Meet FOTC's New Summer Intern

This summer Maureen Traxler will be leading weekly Evening Guided Walks that take place every Wednesday from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Tryon Creek. As the Interpretive Education Intern with the Friends of Tryon Creek, Maureen has become an expert on nocturnal creatures so that she can educate hike attendees about the wonders of the nighttime forest and its occupants. The Evening Guided Walks are free, fun and family-oriented, so be sure to attend one and learn more about Tryon Creek if you have the chance.

Maureen is one of two interns who are working with the Friends this summer. Raised in Alabama, Maureen chose to make the Pacific Northwest her home and enrolled at Lewis & Clark College in 2007. Now a recent graduate with her BA in Biology, Maureen began volunteering at the park last fall after learning about our Volunteer Field Trip Training Program.

Although Maureen spent time helping out at Tryon Creek while in school, her activities were limited to assisting with ivy pulls and maintenance.  The Field Trip Training Program provided something new. Maureen enjoyed the opportunity to interact with park visitors of different ages and backgrounds and learn more about Tryon Creek’s plants, animals, history and ethnobotany. 

After graduating this spring, Maureen chose to expand her role at Tryon Creek by becoming the Interpretive Education Intern. In addition to leading Wednesday’s walks, Maureen assists with Kids in Nature classes on Thursday mornings and provides extended care for Friends of Tryon Creek’s summer day campers.

Regarding Maureen’s post-internship plans, as a “product of public education (she is) interested in making science and biology interesting for others” and hopes to become a formal or informal educator (engaging in academic research is also a possibility). The Friends are pleased to have Maureen on board with us this summer.

Update on Volunteer Efforts at Tryon Creek

As the ground in the Park starts to dry this summer the emphasis of our invasive species control efforts is shifting.

Most notably we have already cut the ivy growing on trees on nearly ten acres in the last few weeks, with a target of covering 50 more acres by the end of summer.  The recent work was accomplished on ridges and in ravines running from the bicycle path toward Tryon Creek, north of the houses that adjoin the Park west of Terwilliger.  The trees in that area were originally "saved" about eight years ago.  Since ivy, once cut, regrows about ten feet a year, it was time to save those trees gain.  Our small cadre of weekday and Sunday volunteers will continue working in the area between Iron Mtn. and Old Main trails for some weeks to come.

While cutting ivy on trees we found and hopefully eradicated two patches of mature clematis.  Although we've cleared most mature clematis patches in the Park, it's inevitable that we will find a few when we return to areas that we've ignored for eight years.  Since clematis may grow over fifty feet in a single year it can take over a site rather quickly in that time.

As the boggy area in the middle of the N Horse Loop has also begun drying, I've resumed digging up Himalayan blackberries there.  That project was halted early last winter when the site got too soggy.  Blackberry removal there is a preamble to ivy pulling, so that work will follow.  

One person has been helping me with with ground ivy maintenance (second pass) inside the N Horse Loop, while a few groups did initial pulling in the same general area, near the middle of the loop.  As the ground dries further most group work will shift to ravines until fall rains drive us off them.              

(Submitted by Guest Blogger Phil Hamilton)

Update on Invasive Species Removal at Tryon Creek

Thanks to volunteers from Waggenner-Edstrom for their efforts at Tryon Creek

Volunteer invasive species control efforts in the first half of June were varied.  As always, English ivy received the most attention, with three groups removing sections in the middle of the N Horse Loop.  Adding a group from Northwest Bank to our usual second Saturday turnout brought the number of participants that day to 30.  And on another day a dedicated group of ivy pullers from public relations company Waggener-Edstrom enthusiastically cleared a difficult site.

Some veteran volunteers, abetted by a ranger with a chain saw, began the season's cutting of holly and sweet cherry.  The holly, in particular, was removed only in places where ivy removal had happened first.  

A third part of our collective energy was spent removing garlic mustard, a non-native weed toxic to soil, which inhibits sprouting by other plants.  We'd like to think we've tackled all the patches in the Park, but I found a previously-unknown one on June 17, so we know better.

A company group and an individual each adopted a plot for ivy removal this month, and another individual expects to do so soon.  Our number of adopted plots is growing. 

