& How You Can Incorporate Them Into Your Garden The last twenty years have seen a growing interest in gardening with native plants. The term “native” has several meanings, depending upon the context. “Native” is used to mean a plant species that has been in a specific region for hundreds of thousands of years and continues to be present in the landscape. Dinosaurs were surrounded by Araucaria, known today as Monkey Puzzle trees, and other conifer species; ferns, rhododendrons, and horsetail. So, these plants may be as old as 135- 180 million years. It doesn’t get more native than that. Another definition of “native” plants is that the species has…
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The Greenest Ending
ADAPTED FROM HERLAND FOREST WEBSITE On May 1, 2020, Washington State became the first state in the US. to allow natural organic reduction (NOR) as an alternative to cremation services and traditional burials. This law defines “natural organic reduction” as “the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to the soil.” Think composting. Walt Patrick, steward of the Herland Forest Natural Burial Cemetery in Wahkiacus, Washington holds the state’s first NOR facility operator’s license and on December 20, 2020, he and his staff performed their first NOR investment. The term investment refers to the process of placing someone’s remains into a natural organic reduction vessel encased in the organic matter and…
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Invest in the Future:
When is the Best Time to Plant a Tree? As I sit in my recliner, looking out at our yard through rain-streaked windows, I am overcome with pride and a wonderful sense of accomplishment at what I see. What was an abandoned field 18 years ago, today has raised beds for vegetables, four different types of berry bushes, plus a wide variety of other flowers and plants that are colorful and beneficial to wildlife. But it’s the trees that we have planted over the last 18 years that amaze me the most. They are an eclectic group of paulownia, ash, apple, plum, fig, locust, cedar, maple, and mimosa trees, all…
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Magicians in the Air:
Hummingbirds and How You Can Support Them Who of us have not marveled at the tiny hummingbirds who inhabit, or at least visit, our gardens? Weighing less than a nickel, they can travel at 33 miles per hour, beat their wings from 720 to 5400 times a minute when hovering, and eat their weight (or more) in food every day. John James Audubon recorded human feeding of hummingbirds in his book “Birds of America 1840-1844” and by 1950, commercial bird feeders were available. Thousands of feeders are sold each year worldwide. But, are we really doing them any favors by placing sugar water in safe, cool areas? It is true that they can digest…
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Herbs Are Native, Too
Most of the herbs we grow or harvest are native somewhere. Many of them have Mediterranean backgrounds, but many more began in the woods and prairies nearer to home and were here before Europeans arrived. Some native plants are still foraged in their natural settings for personal use. Others have been domesticated, which we plant in our herb beds. Indigenous peoples were well acquainted with these native plants and used them for cooking, healing, and general well-being. Let’s dive into some native plants! Yarrow – Achillea millefolium This native plant is not only found in the woods, where it may come in handy when camping or hiking but is often found…
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BirdFest and Bluegrass 2020
Virtual At Home Event Oct. 2nd and 3rd BirdFest & Bluegrass 2020 at Home Edition, Saturday, October 3rd. Virtual bird and Refuge Trivia, Friday, October 2nd! Mark your calendars for the festival, and sign up for trivia today! https://bit.ly/34aKev1
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Birding By Ear
Treesong Nature Awareness offers classes to learn to recognize the voices of birds in this online class Recognize birds by their birdsong and calls in this online class in your home. Learn what birds are in your yard and garden by their song. Taught by Laura Whittemore who has been teaching birding and birding by ear for the Audubon Society of Portland for 20 years. BIRDING BY EAR – RESIDENT BIRDSSATURDAY, MAY 16, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM VIA ZOOM BIRDING BY EAR – MIGRANT BIRDSSATURDAY, MAY 23, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM VIA ZOOM To register or find more information: https://www.treesongnatureawareness.org/birding-by-ear-online-classes
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Winter Garden Activities for Children:
Taking Advantage of the Off-Season Gardening during the winter is a tricky task in most climates. Many people have already put their gardens “to bed,” saved their seeds for spring, and they carefully avoid tromping across wet soil in fear of hard pack. And for children, the moments of exploring a garden and learning in it are exchanged for increased indoor time during this off-season. But while an outdoor garden space may not be available for children to roam and dig through, winter is still a vital time for children to learn about gardening because of the risk-free, fail-safe opportunities it provides. During the active growing seasons, many children experience…
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VOICES OF THE BIRDS
A Birdsong Immersion Retreat 2020 *Cancelled due to Covid* May 16th, 1 pm – May 17th, 12 pm TreeSong Nature Awareness and Retreat Center 41 Tree-Ific Dr. W, Washougal, WA Immerse yourself in springtime birdsong in this unique overnight retreat. Identify birds by their distinct voices and understand what they’re communicating. You’ll learn to focus on the sounds around you, get to know a bird’s world, experience the dawn chorus, and connect more deeply with nature. Two delicious meals will be prepared for you. Overnight accommodations are included. Experience a deep connection to nature, community, self, and stewardship for the planet. The nature awareness and arts programs for children, adults,…
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Make a Change
An untidy garden can benefit birds and insects It’s that time of year when plants are turning brown as they complete their time with us after providing tasty food, medicine, and beauty throughout the summer months. Final harvests are being completed and thoughts turn to all the garden and yard clean-up we need to do, including herb beds. Often, we are eager to put the pruners and rake to work while we can still get out without getting completely soaked by the rain here in the Pacific Northwest. After all, preparing tidy herb beds and garden spaces for spring is what we’re supposed to do in the fall, right? Last…
