Columbia Credit Union Natural History Series

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Hillary Rogers
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1 September 2013

Columbia Credit Union Natural History Series September 19 - Archaeologic History of this Area Since

Anthropology at PSU, will take us on a journey of human occupation in our region, beginning at the

...Make sure to purchase raffle tickets before the talk for your chance to win this beautiful oil

Bond is wellknown for paintings that are infused with emotion and feeling.

the Friends of Ridgfield National Wildlife In This Issue.

Photo Contest Award Ceremony Conserving the Future Species' Spotlight: Garry Oak Education

2 Columbia Credit Union Natural History Series September 19 - Archaeologic History of this Area Since the Last Ice Age 6:30pm Doors Open, 7:15pm Presentation begins Kenneth Ames, a Professor of Anthropology at PSU, will take us on a journey of human occupation in our region, beginning at the end of the last ice age and extending to life at the village of Cathlapotle. RAFFLE!...Make sure to purchase raffle tickets before the talk for your chance to win this beautiful oil painting of our iconic Dusky Canada Goose by local Vancouver artist Blue Bond. Bond is wellknown for paintings that are infused with emotion and feeling. Valued at $200 and measuring 24" x 36", the painting perfectly captures a reflective moment on the Refuge. Raffle tickets will be available for just $5 each and proceeds help support the many activities of the Friends of Ridgfield National Wildlife Refuge. In This Issue... Ridgefield Heritage Celebration Volunteer BBQ Was Great Fun! Photo Contest Award Ceremony Conserving the Future Species' Spotlight: Garry Oak Education Volunteers Needed Board Seeking New Members We Welcome Our Newest Members! Natural History Series BirdFest Membership Kayaking Special Continues Ridgefield NWR 2012 Visitor Survey Results Duck Stamps for Conservation Cathlapotle Plankhouse Update & Events Habitat Restoration Update & Events Refuge Complex News & Events Did You Know...? Ridgefield Heritage

3 Celebration September 14, 9am - 4pm, Community Center (210 N Main Ave) & Davis Park Wow! BirdFest is just around the corner! This annual Ridgefield, WA tradition is an incredible way to spend a fall weekend at the Refuge! As always, we will have a wide array of wildlife viewing activities, crafts, cultural events, and more, including: Sandhill Crane Tours Bird & Nature Walks Kayak & Big Canoe Tours Audubon Wild Birds of Prey Family Activities Tent Traditional Salmon Bake Birders' Marketplace (Arts & Crafts) Keynote Speaker, Jon Young, Understanding the Language of Birds...For all the details, see this year's Schedule of Events! WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! See our Volunteer Webpage for details on the many fun opportunities! Come join the celebration of Ridgefield's history with Refuge History Displays, Native American Artifacts, 1914 Horn's Corner Murder Mystery, Vintage Cameras & Telephones, Antique Farm Equipment, Radio Disney Children's Activities, Chinook Nation Storyteller - Sam Robinson, Storyteller - Nancy McQuillan...and, so much more!! See full Schedule of Events! Volunteer BBQ Was Great Fun! And, Here is What We Celebrated With 50 people in attendance and many wonderful dishes, we shared successes, struggles, and invasive species recipes! Everyone has a lot to be proud of, and here is the amazing breakdown of what volunteers have contributed (besides sweat & dedication!): 2,781 hours to wildlife and habitat activities such as planting, invasive removal, bird counts. 4,445 hours to Wildlife Dependent Recreation for those visitors coming to the refuge to enjoy in their own special ways. 3,261 hours to the Plankhouse and cultural education. 3,022 hours to the Friends group to keep everything running, helping in the office, and on environmental

Membership Kayaking Special Continues Join the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and Receive an Incredible Kayaking Discount!

