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”
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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”
Do you want to survey turtles with us?
Wild Columbia is working together with the Oregon Native Turtle Working Group and Scappoose Bay Watershed Council to organize turtle surveys this spring and summer. We’re trying to survey every potential water body in Columbia County. Do you want to help? To volunteer, you have to attend a training day. The first one will beContinue reading “Do you want to survey turtles with us?”
Migrating amphibians – have you seen a toad?
As rain falls and the temperature warms up, frogs and salamanders have been out and about. Perhaps they’ve been stopping in your yard or crossing your roads at night. You may have heard them call from your local ponds, or even seen them floating in the water. Where did they come from? Spring is theContinue reading “Migrating amphibians – have you seen a toad?”
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”
How to enter data for Columbia County Reptiles and Amphibians
You may have seen our booth at the Columbia County Fair. (We’ll be in front of Brad’s World Reptiles every day through July 18th.) Here’s how you can take part in our research. Why this project? Columbia County has received little attention from wildlife biologists, thus we don’t know how our wildlife is faring. MattContinue reading “How to enter data for Columbia County Reptiles and Amphibians”
Wild Columbia County 