June, spraying and mowing continues on the NW field (above and below).
"A total eclipse occurs when the dark silhouette of the Moon completely obscures the intensely bright light of the Sun, allowing the much fainter solar corona to be visible. During any one eclipse, totality occurs at best only in a narrow track on the surface of Earth." (from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse)
Cameron King, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Ken enjoy the wetland blossoming on the NE field. Over 26 wetland species have been planted by seeds or plugs creating a diversity of plants, offering habitat for birds and insects. One top priority is to establish habitat for the Western meadowlark, the State Bird of Oregon, which now faces declined populations due to loss of habitat.
The 8 acres contains trees planted by our sons, Andy and Luke, nearly twenty years ago. Our goal at that time was to provide shade and create habitat that would reduce the introduction of Reed canary grass. The field was pasture and was harvested for hay, primarily Birdsfoot trefoil. Since the wetland restoration work began in 2012, fences were removed and the 8 acres took a lower priority for restoration. Now the unshaded areas are filled with a monoculture of Reed canary grass.
Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is a native to Oregon's Coastal environments. There it grows in areas that are irregularly inundated with water; it will not persist under water for an entire growing season. It commonly grows in swamps, lake margins, road side ditches and emergent wetland meadows. Many wildlife species find it attractive for cover, food, and nesting habitats for waterfowl, marsh birds and small animals. Unfortunately, in the Willamette Valley, Reed canary grass is considered an invasive species. It was brought to the Valley to provide erosion control, sediment retention and forage, but regrettably it out-competed other native species.
It was our delight to share the emergence of the wetland prairie with our good friends, Jane Hartline, Sauvie Island Native Plants and her husband, Mark Greenfield, Audubon Society of Portland.
Mark discovered nesting Streaked-horn lark and spotted a Savannah sparrow. We were all delighted listening to the Western meadowlark. Jane knew all of the plants…and by scientific name. It was an amazing time!
The conservation easement includes an isolated piece of land, bordering on the north by the irrigation canal and on the south by the Fitzpatrick Lateral ditch. Both waterway ditches are exempted from the conservation easement due to a previous easement with Santiam Water Control District.
Long ago, the 8-acres was a pasture and was hayed in the summer. The decision was made to convert the area to trees. All members of the family, and others, worked away planting trees. Over several years, Willamette Valley Ponderosa pine, Big-leaf maple, Oregon ash and Black cottonwoods took hold, along with other trees, including Coast redwood. Regrettably, with the field not being grazed or hayed, the invasive Reed canary grass moved in and began to dominate. And an occasion beaver would visited, taking a toll on their favorite food — maple.
This area, after 15 years, is now emerging as wildlife habitat. The consensus with NRCS and the conservation easement is to protect and expand trees. Their shade will reduce the optimum habitat for the Reed canary grass and create an environment for owls and other birds.
Reed canary grass grows up to 7-8’ in height. Once it dominates, it basically overtakes the area. To begin to address this, in 2019, NRCS allowed for sheep to graze the field with the goal of controlling the Reed canary grass and to allow for further planting of trees.
In April, 2020, sheep were introduced to being rotational grazing.
Annual Monitoring of the Santiam Valley Wetland Enhancement Project, also known as the Turtle Ponds, May 9, 2020. Oregon has experienced quite a bit of rain during the springtime. The pond next to the irrigation ditch is still receding. Many thanks are given to Cameron King, US Fish & Wildlife Service for help in identifying the plants, and to our son, Andy Fitzpatrick and to Kendra Kutina for their assistance in collecting data.
Annual Monitoring Report May 2020 for Large 30 x 30 Pond (PDF)
Annual Monitoring Report May 2020 for Five Smaller 10 x 10 Ponds - Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 (PDF)
The wetland continues to excite all!
In 2021, Santiam Valley Ranch thanks Cameron King, USFWS, for an annual tour of the project. We hosted several guests at the tour. Cameron also provided a complete plant list for the WRP properties.
Like-minded folks are viewing and recording bird count and insects, primarily bees. Wetland ecologist, Paul Adamus, PhD, is compiling an annual bird count. He also tabulated the e-bird count, which is now available on the home page of Santiam Valley Ranch.
Stephanie Hazen and Ray Temple will begin recording native bees in 2022. Thanks to Ray, Santiam Valley Ranch will be working with Salem Audubon Society to craft raptor perches and raptor nesting boxes.
