Here's a link: facebook.com/theNatureofPortland
And you can also find me on Twitter: twitter.com/PDX_Nature_Nut
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Shameless Self Promotion
Hey, look at that! My Facebook page is almost up to 100 likes! If you haven't caught up to me there yet, why not help me blow right past 100 and get on my way to 200 likes?
Here's a link: facebook.com/theNatureofPortland
And you can also find me on Twitter: twitter.com/PDX_Nature_Nut
Here's a link: facebook.com/theNatureofPortland
And you can also find me on Twitter: twitter.com/PDX_Nature_Nut
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Finding Portland Beautiful
I recently ran across this incredible video of Portland - made with time lapse photography - by the very talented folks at Uncage the Soul Video Production. Called Finding Portland, it really highlights some of the true Nature of Portland (natural as well as cultural/man-made). The video is so beautiful - I couldn't resist indulging in a little civic narcissism by sharing it here.
Watch the video below, and find out about the creative methods used in the filming by reading this story over at KATU.com.
Watch the video below, and find out about the creative methods used in the filming by reading this story over at KATU.com.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Portland's Native Plants Spring to Life
Remember all that sun we had recently? Wasn't that amazing? I wonder if we'll feel that kind of warmth on our shoulders again before, I don't know... June? I sure hope so, because I've got a bad case of Spring Fever!
This past weekend, I tried to soak up as many of those precious rays as I could. So while millions were watching Superbowl XLVI, I was out puttering around the yard, doing whatever I could find to keep me outside a little longer. I did some weeding, a little pruning, and some removal of last year's dead growth. I was somewhat surprised to see just how much some of my native plants had also noticed the warmth.
This is my Indian Plum, or Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis). It's a large native shrub, and one of our earliest bloomers. An important early nectar source for all those Mason Bees and other native pollinators.
The female plants produce small purple berries that look like tiny plums, but to get the berries, you'll need both a male and a female plant. I only have one of these right now, and I believe it's a male. I'm going to be adding two more Indian Plum starts to a reclaimed parking strip this spring, so I'm hoping to end up with fruit for the local birds.
These racemes produce small white flowers that some say smell unpleasant. I personally think they smell kind of nice and woodsy.
I think it's interesting that the racemes turn so drastically downward after emerging. Seeing one full of flowers you might think it was the weight that pulled it down, but that's not the case. They turn downwards almost immediately. Maybe to make room for the lance shaped leaves to emerge upwards? Maybe for pollinator access? I don't know, but there must be a reason.
Because I do think the flowers smell fine, I brought a couple of stems inside and placed them in water, after trimming them away from the house. Three days later and I have instant Spring!
My Indian Plum has been in the ground for about 3 years, and it's about 10 feet tall right now. I just trim it gently, after flowering, to keep it away from the house and path. I've read that you can trim these down to the ground to reclaim an overgrown specimen.
This is a bud just opening on one of my Red-flowering Currants. One of the showiest blooms in my yard full of native species.
OK - these last two plants are not native species. Two of the very few non-native plants in my yard.
Sprouting up through the mulch, these Stella D'Oro daylilies look like little green fingers pointing toward the sun in the southern sky.
This last one is a Persian Ironwood tree, Parrotia Persica "Vanessa". (Also called Vanessa Persian Witchhazel.)
I chose the Persian Ironwood from Friends of Trees because - although it's not native - established trees, are drought, cold, and insect resistant. They also have beautiful fall color and these lovely little blood-red flowers. The flowers remind me of clover flowers in shape and size.
I wanted to include this photo not only because the tree is blooming, but because the picture shows that amazing blue sky we were enjoying.
Those are the major signs of spring in my yard, what native plants are blooming in your neck of the woods?
I'm looking forward to spring, and to my parking strip planting project. Hopefully we do get some more of that sun and brilliant blue sky before June, but I shouldn't complain about the clouds and rain. Without them, Portland and western Oregon wouldn't be so beautiful and green, would they?
This past weekend, I tried to soak up as many of those precious rays as I could. So while millions were watching Superbowl XLVI, I was out puttering around the yard, doing whatever I could find to keep me outside a little longer. I did some weeding, a little pruning, and some removal of last year's dead growth. I was somewhat surprised to see just how much some of my native plants had also noticed the warmth.
This is my Indian Plum, or Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiformis). It's a large native shrub, and one of our earliest bloomers. An important early nectar source for all those Mason Bees and other native pollinators.
I think it's interesting that the racemes turn so drastically downward after emerging. Seeing one full of flowers you might think it was the weight that pulled it down, but that's not the case. They turn downwards almost immediately. Maybe to make room for the lance shaped leaves to emerge upwards? Maybe for pollinator access? I don't know, but there must be a reason.
