The Friends host Chili Cook-off 2012!

FOTC Executive Director David Cohen and Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Kreisman present Chili Master 2012 Award to winners, sisters Julia and Rachel Weirnick

Each winter the Friends of Tryon Creek look forward to hosting our Chili Cook-off, and not just because we love to sample the many savory entries (although we enjoy that part too!). Our organization is fortunate to have a strong base of supporters and we like nothing more than bringing everyone together as a community.

This year's Chili Cook-off took place on Saturday, January 14th. There were fifteen contenders for the vaunted title of Chili Master 2012. Each pot of chili was deliciously unique (great care clearly went into the preparation of every recipe) and the public's response was fantastic with 80 - 100 people turning out to cast their vote, sample the offerings and enjoy wine and tasty beer from Rockbottom Brewery.

Our volunteers were terrific (as usual! We are so grateful for their ongoing support). Special thanks go to our volunteer chili chefs for sharing their favorite recipes with the public; to Ann Meub who contributed her amazing dessert for everyone to enjoy; to Bob Snyder whose beautiful handmade cutting boards were awarded to Chili Chef winners; and to Karen Jorgensen who played the acoustic guitar and sang for us.

Tryon Creek's Fungi Forest

On a chilly Sunday in November, Fort Stevens Park Ranger and mushroom expert Dane Osis paid Tryon Creek a visit. He lead a group discussion and hike focusing on the mushrooms that grow in the park...

Multiple mushroom varieties are happy to share the same living quarters...

The honey mushroom was a group favorite...

Close-up of a bird's nest fungi...

Mushrooms are a source of fascination. They truly are marvels of our world and are in a class all their own (although technically it's called a "kingdom" rather than class, as all living things are organized into large basic groups called kingdoms). We are able to see only the "fruit" of the fungus - the rest of it, the living body, is a web that is generally hidden from view in the soil, wood or other food source. Fungi use many different things for food: Some are decomposers that consume dead organic material like leaves; others consume living organisms, some of which cause disease such as athlete's foot and ringworm. Fungi can also be useful, such as the yeasts that are used to make bread, wine and beer.

Many thanks to Ranger Osis for sharing Tryon Creek's mycological marvels with us!

Bruce Rottink nominated for OPRD's L.L. "Stub" Stewart Volunteer Award

OPRD Director Tim Wood and FOTC volunteer Bruce Rottink at the L.L. "Stub" Stewart Volunteer Award Ceremony, Newport, Oregon - October 2011

On Saturday, October 11^th, Friends of Tryon Creek volunteer Bruce Rottink stood before a large group of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department staff members as well as members of Friends’ groups from around the state of Oregon to be recognized for his nomination at the annual L.L. "Stub" Steward Award Ceremony.

Held every year, the L.L. "Stub" Stewart Award Ceremony is intended to recognize dedicated volunteers from Oregon’s Friends’ groups. This year, Sarah Kreisman, the Volunteer Coordinator for the Friends of Tryon Creek, nominated Mr. Rottink for his volunteer commitment and contributions to the park.

When asked what inspired his passion for the preservation and stewardship of the outdoors, Mr. Rottink responded that it all began in junior high and high school, when he worked on his uncle’s Christmas tree farm for $1 an hour. He was very interested in trees and went on to receive his undergraduate degree in Forest Science, which included coursework in things as far-flung as soils, climatology, geology and chemistry. He eventually got his Ph.D. in tree physiology and applied his knowledge to forestry work doing research with plant biology groups as well as watershed research. He was also a research forester and worked primarily in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington, west of the Cascades.

Mr. Rottink retired last year and decided to try his hand volunteering with the Friends of Tryon Creek. He now spends 90% of his volunteer time guiding nature hikes for school children and has a great time teaching them about the earth’s natural systems and the flora and fauna indigenous to Tryon Creek.

Studies show that children who grow up spending time in nature are much more likely to conserve and protect it as adults. With this in mind, Mr. Rottink observes that working with children is very rewarding and “each child may make a difference”. Mr. Rottink’s philosophy and dedication are inspiring, and the Friends of Tryon Creek were proud to see him nominated for his good works at the park.

Backyard Habitat: Behind the Scenes in Lake Oswego

 

On September 29^th a television crew from KATU paid a visit to Andrew Karl’s Lake Oswego home. Their mission: To learn more about the Backyard Habitat Certification Program.

Backyard Habitat was originally launched in Portland, Oregon by the Columbia Land Trust and the Audubon Society. The program focuses on the removal of aggressive weeds, naturescaping with native plants, stormwater management and wildlife stewardship. It proved to be very successful, and on August 1^st the Friends of Tryon Creek joined the partnership to extend the program to Lake Oswego.

Over sixty Lake Oswego homeowners have signed up. To receive the certification, there are a number of steps that must be taken, such as planting native species and managing stormwater runoff. Heidi Brill, the Friends' Backyard Habitat Program Coordinator, says that "the program is based on four main concepts: removal of aggressive invasive species, naturescaping with native plants, wildlife stewardship, and stormwater management. Many homeowners in Lake Oswego have been waiting for the program to expand outside of Portland. These homeowners have been following the program in Portland and have had as much as several years to develop their home landscapes in accordance with our Program guidelines. Many of the homes that I visited in the first two months were in the category of 'patiently waiting while making positive change.' With the program in Lake Oswego, now the word has spread and talk of the program has infiltrated into garden club meetings, HOA meetings, and friendly neighborhood conversation. Neighbors are seeing signs in their areas and this is stimulating conversation to promote healthful communities. Homeowners that are new to the concept of naturescaping are interested in the program because of its benefits (not only to our environment, but to our pocketbooks as well). To witness the changing view in our home landscapes from labor-centric to nature-centric is an extremely positive change-- reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, reducing the need for summer irrigation, reducing erosion and allowing rainwater to naturally infiltrate and replenish groundwater systems and encouraging diversity of species."

