Being prepared for wildfire and supporting wildlife are two landscaping goals that may seem to be at odds. Marion SWCD's Kassi Roosth (urban conservation) and Chelsea Blank (natural areas) will walk you through the main considerations and discuss how achieving both is possible. First Fridays are held on the first Friday of every month (except
Presentation: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Operations in the Willamette Basin with emphasis on the Santiam Basin The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) operates and maintains a system of 13 dams and reservoirs within the Willamette River basin of northwestern Oregon. Each dam contributes to a water resource management system providing flood risk
Saving the Great White Oaks of Marion County: An Invitation to Share Stories In Marion County, Oregon white oaks are culturally and ecologically vital. The oak savannas and woodlands, rich in biodiversity, have supported a dynamic ecosystem for over 10,000 years. Oaks were central to the Kalapuya people, who relied on their acorns for food,
Which birds are here all the time, which ones come and go with the seasons? We will look at different birds' preferences from grassland to marsh to town gardens to mountain forest. Presenter Harry Fuller is a veteran birding guide who lives in Salem. He currently leads field trips for the Malheur Field Station in
Due to unexpected circumstances, this First Friday has been cancelled. We hope to reschedule at a future date. Master Gardener and Master Melittologist, Carol Slavkovsky will take you on a journey into the world of fall mason bee cocoon harvesting. In this informative class, participants will gain valuable insights into the lifecycle of the mason
In this talk, Soil Scientist Marissa Theve will explain why urban soils are important, what sets them apart, and some common contaminants and management practices – including the use of biochar. Presenter Marissa Theve- Marissa hales from rural Eastern Connecticut where she grew up playing in the woods and brook near her home. She earned
Eileen Stark, author of Real Gardens Grow Natives, will share tips for designing your garden to support pollinators and incorporate native plants. Pollinators are essential, hardworking and fascinating, with amazing abilities, but they face a wide range of threats. Join author and eco-landscape designer Eileen Stark to learn about their lives and needs. Discover how
In this talk, BLM botanist Charity Glade will introduce us to the often overlooked world of lichens living right here in the Willamette Valley. Charity is a District Botanist for NW Oregon district working out of the Salem office, where she is the Invasive Species coordinator, ACEC coordinator, Title II coordinator, and co-lead for the
In this talk, retired biologist and past president of the Salem Audubon Society Ray Temple will reflect on more than a decade of learning in the field and share ideas for building, cleaning, replacing, repairing, and relocating bird boxes. Ray and Stephanie Hazen live east of Salem on nearly two acres that they manage for
Lorelle is a forest ecologist, bird enthusiast, and wild foods forager. Foraging for mushrooms and birdwatching for over ten years inspired Lorelle to study the forest ecosystems she was spending her time in. Lorelle studied Forestry and Wildlife Biology at the University of Vermont and Forest Ecology while at Oregon State University. Today, she serves as the
Watch on You Tube An introduction to the butterflies and moths in our urban environments, covering common species you may encounter throughout the seasons in their various forms. This presentation offers practical observation techniques, clarifies misconceptions, and reveals how butterflies appear in field conditions versus guidebooks. Learn about their complex relationships with other species (including humans), explore
Join Cesar Zamora, soil scientist and Agriculture Conservation Planner for the Marion SWCD, as he gives a crash course on at home pesticide spraying. You will learn all about the various resources available to help you make informed decisions regarding your pest management strategies and the considerations you should have in mind when you plan
In this presentation Stephanie Hazen (Master Gardener/Mellitogist) talks about gardening for wildlife. Stephanie Hazen moved to Salem in 1977 after graduating from Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine. She owned and operated a small animal/exotics veterinary clinic in Salem until retiring in 2012. She took up photography in retirement, favoring natural history subjects such
Please join Kurt Berning, Executive Director at the Pudding River Watershed Council as we discuss results from the 2023/2024 salmon survey season. In this talk we will discuss how many salmon are spawning in Silver Creek, Butte Creek, Abiqua Creek, and other parts of the Pudding River Watershed. Kurt grew up in Mt. Angel and
In this talk, Rose High Bear (Deg Hit’an Dine, Inupiaq), Founding Director of the Native American nonprofit, Elderberry Wisdom Farm, will share her experience integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into their experiential service-learning activities and discuss how they provide it to Native American and other interns of color pursuing conservation career pathways. Positive collaborative partnerships
In this presentation, Clackamas County's own OSU Extension Services, Sarah Cameron and Peter Matzka, talk about tapping bigleaf maples for syrup. Both Sarah and Peter work for OSU Extension Services in Clackamas County where they have been tapping bigleaf maple trees in collaboration with the Hopkins Demonstration Forest for the past 3 years. In this
Do you know what may be bugging your ash trees? Emerald ash borer (EAB) is in Oregon and had a busy summer. Join Kat Bethea and Matt Mills with Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) as they cover how to create a flexible and adaptable management plan, including how to inventory your ash trees and prioritize
Join Colin Park (USDA) and Max Ragozzino, (ODA) for a summary of on-going efforts to use tiny stingless wasps to help control Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Meet the bio-control ‘agents’, learn how they are produced, how they do their work of finding and controlling EAB infestations, how can you get involved and what will this
View now on YouTube Join Dark Sky Oregon board member Chris Hill as he discusses the components of light pollution and its impacts on human and fauna’s circadian rhythm, bird migration, and nighttime pollinators. In this talk, Chris will discuss the tenets of smart lighting, the trending encroachment of light pollution on our night sky,
Please join Sage Fairman with the Oregon Climate and Agriculture Network (OrCAN) to get an overview of soil health practices and their benefits, along with a lay of the land of soil health support available across Oregon through the Soil Health Network.
Join Nenette Sequira, Water Education Instructor with the City of Salem, explore the history of Salem’s drinking water, where our water originates, how water becomes polluted, and the treatment processes used to ensure clean, safe water reaches homes and businesses throughout the community.
Join Marion Soil and Water Conservation District staff members Sarah Hamilton, Native & Invasive Plant Specialist, and Chelsea Blank, Natural Areas Conservation Planner, for an informative webinar focused on weed management and site preparation strategies for areas impacted by Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).
Join Karla Hoggan, President and Co-Founder of the Oregon Livestock Council (OLC), for an informative presentation on livestock disaster preparedness and emergency planning. Learn about OLC's mission to provide organized evacuation and emergency sheltering assistance for equine and livestock owners, particularly those with limited resources or functional and access needs.
Join Travis Brown, hydrogeologist with the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), for an overview of groundwater resources in Marion County. This presentation will explore the different types of aquifers found across the county, how groundwater is managed at the state and county levels, general groundwater level trends, and areas of concern.