Because I do think the flowers smell fine, I brought a couple of stems inside and placed them in water, after trimming them away from the house. Three days later and I have instant Spring!
My Indian Plum has been in the ground for about 3 years, and it's about 10 feet tall right now. I just trim it gently, after flowering, to keep it away from the house and path. I've read that you can trim these down to the ground to reclaim an overgrown specimen.
This is a bud just opening on one of my Red-flowering Currants. One of the showiest blooms in my yard full of native species.
OK - these last two plants are not native species. Two of the very few non-native plants in my yard.
Sprouting up through the mulch, these Stella D'Oro daylilies look like little green fingers pointing toward the sun in the southern sky.
This last one is a Persian Ironwood tree, Parrotia Persica "Vanessa". (Also called Vanessa Persian Witchhazel.)
I chose the Persian Ironwood from Friends of Trees because - although it's not native - established trees, are drought, cold, and insect resistant. They also have beautiful fall color and these lovely little blood-red flowers. The flowers remind me of clover flowers in shape and size.
I wanted to include this photo not only because the tree is blooming, but because the picture shows that amazing blue sky we were enjoying.
Those are the major signs of spring in my yard, what native plants are blooming in your neck of the woods?
I'm looking forward to spring, and to my parking strip planting project. Hopefully we do get some more of that sun and brilliant blue sky before June, but I shouldn't complain about the clouds and rain. Without them, Portland and western Oregon wouldn't be so beautiful and green, would they?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Portland Parks to Acquire Undeveloped SW Hillside
The Portland City Council is expected to approve the purchase of 146 acres along a hillside south of River View Cemetery, using money from several different sources. The plan is to - eventually - develop a trail system and habitat management plan.
Read more about it in this Oregonian article from Brad Schmidt.
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Read more about it in this Oregonian article from Brad Schmidt.
View Larger Map
Friday, April 15, 2011
the Nature of Milwaukie: Kellogg Lake Light Rail Bridge
TriMet's Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Project will extend MAX service across a much-discussed new bridge over the Willamette River, and into Milwaukie, along SE McLoughlin Boulevard. After traveling through downtown Milwaukie, the line will be elevated to cross over River Road. I'm a big fan of public transportation and light rail in general, but as the project gets revved up, some Milwaukie and Oak Grove residents are rightfully concerned about the environmental impacts of this less talked about bridge.
The area adjacent to the planned bridge includes Kellogg Lake - an old mill pond that the city of Milwaukie has long planned to improve, by removing the dam and restoring the lake to wetland habitat.
It sounds like TriMet has done a pretty good job of helping that vision come closer to reality. The bridge design was revised to remove a support that would have been constructed in the lake, and TriMet has proposed to help restore the wetlands as part of the project. Construction of the bridge will take place at a time least likely to disturb migratory fish, and some old pilings in the lake will be removed.
That's all great, but some citizen's still have reservations about the design of the bridge itself. An article in the Clackamas Review says it all in the headline - Ugliest Bridge in America? In the article, by Raymond Rendleman, Oak Grove resident Les Poole is quoted as saying, "It's bound to be an inaccessible eyesore," referring to the 30-foot height of the steel and concrete structure. Milwaukie City Councilor Dave Hedges said, “Somebody succeeded in producing for Milwaukie a bridge that would probably win the ugliest bridge in America contest. That’s a beautiful part of Milwaukie, and you’ve destroyed it, and I’m somebody who thinks that light rail in a very broad sense is a good idea.” Hedges urged TriMet to find ways to make the bridge blend in better with the environment, and I hope they can. TriMet will be seeking public comment on the design throughout the year, so hopefully they can come up with some innovative ways to make everyone - residents, engineers, politicians, and wildlife - happy. If these wetlands are restored, it will be a great compliment to the Johnson Creek - Willamette Confluence Project, happening just on the other side of downtown Milwaukie.
You can read the whole story over at Clackamas Review.
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The area adjacent to the planned bridge includes Kellogg Lake - an old mill pond that the city of Milwaukie has long planned to improve, by removing the dam and restoring the lake to wetland habitat.
