2009 Natural Areas Conference

Field Trips

• Thursday mid-conference field trips and workshops — full conference registrants receive their choice from a large selection of designated natural areas, wilderness destinations and cultural sites.
• Register early to help ensure that you receive your first choice!
• Note: the Field Trips below still have space available (except where indicated), and the registration deadlines posted earlier have been extended.

Field Trip Index

Pre-Conference Field Trips

• (PRT1) Experience Puget Sound
• (PRT3) Experience the Diversity of Mount Rainier (trip full)

Mid-Conference Field Trips

• (FT01) East Fork Lewis River Greenway ($60 fee)
• (FT03) Chehalis River Surge Plain NAP ($35 fee)
• (FT04) Puget Sound Estuaries: Kennedy Creek & Woodard Bay
• (FT05) South Puget Sound Prairies: Mima Mounds NAP, Glacial Heritage Preserve and Scatter Creek Wildlife Area
• (FT06) Table Mountain NRCA (trip full)
• (FT08) Wind River Canopy Crane
• (FT09) Mount St. Helens ($8 fee)
• (FT11) Beacon Rock State Park
• (FT13) Columbia River Gorge Oak Habitat Restoration
• (FT14) Lower Columbia River Salmon Restoration
• (FT15) Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
• (FT18) Camassia Natural Area

Post-Conference Field Trips

• (POT1) Mount St. Helens Summit Climb

Note:  some field trips that were previously listed are no longer available. Please select your field trips from the list below.

Pre-Conference Field Trips

• (PRT1) Experience Puget Sound: Managing its rich diversity, from aquatic bedlands to uplands

  On Day 1, tour the Lower Duwamish Waterway in Seattle, a vital ecological resource and economic center in the region. Hear from local advocates and the Washington State Department of Ecology about the cleanup and restoration of this Superfund site. Then travel north to The Nature Conservancy’s Fisher Slough freshwater tidal habitat restoration and fish barrier removal project in Skagit County, where agricultural and fish interests are working together to achieve multiple benefits. On Day 2, boat to Cypress Island Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) and explore this 5,500 acre landscape and surrounding 6,000 acre aquatic reserve. Then discover the rich intertidal habitat at the Department of Ecology’s Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, and wrap up the day by ferrying over to San Juan Island.

  On Day 3, walk the multi-agency upland conservation and historical landscape at Cattle Point NRCA and American Camp, which is part of the San Juan Island National Historical Park, where you’ll learn about prairie restoration and rare species preservation efforts. After a brief stop at English Camp for “the other side of the story,” head to Friday Harbor Labs for an overview of this University of Washington research station and, weather-permitting, “night-lighting” of Puget Sound tidelands. On the final day, catch the ferry over to the Olympic Peninsula to experience watershed-level conservation and restoration efforts by the Northwest Watershed Institute and the Departments of Ecology and Natural Resources at Tarboo Creek and Dabob Bay. Finish the trip with a dinner stop in downtown Olympia, the state capital, on the way to Vancouver, WA.

  You Will Learn About the Puget Trough Ecosystem and the many challenges of managing conservation resources in this heavily populated region.

  Schedule 4 days/3 nights. This agenda assumes you will fly into Sea-Tac Airport (SEA) near Seattle, WA, or otherwise find transportation to the Red Roof Inn in SeaTac, WA. The group will depart from the Red Roof Inn near the Sea-Tac Airport (16838 International Boulevard) on Friday, September 11, 9:00 am, and arrive in Vancouver, WA, on Monday evening, September 14, about 8:30 pm. You may choose to fly out of Portland, Oregon (PDX), following the conference. We have a block of rooms at the SeaTac Red Roof Inn for the night of September 10, at $59.99 single/$64.99 double, and it is available to field trip participants by calling the hotel directly by August 10 at (206) 248-0901 and mentioning the room block code B572NAA.

  Leader Tom Mumford, Washington DNR Marine Biologist, (360) 902-1079.

  Meals Most meals will be purchased en-route by the participants. Meals included in the trip fee are Day 2 box lunch, Day 3 box lunch and dinner and Day 4 breakfast and box lunch.

  Lodging Your September 10 hotel stay, if any, is not included in the trip fee. Lodging for September 11, 12 and 13 is included in the trip fee. Also note that the September 12 and 13 accommodations at Friday Harbor Labs are shared accommodations, two people per cabin.

  Required Items Luggage transport space is limited and restricted to one large bag plus one briefcase or small-pack carry on. Bring hiking boots, layered clothing with waterproof jacket or shell, waterproof hat, and a water bottle.

