Upcoming Events – Spring 2008
Special Events
Call (541) 747-1504 or email mtpisgjp@efn.org for more information.
Wednesday, March 19, 6-8pm
Celebrate
the Vernal Equinox and welcome spring with a hike to the top of Mount Pisgah,
then sample delicious local wines at the peak! Arboretum staff will lead this
hike and discuss the ecology and history of the site. The sun sets at 7:30, so
we’ll hope for clear skies to observe the sun set due west, and then see if we
can really balance a raw egg on one end. RSVP (541) 747-1504.Fee: $5.
Sunday, April 13, 1-4pm
Get
ready for Earth Day at Mount Pisgah Arboretum! Kids age 5 and up will plant
baby oak trees with Arboretum staff and nature guides, and learn about the
relationships between trees and animals, plants, and humans. After the
planting, we’ll make tree costumes to wear in next week’s Parade of All Species
at EWEB. Call (541) 747-1504 to sign up. Fee: $5 per kid; grownups free with
child.
Sunday, May 18,
10am-4pm
Bring
the whole family to our annual celebration of Oregon’s wildflowers! This year
we will honor our amazing native plants and their beautiful pollinators, the butterflies.
Enjoy our display of hundreds of wildflowers, a huge plant sale, live music,
children’s activities, guided nature walks, and great food and handcrafted
goods! Suggested donation: $5 per person or $10 per family.
Members free! Free parking; please leave dogs at home. Co-sponsored
by the Native Plant Society of Oregon and Lane Community College. Call
(541) 747-3817 for more information or to volunteer.
Guided Walks
Unless
indicated otherwise below: meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center, rain or shine;
20 person limit. Call (541) 747-1504 for more information.
Elder Walk
Saturday, March 29, 10am-noon
Join Nature Guide Harold Schyberg and other nature-loving seniors on a guided
ecology walk along the Arboretum’s blooming trails. After your springtime
stroll, enjoy refreshments with your fellow walkers. RSVP (541) 747-1504. Fee:
$5, MPA members free.
Early Bird Walk
Saturday, April 12, 8-10am
Enjoy the morning chorus on this early walk. Experienced birders Dick Lamster & Maeve Sowles help you identify and appreciate the Arboretum’s many feathered friends. Fee: $5 (MPA members free!). RSVP (541) 747-1504.
Trees, Forests, Ecosystems: Hike, Observe, and Discover
Saturday, April 12, 10am-noon
Take a guided hike and visit the plant communities at the Aboretum! Observations at each stop will help participants discover important vegetation features and ecological characteristics. This in-depth tour of our many eco-niches is led by Rich Kelly, a BLM forester and Arboretum Accessions and Collections volunteer. Call (541) 747-1504 to sign up. Fee: $10/$7 MPA members.
Talkin’ Rocks Geology Walk
Saturday, April 12, 1-3pm
The history of the Willamette Valley and surrounding hills lies below the living layer of grasses and trees at Mount Pisgah. Explore the rocks and soil that form the foundation of this area on this walk with geologist Todd LaMaskin. You’ll go out to the old quarry for a peek under the earth’s skin, and ponder the formation of the nearby mountain, riverbed, and fields. RSVP (541) 747-1504. Fee: $5 (MPA members free!)
Early Bird Walk
April 19, 8-10am
Enjoy the morning chorus on this early
walk. Experienced birder Davey Wendt will be your guide as the spring migration
brings warblers back to the Arboretum. Fee: $5 (MPA members free!) RSVP (541)
747-1504.
Aquatic World: a Walk for Grandparents and Kids
April 20, 1-3pm
Kids, bring your grandparents and
learn about life at the base of the food chain! Use microscopes and handlenses to examine up-close and often overlooked aquatic
macro- and micro-organisms. Tom Bettman will help
uncover this amazing world. Bring a picnic lunch for after the walk and enjoy
the afternoon! Fee: $5 per adult, $2 per kid (MPA members free!) RSVP (541) 747-1504.
Wildflower Walk
Sunday, April 27, 3-4pm
Gear up for Native Plant Appreciation
Week with Mount Pisgah Arboretum and the Native Plant Society of Oregon.
Botanist Dr. Rhoda Love will lead a wildflower walk through the Arboretum to
see the beautiful natives now in bloom. Refreshments provided. Free! RSVP (541)
747-1504. Meet in the Arboretum Visitor
Center.
Early Bird Walk
May 3, 8-10am
Enjoy the morning chorus on this early
walk. Experienced birder Davey Wendt will be your guide as the spring migration
brings warblers back to the Arboretum. Fee: $5 (MPA members free!) RSVP (541)
747-1504.
Predator Walk
Sunday, May 4, 10am-noon
What's with the cougar warning signs
at the park's trailheads? Is a frog
really a predator? Come walk and talk
with retired ODFW wildlife biologist Bill Castillo. Bill will talk about cougars and other
predators that are a natural part of the Mount Pisgah ecosystem. Come learn about this diverse and fascinating
group of animals. RSVP (541) 747-1504. Fee: $5, MPA members free.
