A photo essay by Matt Witt about the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is featured in an 8-page color spread in the annual arts issue of Southern Oregon Magazine.
     Matt, a 2017 Artist-in-Residence, shares his images of the Monument on our newsletter and shows us all the many reasons to champion our public land. 

Thank you for your support at the The 4th of July Celebration in Ashland, OR!
Friends of CSNM and our interpretive ranger interns enjoyed meeting everyone who stopped by our booth in support of our monument and public lands!  During this 18th anniversary, we enjoyed sharing about the biodiversity and wonders of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. 

With Naturalist Jeanine Moy, June 10, 2018

On the brink of summer, a trip up a mountain can mean a trip back in time. Many flowers that have bloomed and gone to fruit on the valley floor are still in full glory above 5,000 feet. This was the case for our Wildflower Walk & Wine Tasting event on June 10. As we unloaded at the Grizzly Peak trailhead it was as if we’d travelled back to April again. We knew we were in for a great day of botanizing.
    As expected, the trail was lined with interesting and beautiful native wildflowers. Our expert guide, Jeanine Moy, helped us to put all of these species into context by sharing useful natural history information along the way. We were all excited to find some very healthy striped coralroot (Corallorhiza striata), an orchid that gets its energy from mycorrhizal fungi instead of photosynthesis. Another interesting sighting was the western trillium (Trillium ovatum) whose petals had turned dark pink and nearly translucent. These flowers fade from bright white to deep pink as they mature, seemingly signaling to pollinators that their services are no longer required.
    Jeanine also shared ethnobotanical information about the species we found. From the potent, spicy root of the wild ginger (Asarum caudatum) to the edible camas bulb (Camassia quamash) to the yellow pine pollen that coated the trail, it seemed that we were surrounded by plants with nutritional value. Many plants hold medicinal value as well, such as the Lomatium whose root produces a latex that has antibacterial properties.
    The forested scenery quickly changed as we made our way toward the scenic vistas at the far reaches of the Grizzly Peak trail. Grizzly Peak is in the recently expanded portion of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and encompasses an area that burned in the Antelope Fire of 2002. As we looked out over the landscape, we saw the life that had returned in the 16 years since the fire punctuated by the burnt snags that stood like statues. A lush carpet with patches of larkspur, fiddleneck, seablush, paintbrush and more covered the area that was barren not long ago. The stark contrast between the blackened fire-scarred trees and the pastel rainbow of wildflowers told a story of rebirth.
    As we made our way back down the trail, we were sad to leave the cool, calm forest, but we were looking forward to our next destination – wine tasting! We headed back to civilization with our sights set on Belle Fiore Winery. We kicked some of the dirt off of our boots before finding a seat on the patio. The manicured lawn wasn’t quite as interesting as Grizzly Peak, but we had botany bingo to keep our minds active. Soon, the table was full of flights of wine, which we sampled and savored with delight. As the wine slowly disappeared, we reflected on what a wonderful day it had been. Wildflowers, wine, and great company on a gorgeous day – what more could you want?

Photos and text by
Heather Wilson
Hike and Learn Coordinator

By Katie Boehnlein

Saturday May 26 began at daybreak for the 85 participants of this year’s Bird BioBlitz, bundled up against the misty, cold weather that awaited them throughout the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Eleven different groups, each led by a knowledgeable leader, dispersed throughout the Monument’s diverse habitats, from the northernmost reaches at Grizzly Peak to the far south Horseshoe Ranch area. All groups sought to locate as many birds as they could throughout an eight hour period, relying on both sight and knowledge of bird songs to identify species.

Despite the fact that groups consisted of both first-time birders and seasoned veterans, the BioBlitzers were able to identify 117 species all together, both resident and migrating species, as well as almost 2,000 individuals! John Alexander, director of Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) stressed how remarkable it was that “during one eight-hour period, nearly half the number of species that have been reported during the entire month of May in all of Jackson and Siskiyou counties were recorded.”

