Count bees, help scientists studying declining numbers of pollinators

The ‘wandering bumblebee’ (Bombus vagans Smith) is a native bee species found in Washington state. Photo: David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.

The Great Bee Count is tomorrow (Saturday, August 11). It’s your chance to get outside and take part in a nationwide information-gathering exercise documenting urban, suburban, and rural bee populations. The idea behind the annual Great Bee Counts is to engage citizens to help scientists who are studying the health and extent of wild bees in our urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. Here’s how:

• Count the bees you see visiting a flower during two 15-minute observations.
• Follow the instructions for doing your count.
• Report your findings online to the Great Sunflower Project.

The project, which started enlisting ‘citizen-scientists’ in 2008, has already found that urban areas have fewer visits from bees than other habitats. Based on previous years’ data, the project found volunteers in urban gardens reported finding an average of 23.3 bees per hour, compared to 30.4 per hour in rural areas and 31.6 in forests and wildlands. The size and location of the garden can make a big difference ­– you may see anywhere between zero and several dozen bees.

You can do observations all year round, of course, but tomorrow is the day when thousands of other people will do their bee counts, too. And the weather promises to be good for people and pollinators across Washington state. The annual counts are both a scientific study and a reminder of the importance wild bees and other pollinators — about one-third of the human food supply depends on insect pollination.

Consider doing your bee count while visiting a DNR-managed recreation area or a Natural Resources Conservation Area.

Don’t forget your Discover Pass
Don’t forget! You need your Discover Pass to access DNR recreation sites and Natural Resources Conservation Areas by vehicle. Learn more at www.discoverpass.wa.gov

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DNR Commissioner Peter Goldmark captures a photo of the endangered golden paintbrush

Blooms of blue camas and golden paintbrush, a rare native plant federally listed as “threatened” and state listed as “endangered”, at Rocky Prairie NAP. Photo: Peter Goldmark/DNR.

This rare yellow flower is the golden paintbrush, or Castilleja levisecta. It is native to Washington and listed as “threatened” under the federal Endangered Species Act and “endangered” by the state. Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark captured this image of the flowers while visiting the Rocky Prairie NAP late this spring. This beautiful species is closely monitored by DNR’s Natural Heritage Program.

The blue flower growing next to the paintbrush is the blue or common camas, Camassia quamash. This native plant was once extremely common in Washington State, and though it is not considered rare yet, it primarily occurs in areas that have fewer disturbances and retain some natural condition. DNR’s Natural Areas Program protects areas like Rocky Prairie NAP that contain rare or unique examples of undisturbed native habitat.

Rocky Prarie NAP and other preserves provide a unique environment for endangered species to thrive free from the disturbance they face in other habitats. The invasion of the golden paintbrush’s habitat by both native and non-native plant competitors, and the pressures of an ever-increasing human population have made this plant one of Washington’s most endangered species.

Due to the sensitivity of the rare plants protected at this small natural area, Rocky Prairie NAP is used by DNR for research and is open to the public for guided environmental education group visits and for approved research projects. In addition, DNR relies on volunteers to help us care for natural area sites such as Rocky Prairie. Learn more about DNR’s Natural Areas Program here.

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Put some spring in your step on a wildflower tour at Camas Meadows NAP, on Saturday, June 23

Cat’s Ear got your tongue? Crazy for daisies? Does checkermallow make you mellow?

Join DNR ecologist, Keyna Bugner, and members of the Native Plant Society for a fun and free day of hiking, exploration, and fantastic views at Camas Meadows Natural Area Preserve (NAP), near Wenatchee, Washington.

What is an NAP?

Natural Area Preserves are managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to protect priority native species and high-quality ecosystems. Camas Meadows NAP is home to rare plant species found only in the mountains southwest of the city of Wenatchee.

Curious what an endangered and threatened plant look like?

Keyna Bugner will help you identify the rare Wenatchee Mountain Checkermallow, a federal endangered species, and Wenatchee Mountain Larkspur, a species of concern. She also will talk about restoration and research that have been going on at the preserve.

Want to impress your friends?

Develop your plant identification skills with the Native Plant Society members who will be available, field guide in hand, to name the diverse plant species along the hike. Bring your own field guide and start crossing plants you have always wanted to see off your list. Also, don’t forget your binoculars in case we spot local birds or other wildlife in the area.

What should you bring?

Pack yourself a hearty sack lunch and plenty of fresh water. This quest into the ‘wilds of Wenatchee’ will take you hiking up an old logging road in the early afternoon to experience the astounding views of the Camas Meadow and the mountains. Make sure to bring your Discover Pass, you’ll need it to park at the site!

