Nearly 200 Species Seen at Refuge.
Updated 4/25/2011: “The Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards would like to thank everyone who participated in our Winter Planting Initiative. The Refuge Stewards, in collaboration with the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership (LCREP) and Refuge Volunteers hosted a major planting effort to restore riparian habitat along Gibbons Creek at Steigerwald Lake NWR. With the help of over 220 volunteers, we were able to plant more than 7200 native trees and shrubs. We are very thankful to have such support from the community, even with some extra chilly, windy and wet days we had this winter! We are especially appreciative to our Team Leaders who organized and motivated our volunteers during these work parties. We could not have been so successful without the hard work and dedication of our Team Leaders, including those from LCREP and our Refuge Manager, Jim Clapp.”
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge needs volunteers for tree planting along Gibbons Creek until the end of March. The planting will help improve the habitat with native trees and shrubs. With the support of the US Fish and Wildlife service there are almost 6500 trees and shrubs that need to be planted. They have been working diligently to get these in the ground since January. They are looking for help planting cuttings and bare root trees and shrubs in riparian habitat south of the Gibbons Creek Bridge.
Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards are a group of trained volunteers that help maintain 3 separate wildlife refuges all located in east Clark County. The volunteer parties are led by volunteer Team Leaders from The Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards, Refuge Volunteers and the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership.
Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is just off Hi-way 14 at mile post 18. The site has a lengthy history dating back to Lewis and Clark. There is a lot of wildlife in the refuge, mostly migratory birds. The Columbia River Gorge is the only sea level passage through the Cascade Mountain Range. The birds that land in Steigerwald are not only the normal North-South migration but also the East-West. Nearly 200 species of birds have been seen in the refuge.
The refuge will be offering guided bird walks and tours starting in March.
All volunteers need to be dressed for the weather and ready to get dirty. Anyone wishing to participate in a planting party can just show up at the Gibbons Creek trailhead at 9am (work until 12:30) on Saturdays or Sundays now through March 27, 2011. All are welcome to volunteer, groups of up to 35 youth or adults can be accommodated. The planting parties are family friendly and helpful kids are welcome.
And, if you are a Camas or Washougal High School student, be sure to submit your favorite nature and wildlife photos taken at the refuge for their photo contest. Cash always comes in handy! 8-)
For more information please call Refuge Manager Jim Clapp at (360) 835-8767 or Refuge Steward Jay Elder at (360) 989-0713. You can also find out more information at Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards or on Facebook at Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards (and don’t forget to “LIKE” Clark County Live, too).