4 Membership Kayaking Special Continues Join the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and Receive an Incredible Kayaking Discount! Join or renew your membership at the $100 Level or higher, and along with an Annual Refuge Pass, receive a 3-hour paddle at Ridgefield Kayak! Located along the shoreline of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Ridgefield Kayak is an amazing starting point for a unique exploration of the Refuge and its beautiful waterways. Bring your donation receipt to: Ridgefield Kayak McCuddy's Marina (adjacent to Public Boat Launch) 5 Mill St Ridgefield, WA ridgefieldkayak.com education. That his a total of 13,509 total volunteer hours contributed by 895 volunteers! That is equivalent to almost 6 extra staff people! If you would like to be part of this amazing effort through the next year, contact the volunteer coordinator Josie Finley at or Josie_Finley@fws.gov. Photo Contest Award Ceremony Oct. 5th at 11:00am, BirdFest Main Tent, Ridgefield, WA Thank you, Ridgefield Kayak! Ridgefield NWR 2012 Visitor Survey Results "My wife and I like to visit as many refuges as we can during the year. We compare all others to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. To us, it is the best there is." -Survey Participant In 2012, a visitor satisfaction survey was conducted on Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge capturing the full array of Refuge public use programs and events. Friends and volunteers helped conduct the survey, and many Refuge visitors took the time to respond. Ultimately, we hope that EVERYONE can take pride in this survey! Through the efforts of our supporters (like you) the Refuge is able to host special events, maintain facilities, have a robust volunteer program, welcome visitors, interpret the Refuge's resources, educate youth, restore habitat, battle invasives, and offer a quality hunting opportunity. It is because you shared your time, talents, support (and, yes, at times sweat); that our visitors would offer such positive feedback and kind comments. See the Survey here! Conserving the Future

5 Refuge's resources, educate youth, restore habitat, battle invasives, and offer a quality hunting opportunity. It is because you shared your time, talents, support (and, yes, at times sweat); that our visitors would offer such positive feedback and kind comments. See the Survey here! Duck Stamps for Conservation It's Not Just a Hunting Thing! Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation Bold ideas have inspired new work on the entire Refuge System, looking toward the future. See the July 2013 Progress Report for current updates on the fascinating work being done. There are over 560 individual National Wildlife Refuge units within the United States. Each refuge is managed as a protected haven for birds and other wildlife. Since 1934, a huge proportion of the funds used to acquire these critical habitats in the lower-48 states were provided through sales of what is today known as Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps commonly called Duck Stamps. All outdoor recreationists who enjoy wildlife and natural landscapes can thank those who have already purchased these stamps over the decades, for they have contributed over $850 million and helped to protect over 5.5 million acres of wetland and grassland habitat for wildlife and future generations of Americans. And if you love Ridgefield, you'd be interested to know that 89.4% of the 5,228 acres were funded this way! The "Duck Stamp" is not just a donation to conservation and a requirement for those who hunt on federal land. It also gets you into all National Wildlife Refuges and is a beautiful collector's item. Each year a different artist is picked among thousands that submit from across the nation. Go to to find out more about the "Duck Stamp" program, how it benefits wildlife, and how to enter the art contest. To purchase a stamp stop by the Refuge office during regular business hours (M-F 7:30-3:30) or visit your local post office. Cathlapotle Plankhouse Update & Events

September 8 - Second Sunday Series: Archaeology Day Speaker at 2pm, Plankhouse Tours & Children's Activities 12pm - 4pm - Melissa Darby is back by popular demand!

Archaeologist Melissa Darby will present Wapato for the People and use archaeological evidence to examine how Native People used this plant. October 5-6 - BirdFest Events at the Plankhouse!

Chinookan Cultural activities throughout both days English Ivy Basketry on Saturday Archaeologist's overview of Cathlapotle Village on Saturday Flintknapping on Saturday Keeping Chinookan traditions

Related Events Outside the Refuge: September 21 - Plankhouse Booth at Sturgeon Festival 10am - 2pm - The Plankhouse will have a booth at the Sturgeon Festival at the Water Resource Education Center

There will be a reptile show, fish dissection, exhibits on Columbia River Native American Culture, crafts, and more. It is going to be a great day of free family fun! Click here for details.

commitment to Native American culture and tradition. Enjoy the Open House and Wisdom Gardens tour at Wisdom s Kelly Butte House, 3203 SE 109th Ave, Portland. RSVP required.