Where do we meet, when, and should I call to let DNR know I’m coming in the adventure?

From the south, there are two spots to meet and we’ll head out to the meadows together. Parking is limited so carpool if you can to one of our meeting spots and we’ll caravan: 

9:00 a.m.  Ellensburg Super 1 parking area

9:30  Parking area at junction of HWY 97 and 970.

10:00  Camas Meadows NAP

From the north, from Wenatchee junction of Highway 2 and HWY 97, take 97 south about 5 miles. Turn left onto Camas Creek Way. Drive about 3-4 miles and parking area is just past Forest Service 7200 road on the right.

If possible, call Keyna to let know you are coming, and she also will answer questions you may have. 509-607-1851

 

This day of discovery should end mid-afternoon, depending on the group and their thirst for knowledge and nature. For More Information

Don’t forget your sturdy hiking shoes, layers of clothes—just in case, your favorite hiking buddy, and your sense of adventure.  We hope to see you there.

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DNR-manages DOC inmate crews to aid restoration of native turtle habitat in Columbia River Gorge

Before and after: DNR-managed inmate crews (top) thin undergrowth in Klickitat County in a project to restore habitat (bottom) for the Pacific pond turtle. DNR Photo.

DNR-managed inmate work crews from the state Department of Corrections, Larch Corrections Center, Mountain Correctional Facility are playing a major role in important habitat restoration work that will aid the return of the native western Pacific pond turtle to more areas of the Columbia River Gorge. The effort aims to establish self-sustaining populations of western Pacific pond turtles in four locations in Skamania and Klickitat counties. A recent phase of the project (completed in February 2012) that relied on the DNR crews was primarily funded by the Bonneville Power Administration in cooperation with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Loss of native habitat has caused the numbers of Pacific pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata) to decline in Washington State. Photo: Terry Spivey, US Forest Service, Bugwood.org

The largest naturally occurring populations of western Pacific pond turtles is in Klickitat County in an area known as the Sondino site, which is part of the WDFW-managed Klickitat Wildlife Area. The project also includes the only other naturally occurring population in the Columbia River Gorge: an area of mixed private and public ownerships in Skamania County known as the Bergen site. Additional project sites are the federally owned Pierce National Wildlife Refuge and Beacon Rock, owned by the State Parks and Recreation Commission. The restoration work will also include releasing dozens of hatchling turtles raised in captivity by Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and Oregon Zoo in Portland.

Members of the Department of Corrections crew, who are also trained by DNR as wildland firefighters, removed invasive plants, mowed, and completed other activities to improve the habitat. Other organizations working on the project include the Skamania County Forest Youth Success Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, WDFW, Skamania County Weed Control, and Beacon Rock State Park staff.

 

Natural Heritage Program earns ‘Best in the Americas’ award

Rare Care volunteers assist the Washington Natural Heritage Program in gathering rare plant information in Klickitat County, Washington. Photo: Joe Arnett/DNR.

John Gamon, Washington Natural Heritage Program manager, accepted the ‘Best in the Americas’ award on behalf of the Program for its outstanding achievements in science and technology during a ceremony at the annual Biodiversity Without Boundaries conference in Portland Oregon last week.

Gamon received the  NatureServe network’s ‘2012 Scientific and Technical Advancement Impact Award’ from Mary Klein, president and CEO of NatureServe. A jury representing the network of public and private biodiversity information centers granted the Natural Heritage Program the commendation for its accomplishments in:

• Managing and delivering information on Washington’s rare plants
• Classifying the state’s ecological systems
• Advancing both approaches and applications of ecological integrity assessments

All of these efforts  increased access to reliable, scientific information for use in natural resource planning, policy, and management.

Projects boost effectiveness
Two recent projects have boosted the Natural Heritage Program’s effectiveness in maintaining and delivering information about Washington’s rare plants. A ten-year partnership with the University of Washington’s Rare Care & Conservation Program used citizen science to update and improve the rare plant records that land managers use to make informed decisions. Working with public land-management agencies, the partners trained volunteers to revisit sites where populations of rare species were observed. Last year, program volunteers updated 186 aging population records for 91 species.  

911 call helps catch suspected thieves at Woodard Bay NRCA

Visitors provide eyes and ears for protecting valuable natural areas

In Woodard Bay NRCA, railroad tracks once ran onto Chapman Bay pier so log trains could dump their cargo into the bay, supervised by the boom manager. The mostly deconstructed derelict pier now is seasonal home for bats rearing their young. DNR photo

Recently, an alert visitor noticed two men kicking in the door of the interpretive facility “skid shack” at Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA). The visitor called 911. A Thurston County sheriff’s deputy responded and arrested the two men for breaking and entering as well as drug possession.

