Salem-News.com Environment articles Page 2

Protecting and Restoring the Oregon State Flower

Illegally harvesting Oregon Grape has reduced the plant throughout the state.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Land managers in the South Willamette Valley have discovered a disturbing trend on the properties they manage: Oregon grape plants are being illegally harvested in large numbers, presumably to sell for the herbal properties of their roots.

In addition to being illegal, removal of these plants takes away important wildlife habitat. The Oregon grape, known as the state flower of Oregon, provides nectar for bees and butterflies in the spring and berries for birds and small mammals during summer.

Illahe Hills Country Club Joins Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

The open space of a golf course is used by golfers AND a variety of wildlife species

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses provides an educational service to help existing golf courses develop effective conservation and wildlife enhancement programs, and achieve recognition for their efforts.

The plan was developed by Kassi Roosth, Chief Gardener, who is also recognized for her effort to plan for environmental stewardship.

Gray Whales Show Up Early Off Oregon Coast

Witness the sight of some 18,000 gray whales migrating northward
during Spring Whale Week March 24-31

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - Gray whale sightings along the Oregon coast are exceptional right now, having kicked in early, starting at the end of February when the Whale Watch Week was almost a month away.

In the Newport / Depoe Bay area, they've been spotting five to ten whales a day at the Whale Watching Center alone, and that's nothing compared to the explosions of reports on social media.

12 Elk Killed in Crash on Oregon Hwy 26

Unbeknownst to drivers, highways often serve as animal trails in the dark of night.

(BANKS, Ore.) - At 4:30 this morning, the Oregon State Police and Washington County Sheriff's office responded to a crash on Highway 26 near milepost 54 in Washington County.

There were 13 known elk hit by at least one, possibly more, vehicles. Approximately half of the elk were killed on scene and the others were put down for humanitarian reasons.

Coast Guard and Depoe Bay Firefighters Rescue Man from Cove

Mother Nature helped out with a low tide, so USCG was able to land on a reef.

(DEPOE BAY, Ore.) - Tuesday afternoon just before 4 o'clock, Depoe Bay Firefighters were called to a location south of Depoe Bay in an area known as Big Whale cove.

The call was for a 19-year old male suffering from an unknown medical issue.

Oregon Coast: Highest Tides of the Year Are Upon Us

Ready? The last round of "King Tides" is January 2-4

(NEHALEM, Ore.) - The term ‘king tide’ describes a high tide event when the sun, moon, and earth are in alignment, causing greater than usual gravitational pull on the tides.

When king tides occur during intense rain or storm events, the water level rise can cause flooding, erosion, and other impacts to infrastructure and property.

Old-Fashioned Driving Directions May Keep You Alive this Winter

OSP is warning the public about the dangers of mapping software or GPS units that may lead motorists into a dangerous situation during winter months.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Highway 22 is currently closed and motorists traveling between Central Oregon and the Willamette Valley are being urged to take Highway 20 through Sweet Home or Highway 26 through Government Camp.

Over the weekend, OSP Dispatch received several calls of motorists attempting to take Highway 22, but being rerouted by their GPS units onto Forest Service roads near Detroit.

Hanford Nuclear Cleanup Board Meeting in The Dalles

The production of plutonium at Hanford ended in 1989

(SALEM, Ore.) - For the last 25 years, Hanford has been the site of the world’s largest environmental cleanup program, the result of wastes created during the production of plutonium for America’s nuclear weapons program. Cleanup will continue for at least the next several decades.

The Oregon Hanford Cleanup Board will meet November 27-28 at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Drive, in The Dalles.

WANTED: Unlawful Killer(s) of Black Tail Deer

Maybe the deer ran after being shot, but either way, someone needs to come forward.

(SALEM, Ore.) - On Friday, November 3rd, 2017, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist located a black tail buck that was shot and left on Gravel Creek road.

The deer appeared to have been shot the night prior and was left with no meat taken. Oregon State Police is investigating the unlawful killing and waste of the black tail deer.

Oregon Chetco Bar Wildfire Update

A pocket of dispersed heat from a low intensity ground fire was discovered, creeping and smoldering in the thick leaf litter on the forest floor.

(SALEM, Ore.) - As of today, two twenty person hand crews, support engines, and a chipper have been deployed along the 240 and 1205 roads to mop up the remaining fire within the Wheeler Creek area.

Firefighters continue to patrol the fire perimeter, checking any areas of concern and completing suppression repair as needed.