I felt lucky to bushwhack through Chinquapin and scramble over rock outcrops at Surveyor Ridge, a high elevation site in Klamath County that is a recent Monument addition due to President Obama’s 2017 Monument expansion. Led by SOU Biology professor Michael Parker and avid birder Bob Hunter, we spent most of the morning chasing sunshine as we traversed the large rock outcrops that dot Surveyor Ridge. Our group of eight tuned our binoculars towards the trees all around us, feet feeling to avoid rock crevices and the snare of Chinquapin bushes. At first we just listened, trees alive with calls, shoos, chits, and delicate songs, our avian friends announcing their presence- a Williamson’s Sapsucker, a Dusky Flycatcher, a Mountain Chickadee. But later in the morning, as we perched on the top of a rock outcrop, a trio of “lemonheads,” or Hermit Warblers, called together and then emerged to chase each other through the bare branches surrounding us. Their colors seemed as bright as the spring sunshine, seemingly not dampened by the cold mist blowing by.

Surveyor Ridge was one of many sites that had not been surveyed for birds prior to 2017’s expansion, so this year’s event was an exciting time to generate useful data for science and conservation. Thanks to the dozens of citizen scientists and group leaders, we now have a greater understanding of bird abundance and diversity at Surveyor Ridge, Grizzly Peak, Little Hyatt Lake, Horseshoe Ranch in Northern California, and the lower reaches of Jenny Creek. Our scientific partner this year, Klamath Bird Observatory, aided us greatly by compiling all data through eBird Northwest to ensure that the results of the eleven surveys could be collected and compared together.

Despite seemingly disparaging weather, both participants and leaders enjoyed themselves. Ornithologist Pepper Trail, who led a group to along the PCT near Hobart Bluff, remarked that “it was very rewarding to lead others into the monument to document its tremendous biodiversity first-hand. Even on a cold and soggy morning the enthusiasm was palpable.” Participant Barb Settles who visited Box O Ranch with John Bullock, said that her favorite part was fording Jenny Creek barefoot and “feeling absolutely happy to get over it and find birds. It was so lovely with the meadows and the willows and the birds calling us.” Participant Carol Mockridge, who went with Frank Lospalluto to Pilot Rock reflected that “you know you’re fighting for a great cause when the weather conditions are miserable and you just keep going. We are so lucky to have such a treasure in our backyard and so many people who love it.”

Thanks so much to our expert leaders and the citizen-scientists for participating. Scroll down to read short summaries of each group’s findings and see the map for the corresponding Monument location. Many thanks to the Mindful Birding Award, Rogue Valley Audubon, and Klamath Bird Observatory for their generous donations and volunteer collaboration for this year’s BioBlitz! We are excited for many more to come.

Summary of 2018 BioBlitz, by site location and leader:

GRIZZLY PEAK: Sooney Viani and her group surveyed Shale City Road, Grizzly Peak, and Willow-Witt Ranch areas, which encompass the newly-added northern reaches of the Monument. The morning was cold with low clouds while the group ascended Shale City Rd, but the bright colors of a Lazuli Bunting and two Western Tanagers soon warmed them up. The group observed 34 species throughout the day, including Mountain Quails and a Pacific-slope Flycatcher calling through the drip, drip of the foggy forest. A special highlight was a grand Pileated Woodpecker that swooped by the group, its right wing almost grazing Sooney and Jeff!

HYATT LAKE: Dick Ashford and his small group surveyed Hyatt Lake and Little Hyatt Lake. This team experienced fog and cold throughout the day with a nice stretch of sunshine in the late morning. Overall, they reported 48 species, highlights being a surprise Great Grey Owl and a not-often reported Marsh Wren as well. Water-loving Double-crested Cormorants, Osprey, American Dipper, and a Killdeer with a broken wing display added to the fun.

UPPER JENNY CREEK: Norm Barrett and his group surveyed the upper reaches of Jenny Creek. Their morning started out cold, wet, and miserable until 10am when the sun and birds came out. By the end, they had found 32 species, including MacGillivray’s Warblers, a Rufous Hummingbird, and Warbling Vireo, and Chipping Sparrows.