  Other Items Binoculars. (To conserve luggage space, a daypack is recommended instead of your large travel luggage. Your main conference luggage will be transported to the conference headquarters hotel in Vancouver, WA, by conference staff.)

  Resources

  • DNR Natural Areas Program
  • DNR Aquatic Reserves Program
  • Washington Department of Ecology
  • Duwamish Cleanup Coalition
  • The Nature Conservancy of Washington
  • Padilla Bay
  • San Juan Island National Historical Park
  • Friday Harbor Labs
  • Northwest Watershed Institute

  Capacity 10

  Difficulty Moderate, with daily walking or short hikes of mild elevation.

  Fee $368 per person, including 3 nights of lodging (two of which are double-occupancy) and 5 meals.

• (PRT2) Cape Disappointment and Leadbetter Point State Parks

  Cape Disappointment and the Long Beach Peninsula lie north of the mouth of the Columbia River. The area is rich in history and habitat diversity. Join us in examining a remnant old growth Sitka spruce forest, and the efforts to conserve the forest and the marbled murrelet habitat it supports from fragmentation. View management actions taken to protect and restore sensitive coastal bluffs from recreational and invasive species impacts. Visit restoration projects that create habitat for trumpeter swans and sensitive snowy plovers, streaked horned larks, and pink sand verbena. Learn about the historic Lewis and Clark Expedition and its interactions with the natural resources of this region. Our goal is for you to gain an appreciation for many of the resources and conservation issues occurring along Washington’s coastline; the efforts of scientists, land managers and the public to protect and interpret these resources for future generations; and the enjoyment of having visited some very spectacular landscapes.

  Schedule 2 days/1 night. Depart from the Vancouver, WA, Hilton Hotel on Sunday, September 13, at 8 a.m., and return to Vancouver during the late afternoon of Monday, September 14.

  Leaders The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is hosting this field trip, including Kelli Bush, stewardship – dune rehabilitation and sensitive species habitat; Ryan Karlson, Jon Schmidt and Aaron Webster, Interpretation – Lewis and Clark expedition and coast bluff restoration; and Lisa Lantz, stewardship, – resource management issues and primary field trip coordinator.

  Meals Two box lunches are provided as part of trip fee.

  Lodging Group will spend Sunday night at the Long Beach Super 8 Motel. The cost is included in the trip fee. The conference will automatically reserve your room if you register by August 21.

  Required Items Bring hiking boots, layered clothing with waterproof jacket or shell, waterproof hat, and a water bottle.

  Capacity 10

  Difficulty Moderate, with walking or short hikes.

  Fee $60/person double occupancy; $105/person single occupancy. Prices include one night hotel accommodation and 2 lunches.

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• (PRT3) Experience the Diversity of Mount Rainier: Thousand year old forests, alpine parklands and glaciers

  One of the iconic places of Washington State, Mount Rainier National Park was established in 1899, making it the fifth oldest national park in the United States. At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier is the most prominent peak in the Cascade Range, standing nearly three miles higher than the lowlands to the west and one and one-half miles higher than the adjacent mountains. It is an active volcano that last erupted approximately 150 years ago. The park is part of a complex ecosystem, reflecting the varied climatic and environmental conditions encountered across the park’s 12,800-feet elevation gradient. Just over half of the park is forested, with the remainder consisting of subalpine parkland, alpine meadows, snowfield, glacier, and rock. Old growth forests, including some 1,000 or more years old, are found on the lower slopes within the park.

  This trip includes visits to study sites and other significant park locations, plus a day of hiking on the spectacular trails in the park.  Field trip stops and discussion topics will include old growth ecology, subalpine and alpine ecosystems, glaciers and climate change, and high-elevation restoration.

  You Will Learn How researchers study old growth forests and potential responses to climate change, how glaciers are changing on Mount Rainier, and how park service ecologists have dealt with challenges of restoration at high elevations.

  Schedule 3 days/2 nights. Depart from the Vancouver, WA, Hilton Hotel on Saturday, September 12, at 8:30 a.m., returning on Monday, September 14, in the evening.

  Leaders David Wilderman, Washington DNR Natural Areas Ecologist, is the lead organizer. National Park Staff and university researchers will be the primary field trip leaders on site.

  Meals Lunch on Day 1 will be included in registration fee. All other meals will be purchased at the Paradise Inn restaurant or cafe. Estimated costs for these meals are $8-12 breakfast, $10-15 lunch, $20-30 dinner. Please provide food requirements for Day 1 lunch to David Wilderman.

  Lodging We will stay at the newly-restored Paradise Inn located in the heart of the park. Each guest room has one double bed with a shared bath.