The WRP ground was scheduled to be burnt in the late fall of 2021, which is consistent with how the land was maintained by the indigenous people that once lived here. The burn would keep out trees and shrubs and instead would nurture and maintain the open prairie. Unfortunately, the burn did not occur.
All in all, it is a joy to see a quiet and serene place providing undisturbed habitat, allowing an opportunity for flora and fauna to take root and enjoy a permanent home.
Photos below are from the eight acres. This area was mowed, getting ready to plant trees in the future.
Photos below are from the turtle ponds.
Following is the Plant Species List used by U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service for the Wetland Reserve Program.
Following is the Oregon Division of State Lands Annual Monitoring Report for 2021.
Wetlands Tour: On April 26, 2022, Santiam Valley Ranch hosted an on-site wetlands tour led by Chris Seal and Jon Campbell, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Regrettably, because of the late rains and cool conditions, the wetland plants were experiencing a 4–6-week delay.
Oregon Division of State Lands Annual Monitory Report for the Turtle Ponds: On June 1, a review of the Turtle Ponds was prepared which gives an overview of plant species on the NW field. Following is the Oregon Division of State Lands Annual Monitoring Report for 2022 which includes description of the Wetland Tour and a Status Report on the Turtle Ponds.
Restoration on Areas Not Addressed by NRCS Since 2012:
In 2021, Santiam Valley Ranch was asked to prepare three proposals:
(1) Plant hedgerow along Hunsaker Road with the goals to provide security, seclusion, wildlife habitat and improve the overall landscaping design to minimize invasive plant species coming from adjoining properties.
(2) Restore 8 acres on the west NRCS field with the goal to minimize and impede the growth of Reed canary grass by grazing and altering the overall ecosystem by planting a 175 heterogenous stand of native trees. Tree planting work would be contracted to R. Franco Restoration, Inc.
(3) Restore 3 acres on the south side of Santiam Water Control District irrigation ditch which maintains a 15’ easement abutting the NRCS field, with goals to dominate the area with a 70 heterogenous stand of native trees and shrubs. Tree and shrub planting work would be contracted to R. Franco Restoration, Inc.
All three of the proposals were denied on April 28, 2022. In addition, NRCS mandated that any work previously done on the hedgerow be removed to which Santiam Valley Ranch firmly objected based on discussion dating back to 2012. Santiam Valley Ranch requested NRCS to address restoration of these sites before the interagency agreement with USFWS expires OR to coordinate with the Landowner about the future restoration and future management of these sites. As 2022 ends, Santiam Valley Ranch has yet to receive a response from NRCS.
Burn: Efforts were made, again, in 2022 to burn the NRCS areas. Because of the late rains, the wetland filled up with Velvet grass and other grasses. The added turf should be burnt to optimize habitat for wetland plants and to minimize growth of invasive grass species, shrubs, and trees. Santiam Valley Ranch contacted the Turner Fire Department, to which they noted that NRCS is in-charge of the burn and NRCS does not rely on decisions made by the fire department. The fire department suggested to us that NRCS inform area residents about the burn, either before the burn or respond to inquiries at the time of the burn. Unfortunately, the burn in 2022 did not occur.
Bird Nesting Habitat: In 2021, Santiam Valley Ranch was asked to prepare a proposal to expand bird nesting on the NRCS. Bird nesting boxes were to be placed around the perimeter of the prairie so as not to interfere with USFWS mowing and planting. Santiam Valley Ranch worked with the Salem Audubon Society and submitted a 2-year design and budget. The proposal was denied on April 28, 2022.
Biological Thistle Control: In 2021, Santiam Valley Ranch learned about biological control for Canadian Thistle, which is a major problem on the 8 acres NRCS field. Biological control includes Canada Thistle Stem Weevil, Canada Thistle Gall Fly and Canada Thistle Rust Fungus. Kathy worked with Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and efforts were made to initiate biological control in September of 2022. Unfortunately, just before the stocking time, ODA felt that the state agency would not stock biological control on “private property.” And so, with that, we venture forward. ODA noted that the herbicide, Milestone, is effective against Canadian Thistle. Kathy also learned there is a biological control for Bull Thistle known as Seed Head Gall Fly. There are private producers that grow and sell biological control for thistles.