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| Courtesy of TriMet: A rendering of TriMet's light-rail bridge over Kellogg Lake |
That's all great, but some citizen's still have reservations about the design of the bridge itself. An article in the Clackamas Review says it all in the headline - Ugliest Bridge in America? In the article, by Raymond Rendleman, Oak Grove resident Les Poole is quoted as saying, "It's bound to be an inaccessible eyesore," referring to the 30-foot height of the steel and concrete structure. Milwaukie City Councilor Dave Hedges said, “Somebody succeeded in producing for Milwaukie a bridge that would probably win the ugliest bridge in America contest. That’s a beautiful part of Milwaukie, and you’ve destroyed it, and I’m somebody who thinks that light rail in a very broad sense is a good idea.” Hedges urged TriMet to find ways to make the bridge blend in better with the environment, and I hope they can. TriMet will be seeking public comment on the design throughout the year, so hopefully they can come up with some innovative ways to make everyone - residents, engineers, politicians, and wildlife - happy. If these wetlands are restored, it will be a great compliment to the Johnson Creek - Willamette Confluence Project, happening just on the other side of downtown Milwaukie.
You can read the whole story over at Clackamas Review.
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Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Portland's Urban Growth Boundary: Battle Lines Being Drawn
Updated: 4/27/11 (update follows original post below)
When it comes to government and planning in the Portland metro area, there's possibly nothing as controversial as the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). Some Portland residents don't like the idea of increased density that the UGB encourages. Farmers naturally want to preserve nearby farmland, and anytime there's a proposed modification or expansion of the UGB, the fur is sure to fly.
A lot of people, like myself, believe the UGB is a very good thing, overall. Sure - any plan needs to have some flexibility, and seldom is anything perfect, but I'm a big believer in growing up, not out. To protect natural habitat as well as farmland from willy-nilly development, to reduce transportation costs and emissions, and to create walkable communities within the city. I believe the UGB is essential to preserving wildlife and the natural beauty of the region - some of the very reasons so many of us choose to call Oregon home.
The latest battle on the UGB front is forming in Washington County, and the stakes are high. You can read about this new confrontation over at OPB News. I, for one, will be watching closely to see how this one turns out.
When it comes to government and planning in the Portland metro area, there's possibly nothing as controversial as the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). Some Portland residents don't like the idea of increased density that the UGB encourages. Farmers naturally want to preserve nearby farmland, and anytime there's a proposed modification or expansion of the UGB, the fur is sure to fly.
A lot of people, like myself, believe the UGB is a very good thing, overall. Sure - any plan needs to have some flexibility, and seldom is anything perfect, but I'm a big believer in growing up, not out. To protect natural habitat as well as farmland from willy-nilly development, to reduce transportation costs and emissions, and to create walkable communities within the city. I believe the UGB is essential to preserving wildlife and the natural beauty of the region - some of the very reasons so many of us choose to call Oregon home.
The latest battle on the UGB front is forming in Washington County, and the stakes are high. You can read about this new confrontation over at OPB News. I, for one, will be watching closely to see how this one turns out.
HELVETIA -- The emerald quilt of farms and fields blanketing Helvetia doesn't form an obvious final battleground in the region's four-year effort to determine where it will and won't grow over the next half century.Read the rest of this update on oregonlive.com.
But Washington County's decision to tap a 352-acre chunk of open land north of U.S. 26 for future industrial growth has now set just that stage.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Why Blog About Nature in Portland?
As you can plainly see, from the nifty Outdoor Blogger Network badge - over there on the right side of this blog - I am a member of the Outdoor Blogger Network (OBN). The OBN is a great way for outdoor bloggers, outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, and would-be outdoor blog readers to connect and discuss the things they love.
A post on the OBN website recently asked the question: "Why do you blog about your outdoor experiences?" I'm only about two months into this, my first blogging experience, but I thought I would take a couple of minutes to answer that question for myself, and for my fledgling group of readers.
So... why blog about nature at all?
I guess I have my parents to thank for instilling in me a love of nature when I was small. I was one of those babies in a backpack, bouncing along the trails from the Appalachians to the Ozarks, on one set or another of my parents' sturdy, nature-lovin' shoulders. When I was old enough to leave the backpack behind, I roamed freely through the woods, streams, and meadows that surrounded our house. I knew all the best places to find salamanders, snakes, crawdads and mud.
OK, but why the Nature of Portland?
Fast-forward a couple of decades (OK, maybe three decades if you really have to know), and now I'm on the opposite coast, living in Portland, Oregon. I still love nature - and Portland is a great place for city dwellers that do - but I don't get as much time out in the woods as I would sometimes like. That's why - about three years ago - I started the Nature of Portland photo group on Flickr. I wanted to create a place where people could share all of their great photos highlighting Portland's naturey goodness. Then I could just immerse myself in our city's natural side any time I felt the need.
