Make sure to check our website for details about our events!

• Jan 14: Winter survival – Adventure
• February 11: Cross Country Skiing – Adventure
• March 10: Rope making – Adventure
• April 14: Outdoor Games – Adventure
• May 12: Paperman Biathlon
• June 9: Bike Trip and Repair Clinic – Adventure
• July 19-21: Youth Outdoor Education Camp
• August 9-11: Youth Soccer Camp
• Sept 8: Pioneering Skills – Adventure
• October 13: Hike Abercrombie Mountain with Llamas – Adventure
• November 10: Coal Burned Spoons – Adventure
• December 8: TBA (weather dependent) – Adventure

Since our last SMOS Adventure, making animal traps and snares, was such a success we realized that cold weather and snow does not scare away our great SMOS members. If you are all willing to shrug off the winter weather then we are willing to offer you another SMOS Adventure. On December 10th, Gerhard Carlson will lead a group of people on a mile long hike out to his cabin where we will learn to make coal burned spoons.

View details and learn how to sign up at our Register For Adventures page

It is the beginning of May, and I’m bundled up in three layers of shirts under a winter jacket. My hair is tucked under a thick, wool cap, my feet fit snugly into mismatched black snow boots, and I am still struggling to free my fingers from a warm pair of gloves. Our car has the heat blasting, the radio blaring, and thermoses of half-consumed hot coffee lodged in every cup holder. Through the window, I stare at a mountainside blanketed in snow, firs poking up from the ground like candles in a cake. It is the beginning of May, and I am about to see my first moose.

Our caravan’s main purpose is not, in fact, moose-spotting. As part of a field ecology course at Washington State University, we are characterizing community types throughout Washington, mainly by examining vegetation. As a graduate student who studies plant invasion, I will be the first to admit that plants are awesome and often underappreciated members of an ecosystem. However, I will also confess that as we pull over and my advisor points animatedly to the open patch on the other side of the road, no one is gawking at the trees.

These Moose were Made for Walking (and Swimming!)

Our moose is female. She is smaller than a male bull, and lacks his characteristic antlers, which can span up to 6 feet. I later learn that the number of points per antler depends on health and age; after approximately five years, the forked antlers of young males develop into the palmate spread associated with the species. She watches us cautiously for a few moments before returning to forging. Tall shrubs, grasses, and pinecones are all on the menu until food becomes more plentiful. Her strong hooves can also scrape snow from the ground, exposing moss and lichen for consumption.

Though her hooves are helpful for finding food, they serve many other functions as well. On land they act as snowshoes, allowing her to navigate even soft snow, and in the water they transform into effective paddles—moose can swim for several miles at a time and even be completely submerged for up to 30 seconds. Our moose moves leisurely now, but, if prompted, she could reach a top speed of 35 miles per hour. As my friend Angela pulls out her camera, another student excitedly exclaims, “I think there’s another one!”

Another moose sighting likely signifies one thing: a calf. Excluding cows and their calves, moose are solitary creatures, who come together only to mate in September and October. Females are attracted to a male bull’s loud bellowing, and competing males may clash with antlers. Females give birth to a single calf (or rarely twins) when spring arrives. Indeed, our group spots a gangly young moose half-hidden behind a tree. She is even more wary than her mother, and has yet to reach her full size of between 600 and 800 pounds. Mother and daughter will stay together until the next mating season, when yearlings are often chased off so that another baby can be born.

Do Not Mess with a Moose

Our discovery is undeniably exhilarating; however, the presence of a mother and her calf warrants extra caution. Moose can be aggressive, especially if a mother feels her calf is threatened. Our group remains on the other side of the road, making sure to give the pair enough space. Other tips for a safe moose encounter like ours include:

• Avoiding hiking and camping with dogs in moose country (moose have been known to attack dogs due to their resemblance to wolves)
• Yielding to moose on the road while driving (attempting to move the moose may provoke it)
• Never feeding a moose
• Watching for signs of aggression (stomping, swinging head, raised hair on shoulders, ears flattened)
• Running if under attack (unlike predators such as cougars, moose are unlikely to chase you far, and you can move around obstacles faster)
• If knocked down, curling up, covering your head, and staying still is best until moose moves on (movement can trigger another attack)

References

• Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. (2006). Horns and antlers. Retrieved from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/topics/mammal_anatomy/horns_and_antlers.html.
• National Geographic Society. (2011). Moose. Retrieved from http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/moose/.
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. (2011). Living with wildlife. Retrieved from http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/moose.html.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently made public their proposal of a new Natural Area Preserve (NAP) near Northport, WA.  The proposed Trombetta Canyon NAP, located about 2 miles south of Northport and right at SMOS’s backdoor, will protect two ecosystems that are rare in Washington – limestone dominated scrub-shrub and limestone dominated wetlands.  The proposed preserve is a responsible decision for our environment and opens up wonderful opportunities for SMOS.

