"Gathering of Friends" annual event

On Saturday, March 9, 2013, the Friends' community came together to honor outstanding volunteers and reflect on the accomplishments of the past year at the "Gathering of Friends" annual event.

Friends' Executive Director David Cohen presents Phil Hamilton with the Highest Number of Hours Award

Volunteers are the backbone of the Friends and the number of hours volunteers dedicate to the park and the organization is truly inspiring. Consider, for example, Phil Hamilton (shown above): he received his award for Highest Number of Hours after putting in a whopping 19,356! 

Bob Snyder receives the Individual Volunteer of the Year Award from Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Kreisman and David Cohen

Bob Snyder serves on the Friends' Board and Volunteer Committee; acts as a Nature Guide and Nature Center host; and supports auctions and raffles by donating handcrafted wood objects and art.

Dave & Dixie Johnston are presented with Trail Hosts Volunteer of the Year Award

Committed, long-serving volunteers Dave and Dixie Johnston are well known for being dedicated, detail-oriented, and positive. 

Sarah Bidwell receives Interpretive Volunteer of the Year Award from Park Manager John Mullen

Sarah Bidwell leads engaging guided hikes and assists with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's interpretive programs at Tryon Creek State Natural Area. 



David Cohen presents Nature Center Host Volunteer of the Year Award to Shannon Zimmer

Shannon Zimmer, Nature Center Host Extraordinaire, is always helpful with a smile on her face. Shannon provides great customer service to Nature Center visitors and is a pleasure to work with.

 

Education Coordinator Linda Koser presents Education Volunteer of the Year Award to Jan Johanns

Jan Johanns works lots of hours, has lots of wonderful ideas that support and energize the Friends' Education Program, and is always ready to help .

Nature Day Camp Director Casey Newman presents Assistant Counselor of the Year Award to Doug Sam

Doug Sam is an enthusiastic young volunteer who puts in a lot of time with the Friends' nature day camp program and is always ready to lend a hand without waiting to be asked. His good humor is always appreciated.

Terry Gibson received the Stewardship Volunteer of the Year Award

Terry Gibson co-created the training program for Educational Stewardship Guides. Terry implemented the training, led guided hikes, and volunteered many hours doing hands-on stewardship work.

David Cohen and Sarah Kreisman present Rising Star Award to Diane Quivey

Diane Quivey volunteered with the owl monitoring project, maintains the trail she adopted, helps with special events, and solicited a Century Link grant for working 40 hours.

David Cohen presents Partner Award to Happy Cup Coffee

Happy Cup Coffee, a great partner to the Friends, helps keep volunteers' energy level up at park events.

David Cohen presents Partner Award to National Charity League of Lake Oswego

National Charity League of Lake Oswego regularly provides volunteers that participate in park ivy pulls and special events.

David Cohen presents Partner Award to Lewis & Clark College

Lewis & Clark College supported the Friends by donating facilities' use and bringing volunteers to help out with stewardship activities in the park.

We thank all the great volunteers that helped the Friends' environmental education and stewardship programs thrive. In 2012, 1,465 people gave over 8,000 to the park and to the organization. Their focus, dedication, and contagious love for the natural world is the bedrock that supports the Friends' mission "to connect people to Tryon Creek, share our passion for the wonders of nature and inspire environmental stewardship in all." Thanks, volunteers!

The Friends' First Annual Trillium Festival Gala

Spring trillium graces Tryon Creek State Natural Area

On March 29th the Friends of Tryon Creek will welcome their supporters to the Trillium Festival Gala, an evening fundraiser to benefit the Friends' environmental education and stewardship programs. The gala will take place at Lewis & Clark College and features a great lineup that is sure to engage and inspire.

Brian Doyle, award-winning author and Portland Magazine publisher

The gala kicks off with a talk by special guest Brian Doyle, celebrated author of Mink River, the essay collection Grace Notes, and many other wonderful books. When asked what the title of his talk would be, Mr. Doyle's reply was...

"...notes on wonder and amazement and astonishment and the slather of mud and owls and how kids are the agents of the world to come; with sidelong commentary on how if we are not drafting kids into armies of wonder we are totally punting our responsibilities here, brothers and sisters."