  Gear List In addition to standard travel gear and clothing, participants will need to bring gear for day hikes including day pack, water bottle, rain gear, warm clothing (please come prepared with layers), and hiking boots. Weather is often favorable (sunny & 70°F) this time of year but cold and wet conditions are also not unusual. Check the weather for this area.

  Approximate Ride Time 2.5 hours to the park boundary.

  Resources

  • http://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm
  • http://www.nps.gov/archive/mora/ncrd/glacier/index.html
  • http://www.visitrainier.com/index.php?&gigpag=home
  • http://www.nature.nps.gov/index.cfm

  Capacity 13

  Difficulty The stops on Saturday and Monday will be 1 to 3 hours and involve easy to moderate hikes of less than 1 mile and little elevation gain. Sunday will be open to either a guided hike of moderate difficulty (4 to 6 miles round trip/2,500’ elevation gain), or, if you prefer, you may pick one of the trails near Paradise Inn and spend the day exploring on your own.

  Fee $225/person

Mid-Conference Field Trips

Boxed lunches will be provided by the conference.

• (FT01) East Fork Lewis River Greenway

  The East Fork Lewis River Greenway covers 2,200 acres of floodplain, wetlands and upland forests on Clark County, Washington’s largest free-flowing strea.m.. The East Fork Lewis, a major tributary of the Columbia, provides critical habitat for four populations of ESA-listed salmon. The greenway itself supports more than 120 bird species, and the broad floodplains and wetlands are state priority habitat for wintering bald eagles and large concentrations of migratory waterfowl. The greenway is also a central feature in a bi-state vision to protect an interconnected system of habitat and natural areas that now includes over 20,000 acres. While most people view the greenway from land, kayaking provides the best opportunity to experience, at a leisurely pace, these diverse habitats and scenic landscapes. The water trail consists of low-gradient, tidally influenced sections of river that allow all skill levels to join the tour. The tour will begin at the small town of La Center and end four miles downstream at a private farm known as Plas Newydd (Welsh term for New Place), where public and private partners are working to protect a 340-acre conservation area on the main Lewis River.

  You Will Learn How public/private partnerships have helped preserve this important system, as well as the challenges presented by Clark County’s rapid growth and urban develop.m.ent.

  Schedule Depart Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 9 a.m. and return by 2:30 p.m.

  Approximate Ride Time 30 minutes each way.

  Leaders Pat Lee, Clark County Legacy Lands Manager; Dan Roix, Columbia Land Trust Mid-River Conservation Lead; Bill Dygert, conservation lands consultant; Ridgefield Kayak Center will provide kayaks and tour guides.

  Notes (Provided) Ridgefield Kayak Center will provide single and tandem kayaks, along with life jackets, paddles, paddle floats, bilge pumps, whistles and dry bags.

  Notes (You need to bring) Water, sun glasses, snacks, sunscreen, clothing (layers), dry set of clothes for return bus trip, camera, binoculars, cap, tevas, tennis, or water shoes. The Ridgefield Kayak Center also asks that individual waivers be completed prior to the trip, and they will contact you regarding your height, weight, life jacket size and kayak experience level.

  Resources

  • http://www.clark.wa.gov/legacylands.com
  • http://www.ridgefieldkayak.com

  Capacity 20

  Difficulty Easy, accommodates all skill levels.

  Fee $60 per person for kayak rental and gear

• (FT03) Tall Ship Sail through the Chehalis River Surge Plain NAP

  Sail on a tall ship up the Chehalis River following the historic route of the first explorers to visit Grays Harbor on Washington’s coast. Through a partnership with the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, we will journey upriver from Aberdeen, through the industrial waterfront and up into the beautiful Chehalis River Surge Plain Natural Area Preserve. The surge plain is a very large tidal forested wetland laced with sloughs and dominated by Sitka spruce forests. You are likely to see bald eagles, osprey, and a variety of birds including band tailed pigeons, Caspian terns, double crested cormorants, vultures, kingfishers, and great blue herons. Fauna include river otters, seals, bear and beaver, and salmon and sturgeon ply the waters. We’ll be joined by at least one member of the Chehalis River Cooperative Weed Management Area to share the story of how inter-jurisdictional cooperators are working throughout the entire watershed to help protect the Chehalis River Surge Plain NAP from invasive species. The sail will last about 3.5 hours. In the morning prior to boarding the ship, we’ll stop at the NAP interpretive trail to stretch our legs and visit the interior of the site by land, including a shoreline restoration area along one of the sloughs.

  You Will Learn A great deal about the ecology and function of tidal surge plain wetlands. We’ll also discuss the details of a phased ecological restoration following control of invasive species including bohemian knotweed. Onboard the ship, we’ll learn about the history of early exploration in the Pacific Northwest, help set sails on a historic sailing ship (if you wish), and learn about the work of cooperators to prevent infestations of purple loosestrife and other aquatic weeds.

