Vital Nature

Photo credit: Michael Barton

As 2013 looms on the horizon, we at the Friends are moved to look back over our organization’s history, to pause and reflect on the challenges and opportunities that face those of us involved in the environmental movement.

Buzzwords like climate change, species loss, ecosystem collapse, and threats to biodiversity, inspire both fear and hope. Ultimately, these terms underscore the need for unified, proactive effort among the public to preserve, conserve, protect, and sustain what remains of our planet’s wild spaces, our park lands, our backyards, and our green meeting spaces.

The Friends of Tryon Creek has proven that we have the mettle and the drive to take the necessary action. Our history – which is now our legacy – is living proof.

The Friends’ mission – to preserve and protect the land we love for future generations – is holding strong and serves as a reminder in this day and age that a united citizenry can achieve great things.  

Since its inception, the Friends have provided field trip opportunities for children to experience Tryon Creek’s forested acres in an experiential, personal way (the Friends has been providing day camp experiences for nearly as long, with the program’s founding in 1976). Over the years, program offerings have expanded to include environmental education and stewardship opportunities for people of all ages.

In 2013 and beyond, the Friends will continue to provide opportunities for people of all ages and of all backgrounds to connect with the natural world, to engage them in the wondrous experience of hearing birdsong in the forest and the whispering of the trees and the murmur of the creek. That connection with the earth is essential for the preservation of our planet and our species.

Teen volunteer champions ivy pull project at Tryon Creek

Maddie Tritico pulling ivy for her Girl Scout Gold Award

Submitted by Maddie Tritico:

 

I have been a park goer at Tryon Creek State Natural Area for as long as I have been a Girl Scout. This year I am a senior in high school and want to achieve my Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award you can receive in Girl Scouts. To earn this award you have to create a long-term sustainable project that helps your community and helps you grow as a person and as a leader. For my Gold Award I created a monthly Saturday program at Tryon Creek where volunteers may come and help pull ivy.

Ivy pull volunteers at Tryon Creek

Ivy is a highly invasive species that has a very negative effect on trees. It keeps water from reaching the trees; can put so much weight on the trees that it causes them to snap; acts as host to a bacteria called Leaf Scorch; and prevents sunlight form getting to plants on the ground, such as the Trillium. Tryon Creek State Natural Area is no exception to this invasive ivy.

 

Taking a break to have some fun...

The Friends of Tryon Creek host "Stewardship  Saturdays" every week and "Stewardship Fridays" ever other week.  The purpose of these events is to involve volunteers in the effort to help pull ivy. Sadly this isn't enough. If you can, please come and help the trees. This planet does not belong to one person, it belongs to everyone and it is our job to help take care of it.

 

Maddie and her hardworking group of volunteers

Tree Planting to honor long time Tryon Creek volunteers

Friends' Executive Director David Cohen and OPRD's Park Manager John Mullen honor Linda Nash, who volunteered at Tryon Creek for six years

On Thursday, November 29th, the Friends of Tryon Creek and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department honored three long-time volunteers - Linda Nash (six years of service), Sandra Hoover (ten years of service), and Pete Browning (twenty years of service) - by planting trees to show our gratitude.

John and David honor Sandra Hoover, who volunteered at Tryon Creek for ten years

The Tree Planting event was the brainchild of Friends' Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Sarah Kreisman who felt that these volunteers, now retired from service at Tryon Creek State Natural Area, should be recognized for their outstanding dedication and support over the years. "I can't think of a better way to honor these volunteers' extensive commitment to Tryon Creek than by planting a beautiful Western Red Cedar in the forest," says Kreisman. "These trees will live on in representation of their service for as long as this park exists."

Volunteer Pete Browning, who volunteered at Tryon Creek for 20 years, with wife Barb

The Friends of Tryon Creek thank Linda, Sandra and Pete for their incredible efforts over the years. We appreciate their hard work and loyalty and wish them well in their future endeavors.