Visitors urged to explore Ochocos in April
April is a month of transition in the Ochoco National Forest as the last of winter’s snow gives way to green shoots and blooming wildflowers.
In celebration of Earth Day (April 22) and Native Plant Appreciation Week (April 24-30), the Ochoco is inviting the public out to experience the natural beauty and lend a hand to improve some of the natural resources.
On Saturday, April 23, the Ochoco will host a public work day in honor of Earth Day to replant streamside vegetation along two streams that have recently undergone restoration work to improve the water quality and fish habitat.
Pull on your galoshes and your work gloves and join Lookout Mountain Ranger District Fisheries Biologist Jennifer Mickelson at Trout Creek and Auger Creek to help replant riparian shrubs and hardwoods.
To register for this event: http://solveoregon.org/get-involved/events/auger-and-trout-creek-restoration
To learn about the stream restoration effort: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD08WG6oxy8
On Saturday, April 30, Paulina Ranger District Botantist Jill Welborn, in partnership with the Native Plant Society of Oregon, will host a hiking tour of spring wildflowers and native plants of the Ochoco scablands.
These unique, shallow-soiled shrublands support a colorful array of spring wildflowers. They also provide habitat for rare, endemic plants such as Henderson’s needlegrass and Ochoco lomatium.
To register for this event, contact the High Desert Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon at highdesertnpso@gmail.com or contact Jill Welborn at jillewelborn@fs.fed.us or (541) 416-6635.
To learn more about the Ochoco/Grassland native plant restoration program: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ochoco/home/?cid=STELPRD3815287