  Schedule Depart Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 8 a.m. and return by 6 p.m.

  Leaders Birdie Davenport, Washington DNR Natural Areas Manager; and staff from The Nature Conservancy and Historic Seaport

  Approximate Ride Time 2.5 hours each way.

  Notes Participants should wear appropriate clothing for Pacific Northwest weather and for spending the day outdoors, including footwear for hiking on uneven surfaces. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, layered clothes and water. In case of inclement weather, a rain jacket and warm clothes are also advised.

  Resources

  • http://www.historicalseaport.org

  Capacity 43

  Difficulty An easy 1 mile hike on an accessible trail.

  Fee $35/person for tall ship fee

• (FT04) Puget Sound Estuaries: Kennedy Creek NAP and Woodard Bay NRCA

  Managed by the Department of Natural Resources, Kennedy Creek Natural Area Preserve is a relict in the south Puget Sound, one of few high quality native salt marsh ecosystems remaining. Along with the salt marsh plant communities, this 340 acre preserve supports thousands of migratory shorebirds and an important population of chum salmon. Following the trip to Kennedy Creek, we will visit the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area. Before being purchased by the state as a conservation area, this 800 acre site was operated as the Weyerhaeuser South Bay Log Dump. Woodard Bay now protects miles of undeveloped shoreline and acres of mature forests. We will walk the beach and view the site’s many wildlife species including harbor seals, herons, and waterfowl.

  You Will Learn About native salt marsh ecosystems, bats, herons, seals, salmon and shorebirds. Also, you’ll learn about estuary restoration efforts in south Puget Sound including removal of shoreline armoring, impacts of wood waste and creosote, and the reestablishment of nearshore processes.

  Schedule Depart Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 8:30 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m.

  Leaders Michele Zukerberg, Washington DNR Natural Areas Manager

  Approximate Ride Time 2 hours each way.

  Notes Participants should wear appropriate clothing for Pacific Northwest weather and for spending the day outdoors, including footwear for hiking on uneven surfaces. Bring binoculars, boots, a hat and water.

  Resources

  • DNR Natural Areas Program

  Capacity 20

  Difficulty Easy to moderate 1-mile hike on old road and cobble beach walking.

  Fee None

• (FT05) South Puget Sound Prairies: Mima Mounds NAP, Glacial Heritage Preserve and Scatter Creek Wildlife Area

  This field trip will visit 3 significant prairies in the South Puget Sound region. First stop is the renowned Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve, a National Natural Landmark. The cause of mound formation is still a mystery! We will puzzle over this question while learning about geology, enjoying the beautiful prairie landscape and the new interpretive center. Next stop is 2 miles away at the Thurston County Glacial Heritage Preserve, an 1,100 acre prairie with great diversity of plant communities and oak woodlands, where The Nature Conservancy staff will be our hosts. The final stop is home to a number of rare species, Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, where habitat restoration is occurring for reintroduction and enhancement of rare butterflies. Expect to see prairie birds, such as northern harrier, western meadowlark, kestrel, savannah sparrow, white tailed kite and others.

  You Will Learn A great deal about the ecology, geology and function of Puget prairie and oak woodlands, and rare species management. We’ll also discuss the details of ecological restoration projects, and invasive species management including Scot’s broom and tall oatgrass. We’ll discuss a partnership to implement the “Army Compatible Use Buffer” (ACUB) program that is a cooperative effort with the Fort Lewis military reservation, which itself supports the largest remaining prairies in the South Puget Sound region.

  Schedule Depart Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 8 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m.

  Leaders Carrie Marshner, Site Manager for The Nature Conservancy; Dave Hays, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Biologist; and Cliff Snyder, Mima Mounds NAP Volunteer Site Steward.

  Approximate Ride Time 1.5 hours each way.

  Notes Participants should wear appropriate clothing for Pacific Northwest weather and for spending the day outdoors, including footwear for hiking on uneven surfaces. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, layered clothes and water. In case of inclement weather, a rain jacket and warm clothes are also advised.

  Capacity 40

  Difficulty Easy walking; Mima Mounds NAP is ADA accessible while the other sites are not.

