The Oregon House and Senate have passed SB 179 to eliminate landowner liability for most injuries sustained during recreational activity. This brings an end to six years of controversy over what constituted “recreational activity”. Oregon legislature strengthens immunity laws for owners of public trails Oregon law to restore rec immunity, keep trails open, heads toContinue reading “Oregon ensures landowners with hiking trails are immune from lawsuits”
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Public Comment Period for changes to Northwest Forest Plan
The US Forest Service has released their proposals for an update to the Northwest Forest Plan: Northwest Forest Plan & Amendment – US Forest Service USFS ready for comments about proposed changes to its Northwest Forest Plan – KDRV Newswatch 12 Forest Service begins comment period for Northwest Forest Plan amendment – Bend Bulletin ForestContinue reading “Public Comment Period for changes to Northwest Forest Plan”
Turtle forum on March 13th!
The Scappoose Bay Watershed Council is hosting a zoom forum on our local turtles at 4pm on March 13th. The presenters will be as follows: Susan Barnes, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: A wildlife biologist with ODFW for the last twenty years, Susan has been at the forefront of many of their turtle effortsContinue reading “Turtle forum on March 13th!”
What would you like to see more of on Wild Columbia?
I looked at the stats for June and saw we had 12,880 visits for the month. Not bad for a county with a population of 50,000. We knew when we started that this website would fill a need, but I didn’t dream it would be this popular. Thank you for being a part of ourContinue reading “What would you like to see more of on Wild Columbia?”
2022 Wildlife Photos
Just a little compilation of some of the wildlife photos that Matt, Jon, and Luke took in Columbia County this year. Enjoy! Note – The Liberty Hill depicted in the above photo is once again in danger of being destroyed for the purposes of commercial crushed rock. More information on what makes Liberty Hill specialContinue reading “2022 Wildlife Photos”
The humble toads hang on
When I ask residents about toads in Columbia County, they respond, “What toads? I didn’t think we had toads here.” And indeed, for 30 years I wasn’t sure whether or not toads were still present. But this summer, Matt and I verified that at least one population is still thriving in a hidden alcove inContinue reading “The humble toads hang on”
The Miraculous Pacific Yew
The Pacific Yew is my favorite tree. While the Yew’s appearance is understated compared to the towering conifers of our forests, its impact has been felt worldwide. Taxus brevifolia of the Yew family fills a unique niche here as an understory specialist. It is built to survive under the shadows of the douglas-firs, cedars, andContinue reading “The Miraculous Pacific Yew”
Rare and extirpated butterflies of Northwest Oregon
Butterflies are often among the most endangered of insects. Some of their caterpillars can only survive on select host plants, so if their habitats are destroyed and the host plants disappear, the butterflies disappear as well. Of the 65 species of butterfly native to northwest Oregon, 15 are now rare or missing entirely. (“Extirpated” isContinue reading “Rare and extirpated butterflies of Northwest Oregon”
Death on the trail – waterfall safety
I’m going to introduce our new waterfalls page in a roundabout way. Safety comes first. Falls from heights are our greatest natural danger, killing more hikers than heat, cold, lightning, or wild animals. Unfortunately, beautiful waterfalls bring the greatest risk of serious injury or death. In 2009 I was surveying a small waterfall on theContinue reading “Death on the trail – waterfall safety”
Wild Columbia County 