Columbia Basin Chapter - Washington Native Plant Society

The Columbia Basin has the driest climate in Washington. At the Hanford Reserve the average yearly precipitation is only 6.5 inches. As a consequence we enjoy a unique local flora. Other than in riparian zones we have no trees except for junipers on the dune fields east of Pasco. We do have distinct habitats defined by the soil types of sand, silt and lithosols. Within each soil type are numerous endemic species. Recent work by The Nature Conservancy (Hall, 1998) on the Hanford Reserve has produced a list of 30 vascular plant species that are species of concern. In the list are two species new to science (Eriogonum codium, Umtanum desert buckwheat and Lesquerella tuplashensis, White Bluffs bladderpod) and a new variety (Astragalus conjunctus var.rickardii, Basalt milk-vetch). The Columbia Basin is a botanically active region with more new species on the horizon.

The Columbia Basin Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society was officially initiated in April, 1997 based on popular demand in the Tri-Cities area. This popular desire is characteristic of a broad and growing interest in native plants around the state. At last count we had about 77 members. Our chapter is active in conducting plant surveys, salvaging, seed collecting, restoration ecology and public outreach.

We have compiled species lists while on many of our field trips and by members on their own field trips. Lists have been made of the flora on Rattlesnake Mountain, stable sand dunes near the Washington State University at Tri-Cities, Chinook Pass and Paradise on Mt. Rainier, McBee grade in the Horse Heaven Hills, Bickleton and the soil lichens of Hanford.

Salvaging is conducted in the fall and winter in the Columbia Basin and we were very active saving native plants destined for destruction. Salvage was done on City of Richland property prior to road construction, areas prior to home development and in an area prior to development for a new winery. Some of these plants were placed in gardens on the Washington State University at Tri-Cities campus and used for restoration at the Audubon Nature Trail in Columbia Park, Kennewick.

Seed collecting has been done in the Blue Mountains to support the United States Forest Service's efforts to restore disturbed areas with native plants. Recently several of us have been collecting seed generally and in local areas destined for destruction. These seeds will allow us preserve the genetic diversity of populations at risk and to enable us to become involved in native plant propagation.

We have been active in public outreach recently by setting up booths at the Tri-City Home Builders Association and at Earth Day. These activities have encouraged members of the public to ask for more information and to join our chapter.

Please browse our web site to learn more about Washington native plants and the Columbia Basin Chapter of the WNPS. If you have additional questions or comments, please contact Robert J. Fortman, President of the Columbia Basin Chapter, at robertjfortman@aol.com

Literature cited:

Hall, J. A. (ed.). 1998. Biodiversity inventory and analysis of the Hanford Site: 1997 Annual Report. The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle.

Washington Native Plant Society, Columbia Basin Chapter Serving the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla

Home Events News Contact Books Photos Membership Links	Home... What's New? See photos of our McBee Grade field trip. New native plant brochure online! Created by the Columbia Basin Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society, "The Natural Way to Grow: Gardening with Native Plants of Eastern Washington" provides helpful information on landscaping with native plants. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0 or newer. Friends of Mid-Columbia River Wildlife Refuges is seeking volunteers to assist in preparing, planting, and maintaining a shrub-steppe demonstration site at McNary National Wildlife Refuge. The site will be located near the McNary National Wildlife Refuge Education Center in Burbank, Washington. It will serve to educate students and the general public about shrub- steppe ecology and habitat restoration. In October, U.S. Fish and Wildlife personnel will clear the site for planting. In November, volunteers are needed for further preparation, planting of shrubs and forbs, and continuing maintenance of the site throughout the year. Please contact Paula Clark (pclark@owt.com) or Shannon Hays-Truex (spirit@3-cities.com, phone: 946-4813) if you are interested in participating in this project. About the Columbia Basin The Columbia Basin has the driest climate in Washington. At the Hanford Reserve the average yearly precipitation is only 6.5 inches. As a consequence we enjoy a unique local flora. Other than in riparian zones we have no trees except for junipers on the dune fields east of Pasco. We do have distinct habitats defined by the soil types of sand, silt and lithosols. Within each soil type are numerous endemic species. Recent work by The Nature Conservancy (Hall, 1998) on the Hanford Reserve has produced a list of 30 vascular plant species that are species of concern. In the list are two species new to science (Eriogonum codium, Umtanum desert buckwheat and Lesquerella tuplashensis, White Bluffs bladderpod) and a new variety (Astragalus conjunctus var.rickardii, Basalt milk-vetch). The Columbia Basin is a botanically active region with more new species on the horizon. The Columbia Basin Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society was officially initiated in April, 1997 based on popular demand in the Tri-Cities area. This popular desire is characteristic of a broad and growing interest in native plants around the state. At last count we had about 77 members. Our chapter is active in conducting plant surveys, salvaging, seed collecting, restoration ecology and public outreach. We have compiled species lists while on many of our field trips and by members on their own field trips. Lists have been made of the flora on Rattlesnake Mountain, stable sand dunes near the Washington State University at Tri-Cities, Chinook Pass and Paradise on Mt. Rainier, McBee grade in the Horse Heaven Hills, Bickleton and the soil lichens of Hanford. Salvaging is conducted in the fall and winter in the Columbia Basin and we were very active saving native plants destined for destruction. Salvage was done on City of Richland property prior to road construction, areas prior to home development and in an area prior to development for a new winery. Some of these plants were placed in gardens on the Washington State University at Tri-Cities campus and used for restoration at the Audubon Nature Trail in Columbia Park, Kennewick. Seed collecting has been done in the Blue Mountains to support the United States Forest Service's efforts to restore disturbed areas with native plants. Recently several of us have been collecting seed generally and in local areas destined for destruction. These seeds will allow us preserve the genetic diversity of populations at risk and to enable us to become involved in native plant propagation. We have been active in public outreach recently by setting up booths at the Tri-City Home Builders Association and at Earth Day. These activities have encouraged members of the public to ask for more information and to join our chapter. Please browse our web site to learn more about Washington native plants and the Columbia Basin Chapter of the WNPS. If you have additional questions or comments, please contact Robert J. Fortman, President of the Columbia Basin Chapter, at robertjfortman@aol.com Literature cited: Hall, J. A. (ed.). 1998. Biodiversity inventory and analysis of the Hanford Site: 1997 Annual Report. The Nature Conservancy of Washington, Seattle.