  Fee None

• (FT06) Table Mountain NRCA

  The Table Mountain Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA) is a high rocky promontory that rises on the south side of the Columbia River, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge and on a clear day one can see 5 mountain peaks! The NRCA brings together rare mountain meadows (called “balds”), old growth forest, cultural sites, and rare flora and fauna (including Howell’s daisy a Columbia Gorge endemic, which is known from only 3 locations in the state). The summit of Table Mountain can be reached by a 1.5 mile trail along a rocky ridge from a power line to the north. It is an ideal vantage point for viewing the spectacular geological history of the area, standing over the Bonneville Landslide, one of the largest in the Northwest. Sometime during the mid 1400’s a massive chunk of rock broke off Table Mountain, temporarily damming the river and forming the now submerged “cascades of the Columbia,” for which the Cascade Range is named (and which Lewis and Clark had to portage around). The area has also been scoured by the Ice Age/Missoula Floods. The site is used extensively by hikers, by means of a loop trail off the Pacific Crest Trail. The DNR natural areas program has been actively working with hiking groups and Americorps crews to divert existing trails around sensitive meadows and restoring abandoned trail.

  You Will Learn About the spectacular geology of the area including the Bonneville Landslide and Bretz Floods, the history of the Columbia Gorge, including its management as a National Scenic Area, and the management of Table Mountain NRCA.

  Schedule Depart Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 8 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m.

  Leaders Carlo Abbruzzese, Washington DNR Natural Areas Manager, and Robert Michael Pyle

  Approximate Ride Time 1 hour each way.

  Notes Participants should wear appropriate clothing for Pacific Northwest weather and for spending the day outdoors, including a good pair of hiking boots for walking on uneven surfaces. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, binoculars, layered clothes and water. In case of inclement weather, a rain jacket and warm clothes are also advised.

  Capacity 16

  Difficulty Moderate hiking over trails that are rocky and unstable in places. Those with a fear of heights might consider another trip.

  Fee None

• (FT08) Wind River Canopy Crane

  Experience life in the forest canopy! The Wind River Canopy Crane, the largest of its kind, is a 285 foot high structure located within the Thornton T. Munger Research Natural Area in the southern Washington Cascade Range. This massive crane allows researchers access to the tops of enormous 400 to 500 year old Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) trees. The crane, similar to those operating at construction sites in cities across the nation, was erected in 1995 in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest by the University of Washington College of Forest Resources and the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station. Researchers have access to some 300 individual trees in 6 acres of forest, allowing them to study such topics as gas exchange mechanisms in trees, effects of global climate change on western forests, symbiotic and parasitic plant relationships, and avian use of the forest canopy. Participants will be able (weather permitting) to go up in the crane and learn about the fascinating research that is taking place at the facility. While waiting to go up in the crane one group will explore and learn about the ecology of old growth coniferous forests. [Note: If high wind prohibits use of the crane, the group will still learn about research that is taking place on site and explore the surrounding old growth forest.]

  You Will Learn About the ecology of old growth forest (in particular the ecology of the forest canopy), about research that is taking place at the facility, and about educational outreach that occurs at the facility.

  Schedule Depart Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 8 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m.

  Leaders Ken Bible, Site Director, and Florian Deisenhofer, Washington DNR Silviculturist.

  Approximate Ride Time 1.5 hours each way.

  Notes Participants should wear appropriate clothing for Pacific Northwest weather and for spending the day outdoors, including footwear for hiking on uneven surfaces. Bring boots, rain gear, a hat and water. People with a fear of heights should consider other field trips.

  Resources

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjUWEnI9kIE
  • http://depts.washington.edu/wrccrf/
  • http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/earth/4301370.html

  Capacity 28

  Difficulty Easy, with a short 1 mile hike through the forest over level ground.

  Fee None

• (FT09) Mount St. Helens

  On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted and completely transformed more than 200 square miles of forestland into a chaotic jumble of blown down trees, pumice, ash and rock. The eruption toppled thousands of acres of coniferous forest and dramatically changed the hydrology surrounding the mountain, with lakes completely transformed and major river courses rerouted. Since the eruption, the site has been used as a living laboratory for scientists to study disturbance ecology and recovery of this spectacular area. From Vancouver, the group will travel up Interstate 5 learning about historic eruptions of Mount St. Helens, including 2,500 year old lahars (volcanic mudflows) near the Town of Woodland that helped shape the Lewis River Valley. The group will continue north on I-5 and then eastward up State Route 504, stopping along the way at Castle Lake Viewpoint where participants can get a good view and photos of the mountain and surrounding landscape. Then we’ll continue up to Johnson Ridge Observatory, gaze into the volcanic crater, view a movie describing the 1980 eruption and explore exhibits on volcano geology and monitoring. Travelling back, we’ll take lunch at Coldwater Lake, which was created by the eruption and has an interpretive trail along the shore. We’ll wrap up with a walk along the Hummocks Trail, a 2.3 mile loop trail among massive boulders that were once part of the now missing top and insides of the volcano.