We're on the verge of starting our summer project of cutting the ivy climbing trees, to save them, on the 70% of the Park where we haven't largely cleared the ivy from the ground.  Since we try to do that every 8 or 10 years (Ivy climbs trees at least ten feet every year), that means we want to cover about 60 acres each year, a major challenge.

(Submitted by Guest Blogger Phil Hamilton)

Junior Ranger training at Tryon Creek

On weekends from June through August, OPRD offers the wonderful Junior Ranger program to get kids out and about in the Great Outdoors while engaging them in activities and teaching them about the landscape and its flora and fauna, all in a fun hands-on way. The program is free and open to children ages 6 - 12 years old.

The 2011 Junior Ranger program at Tryon Creek kicked off the first weekend in June. Children excitedly signed up, got their official Junior Ranger passport and prepared to hit the trail with Park Ranger Patricia - but not before a quick visit to the back deck of Tryon Creek's Nature Center.

Relaxing Rabbit just in back of the Nature Center

This adorable critter was seen resting on a log. When it was first spotted, its front and hind legs were splayed out like a bearskin rug! We also saw an American robin nesting on her eggs under the eaves of the Nature Center.

Ranger Patricia took the troops out scouting for invasive weeds.

Removing Creeping Buttercup

Although there are native varieties of buttercups that pose no threat to park flora and fauna, the Creeping Buttercup is in an altogether different camp. It spreads quickly, crowding out and eliminating native plants. The newly appointed Junior Rangers took their roles very seriously and set to work eradicating these invasive weeds.

Next up: English Ivy.

Ranger Patricia pointed out trees choked by English Ivy. If the ivy is allowed to spread, it will eventually overtake the canopy of the tree, thereby preventing photosynthesis, and cause the tree to die. This is the tree she asked the Junior Rangers to help her clear of ivy.

Ranger Patricia explained that as long as the base of the tree is cleared of ivy (including the ivy's roots), the ivy remaining above the cleared portion will die. This is a comforting thought, as the idea of having to scale the entire trunk to remove the vine is daunting indeed (especially when kiddos are doing the dirty work!).

Ten - fifteen minutes later Ranger Patricia and her triumphant helpers revealed a healthy trunk, bare of ivy at the base. The tree is saved! Thanks Junior Rangers!

Junior Rangers show off the vines they removed from the tree

2011 Tall Tale Writing Contest Awards Ceremony "Why Woodpecker Make Holes"

Yesterday, May 15th, the Friends of Tryon Creek hosted our annual Tall Tale Writing Contest Award Ceremony followed by the fun "Celebration of Woodpeckers" family event. The writing contest has been taking place for the past 16 years and honors the memory of Daryle Seil, a dedicated member of the Friends who provided our organization with much inspiration and support.

It was a rainy spring day in the park and children from around the Portland Metro area gathered in the Nature Center to read their imaginative essays on this year's  writing theme, "Why Woodpecker Must Make Holes".

Over 400 students, ages 1st - 6th grade, participated in the contest. Out of these, nineteen winners were selected. Categories included Honorable Mention, Second Place and First Place for every grade level. The winning essays were based on creativity, scientific knowledge, observations, personal research, and narrative ability (misspellings and grammar counted!). 

The confidence, poise and pride displayed by the students as they read their stories was striking. It was clear that each and every budding writer had taken a great deal of time crafting his or her essay, a skill that will serve them for years to come. The large turnout of teachers, family and community members who came to support their students in this endeavor was also very impressive.

The goal of the Tall Tale Writing Contest is to provide a fun, engaging opportunity for young people to tap into their creativity and language skills while thinking about the natural world and their relationship to it. The joy and pride of this year's winners was wonderful to see.

Thanks to all who participated, and congratulations to the nineteen winners of the 2011 Tall Tale Writing Contest:

1st Grade - Millie Polzin, Capitol Hill, 1st Place
                   Katisyn Sweeney, Capitol Hill, 2nd Place
                   Zoe Olivia Elliot, North Plains, Honorable Mention

2nd Grade - Makenna Kellogg, Riverside, 1st Place
                    Alexis Nguyen, Mount Scott, 2nd Place
                    Wyatt Murphy, Maplewood, Honorable Mention
                    Bridget Brown, Maplewood, Honorable Mention

3rd Grade - Cristal Alfaro, McKinney, 1st Place
                   Mary Sherden, West Union, 2nd Place
                   Annie Deforge, West Union, Honorable Mention

