It’s time to start thinking about spring planting…

Photo by J. Leach

Calypso orchids
(Calypso bulbosa)

Growing up in western Washington, colorful wildflower communities seemed to only be found in mountain meadows that you’d have to drive and hike hours to get to.  We’d backpack on Mt. Rainier every August to see the Perseid meteor shower, and to get our “wildflower fix.”  My uncle would take me out to the Olympic Peninsula on expeditions to find the “elusive” and exotic-looking Calypso Orchid, which, up until a year ago, I thought was EXTREMELY rare. 

 

I moved to the Wenatchee area in 2010, and have been astonished by the diversity, abundance, and showiness of many of the native species.  Lupines used to be a treat to see on the other side of the Cascades, here they grow along the highway. Berry-picking is a totally different and delicious experience over here, where there’s more to forage for than invasive Himalayan Blackberry.  And I still can’t believe that I’ve found Calypso Orchids right off the trail of almost every “east-side” hike I’ve done!

Photo by J. Leach

Wildflower meadow (Bean Creek, near Cle Elum)

 As Cascadia Conservation District’s current AmeriCorps Intern, I’m very excited about our upcoming 2^nd annual “Native Planting 101”- a free workshop about the benefits of and how to successfully incorporate native plants into your next landscaping project.  Planning for this event has been a great partnering effort between local native plant and natural resource organizations and businesses.  I’ve enjoyed meeting so many local native plant experts, natural resource specialists, and fellow natural history and outdoor enthusiasts.

I recently was in contact with Rachel “Danger” Hosman, a sophomore at Cashmere High School, and an attendee at last year’s “Native Planting 101”, who was kind enough to share a bit about her workshop experience:

Participants at last year's "Native Planting 101"
workshop.

I attended the “Native Planting 101” workshop last year with my father. He initially forced me to go along with him, promising me cookies and a swell time. I had my doubts about whether a workshop on native planting could be interesting, and I wasn’t expecting to learn anything useful. After the workshop however, I came away understanding the benefits of native plants to both our environment and our local community, and also the harmful effects of noxious weeds. It wasn’t until I attended Native Planting 101 that I began to appreciate the role native plants play in our precious and rapidly shrinking ecosystem. I found the presentations to be especially well put together so they were easily comprehensible and held the audience’s attention.

    

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
An invasion of purple loosestrife, a noxious weed.

The most fascinating part of the workshop for me was learning to identify and prevent the spread of noxious weeds, and that is something I would like to learn more about. I particularly enjoyed the exercise at the end of the workshop where we got to plant a tree.

  

We hope you’ll join us to learn more about incorporating native plants into your landscape! Our February 4th "Native Planting 101" workshop is full, but there has been enough interest that we are planning another workshop for this spring!  Contact Cascadia, 509.664.9370, or visit our website, and get on our workshop waiting list.  Hurry, space is limited!

Your Friend in Conservation,

Julia