6 September 8 - Second Sunday Series: Archaeology Day Speaker at 2pm, Plankhouse Tours & Children's Activities 12pm - 4pm - Melissa Darby is back by popular demand! The Northwest is rich in natural resources and one of the plants that Native Americans in our region depended on for food was Wapato. Archaeologist Melissa Darby will present Wapato for the People and use archaeological evidence to examine how Native People used this plant. October BirdFest Events at the Plankhouse! Join us at some or all of the informative and fun events at the Cathlapotle Plankhouse during our annual BirdFest Celebration! Chinookan Cultural activities throughout both days English Ivy Basketry on Saturday Archaeologist's overview of Cathlapotle Village on Saturday Flintknapping on Saturday Keeping Chinookan traditions alive on Sunday Traditional Salmon Bake on Sunday...and more! See the Schedule of Events for details. Related Events Outside the Refuge: September 21 - Plankhouse Booth at Sturgeon Festival 10am - 2pm - The Plankhouse will have a booth at the Sturgeon Festival at the Water Resource Education Center on September 21st. The Sturgeon Festival is an annual Celebration of Columbia River Ecosystems, and we are excited to be taking part in this event. There will be a reptile show, fish dissection, exhibits on Columbia River Native American Culture, crafts, and more. It is going to be a great day of free family fun! Click here for details. September 21 - Wisdom of the Elders Harvest Celebration 1pm - 4pm - This event celebrates not only the healing properties of Elderberry, from antioxidant to immune system booster, but also Wisdom s commitment to Native American culture and tradition. Enjoy the Open House and Wisdom Gardens tour at Wisdom s Kelly Butte House, 3203 SE 109th Ave, Portland. RSVP required. Species' Spotlight Garry Oak Tree Quercus garryana Named by David Douglas in honor of Nicholas Garry of the Hudson's Bay Company, this beautiful, deciduous tree ranges from Southern California to Southwestern British Columbia. They grow to about 60-80ft, with large, widely-spreading branches, and prefer dry slopes or prairie environments and low elevations. Leaves are deeply and roundly lobed, dark shiny green above, and paler below. Acorns are 2-3cm long. Ever noticed the puffy-looking, green or yellow apple-sized and shaped growths under a Garry Oak's leaves? These are Oak Galls caused by wasps of the family Cynipidae. See this page and this page for good explanations of galls. They can be used to make ink! Native peoples used Garry Oak acorns for food in a variety of recipes, though they need special preparation for leaching bitter tannins first. Here is a great blog

If you'd like to become involved as a Plankhouse docent, contact Sarah Hill at Sarah_hill@fws.gov, or call (360) 887-4106 and she can help get you started!

We will probably be done with Bulrush removal by the beginning of September, so these work days will include searching for invasives, removing yellow flag iris, and cutting thistle and teasel.

A big thank you to the community members, boy scouts and their families, and students who have made it happen. post with a detailed description of preparation methods.

7 If you'd like to become involved as a Plankhouse docent, contact Sarah Hill at Sarah_hill@fws.gov, or call (360) and she can help get you started! Habitat Restoration Update & Events Ricefield Bulrush Pulls & Other Invasive Weed Removal Wednesdays: September 4 & 11 Saturdays: September 7 & 14 9AM at the River 'S' kiosk. We will probably be done with Bulrush removal by the beginning of September, so these work days will include searching for invasives, removing yellow flag iris, and cutting thistle and teasel. We have removed over 27 thousand Ricefield Bulrush plants over the last ten weeks! 381 volunteer hours have gone into this critical work. A big thank you to the community members, boy scouts and their families, and students who have made it happen. post with a detailed description of preparation methods. Garry Oaks are a major wildlife habitat plant, providing shelter and forage for many animal species and are host to over 100 species of lichen! Education Volunteers Needed School Visits Soon to Begin on the Refuge Join us in this critical work, and see parts of the Refuge not normally open to the public! All workdays are from 9am-12:30pm rain or shine. Wear waterproof footwear, bring gloves, and dress for the weather. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is encouraged but not required. Contact staff: or lynn_cornelius@fws.gov. Ridgefield Refuge Complex News & Events White-tailed Deer Update Many of you know about the 35 White-tailed Deer that were relocated to Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge earlier this year. They needed to be translocated to avoid danger from a possible dike failure at their previous home on the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge. Here is a quick update: 22 out of initial 35 remain 13 radio-collared remain on RNWR: 5 does, 8 bucks 7 radio-collared are off RNWR: 6 does, 1 buck (5 in OR, 4 of those on Sauvie's Island) School is about to start, which means teachers will want to bring their students out the the Refuge to inspire them for their upcoming units in science and social studies. Volunteering with kids is so fun and does not require any special skills or knowledge. If you are excited about natural and cultural resources, then you are perfect to lead students on the Refuge! For more information contact: Josie_Finley@fws.gov or Friends Board Seeking New Members Board Member Openings Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

2 uncollared yearlings at unknown location These deer are all adjusting to their new home. If you spot one, please give it plenty of room and avoid disturbing the animal.