  You Will Learn About the eruptive history of Mount St. Helens, the ecological recovery of the site since the 1980 eruption including the different stages of plant and animal succession, an overview of geology related to the 1980 eruption, and about ongoing research and management of the site.

  Schedule Depart Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 8:30 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m.

  Leaders Peter Frenzen, Monument Scientist for the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, U. S. Forest Service; and Jessica Kimmick, Washington DNR, Recreation.

  Approximate Ride Time 2.5 hours each way.

  Notes Participants should wear appropriate clothing for Pacific Northwest weather and for spending the day outdoors, including footwear for hiking on uneven surfaces. Bring boots, a hat, sunscreen and water. In case of inclement weather, a rain jacket and warm clothes are also advised.

  Resources

  • http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/
  • http://www.mountsthelens.com/
  • Roadside Geology of Mount Rainier

  Capacity 40

  Difficulty Easy to moderate 2.3 mile hike on uneven surfaces with an elevation gain of 400 feet.

  Fee $8/person

• (FT11) Beacon Rock State Park: Panoramas, Peregrines and Plants

  Beacon Rock State Park lies within the spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Located in the transition zone between eastern and western Washington, this biologically diverse park is home to eight rare/threatened/endangered species, including peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), western pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) and Larch Mountain salamander (Plethodon larselli). The trip will start with a 0.9 mile hike up the historic Beacon Rock trail, providing panoramic views of the Columbia River, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. The rock, which consists of the core of an ancient volcano, provides habitat for the rare Gorge daisy (Erigeron oreganus) and Oregon sullivantia (Sullivantia oregana), as well as nesting peregrine falcons. We will then explore the Columbia River shoreline, where efforts are underway to control indigobush (Amorpha fruticosa). After lunch, we’ll visit the park’s new day-use area and see their efforts to re-introduce the western pond turtle and improve salmon habitat.

  You Will Learn Methods for balancing recreation and sensitive species management, as well as weed management techniques and tips for building successful partnerships.

  Schedule Depart the Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 9 a.m. and return by 5 p.m.

  Leader Lisa Lantz, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

  Approximate Ride Time 45 minutes each way.

  Notes Participants should be prepared for possible wet, windy weather. Bring water and rugged footwear.

  Capacity 11

  Difficulty Moderate

  Fee None

• (FT13) Columbia River Gorge Oak Habitat Restoration

  Oregon white oak woodlands support over 200 vertebrate species and are associated with a great diversity of plant and invertebrate species. Within the Columbia River Gorge, oak woodlands have been lost through fire suppression, development and encroachment by conifer species. Conservation partners and agencies have been developing and implementing strategies for oak management under a variety of conditions from the wetter west side of the cascades to the dry east side along the Klickitat River. This tour will explore three different sites where oak restoration work has been implemented: the Little White Salmon Conservation Area, the Burdoin Mountain project and the Klickitat River Conservation Area. The discussion, led by foresters and ecologists directly involved with these projects, will focus on the ecology of the particular oak stands, management strategies to address specific threats and restoration goals, and implementation approaches for each site, including innovative equipment to accomplish work and minimize impacts to the land.

  You Will Learn About the ecology of Oregon white oak forest, about thinning conifer and oak forests to mimic effects of fire and improve forest health, efforts to control invasive species, use of volunteers to accomplish restoration goals.

  Schedule Depart the Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 9 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m.

  Leaders Darin Stringer, Integrated Resource Management, Robin Dobson, US Forest Service.

  Approximate Ride Time 2 hours each way.

  Notes Participants should wear appropriate clothing for Pacific Northwest weather and for spending the day outdoors, including footwear for hiking on uneven surfaces. Poison oak is common on the tour sites. Bring water.

  Resources

  • www.oregonoaks.org
  • www.columbialandtrust.org/
  • http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/columbia/forest/

  Capacity 24

  Difficulty Moderate

  Fee None

• (FT14) Lower Columbia River Salmon Restoration

  The Columbia River once supported the largest salmon runs in the world. Over the past 150 years, alterations to the land and water have had a profound impact on riparian resources and salmon populations. Thirteen populations of Columbia River salmon are now listed or proposed for listing. Tour participants will have a chance to tour a number of projects recently constructed along the Lower Columbia River focused on recovering listed salmon populations including:

  Germany Creek – This tributary to the Columbia River supports a variety of salmon species including fall chinook, winter steelhead and coho salmon. The Columbia Land Trust protected the lower mile of Germany Creek and is working to restore floodplain processes and in-stream habitat complexity to benefit fish populations. In-stream structures were installed in 2008 and experienced record flooding in early 2009.