The photo group really took off, and today it hosts almost 2,000 images of nature around the Portland metro area. And while Flickr groups do have an area for discussion, most people are there to post or view photographs. I felt like there was more I could do, to share my love of nature and my beautiful city, with other folks with similar interests. I wanted to really showcase the parks and natural areas around our city, share news that affects Portland's nature, and profile some of the northwest native plants and animals that share our space. I figured the best way to do that was to create a companion blog for the Nature of Portland photo group.
I already had the name, but it took me about two more years to think about what I really wanted to do with the site, settle on a platform and design, and finally decide to make it happen. I'm really enjoying it so far, and I hope to build my blog into something that's interesting for any nature lover, and resourceful for all the local nature-ophiles. And the Outdoor Blogger Network is there to help me make that happen.
A post on the OBN website recently asked the question: "Why do you blog about your outdoor experiences?" I'm only about two months into this, my first blogging experience, but I thought I would take a couple of minutes to answer that question for myself, and for my fledgling group of readers.
So... why blog about nature at all?
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| That's me in the red hat, on my way to Crabtree Falls |
OK, but why the Nature of Portland?
Fast-forward a couple of decades (OK, maybe three decades if you really have to know), and now I'm on the opposite coast, living in Portland, Oregon. I still love nature - and Portland is a great place for city dwellers that do - but I don't get as much time out in the woods as I would sometimes like. That's why - about three years ago - I started the Nature of Portland photo group on Flickr. I wanted to create a place where people could share all of their great photos highlighting Portland's naturey goodness. Then I could just immerse myself in our city's natural side any time I felt the need.
The photo group really took off, and today it hosts almost 2,000 images of nature around the Portland metro area. And while Flickr groups do have an area for discussion, most people are there to post or view photographs. I felt like there was more I could do, to share my love of nature and my beautiful city, with other folks with similar interests. I wanted to really showcase the parks and natural areas around our city, share news that affects Portland's nature, and profile some of the northwest native plants and animals that share our space. I figured the best way to do that was to create a companion blog for the Nature of Portland photo group.
I already had the name, but it took me about two more years to think about what I really wanted to do with the site, settle on a platform and design, and finally decide to make it happen. I'm really enjoying it so far, and I hope to build my blog into something that's interesting for any nature lover, and resourceful for all the local nature-ophiles. And the Outdoor Blogger Network is there to help me make that happen.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Clean Up Of Ross Island Nears Completion
Good news - no foolin'!
From timesunion.com:
Since the 1920s, Ross Island provided sand and gravel for many of the highways and tall buildings in Portland. It began importing material in the 1980s, and some of that was dredge spoils from the Port of Portland that DEQ says was contaminated by zinc, arsenic, PCBs and other materials.
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| Image: Picasa, April 4, 2009 |
Read the rest of the story about the restoration efforts at OPB News.The clean-up of contaminated sand and gravel at Ross Island is finished -- according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
Spokeswoman Jennifer Sutter says the agency is asking for public input before issuing final approval. But she says, the company responsible for the area -- Ross Island Sand and Gravel -- is still required to make it more natural.
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Thursday, March 17, 2011
Get Your Green On With Metro's GreenScene
Happy St. Patrick's Day, nature lovers!
As a fellow fan of nature, green just may be one of your favorite colors. To celebrate the day, and the coming of Spring in general, this post begins with a tribute to the verdant color, through a selection of photos from the Nature of Portland photo group on Flickr. Then, stay tuned after the photos for some information about a great resource from Metro, which can help you live greener and play greener.
When it comes to the endless shades of green, the Portland Metro Area can certainly hold its own against the Emerald Isle. Need convincing? Just look at these photos taken by members of the Nature of Portland photo group.
That's a whole lotta' green!
If you're interested in tips for living green, finding nature-related activities, or certifying your backyard as habitat, check out Metro's Spring GreenScene. The site provides a ton of great ideas to get you out and about, enjoying the Nature of Portland this Spring. There's a calendar of events (I've already picked out a volunteer opportunity with Friends of Trees this Saturday), and you can download a walking guide to Hillsboro's Rock Creek Trail, where you can view lots of native trees, shrubs and flowers. Sounds like a nice place for a nature walk - has anyone ever been there?
Be safe, be green - and I'll leave you with an old Irish blessing...
May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
As a fellow fan of nature, green just may be one of your favorite colors. To celebrate the day, and the coming of Spring in general, this post begins with a tribute to the verdant color, through a selection of photos from the Nature of Portland photo group on Flickr. Then, stay tuned after the photos for some information about a great resource from Metro, which can help you live greener and play greener.
When it comes to the endless shades of green, the Portland Metro Area can certainly hold its own against the Emerald Isle. Need convincing? Just look at these photos taken by members of the Nature of Portland photo group.
