You never know what you'll get in the mail.

What in the world did our friend, Elvira, send us? Post a comment with your guesses. We have a prize for the correct answer. (don't give it away, Elvira!)

Vernal Pools Project with WREN's Citizen Science

WREN is partnering with local scientists such as Cary Kerst and community volunteers for a new Citizen Science program. As the name implies, Citizen Science will gather scientific information around the west Eugene area to give us a better understanding of our area. Our first project in this program is the Vernal Pools Project. This winter we have begun a qualitative study of three vernal pool sites in west Eugene (that means we are checking things out to see what's there). We are looking for folks that have some field science background or a strong commitment to learn sampling protocol to join us in this endeavor both Spring and Fall.

Vernal refers to "spring" in Latin. Wetlands sometimes have pools that fill seasonally, that are not connected to any other open waterways, called vernal pools. These seasonal bodies of water create a very unique niche habitat due to acidity and salinity gradients. (that means that vernal pools can be a harsh place to live because the chemistry of the dirt can really change! AND there aren't very many places like this so a special place = special things living there)

Here is a shot of Liz, Cary and I at the Tsanchiifin site.

Do you see the macroinvertebrates? (find the little water bugs we are looking for - don't look too close!) There is a caddisfly larva on the right hand side next to its case.

Uh oh...............................

Talk about getting into your work. Thanks, Cary! And thanks to Rick Ahrens for the fun photos and volunteering his time with this project!

Frogs on the blog.

Spring starts early here in the wetlands. The Pacific Tree Frog, or Hyla regilla in scientific latin terms, is already getting ready for the warmer weather to come. As early as January, males begin to call to the females to breed. Pacific Tree frogs have also been called Chorus frogs and when you hear them you know why. They are one of the smallest amphibians around with one of the loudest voices. They have a distincitve, two-part call that is sung in unison to let the females know they are available. (Thank you to John Applegarth for the photos!)

"Krek-ek!"

Cattail Investigation

We had loads of fun today learning about the amazing
Giver of the Wetlands - the Cattail.

Cattails provide shelter and food for wetland creatures such a ducks, geese, red-winged black birds, and muskrats. Many people have used cattails in many ways for hundreds of years. Cattails can be used for making pillows, hats, diapers, mattresses, rugs, baskets, and clothing just to name a few. Many parts of the cattail are edible including the cattail flower at the top!

Today we gave a program out in the educational yurt, and folks made boats out of their cattails, boy did they float great! One boat floated as many as 58 pennies!

Here is a picture of some of the fantastic boats that were created.

Willow Creek Wednesday Wander

Liz Myers from WREN, Rick Ahrens (local naturalist), and Jason Nuckols and Charlie Quinn from the The Nature Conservancy led a group of about 20 through the (very) wet prairie and upland prairie of Willow Creek Nature Preserve. We covered quite a bit of ground during this hour walk, which was one of the new informal Wednesday Wetland Wanders in the West Eugene Wetlands. We learned about the various projects TNC is doing to monitor the habitat of this nearly 500 acre beautiful site that is nestled up against the southwest ridges of town. TNC staff and their volunteers control several invasive, nonnative plant species to allow a greater variety of species, and promote the growth of rare plants indigenous to the Willamette Valley. They track the birds and animals who call Willow Creek their home, including the Fender's Blue Butterfly (below).

Rick mentioned the Eugene Chapter of NABA, here is a link to their website. We got a brief glimpse of a Red-tailed hawk, and heard the shreik of what Rick believed to be a Red-shouldered hawk, a bird of prey we are seeing more of as they expand their territory to the north.

Many in the group had not experienced Willow Creek Nature Preserve before. This area is a treasure that not too many know about. However, the trails are open to the public, and a great variety of plants and animals await curious visitors. Here is TNC's web page about Willow Creek: Here are a couple of other photos of Willow Creek taken at different times of the year:

Spring

Fall

Thank you to all who joined us this morning, we enjoyed meeting and seeing you! For the next Wetland Wednesday Wander we will meet at the view point off Stewart Road to explore Stewart Pond. This will be 9 a.m. January 9. We hope to see you there!