen and Andrew Stern
We'll start at the Mazama Trailhead parking area off Lolo Pass Rd. and walk fairly level terrain before climbing some forested switchbacks. Around noon, we'll stop at the Dollar Lake Fire burn scar (2011) for lunch and views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. We'll be looking for Pacific Rhododendron (R. macrophyllum), White-flowered Rhododendron (R. albiflorum), and Mock Azalea (R. menziesii, formerly Menziesia ferruginea) as well as plants and insects associated with them. Hike will be about 6 miles with 1600' elevation gain. Bring lunch, sturdy hiking footwear, and dress for any weather. Trek poles, field guides, and binoculars are optional. Meet at Sandy Fred Meyer near the gas station to carpool at 8:15am, otherwise at the trail head at 9am. Contact Dave at ujelang@gmail.com if questions and to register.
POTLUCK PICNIC! July 24 Sunday 12-4pm
Mary S Young Park, West Linn
Join NPSO members, friends, and family at this shady retreat on the Willamette River for feasting and fellowship. Bring a main dish, side dish, or salad and your own beverages, plates, and utensils. We'll provide dessert. Enjoy a guided plant walk, a pollinator garden, and an opportunity to purchase NPSO Tshirts, bandanas, and copies of Russ Jolley's field guide, Wildflowers of the Columbia River Gorge at a price you'll appreciate. Meet at the large picnic shelter near the restrooms off the main (paved) parking lot. RSVP at npsopdxchapter@gmail.com.
Mt. Hood Meadows
Wednesday, July 27 9:30am – 3:30pm
Ron Klump, Joint WNPS
Take advantage of an amazing opportunity to see flowers not seen at lower elevations. This trip is enhanced with a chair lift ride that conveniently whisks us up to 5500 feet, followed by a leisurely 3 mile downhill traverse across creeks, meadows, and forests. Be prepared with lunch, water, sturdy footgear, and sun protection. Trek poles are helpful crossing tricky watercourses. Be prepared for possible slippery rocks or wet feet.
We may arrange a carpool from Clackamas Fred Meyer at 8am, or you can meet us at the main lot near Mt. Hood Meadows ski lodge at 9:30am. If you plan to go, please visit https://www.skihood.com/store/summer-season-passes and purchase your lift ticket before arriving. We can often get a great deal on lift passes at Groupon.com if we buy them as a group. Over 75 gets a free pass! Contact klumpron@gmail.com to register or for information.
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Pale Larkspur Canemah Bluff MHayden
NPSO PDX June iNaturalist Project:
Burned Native Plant BioBlitz
By Lecia Schall
May was National Wildfire Awareness Month, and this year in June we want to be part of teams documenting the resurgence of native plants in burned areas of the Columbia Gorge/Mt. Hood/Clackamas River region.
Post your observations with full frame photos focusing on the plant as a whole and on distinguishing characteristics.
Let us know habitat or companion plants by adding an entry in the notes section.
Let's get outside and witness native plants rising from the ashes!
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/npso-pdx-june-2022-burned-native-plant-bioblitz
NOTE: Boundaries of fires from the past five years are approximate. Let me know (schalllecia@gmail.com) if you have questions or other areas to add. Be sure your observations occur only in burned areas of our region.
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Youth on Age, McIver State Park M.Hayden
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Fairy Slippers Herman Creek M.Hayden
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Photos Below: Daggerpod, Sicklepod Rockcress, Stacker Butte,
Ballhead Gilia Canemah Bluff M Hayden
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Bonnie Hall Design T-Shirts
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Native Plant Society of Oregon Unisex and Women's T-shirts, Bandanas, Limited Edition Bonnie Hall designs, a FREE Printable Coloring Design, MEMBER DISCOUNTS, and more are available at our website.
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NPSO Portland Chapter Board
Willow Elliott: President
Gabriel Campbell: VP Programs/Classes
Mary Hayden: VP Field Trips, Calochortus Editor
Lecia Schall: Treasurer
Liz Dally: Secretary
Frequent Assistance from:
Gina Bono: Zoom Moderator
Frank Howarth: Audio Visuals and IT
Nancy Howarth: Merchandise Sales
Rick Shory: Plant Taxonomy and Ecology
Stephen Ouldhouse: Website
Facebook: Paul Slichter and Susan Saul
Instagram: Dawn Pisto
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| Join the Native Plant Society of Oregon |
For only $25 per year ($12 for students) you can help the Portland Chapter promote the enjoyment, knowledge, and protection of Oregon’s native plants. Dues received after July 1 of any year will cover you through December 31 of the following year! When you sign up now through December 2022 and specify Portland Chapter you'll get $10 off one T-shirt..
Check Out Our Website
To contribute events, articles, or jpg photos via attachment, reply here by the 25th of the month for consideration in the next issue. Comments or questions welcome.
Calochortus drawing, website design, and T-Shirt and bandana designs are courtesy of mollyrobin.com, (except Bonnie Hall designs).
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Calochortus Tolmeii
donjacobsonphoto.com
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