Since most of our tours focus on grasslands, we decided to offer a different venue this fall. The Willamette Valley can hardly be considered traditional rangeland, but it is an interesting area for several reasons. It was critically important in the birth and development of the State of Oregon; and, while it encompasses much of the state’s population, much of it remains agricultural. The vegetation of this region has undergone significant modifications since white settlement really began in the 1840’s. In recent years, there has been considerable effort to understand these changes and to restore two of the most critical native vegetation communities: oak woodlands and oak savannahs. What makes these efforts of particular interest to resource managers is that they are characterized by extensive and often innovative partnerships.
Accordingly, our activities on Thursday, 13 October, will consist of a tour of three oak woodland/savannah sites in various stages of restoration around the Baskett-Slough NWR. Our evening speaker will be Mr. Ed Alverson, who has worked as a field botanist and stewardship ecologist in the Pacific Northwest (particularly in Oregon’s Willamette Valley) for over 35 years. Ed’s topic will be vegetation changes in the Willamette Valley since the 1850’s.
Housing
Hilton Garden Inn (2500 SW Western Blvd, Corvallis OR 97333; 541-286-9822; www.corvallis.hgi.com) is holding ten rooms at a government rate of $89/nite plus tax and an additional 30 rooms at a group rate of $122/nite plus tax. NOTE: These rates will only be held until September 19, 2016. There are other hotels available in the Corvallis area. Prices vary depending on which booking site you use. They include: Best Western Inn, Corvallis Budget Inn, Econo Lodge, and University Inn (formerly TowneHouse Motor Inn).
There are a few locals who may have room in their guest bedroom and/or for a sleeping bag on the floor for out-of-towners who might like to opt for a home stay. Contact John Buckhouse (541-760-8269 john.c.buckhouse@oregonstate.edu) as soon as possible if you’d like him to try to find such a space for you.
Schedule
12 October – Wednesday
1530-1730 Board Meeting Hilton Garden Inn (see attached map)
1800-2000 Reception (no host) Hilton Garden Inn
13 October – Thursday
0800-1700 Depart Hilton Garden for field tour of oak woodland/oak savanna restorations
1730-1830 No-host bar Oldfield Bldg (see attached map) – informal student poster sessions
1830-2100 Buffet, awards, speaker, silent auction, Oldfield Bldg
no-threat plant identification challenge,
14 October – Friday
0800-1100 Oldfield Bldg: Presentations
Dr. Carlos Ochoa: Using drones in field research
Dr. Claudia Ingham: Targeted grazing
Yvette Gibson: Online education in natural resources/range management
1100-11– Closing meeting as necessary
Silent Auction
Don’t forget your Silent Auction items. If you have items you would like to send ahead of time, you can mail them to Pat Shaver, 12620 Rolling Hills Rd., Monmouth, OR 97361 USA Include the suggested starting price or minimum bid for each item.
Problems or Questions: Contact Bob Ehrhart, bob.ehrhart@oregonstate.edu, 503-857-0930
Registration Form
Name: _____________________________ Phone: ____________________
Guest (if applicable): ________________________ Affiliation: ___________________
City: _________________________ State/Province____________________
Zip/Postal Code _________
REGISTRATION INCLUDES: Wednesday evening social (snacks only); Thursday transportation, lunch and banquet (Amount)
Early Registration (postmarked by Sept 31): $85.00 x = $ Late Registration (postmarked Oct 1 or later): $105.00 x = $ Student Registration $ 45.00 x = $
Extra Banquet Ticket $ 29.00 x = $
Total: $
To register by mail, make a check payable to “Central Oregon SRM” and send with registration form to: Crook County OSU Extension Service, 498 SE Lynn Blvd., Prineville, OR 97754. Canadian residents paying by mail please send money order in US Dollars.
On-line deposits can be made in PayPal by logging into your account, going to Send Money tab and sending amount to cobermil@blm.gov.
Directions
To Hilton Garden Inn from I-5:
– From I-5, turn west onto Oregon-20 and proceed about 8 miles
– Across from the Trysting Tree Golf Course, take a left onto the Oregon-34 Bypass (also still US-20; across the bridge it also becomes SW Philomath Blvd).
– Turn right onto SW 26th Street and proceed to stop light at SW Western Blvd. Hilton is on your right; entrance is off SW Western Blvd: 2600 SW Western Blvd.
To Oldfield Teaching Facility, OSU Campus (on west end of Campus Way)
– From Hilton, take SW Western Blvd (left out of parking lot) west to 35th street
– Turn right onto 35th street and proceed north to Campus Way
– Turn left onto Campus Way; Oldfield will be on the right. Look for parking signs.