Birds & Blooms Walk
Sunday, May 11, 8-10am
Discover
the early spring birds and flowers of the Willamette Valley. Avid birder and
Arboretum nature guide Rick Ahrens will teach about the adaptations that allow
some birds and flowers to become active earlier than others. Fee: $5 (MPA
members free!). RSVP (541) 747-1504.
Reptiles & Amphibians Walk
Saturday, May 17, 1-3pm
Take
a look at the world of snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles and salamanders as you
explore their habitats with in the Arboretum!
Herpetologist Tom Titus leads this fascinating walk for those who want to learn
about our native species. Fee: $5 (MPA members free!). RSVP (541) 747-1504.
Herbs for Allergies Walk
TBA
Sniffles, sneezes, and stuffy head? Learn how to alleviate your allergies without depending on pharmaceuticals. Join herbalist Sue Sierralupé on this fun hike and learn how to find, harvest, and prepare local allergy-easing herbs. Fee: $5 (MPA members free!). RSVP (541) 747-1504.
Workshops
All workshops require pre-registration. Call (541) 747-1504 or email mtpisgjp@efn.org to sign up.
If you've
ever wanted to take a detour off-trail without fear of becoming a local news
item, then this introduction to map and compass navigation is a great starting
point! Instructor Kori
Wanner will introduce map and compass basics, such as
reading a map, taking a compass bearing, and following a compass bearing in the
field. There will be lots of hands-on
practice during the class! Call (541) 747-1504 to sign up. Fee: $15/$10 MPA
members.
Before you take off on vacation this summer, join photographer David Stone and learn to bring back photos that tell a compelling story of your travels. Pick up tips on people, action, and location photography that will create photos that capture the scenes you encounter. The first instructional session will end with an assignment to practice the techniques taught. In the follow-up session, bring your images for evaluation and further instruction. Film and digital cameras welcome. Call (541) 747-1504 to sign up. Fee: $20 ($17 MPA members.)
Fiber artist Barbara Setsu Pickett shares her approach to
natural dyeing, using low-impact methods mindful of water and chemical use.
Learn to dye fabric and fibers using invasive plants and debris from your
garden! Barbara will demonstrate dye techniques and lead a walk to identify
natural dye sources in the landscape. Call (541) 747-1504 to sign up. Fee:
$30/$25 MPA members.
Saturday,
April 5, 1-3pm
In this fun and interactive workshop,
herbalist Sue Sierralupé will lead students on a
journey through nature’s grocery store. Delight your palates with
dandelion/chicory coffee, nettle-herb pasta sauce, wild weed rice, and more.
Lunch is included in this class! The class will begin with a guided walk
discussing characteristics of edible plants, sustainable harvesting techniques,
and what not to eat. Take part in the preparation of food collected, talk about
herbs, and learn how to grow your own. (*Note: mushroom cooking and collecting
will not be discussed.) Call (541) 747-1504 to sign up. Fee: $30/$25 MPA
members.
Saturday
and Sunday, April 26 and 27, 10am-3pm
In this two-day intensive workshop,
botanist Tobias Policha will help participants
improve their identification skills and knowledge of our local flora. Topics
include plant anatomy, family characteristics, and using a botanical key to aid
in identification. The focus will be on flowering plants. This is a hands-on
class, so be prepared to go outside. Fee: $55 (MPA members $50!) Call (541) 747-1504
to sign up.
Come Join local arborists Scott Altenhoff and Jason Morrow as they explore the fascinating
world of arboreal ecology and ecological arboriculture. This
presentation/walkabout/workshop will be a great opportunity to learn about
trees and the wide variety of organisms that depend upon them. Techniques for
maximizing the habitat potential of trees and attracting wildlife (especially
avian species) will be discussed and demonstrated, with a major emphasis on
aesthetics, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Participants will assist in the
creation of a natural-looking birdhouse to take home. Call (541) 747-1504 to
sign up. Fee: $20/$15 MPA members.
Birding Essentials
Whether you are new to birding or just
want to improve your skills, this workshop will expand your knowledge of the
avian world. Join birder Rick Ahrens and learn a systematic way to identify
birds by sight and sound, and how to more effectively use your field guides and
optics. Most class time will be spent in the field, so dress appropriately.
Bring binoculars and a field guide; some are available to borrow. Call (541)
747-1504 to sign up. Fee: $25/$20 MPA members.
Floodplain Wetlands at Mount Pisgah: Form, Function, and Future
Edaphic, hyporheic,
lentic, lotic, and more!
Expand your awareness of the soggy parts of Pisgah with this enlightening
workshop taught by the Arboretum’s own wetlands expert, Cameron Bergen. Learn about
the types of wetlands found at Mount Pisgah, how they got there, what functions
they serve, their current status, and future scenarios. Call (541) 747-1504 to
sign up. Fee: $10/$7 MPA members.
Hiking with Kids 101
Ready to hit the trails with the kids,
but not sure where to begin? Join Wilderness First Responder and outdoor mom
Julie Polhemus for a fun, activity-based class about
what to bring, where to go, and how to stay safe, minimize whining, and Leave
No Trace. Fee: $10/$7 MPA members, kids $2. Call (541) 747-1504 to sign up.