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| Drops on the Green 1 of 2 | orb9220 |
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| Curly Green | Matthew and Tracie |
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| Trillium | Ben Amstutz |
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| Green Finger's in the Light of Portland Chinese Garden | orb9220 |
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| garage spider | incanus |
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| Laying on the Green | orb9220 |
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| Verdant Path | Matthew and Tracie |
If you're interested in tips for living green, finding nature-related activities, or certifying your backyard as habitat, check out Metro's Spring GreenScene. The site provides a ton of great ideas to get you out and about, enjoying the Nature of Portland this Spring. There's a calendar of events (I've already picked out a volunteer opportunity with Friends of Trees this Saturday), and you can download a walking guide to Hillsboro's Rock Creek Trail, where you can view lots of native trees, shrubs and flowers. Sounds like a nice place for a nature walk - has anyone ever been there?
Be safe, be green - and I'll leave you with an old Irish blessing...
May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
Vote for Johnson Creek
From Carrie Sturrock, Special to The Oregonian
Update April 5th, 2011, from JCWC:
Hooray! JCWC came from behind to place second in the River Network/MillerCoors contest. We'll receive $10,000 for our salmon habitat project. Thanks to all of you for your support.
Keep it local: consider voting for the Johnson Creek Watershed Council (JCWC) in a national grant competition that would mean $30,000 to support salmon restoration in one of the last above-ground creeks in the metropolitan Portland area.I voted - will you?
The watershed council is one of six finalists for the grant from River Network and MillerCoors and the only one west of the Mississippi. The one with the most votes by Sunday March 20 wins. (You can vote here.)
Update April 5th, 2011, from JCWC:
Hooray! JCWC came from behind to place second in the River Network/MillerCoors contest. We'll receive $10,000 for our salmon habitat project. Thanks to all of you for your support.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Take Action to Protect Portland's Trees
One of the many reasons Portland is such a beautiful city is a well-planned Urban Forestry program, supported by a strong tree code. That code is being threatened by amendments which will weaken it. You can ask the Portland City Council to maintain a strong tree code by sending an e-mail
First, a quote from City Hall Watch, by Brad Schmidt of The Oregonian:
"...the Portland City Council last week made a bunch of changes to the proposed tree code. Those changes aren't sitting well with Bob Sallinger, conservation director for the Audubon Society of Portland. Sallinger sent out a call-to-action e-mail urging folks to contact the Portland City Council, which includes some technical issues."Now, Sallinger's e-mail:
Thanks to everybody who has written emails or testified in support of
strong tree protections! We are in the homestretch now but Council took
a big step in the wrong direction this afternoon. Please help us
finish-up strong by emailing Council one more time and letting them know
that you want Portland to remain a leader in tree protection!
Hearing Summary:
This afternoon the Portland City Council voted to move forward a series
of amendments that will significantly weaken the new proposed tree code.
Friday, March 4, 2011
"Birds of a Feather" Art Exhibit Benefits Portland Audubon
From Audobon Portland:
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Featuring images of birds and their habitats
The Caswell Gallery celebrates Spring with an exhibit dedicated to birds — and will donate 10% of the “Birds of a Feather” exhibit sales made during March to Audubon Society of Portland’s Wildlife Care Center, just in time for Spring’s baby bird season!
Join us at the artists’ reception on March 4 (Friday), 5pm–9pm, for fine wine, appetizers, and live music with guitarist-vocalist Ron Hughes.
The gallery is located at 201 W. Historic Columbia River Hwy; hours are Mon to Sat 10am–5pm, and Sunday Noon–5pm.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Metro, Portland to purchase natural area
Thanks in part to Metro's Natural Areas Program - the same program which helped purchase land for great parks on Mount Talbert in SE Portland and Cooper Mountain south of Beaverton - a new park and natural area will soon be established in an under-served area of NE Portland.
Read all about the Wilkes Headwaters Property in the Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce.
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Read all about the Wilkes Headwaters Property in the Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce.
View Larger Map
Thursday, February 10, 2011
First Post
Hello - and welcome to the very first post on the Nature of Portland!
My intention is to focus my posts on three major topics:
For any Flickr users our there, or anyone interested in nature photography - check out the Nature of Portland Flickr group. Join the group and share your snapshots of the local nature scene.
Thanks, and enjoy!
My intention is to focus my posts on three major topics:
- native plants of the Portland area
- native animals of the Portland area
- profiles of parks and other green spaces where the Nature of Portland can be observed
For any Flickr users our there, or anyone interested in nature photography - check out the Nature of Portland Flickr group. Join the group and share your snapshots of the local nature scene.
Thanks, and enjoy!
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