SURVEYOR RIDGE: Michael Parker, joined by Bob Hunter, surveyed Surveyor Ridge, an important high-elevation site in the Monument. Due to its easterly location (the only area of the Monument in Klamath county), the group seemed to avoid the pervasive clouds that other groups experienced. They had 32 species, including two Rock Wrens on one of the site’s characteristic large rock outcroppings. They also had a Williamson’s sapsucker, Hermit and Yellow-rumped Warblers, a lone Fox Sparrow and a very vocal sandhill crane. The highlight of the morning, however, came on the drive to the site when a Northern Goshawk crossed in front of the caravan- the delight of everyone!

EMIGRANT CREEK ROAD: Ellie Armstrong and Shannon Rio’s group surveyed Upper Emigrant Creek Road, the lower-elevation reaches of the newly expanded Monument. They had an especially great group, say the leaders, and everyone was fun! They ended the day with 42 species.

CORRAL AREA: Vince Zauskey and his group surveyed the Corral Area off Hwy 99. This team of five started by ascended to the Mt. Ashland turnoff inside a cloud with only 100 feet of visibility! Most of their survey was done above the Corral parking lot, and highlights included two Evening Grosbeaks, four Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, and a Wrentit. However, they were surprised that they did not see any chickadee species or any woodpeckers except a Red-shafted Flicker. Vince’s group ended up seeing 36 species by the end of the day.

PIILOT ROCK: Frank Lospalluto’s group surveyed the Pilot Rock area, and were birding in a cold, wet cloud all day. They found 30 species by day’s end.

AGATE FLAT: Romain Cooper and his group surveyed the Agate Flat area, which is in the southern part of the Monument near the California border. They were lucky to have a generally sunny day of birding despite beginning the day by fording Jenny Creek on a bitterly chilly morning. Out of the 50 species observed, one unexpected bird was a Prairie Falcon. The group also noticed that Warbler flocks (including Townsends) indicated migration is still on-going across the border.

SODA MOUNTAIN: Pepper Trail and his group surveyed Hobart Bluff, including parts of the Soda Mountain Wilderness. This intrepid group kindly did not make any remarks to their leader about the 5:30 start time on a cold and soggy morning. They slogged along the muddy PCT picking up a total of 31 species throughout the day, buoyed by coffee and pie at the Green Springs Inn, of course. Good sights included a Green-tailed Towhee, Townsend’s Solitaire, Wilson’s Warbler, Lincoln’s Sparrow, and Pine Siskins, as well as rain-spangled wildflowers.

LOWER JENNY CREEK: John Bullock and his group surveyed the lower reaches of Jenny Creek at Box O Ranch. Despite a foggy morning, by the time they had arrived at the trailhead for the Box O Ranch, there were only a few scattered clouds scudding across the sky, driven by a cold wind. This enthusiastic group of ten split into two: one group crossing the creek to survey, while the other heading north along the ditch road. This group found 51 species, including many highlights: 26 Lazuli Buntings (!), two Sandhill Cranes, and a Cedar Waxwing hiding among the willows.

HORSESHOE RANCH WILDLIFE AREA: Joey Russell’s group surveyed Horseshoe Ranch, also a new site in the expanded Monument and the only site occurring in California. They located 39 species including Acorn Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, a Willow Flycatcher, a Hutton’s Vireo, a Black-throated Gray Warbler, and an unidentified hummingbird. It was a wonderful day, especially on our way back down Scotch Creek, says Joey, rather cold and windy in the morning with lots of mud sticking to our shoes!

See the full list of species found! (PDF)

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is pleased to announce three artists for its 2018 Artist in Residence (AiR) program. David Atkinson, Kim Faucher and Jeanine Moy will each spend two weeks in residency creating works that represent the natural and cultural resources of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. They will each present at least one public program to showcase their work. Partnerships and shared conservation efforts like the AiR program are a vital in managing sustainable, working public lands.