  Julia Butler Hansen/Columbian White-tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge – Here, “fish-friendly” tidegates were installed to provide tidal influence into historic sloughs and to manage water on the refuge for the federally threatened Columbian white-tailed deer. Refuge staff will provide a tour of the new structures and show how they accomplish fish habitat restoration as well as deer management goals.

  The Mark Linquist/Gorley Spring Restoration Project – Located in a very dynamic reach of the upper Grays River with a history of avulsion that threatens prime spawning habitat for Lower Columbia chum, as well as private property. Project partners are working to improve habitat complexity and stability. Construction of seven engineered large woody debris structures will be completed in summer 2009 to address in-stream conditions and deal with sediment/river stability issues.

  Lower Grays River – Intertidal wetlands are a critical resource for juvenile salmon in the Columbia River. The Columbia Land Trust has been working to restore tidal connectivity within the Lower Grays River for the past five years, with over 450 acres of formerly diked land now restored. The tour will visit some of these restoration sites, discuss restoration strategies and comprehensive monitoring work, and review community and technical issues related to accomplishing this type of work.

  You Will Learn About projects that are aimed at helping salmonid populations, by restoring natural hydrology to riparian and tidal systems, about working with volunteers and partners to accomplish complex restoration goals, about monitoring programs associated with this work and about efforts to control noxious weeks that threaten salmon habitat.

  Schedule Depart the Vancouver Hilton Hotel at 8:30 a.m. and return by 5:30 p.m.

  Leaders Ian Sinks, Columbia Land Trust and Amy Ammer, Columbia River Estuary Study Task Force

  Approximate Ride Time 2 hours each way.

  Notes Participants should be prepared for wet conditions. Bring layered clothing and watertight footwear. Knee boots are recommended.

  Resources

  • www.columbialandtrust.org/
  • www.columbiaestuary.org/
  • Monitoring Protocols for Salmon Habitat Restoration
  • http://www.fws.gov/Refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=13554

  Capacity 20

  Difficulty Moderate

  Fee None

• (FT15) Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

  Located along the Columbia River just 10 miles downstream of Vancouver, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge provides important wintering habitat for waterfowl, raptors and sandhill cranes, as well as migratory songbirds. This 5,217 acre refuge, which was purchased to provide wintering habitat for the rare Dusky Canada Goose, contains a mosaic of riverine flood plain habitat, intensively managed seasonal and permanent wetlands, and agricultural lands, as well as a rare Oregon white oak forest plant community. The refuge also contains the Blackwater Island Research Natural Area, which protects rare stands of Pacific Willow, oak forest and the federally endangered plant water howellia (Howellia aquatilis). This field trip will highlight some of the habitat management actions on site, including recent cottonwood and willow plantings, weed control efforts and recent reintroduction of the federally threatened nelsons checkermallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana). The refuge is also the site of Cathlapotle, which at one time was one of the largest Chinook Indian villages on the lower Columbia River. This site was visited by Lewis and Clark in 1805 and was thought to number 900 inhabitants at its peak. In 2005, a full-scale cedar plankhouse was completed and is currently used for interpretation of the rich natural and cultural heritage found on the refuge.

  You Will Learn About management activities to enhance waterfowl habitat, efforts to restore bottomland forest and control invasive weeds, endangered species management and about the cedar plankhouse and the Native Americans that inhabited the area.

  Schedule Depart Vancouver at 9 a.m. and return at 3 p.m.

  Leaders Joe Engler USFWS Assistant Regional Refuge Biologist, Eric Anderson USFWS, Ridgefield NWR Biologist.

  Approximate Ride Time 20 minutes each way.

  Notes Participants should wear appropriate clothing for spending the day outdoors. Bring layered clothing, rain gear, a hat, hiking boots, and water.

  Resources

  • http://www.ridgefieldfriends.org/RidgefieldNWRMain.html

  Capacity 20

  Difficulty Easy, some walking over uneven ground.

  Fee None

• (FT18) Camassia Natural Area: Preserving a Fragment of Oregon’s Past

  Managed by The Nature Conservancy of Oregon, Camassia Natural Area is a unique urban preserve. This rocky outcrop was carved by the Bretz Floods, which swept the area 12,000 to 19,000 years ago, bringing granitic boulders from as far away as Canada. Surrounded by development on all sides, Camassia preserves a diverse community of plants and animals, including an excellent example of endangered Oregon white oak savanna, which has been reduced by more than 90 percent from its historical cover in the Willamette Valley. Along with oak savanna, this small preserve supports a surprising variety of wildflowers, including rare plants such as the endangered white rock larkspur (Delphinium nuttallii A. Gray ssp. Ochroleucum). Join us for a tour of the site with Nature Conservancy staff to discover the fascinating natural history and quiet beauty of this urban gem. We will witness the results of efforts to restore the oak woodlands and native grasslands of the preserve, conducted largely with volunteer and youth crews.