8 2 uncollared yearlings at unknown location These deer are all adjusting to their new home. If you spot one, please give it plenty of room and avoid disturbing the animal. Columbia White-tailed Deer are protected under both Federal and State law and killing, hunting, harming, or harassing them is prohibited. Any concerns, contact Chris Lapp, Ridgefield NWR Manager Lunch & Learn (Volunteer Only Event) - Black Rhinos & Other Critters: Challenges of a South African Nature Reserve Wednesday, Sept 18, 1pm - 3pm, Cathlapotle Plankhouse, Carty Unit Peter Lent is a wildlife ecologist who has spent his entire career studying large mammals, primarily in Alaska and South Africa. Dr. Lent will focus this talk on his work with the black or hook-lipped Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in the Great Fish River Nature Reserve, South Africa. The approx. 100,000 acre reserve has a remarkable history starting with the reintroduction of this endangered rhino species, to rapid population recovery. This talk and slideshow will also describe the unique "thicket" vegetation and some of the legal, economic, and social aspects that make management very different than that in the U.S. Guided Birding Hikes: Join a Refuge volunteer naturalist for a series of birding hikes on Ridgefield, Steigerwald Lake, and Pierce National Wildlife Refuges! This is an excellent opportunity to sharpen your birding skills while enjoying Refuge trails. All hikes begin at 8am. Please dress for the weather and come prepared for several hours of trail hiking and birdwatching. Reservations Required: Space is limited, so please reserve your spot early. Contact Eric Anderson at (360) or eric_anderson@fws.gov. See Calendar for details Ridgefield NWR, Oaks to Wetland Trail: September 7, 15 & October 20 Ridgefield NWR, Kiwa Trail: September 8, 21 Steigerwald Lake NWR, Gibbons Creek Wildlife Art Trail: September 14, 22 & October 13, 26 Pierce NWR: September 28 & October 25 The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is looking to expand its Board Membership. The Board is seeking individuals with a deep passion for the environment and wildlife, appreciation of the area's rich cultural heritage, maintenance and restoration of habitat, and environmental and cultural education. We are looking for individuals with interests and skills in dealing with the intersection of organizations, the government, and business; advocacy; and fund raising. Board Members are expected to attend monthly meetings, lead and participate in designated committees, Bird Fest and Fund Raising events, and other community activities and events. Please send resume and letter of interest to: contact@ridgefieldfriends.org Welcome to Our Newest Members! Members are the strength of the Friends in supporting the amazing Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and all of the cutural and natural legacies it holds. We honor and celebrate all our Members, and welcome new Friends. See you on the Refuge! Our Sponsors Thank you for visiting the refuge and supporting conservation! If you have any questions regarding activities and regulations on the refuge, call the office Monday through Friday 7:30 to 3:30

9 at Did You Know...? Items & Services Available on the Refuge Dusky Duffels: Each backpack includes 12 binoculars, 3 bird books, simple activities & discussions great for elementary aged students, and resources for Oaks to Wetlands trail. GeoAdventures: GPS-based activity for older students or mixed groups. Adventure bags focus on either Archaeology or Biology. Use the GPS unit to find preprogrammed destinations. Then use your surroundings and clues in the GeoAdventure bag to learn about the Refuge and answer questions specific to the topic. Field Trip Assistance: Limited staff and volunteers are available to give educational group tours of the Plankhouse and trail. Free, but subject to availability, and must be prearranged well in advance. Staff will work with leaders to create a tour that caters to the age and learning objectives of the group. Bus funding grants available. Training: Various education training opportunities are available throughout the year to volunteers, parents, and teachers working with youth on the Refuge. Stay tuned for announcements of these events. All of these items are available by contacting Refuge Park Ranger Josie Finley at or at Josie_Finley@fws.gov. Advanced reservation is mandatory and subject to availability. Also, visit the Friends Education page or the Ridgefield Refuge Education page Additional Resources: "Discover Cathlapotle!" Kit: Traveling trunk available to teachers (primarily grades 2-5) in the Vancouver- Portland metro area, focused on the Refuge's archaeological site of Cathlapotle Village. Not housed at the Refuge office. Contact Virginia Parks or Virginia_Parks@fws.gov. Field Trip Assistance at Steigerwald Lake NWR: Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Washougal, part of our Refuge Complex, has just started its own education program as well! Contact Jim Clapp for details or Jim_Clapp@fws.gov. Burgerville Clark Public Utilities

10 "Our mission is to support, protect, and enhance Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and its wildlife habitat; and to broaden public awareness and participation in its environmental, cultural, and educational opportunities." Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge P.O. Box 1022, Ridgefield, WA 98642

The Refuge is Open...Once Again Government Shutdown has ended, and the Refuge is again open to Visitors!

November 2013 The Refuge is Open...Once Again Government Shutdown has ended, and the Refuge is again open to Visitors! Come on out for a visit to the Refuge one of these fine, autumn days and be rewarded