4th Grade - Raven Wilson, Maplewood, 1st Place
                   Carmen Quintos, Riverdale, 2nd Place
                   Janey-Mae DeLaPena, Fairview, Honorable Mention

5th Grade - Jaran White, Durham, 1st Place
                   Tiffany Ong, Earl Boyles, 2nd Place
                   Katsumi Lew, Happy Valley, Honorable Mention

6th Grade - Jenna Jordahl, Forest Hills, 1st Place
                   Hilario Avalos Damian, W.L.Henry, 2nd Place
                   Johanna Selover-Stephan, Forest Hills, Honorable Mention

The 31st Annual Trillium Festival is just around the corner!

The Trillium Festival's namesake

Things have been abuzz here in the Nature Center at Tryon Creek. FOTC employees are performing a spring ritual that requires energy and planning reminiscent of squirrels gathering nuts for the winter: It is time for the annual Trillium Festival!

This year's festival takes place the first weekend in April, the 2nd and 3rd. It is the first time I have had a hand in helping to organize it and I am enjoying the process immensely. One of the key ingredients is the native and hardy plant sale, a regional favorite that is one of the year's earliest native plant sales. I am learning about plants with such evocative names as chocolate lilies, iris tenax, erythronium and lewisia (named after Meriwether Lewis), and as the forest here in Tryon Creek State Natural Area rouses from its winter slumber, with grateful green things growing everywhere, I am reminded once again to be thankful for the bounty of nature here in the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to the native and hardy plant sale the Trillium Festival will enliven the forest with music performed outside by a number of talented musicians. There will be food and beverages to keep visitors alert and satisfied as they stroll along the park's wooded paths, enjoying such sights as an installation of garden art that includes sculptures, wind chimes and mosaics, for their viewing (and purchasing) pleasure.

Those wanting to get out and explore the flora and fauna of Tryon Creek are invited to participate in free guided nature hikes led by special guests from REI and Friends' volunteers. There will be story times, face painting and craft activities for children as well.

The forest isn't the only place that will be springing to life during the festival. The Trillium Market in the Nature Center will feature wonderful edibles, beautiful locally made arts and crafts, and Annie Bloom's books available for purchase; the Tryon Creek Photo Club will display photographs of the park;and local environmental groups will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on the important work they do to promote sustainability and environmental stewardship. This includes OPRD, a vital partner to the Friends who help make the Trillium Festival possible.

A raffle featuring outdoor gear from Columbia Sportswear, Patagonia and REI, as well as vacation packages and other wonderful things, goes to support the nonprofit Friends' educational and restoration projects.

We hope to see you at this free, fun, family-friendly event on April 2nd - 3rd, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days. Please take advantage of the free shuttle service from Lewis & Clark College and Riverdale High School.

Gettin' our boots muddy

Muddy Boots' ventures into the wintry woods

This morning Muddy Boots Family Nature Club paid a visit to Tryon Creek. About fifty people participated in the morning's activities...

Matthew Collins reads Diary of a Worm to families

First stop: Story time! Muddy Boots' members listened to Diary of a Worm, a truly wonderful (and hilarious) children's book about the trials and tribulations of life as an earthworm. (Side note: A play about the book, Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly, is playing at the Oregon Children's Theater through February 20th. It is a delightful production and fun for the whole family.)



The lowly earthworm - an essential park resident

After the story hikers bundled up and hit the trail. It was chilly but no one complained. Children and adults alike got up close and personal with one of the park's most important residents: The earthworm. Hiking guides explained how they breathe (through their skin!), whether or not they grow back their missing half if they get separated (they do, as long as the part includes their hearts and brain), how they prefer to while away the winter hours (curled up inside mounds they create out of dirt), and many more fascinating facts.

OPB gets some candid shots for a fall episode of Oregon Field Guide featuring Muddy Boots at Tryon Creek

After digging in the dirt and investigating the park's flora and fauna hikers returned to the Nature Center for some hot cider - a perfectly delicious way to warm up and reflect on the wonderful experience of adventuring in the forest.

Warm thanks to Muddy Boots' Jess Hoylman and Angela Fojtik. Their shared inspiration to create a family nature club is a wonderful thing.  The Friends of Tryon Creek enjoyed partnering with them for today's activities.