Washington Native Plant Society - South Sound Chapter


	Chapter Field Trips

We would like to hear from you about where you would like to go on field trips. Volunteers to lead trips are also important. Even if you feel your plant identification skills need to be brushed up, the group process of "botany by consensus" is an enjoyable way to spend a day outside and I encourage you to volunteer to lead a field trip.

To learn more about how you can lead a field trip or if you have suggestions on where you'd like to go, please contact Michael Deckert at 253.922.3952 or michaeldeckert@alumni.uwsp.edu.

Saturday, January 5, 2008 10:30 am – noon
Winter Twig ID (Pierce County)
Edgewood/Nelson Nature Park - 2228 118th Ave East – Edgewood, WA

WNPS Native Plant Steward, Michael Deckert will lead a short social hike through this passive park nestled in a serene wetland area. The 1/2 mile, paved walking path winds by tall trees and native vegetation, takes you over foot bridges, and has benches along the path for bird watching and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Here’s your chance to catch that interesting period when you can leaf through your winter twig guide, while getting closer to the leaf scars that help you nail that naked plant’s identification to your brain. Meanwhile the buds are developing, leading next year’s new growth. Beginners and experts alike are invited! For more information contact Michael Deckert: michaeldeckert@alumni.uwsp.edu, or by phone at 253.922.3952.

Saturday, January 27, 2008 10 am – 12:30 pm, OR 1 – 3:30 pm
Winter Twig ID, sponsored by the Thurston County Native Plant Salvage Foundation
Fee: $5. Advanced registration required by calling 360.754.3588 ext. 110

Enhance your nature walks in the cold and rainy months by tuning in to the splendid subtle beauty of our deciduous trees and shrubs. During this field course, you’ll learn to identify and appreciate over 25 species of woody plants. Join Erica Guttman of Thurston County’s Native Plant Salvage Project for this brief introduction or brush-up course on winter twig identification of common deciduous shrubs and trees. For more information, contact Erica at: 360.754.3588 x 110 or by e-mail at: ericag@wsu.edu.

Saturday, March 8, 2008
Catherine Creek and Coyote Wall

Join Kevin Head as he heads to the first place in the seasonfor seeing beautiful wildflowers in the Columbia Gorge. At Catherine Creek the flower season begins in some years in January, but by early March we are seeing fields of Grass Widows and other early spring beauties. We will meet in Olympia at 7:00 AM and Carpool. Expect all sorts of weather and we will have a dinner in Hood River after the walks. Expect to walk about three miles in beautiful Oak country. Contact Kevin Head at khead@ekit.com or 360.943.3752. Trip is limited to the first 12 people to sign up.

Saturday, March 22, 2008
Columbia Gorge Sample

We will hike in a number of spots on the Washington and Oregon side looking for the second wave of blooms in the gorge. This hike will see close to 50 species of flowers in bloom and explore some unusual spots that take in the best of the gorge in early season. We will carpool and meet in Olympia at 7:00 AM and have dinner in Hood River. Contact Kevin Head at khead@ekit.com or 360.943.3752. Trip is limited to the first 12 people to sign up.

Saturday, April 26, 2008
Glacial Heritage County Park Thurston County

Come see the prairies before our big Study weekend and see the early bloomers in the Park. With this event, we will start the Native Plant Appreciation Week a day early and be able to see plants usually not seen in the Prairie Appreciation Days. We’ll then be done in time to watch Olympia’s Big Procession of Species Parade. Meet in Olympia at 8:30 AM to carpool. Contact Kevin Head at khead@ekit.com or 360.943.3752. Trip is limited to the first 12 people to sign up.

Saturday, May 17, 2008
Cape Horn Loop trail

This seven mile loop in the west side of the Columbia River Gorge takes participants through beautiful habitats rarely encountered in the west gorge. We will walk through mature Alder forests, take in ridge top views through second growth Doug Firs, explore west side Oak habitat with stunning views towards Oregon Waterfalls and explore low level Scree habitats and even a walk under a waterfall. The loop has a 500 foot elevation gain and drop, plus a 1.5 mile walk on a road to finish the hike. Contact Kevin Head at khead@ekit.com or 360.943.3752. Trip is limited to the first 12 people who sign up.

Columbia Coast Field Trips

In February, check http://www.reachone.com/columbiacoastplants/, Kathleen Sayce’s website, to learn about this year’s field trips on both sides of the Columbia River near the coast.

Other Washington Native Plant Society Chapter Field Trips

Check the WNPS website, http://www.wnps.org/chapter_info/chapter_trips.html, for field trips scheduled by other chapters. The North Olympic Peninsula Chapter, in particular, organizes field trips that are quite accessible to South Sound Chapter members, on the south and east sides of the Olympic Peninsula.