Washington Native Plant Society: Central Washington Chapter Volunteer Opportunities

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Central Washington Chapter Volunteer Opportunities

Monitoring shrub-steppe vegetation
Sunday, April 27
In May, 2007, Brett Johnson, Don Knoke and Mike Marsh set out ten 50 meter transects of Whiskey Dick Wildlife Area east of Ellensburg to assess the quality of the native vegetation, (Douglasia, Summer, 2007). We had learned that cattle will probably graze on that land in the spring.

On Sunday, April 27, we will extend that work by monitoring vegetation on other wildlife lands west of the Columbia River. We will train you to estimate cover by species and to identify common steppe grasses and herbs. We will visit a deep soil site and a shallow soil or lithosol type. We want especially to recruit members who would like to help carry out more assessments of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands so that we can have better input into their decisions as to whether to permit grazing on certain of their lands. Those interested in methods may contact Mike Marsh for notes on methodology.

Bring water and lunch, and dress for the weather. We will walk up to three miles over moderately rolling terrain and will spend five to six hours in the field. Meet at the west side of the Super One parking lot (200 E. Mountain View Avenue, near Canyon Road) in Ellensburg at 9:30 am. To sign up, contact Mike at swamp@blarg.net, or 206-281-8976. He will facilitate carpools from the Seattle area.

Pulling for Cowiche
The Cowiche Canyon Conservancy is working with volunteers to control Scotch thistle in scattered upland patches of the Snow Mountain Ranch property. Join other volunteers for a short day of feel-good work and get introduced to this beautiful area of the shrub-steppe near Yakima. We will hike to patches and remove plants with shovels and hand-picks.

Bring water and snacks (or a lunch for longer volunteer days) and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a shovel or handpick and leather gloves. Meet at Snow Mountain Ranch parking lot. From Yakima, take Summitview west past Weikel. You will drive past Weikel Road and North Pioneer Way on the right along Summitview. Turn left off Summitview onto Cowiche Mill Road. The large, gravel parking lot is bordered by round post fencing, immediately off the south side of the road.

Please join us! Below are scheduled dates – contact the leaders to confirm.

Apr 6 Sun 2-5 p.m.	Leader is Sara Cate: cates@ppcentwa.org
Apr 19 Sat 9 a.m.-12 p.m.	Leader is Jane Kirk: yaki1234@hotmail.com
Apr 20 Sun 2-5 p.m.	Leader is Sara Cate: cates@ppcentwa.org
May 3 Sat 9 a.m.-12 p.m	Leader is Katrina Strathmann: kat_strathmann@sbcglobal.net
June 7 Sat 9 a.m.-12 p.m.	Leader is Katrina Strathmann: kat_strathmann@sbcglobal.net