Portland, Oregon Philanthropist John Gray

The Friends will also be presenting the first annual John Gray Award for Environmental Education to an outstanding individual or organization in recognition of their commitment and contribution to environmental advocacy. John Gray was a great supporter of the Friends and, as the Oregonian reported in Mr. Gray's November 2012 obit, much of his "philanthropy was devoted to environmental education programs that aimed to bring young people to the region's forests..." The Friends are honored to present the award in recognition of Mr. Gray's legacy.

The gala will also feature a silent auction with items that include vacation packages; original artwork; merchandise from Columbia Sportswear, Keen, Patagonia, and REI; gift certificates, and more.

To purchase tickets please visit www.tryonfriends.org.

Tryon Creek Heats up with Chili Fest 2013!

Roger Ackerson, Chili Master 2013! 

If you found yourself needing a little warm up Saturday, January 26^th, then you should have been at Tryon Creek State Natural Area enjoying the hottest cold day of the year. The annual Chili Fest was not just filled with warm bodies and hot chili. The music of Jonathan Brinkley provided a fun backdrop to conversations between new and seasoned "Friends", members, and visitors of Tryon Creek, our great community treasure.  The palates ranged from Sweet ‘n Spicy to Bourbon to Classic, with folks sharing recipes and hints amid "oooohs" and "ahs".

Phil Almgren, 2nd Place Chili Chef

As the tasting heated up so did the banter of the Guest Chili Chefs, culminating in many satisfied patrons and the new Chili Master of the year. Third place went to Dana Lamont for his tangy and meaty “Southwest Smokey Chipotle” chili. Second place went to Phil Almgren, a repeat winner from last year, whose “Burnside Bourbon Buffalo Bacon” chili featured a new twist that warmed the belly and cheeks with magic ingredients. Roger Ackerson’s “Three Little Pigs” black bean chili took first place for taste and texture, and the presentation was marvelous too. The rich chili base was enhanced by simply spiced corn, and other fixin’s for a perrrrrrrrrfect follow-up to a crisp hike around the park.

Dana Lamont, Runner Up Chili Chef

Jonathan Brinkley, musician extraordinaire

Cornbread heaven!

As if the fantastic chili choices weren't enough, there was a tasty variety of cornbread, desserts, and beverages too.

Yummy cookies, one of many delicious desserts

Friends' Volunteer Coordinator Sarah Kreisman and Executive Director David Cohen present Chili Master Roger Ackerson with his prize of a handmade wooden cutting board
 

"A good time was had by all"

If you haven't planned your January 2014 yet, keep this day open like we do and bring your Family Recipe or discerning tastebuds to next year's event.

Submitted by Guest blogger/photographer Rachel T.

The Crawdads are Coming!

Clash of the Crawdads

Every year the Friends of Tryon Creek holds its annual Daryle Seil Tall Tale Contest, and this year the contest theme is "Why Crayfish Swims Backward". First established in 1995, the contest encourages young people from kindergarten through sixth grade to use their writing ability, creativity, observations, personal research and imagination to craft a tale (think Aesop's fable).

This year's Tall Tale Contest Award Ceremony will be held in Tryon Creek State Natural Area in April. Contest participants and their families will enjoy an evening of crawdad activities (crawdad relay race, anyone?!) and listen to readings by winners.

Crawdads will make a live appearance at the Tall Tale Contest Award Ceremony, and to make sure these special guests are at the top of their game and prepared for their turn in the spotlight, the Friends have been treating them with care, keeping them safe, and trying to keep their squabbles to a minimum.


I love you, no I hate you! I love you, no I hate you!

This is proving to be easier said than done, as the little critters have a natural tendency to "confront" each other with great vigor. Their fighting is also a courtship behavior, so between their expressions of affection and competition, the Friends have their work of protecting the crawdads cut out for them.

Last year over 400 children from around the Portland metro area participated in the Tall Tale Contest. The Friends are once again accepting submissions from students from kindergarten through sixth grade through Friday, March 15th. Please visit the Tall Tale Contest webpage to learn more.

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.