As a child, growing up at the northern mouth of Trombetta Canyon presented me with many great wilderness experiences.  I have many memories of watching moose and elk meander out of the canyon, of a red-tail hawk attacking a mallard in mid-flight, and watching an injured cougar run into the canyon for safety.  The point of the preserve, however, is not only to protect these animals, but it is to protect the entire ecosystem that they depend on.  I didn’t know this as a child, but the limestone cliffs are rare in Washington and contribute a special type of habitat for plants and animals.  The way that the limestone rock breaks down from rain and other processes creates a type of water and soil chemistry that only certain plants are adapted to.  This, combined with other environmental factors, allows Trombetta Canyon to host rare plant species and other species important for conservation.  The DNR’s decision to protect this unique ecosystem is necessary to conserve the canyon’s natural beauty and rare species.

The preserve will not only protect the environment, but it will also benefit SMOS.  The Natural Area Preserve program sets aside land for conservation, research, and education.  In the past, DNR has monitored over 350 studies and utilized NAPs to serve as outdoor classrooms for K-12 schools and colleges.  The purposes of the NAP program are directly inline with the purposes of SMOS.  Having a large preserve (the canyon itself is approximately 270 acres, the formation includes about 960 acres) adjacent to land already utilized for SMOS functions is a huge potential boon for our outdoor school.

The boundary for the Trombetta Canyon Preserve is not set in stone.  DNR is still accepting public comments at this time.  I urge all of you to attend their upcoming meeting (details below) and show your support.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public hearing to provide information and receive testimony on the proposed boundary of Trombetta Canyon Natural Area Preserve (NAP). The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 22, 2011, in the lunch room at Northport Public Schools, 408 10th Street, Northport, WA.

This site should look and feel exactly the same but if you notice any problems please post a comment or email me.

Gerhard Carlson will be leading a one-day workshop on building rolling snares and figure-four deadfall traps. Sign up for free at our Registration Page. The event is tomorrow, so don’t delay!

When most people think about the flowering plants orchids, the mind inevitably drifts to images of warm, vibrant, and humid tropical forests. The general association of orchids with the tropics is not misplaced, as this enormous plant family finds a great majority of its species rather restricted to habitats around the world’s equator. Certainly some orchid blossoms grow in unique and delicate shapes so that they look more like exotic jungle birds or butterflies than basic flowers. However, like the few rebellious members found in any large family, a small set of orchid species have spread and adapted to the colder, drier environments of more northern latitudes. Thanks to such evolutionary diversification, the Canadian Rockies ecoregion is home to several orchid species; Eastern fairyslipper orchids (photo above, Calypso bulbosa), American Frog orchids (Coeloglossum viride), coralroot orchids (photo below, Corallorhiza striata), Bog or Fen orchids (Liparis loeselii and Platanthera), and White Piperia or White Pearl orchids (Piperia).

Description of a typical northern orchid

The sight of such intricate wildflowers in forests with the harsh winter climate of the Canadian Rockies ecoregion is often a pleasant spring surprise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. All wild orchids in northeastern Washington grow on the ground, and so are called terrestrial or geophytic species. Their flowering stalks, which on orchids are commonly called “spikes,” typically extend straight up from the ground and range in height among the species in this region from several inches to almost two feet tall. This spike will contain either a single or numerous individual flowers depending on the species. Orchid flowers are distinguishable by their irregular arrangement of 6 petals and sepals; 5 are generally small and similar in color, but one petal is larger, “lipped,” and usually more distinctive in color and pattern in order to signal insect pollinators and serve as their landing platform (Koopowitz 2001).

Ironically, however, the showiness of orchids to woodland insects does not always make them easy for a human eye to spot in a casual sweep of the forest floor. The same intricate spike and flower markings that create a target to the eyes of wasps or butterflies can just as easily camouflage some orchids from hikers or other animals (likely a handy survival trick evolved by escaping herbivores!). This is particularly true of the shade-loving species that thrive among underbrush or in similarly dim places. Finding orchids is therefore much easier if you know what to look for before heading outside.

How to find an orchid

The prime time to be on the lookout for wild North American orchids is now (late spring/early summer), with the exact timing of bloom each year varying just as in other wildflowers. These growth-timing patterns are known as “phenology,” and much more information on this topic in numerous plant species can be found through the program “Project Budburst” on their interactive website. Unusually early or late growing seasons such as this year may influence the phenology of orchids severely; in extreme cases the plants may not sprout or else bloom successfully at all.

While the initial finding may be tricky, another exciting trait of terrestrial orchids is that spotting one plant likely means finding a whole patch. Most orchids spread through vegetative propagation more easily than seeds so that, once established in a favorable spot, whole clumps of clonal orchids will reappear each year that weather permits and attempt to spread slowly outward. All of the orchid species in this area have extremely specific growth requirements and so seem restricted to a select few patches of landscape, but once a patch is found it can be an exciting place to return and monitor for change each year. Besides, this elusiveness is one of the traits that make an orchid in the wild exotic and its’ finding fun. Although no orchids in the Canadian Rockies ecoregion are edible, their rarity may inspire a hunt in anyone who also enjoys seeking the mysterious local favorites of the forest floor, huckleberries and morel mushrooms.