Friends of Tryon Creek's Education Director Matthew Collins with Backyard Habitat Program Coordinator Heidi Brill

Mr. Karl's yard includes native species like this Twinberry Honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata). It is an important nectar source for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies, and the dark "twin" berries surrounded by showy bracts provide important forage for birds and critters. The berries were once used for dye, and the plant had a variety of medicinal purposes that were utilized by local native populations.

A rainwater catchment system in Mr. Karl's backyard utilizes re-purposed 55 gallon drums. They fill quickly under normal winter conditions in the Willamette Valley, and so must be equipped with an overflow mechanism, or you must have room for additional capacity. A rainwater catchment system paired with a raingarden is a very effective way to manage stormwater on site. A statistic: a 1/2 inch rainfall on a roof of 1000 square feet will yield 300 gallons.

Mr. Collins and Ms. Brill get interviewed about Backyard Habitat by KATU's Amanda Faught

Let the Good Times Roll! Kids love Nature Day Camp at Tryon Creek

Campers shakin' a tail feather in the shelter, August 2011

The bright, summery days of the Friends of Tryon Creek’s Nature Day Camps ended last month and Camp Director Casey Newman shared her thoughts on the nine weeks that the day camp runs every summer.

Nature Day Camp was started by Stephanie Wagner more than thirty years ago and originally served middle school students. It has expanded and now serves children from pre-K through 7^th grade. All told, over the course of the summer nine-hundred campers visit Tryon Creek. They spend their days outside exploring the park and engaging in hands-on forest-related activities (the fort-building exercise received a big thumbs-up).  

The forest provides an ideal hands-on lab for research: children are able to see Tryon Creek’s flora and fauna upclose. From salamanders to squirrels to slugs and birds, there is no shortage of interesting critters to inspire curiosity and wonder in forestgoers of all ages. Likewise, the park’s old (and young) trees, from the Douglas Fir (Oregon’s official state tree) to the Western red cedar, provide shade and shelter and a wealth of tales about their history and uses.

What is Ms. Newman’s favorite thing about Nature Day Camps? “Seeing the kids out there, having fun and hearing about the forest and being filled with curiosity and enthusiasm.” That is about as good as it gets.

Research shows that adults who spend time in the Great Outdoors - and are more likely to protect and preserve it - cultivated an appreciation for nature early on, spending time outside as children. Nature Day Camp is a great place for kids to experience that magic and inspiration and an appreciation for the natural world that encourages a lifelong ethic of stewardship.

Summer camp returns on June 25^th, 2012. We hope to see you there!

Friends reach out for volunteers

Richard Diffenderfer & Jessica Sweeney represent the Friends at The Standard's Volunteer Expo

The "support your community" ethic is alive and well in the Portland area. On Thursday, September 8th, Richard Diffenderfer, who volunteers for the Friends, and Jessica Sweeney, the Friends' Media/PR coordinator, participated in The Standard's annual Volunteer Expo in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Among the items Jessica toted along to display at the expo was a beaver (see above photo). This furry fellow usually resides in Tryon Creek's Nature Center. His urban appearance at the Friend's booth drew many glances and inspired spirited discussion about the nature of such animals. Was this an adult beaver, people wanted to know (yes). Do its teeth keep growing (yes, but gnawing on wood keeps them to a manageable length)?  Is it a rodent (yes)? Beavers swim faster than Michael Phelps thanks to their large webbed rear feet and their paddle-shaped tail, and have been hunted to extinction in certain areas (it's amazing the facts that come to light when people are networking!).

Along with beaver analyses, booth visitors were given information about the many volunteer opportunities that exist at Tryon Creek. Many people were interested in volunteering on their own while others represented companies and were looking for group volunteer opportunities that their entire staff could participate in.

Volunteers really are the backbone of the Friends of Tryon Creek. Their support and commitment help us provide environmental education and interpretive opportunities to the public, staff the Nature Center, lead guided hikes, maintain park trails, remove invasive species, assist with events and much, much more. The Friends were pleased to have the opportunity to reach out to the community to strengthen our volunteer base. Many thanks to The Standard for sponsoring the Volunteer Expo and allowing us to engage with the public.

Tryon Creek Daytrippers

Daytrippers hiking the Toutle River Trail, Washington

In the Fall of 1980 Barbara Orloff, then-Director of the Friends, suggested that volunteer Andi Gassman organize a hiking club. Thus, the Daytrippers hiking group was born.

The Daytrippers meet on Tuesdays and hit the proverbial trail for either a moderate hike (between 5 – 12 miles in length with negligible to 3000-feet elevation gain) or an easier “ramble” (shorter in length and less than 1000-feet elevation gain). Each year they meet in the Nature Center to plan their annual hiking schedule and, at season’s end, they enjoy a potluck with an awards ceremony for hikers’ achievements on the trail.

The Daytrippers consider Tryon Creek their home base and although they occasionally hike in the park their adventurous spirits take them beyond, to the gorge, coast, and mountains, trying to keep the roundtrip under 200 miles. They strive not to repeat hikes for at least three years. Sharon Hawley, who has been active with the Daytrippers since 1998, notes that with “the almost unparalleled hiking opportunities in this area, we are truly blessed!”

The group has a wonderful social dynamic (and still retains some of the original members). Participants look out for each other, share a common love of the trail, and deep friendships and bonds develop (a few marriages have resulted from hiking together!).

The Daytrippers welcome new hikers. Please visit this link for more information: http://home.comcast.net/~l-simmons/daytrippers.htm

 Hope to see you on the trail!