  You Will Learn Techniques for oak savanna restoration in challenging terrain, how to attract and utilize committed volunteers, methods for invasive species control and urban preserve management.

  Schedule Depart Vancouver Hilton at 9:30 a.m. and return by 2:30 p.m.

  Leaders Jason Dumont, Portland Area Preserves Manager, The Nature Conservancy of Oregon and Deborah Nemens, Washington DNR Natural Areas Assistant Ecologist

  Approximate Ride Time 45 minutes each way

  Notes Participants should wear appropriate clothing for Pacific Northwest weather and for spending the day outdoors, including footwear for hiking on uneven surfaces. Bring boots, a hat and water. Poison oak is prevalent on the preserve, so long pants are recommended.

  Resources

  • Camassia Natural Area
  • http://www.oregonoaks.org/index.html
  • TNC Brochure: Camassia Natural Area

  Capacity 25

  Difficulty Easy to moderate 1 mile hike on uneven and rocky terrain

  Fee None

Post-Conference Field Trips

• (POT1) Mount St. Helens Summit Climb

  Enjoy spectacular views from the rim of the volcano on the summit of Mount St. Helens. You will get an up-close perspective of the crater and the newly formed lava dome, as well as a first-hand look at the devastation from the eruption and the ecological recovery.

  Mount St. Helens is an active volcano in southwest Washington state and the central feature of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Mount St. Helens is a popular climb for both beginning and experienced mountaineers. Although people are able to climb Mount St. Helens year-round, late spring through early fall is the most popular season.

  The climb will use the Monitor Ridge Route from Climbers Bivouac. This route gains 4,500 feet in 5 miles to the crater rim at 8,365 feet elevation. Although strenuous, this non-technical climb is suitable for people in good physical condition who are comfortable scrambling on steep, rugged terrain. Most climbers complete the round trip in seven to twelve hours.

  You Will Learn About the eruptive history of Mount St. Helens, the ecological recovery of the site since the 1980 eruption, and an overview of basic geology related to the 1980 eruption.

  Schedule 1 Day. Depart Vancouver Hilton at 6 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, and return by 9 p.m. that day. Approximate ride time each way is 2 hours.

  Leaders Trip leaders Brian Poehlein, DNR Pacific Cascade Region natural areas/recreation district manager, and Jessica Kimmick, recreation specialist.

  Meals Lunch provided. Dinner will be purchased en-route back by the participants.

  Recommended Items The most important thing to carry with you is your good judgment, but all climbers should bring sturdy hiking boots, extra clothing, and extra food and water. Other recommended items to bring include (from the Mount St. Helens climbing website):

  • Climbing Helmet or Hard Hat - Protect your head in the event of volcanic ballistics or rock fall.
  • Dust Mask (N95 type) - Cover your mouth and nose in the event of ashfall or blowing dust. Dust Masks (N95 type) should be available from any large hardware store.
  • Goggles or Sunglasses with Side Shields, Sunscreen - The sun reflecting off of snow and ash is intense. Avoid contact lenses, as blowing ash and dust can be a problem. And don't forget a hat.
  • Climbing Boots - Sturdy, comfortable hiking boots and gaiters to keep out snow and ash.
  • Map, Compass, Route Markers - Use them to know where you are and where you are going. Be sure to tell someone at home of your plans.
  • First Aid Kit - You may need to come to your own rescue, or help someone else. Be prepared!
  • Knife - Handy for all kinds of purposes, especially the type with extra tools.
  • Extra Food and Water - Bring at least two quarts of water per person. No water is available at Climbers Bivouac or on the climbing route. Carry plenty of food to snack on all day. Reduce packaging to eliminate trash.
  • Extra Clothing - A beautiful sunny morning can turn into a cold rainy afternoon. Plan ahead! Layered clothing including full rain gear, gloves and hat. Layering allows you to adjust your clothing to different exertion levels and weather.
  • Emergency Shelter - Yes, you planned to be out on one very long day. Be prepared just in case that longer day turns into something much longer.
  • Flashlight, extra batteries, and bulb - A necessity when the day is short and the trail is long.

  Other Items A small backpack or daypack, extra socks, moleskin for hot-spots or blisters, a camera in a dust-proof bag.

  Resources

  • Climbing Mount St. Helens
  • Mount St. Helens Climbing FAQs

  Capacity 18

  Difficulty Moderate to difficult

  Fee $43 which includes a climbing permit and a lunch.

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