Siskiyou Crest Coalition protects the unique connection between the Cascades and the Coast Range
Ashland.news staff report
The Siskiyou Crest Coalition is hosting a fundraiser Saturday afternoon, July 13, at a private conserved property on the slopes of Mount Ashland owned by Mark Newberger.
The Siskiyou Crest is a regionally significant habitat connectivity corridor linking the Coast Ranges to the Cascade Mountains along the Oregon-California border. The region contains world-class biodiversity, important watershed and fisheries, unique geology, old-growth forests, and significant recreational resources. The Siskiyou Crest Coalition works to protect and promote these values for future generations through advocacy, education, stewardship, and permanent habitat protections.
Newberger has put in many native plantings throughout the property, and many pollinators and birds are expected to be in attendance. A butterfly species list is being compiled for the property, which will be the subject of an upcoming article in the North American Butterfly Association magazine and will be a nominee for NABA butterfly garden of the year.
Saturday’s fundraiser begins at 2:30 p.m. with several nature walks of different lengths through native wildflower gardens, sweeping meadows and montane forest, all guided by professional naturalists and ecologists, to see the extraordinary wildflowers, birds and pollinators of the Siskiyou Crest. All abilities will be accommodated.
At 5 p.m. the party begins, featuring Rogue Valley wines, appetizers, and a short program including a brief presentation by local scientist Dominick DellaSala, and poetry readings by Diana Coogle and Dot Fisher-Smith.
More event details with the exact location will be sent after ticket purchase. Tickets are $45 per person.
Walk options starting at 2:30, 3, 4 and 4:30 p.m., respectively, are:
- Hike through meadows and forests along private trails with naturalist Luke Ruediger and private landowner Mark Newberger.
- Amble the gardens, meadows and trails with lepidopterist Linda Kappen to net, view and identify butterflies.
- Wildflower identification in the native plant gardens and natural meadows with Klamath-Siskiyou Native Seeds plant expert Suzie Savoie.
- Bird identification through sight and sound with bird expert Shannon Rio.
To register to attend, click here. Only 50 tickets will be issued.
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