The coralroot orchid – a Northport local!

One species I have seen over multiple years and in several locations around Northport, WA, making it a good candidate to look out for anywhere in the area, is the coralroot orchid. These beautiful wildflowers produce tall (1-2 foot) spikes of multiple, delicately striped blossoms. This orchid also happens to be one of the most fascinating plants to grow in this region because it does not use leaves to capture energy from sunlight (the typical process plants use, called photosynthesis)! Instead, coralroot orchid roots surround the roots of mature trees and work with specialized fungi to harvest sugars produced by the much larger and protective plant. Coralroot orchids therefore have no leaves and can only be found by their tall, elegant flower spikes. The two locations where I have happily spotted coralroot orchids in Northport are both east-facing slopes within roughly 20 feet of bodies of water, and both sites are heavily shaded by Douglas-fir trees. Although the exact requirements and plant relationships of coralroot orchids may vary across broader ranges, the similarity of sites here in Northport suggests that the Douglas-fir are what the orchids rely on for nutrition, and that wet soil and dense shade are essential.

What to do when you find an orchid

Finally, a general tip for enjoying the wild orchids of the Canadian Rockies ecoregion is to take no more than pictures. Since Victorian times, orchids have become well-known and increasingly collected for their unusual shapes, striking colors, and sometimes strong perfumes. Some species have even become commonly cultivated by the floral industry – think of that all-important orchid corsage from high school prom! However, the orchids that survive in this region have a list of traits making them completely unsuitable for potting or picking (both practices are actually considered poaching and illegal on public lands!); these plants are highly sensitive to disturbance, have uncertain growth requirements, are slow-growing, and are increasingly rare in the local habitat. What you can do to help the wild orchids is document sightings through photos and GPS locations, which are gladly collected by the Washington State Native Orchid Society. For more information on any of the species listed here, to submit orchid location information, or for help identifying orchid species you find, visit their website.

SPRING IS HERE!!

With spring arriving, and cabin fever in its final throws, many people in our area will be excitedly resuming their favorite outdoor activities. Although the prospect of having to put away the snowshoes may seem a little disheartening, boating, biking, hiking, camping and climbing will soon replace the tedious shoveling, ice scraping, and firewood splitting on every “To Do List” in the Pacific Northwest (mine included).

KEEP SAFETY IN MIND

The landscape is turning green and the days are getting longer, with that, the temptation to dust off your day pack and head outside will be (at least for me) too much to resist. However, a certain amount of caution must be taken when gearing up to rejoin nature in this freshest of seasons. Remember not to let excitement take priority over safety.

While it seems obvious to prepare properly during the winter months, more cases of hypothermia, disorientation and exhaustion actually occur in the spring and fall months. There are several reasons for this, the most obvious being that during the winter months several feet of snow is a pretty decent reminder of the potential danger involved in an outdoor excursion. In direct contrast, the clear skies and agreeable temperatures of the spring and fall months (spring more prominently) can easily distract the outdoor enthusiast from the fact that the weather can make a sudden turn for the worse (and often does in our area) and easily turn a quick afternoon hike into an unfavorable situation in a very short period of time.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION…

Proper preparation is essential during any season. If caution is kept in mind spring can be one of the most (if not the most) enjoyable times of year to spend in the outdoors; temperatures are mild, the Earth is renewed, signs of new life are popping up everywhere, and a sigh of relief can be heard as winter is finally comes to an end. To make sure your experience is positive and enjoyable, keep the following points in mind while outdoors this spring.

• Keep an eye on conditions; look for changing weather patterns throughout the day for any signs of danger. Checking the weather forecast is a good place to start, but should not take the place of continuous observation.
• Rain gear is a great insurance policy, its relatively light, and doesn’t take up much room in a pack. This one piece of gear can make the difference between enjoying a light afternoon rain shower during a hike, and returning home a soggy, cold, miserable mess.
• Always, always remember to dress in layers. The sun and mild temperatures can make shorts and a t-shirt seem like more than enough clothing for an outing, but weather changes quickly this time of year and even the sunniest of days can be deceptively cold.

GET OUT THERE!!!!

With the necessary precautions taken, there is no match to the entertainment and joy that spring can provide. See this season of renewal and fresh green growth for what it truly is – nature’s celebration that winter is over and summer is on the way.

Now get out there and experience all that spring has to offer!!

Biathlon:

• Almquist, Travis: 53.53′
• Carlson, Bryan & King, Jenny (Tandem): 1:11.33’
• Carlson, Gerhard: 1:11.45’
• Almquist, Shannon (flat tire): 1:15.23’
• Plum, RJ: 1:22.33’

Single Event or Team:

• Anderson, Paul (Bike) and Aurentz, Jared (Run): 1:06.10’
• Baribault, Ashtyn (Run): 19.46’
• Case, Jenny (Run): 20.08’
• Baribault, Karen (Run): 20.33’
• Miller, Anita (Run): 23.06’