This is a fine example of how alert citizens can help law enforcement and managers respond to vandalism and theft occurring on public lands, and in their neighborhoods.

Woodard Bay NRCA has important historic and natural assets to be protected. DNR, contractors and volunteers continue to restore the natural area’s sensitive wildlife habitat and it is treasured as a peaceful place to visit by area residents and visitors.

The skid shack is a restored historic building that was once moved around on train cars between railroad logging camps. At Woodard Bay, the skid shack was the foreman’s office at a time when logs were dropped by train into the bay, formed into ‘booms’ and towed to mills in Everett, While it contains nothing of great monetary value, but the interpretive signs and displays inside the building help us understand a different time at Woodard Bay. The skid shack only is open to the public by request or when staff are on site.

We appreciate that neighbors, visitors and site stewards help DNR staff protect the precious features of Woodard Bay by keeping an eye on the site and reporting problems.

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Mount Si and Little Si trailheads and trails will reopen this Friday, March 9

 

Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area. Photo: DNR

Good news for fans of Mount Si: DNR will reopen the Little Si and Mount Si trailheads and trails at 8 a.m. this Friday, March 9.

For public safety reasons, we closed the area on February 15 after a single-engine airplane crashed in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA). We kept the area closed during the initial investigation and while a contract helicopter salvage crew could remove the wreckage. The flight path of the removal process will go over these popular trails. Unfortunately, winter weather (snow, poor visibility) delayed the removal operation.

With more favorable weather conditions today and tomorrow, we are expecting the contractor to be able to remove the wreckage before Friday. If the removal isn’t complete, we will still open the area but may have to have a one-day closure in the near future to finish the process.

We know what a popular place this is, and know how many of you have been longing to get back out to Mount Si. Thank you for your patience!

Keep current with the status of Mount Si:

• On DNR’s website
• DNR on Facebook
• DNR on Twitter

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Removing the right trees can help restore damaged forests and streams

A helicopter aided the safe removal and re-use of 50 large conifirs from the Washougal Oaks Natural Area Preserve last fall. Photo: DNR

A DNR-managed inmate crew from Larch Correctional Camp was part of an effort to thin trees and do other restoration work at the DNR-managed Washougal Oaks Natural Area Preserve in southern Clark County last fall. 

 The project is restoring fish and wildlife habitat damaged by historic mining, timber harvesting and grazing practices that contributed to an invasion of conifers that over-topped the native Oregon white oak trees.

About 50 of the large conifir trees were removed by helicopter and placed in nearby creeks to create small ponds and other features that will improve fish habitat.  The use of the helicopter meant no need to build a road into the sensitive area. Actually, loggers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had another method of getting trees out of such areas: dam up a creek, float logs into the waters behind the dam, and then intentionally burst the dam. The trees rocketed down the creek but the flooding caused by the now-prohibited practice also wiped out gravel bars, pools and other features fish depend on for habitat, food and spawning.

One of the 50 conifirs removed last fall in a natural area and fish habitat restoration project. Photo: DNR.

The project was funded by a Habitat Conservation and Restoration grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.

 

Crowberry Bog is an example of the many unique wetlands in Washington State

Crowberry Bog, on DNR-managed state trust land in western Jefferson County, is one of many unique wetlands in Washington State. Photo Joe Rocchio/DNR

Crowberry Bog, on DNR-managed state trust land in western Jefferson County, is one of many unique wetland types in the state. The Washington Natural Heritage Program is conducting an inventory of this bog and other wetlands as part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-funded project to update and refine wetland conservation priorities in Western Washington.  Washington’s bogs and fens harbor many rare plants, animals, and plant communities. As such, they are an important piece of our natural heritage that support species diversity.

The Natural Heritage Program is Washington’s primary source maintaining a growing database of priority species and ecosystems in Washington State. The database is used for environmental assessments, conservation planning and research,

The bog’s name comes from one of the plants found there, crowberry (Empetrum nigrum). Berries of this low-growing evergreen shrub are edible. 

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Recreation alert: Little Si and Mount Si Trailheads closed for airplane crash investigation

DNR has closed access to both the Little Si and Mount Si Trailheads near North Bend because of an accident investigation from an early morning airplane crash in the Mount Si Natural Resources Conservation Area (NRCA), which is managed by DNR. Mount Si Road is also closed to everyone but residents in the area.

Once the King County Sheriff’s office has completed its part of the accident investigation, which involved fatalities, the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will need to come in to conduct their own investigations.

The area is closed until further notice—several days—while the investigation continues. We will let you know when the area reopens.

Check the status of the area.

 

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