“We are delighted to welcome this talented group of artists to Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument this summer,” said Kristi Mastrofini, Cascade-Sisikyou National Monument manager. “This is our second year with the Artist in Residence program, and we are thrilled with having artists in the area creating inspirational pieces of work for the public,” continued Mastrofini.

Varied representation of arts media will be presented throughout the summer. The Artist in Residence for the month of June is Jeanine Moy. Moy will focus her work creating a series of panoramic oil paintings. In July, artist David Atkinson will compose a musical piece using different instruments. In August, artist Kim Faucher will create a body of artwork with anecdotal record to convey the monument’s unique biodiversity.

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) AiR program offers artists the opportunity to pursue their artistic discipline amid inspiring landscapes.

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
BLM Medford District
3040 Biddle Road
Medford, OR 97504 

with Dr. Jeff LaLande. May 4-5, 2018

As we gathered at the trailhead, the air was cool and the sky was overcast – a perfect day for a hike in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Our group of roughly 25 eager learners embarked along the Pacific Crest Trail where it intersects with Pilot Rock Road. Our guide, historian and archaeologist Dr. Jeff LaLande, led the way.

The night before, Jeff told us about the Native Americans that lived in this area long before white settlers arrived. We learned about what these tribes, primarily the Shasta and Takelma, did here. For instance, they are excellent basket makers, and can weave baskets that are not only beautiful but watertight. While the Shasta and Takelma did not practice large-scale agriculture, they did manage the landscape through small-scale planting and with the aid of controlled burns.

During our Saturday morning hike, Jeff pointed out numerous natural resources that were utilized by the Shasta and Takelma. We all paused to enjoy the beautiful Henderson’s fawn lilies (Erythronium hendersonii), Washington lilies (Lilium washingtonianum), lomatium (Lomatium spp.), and fritillaries (Fritillaria spp.), all of which have edible bulbs that contributed to the diets of the Shasta and Takelma. We also saw Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium), whose uses were twofold – the sour berries were a source of food, while the root was used to produce a yellow dye. The elderberry shrubs (Sambucus spp.) that lined the trail were not only a source of berries, but may have also been used to create hollow flute-like instruments. As we kept traveling, it became clear that this landscape was full of stories and surprises.

We frequently paused to consider the changes that have reshaped the Monument since the removal of its native inhabitants. The most marked of these changes are those brought about by decades of intense fire suppression. Jeff pointed out numerous tell-tale signs of a landscape that has been deprived of fire, including white and red firs invading lower elevations, Oregon white oaks growing in extremely dense stands, and mistletoe populations that thrive in overly dense forest. Before white settlers arrived, the Shasta and Takelma used fire for such uses as controlling the movements of deer and keeping unwanted plants from taking hold. Perhaps someday soon this landscape will be restored to its former glory under a natural fire regime.

After traveling south on the Pacific Crest Trail, we joined up with another unmarked trail. We traversed this trail for a while when all of a sudden we turned a corner and arrived at a remarkable view of Mount Shasta. This would be our lunch spot. As we refueled, Jeff continued to impress us with his deep knowledge of the area by putting a name to every hill, butte, and mountain peak on the horizon. Though we could have listened to him talk about the geological formation of the Cascades and Siskiyous for hours, it was time to press on.

It wasn’t long until we found ourselves up close and personal with Pilot Rock, or as the Takelma call it, Tan-ts’at-sineptha (which literally means “rock standing up”). Though this name doesn’t convey much spiritual reverence, it is believed that Tan-ts’at-sineptha was a site of great power for the Shasta and Takelma. Even today, it is hard not to feel inspired and invigorated in the shadow of that “rock standing up.” Later, when we loaded up in our cars to head back to civilization, we would remember this powerful image and cherish the chance to visit a place full of diversity, mystery, and many stories.

By Heather Wilson
Hike and Learn Coordinator

Photos by Heather Wilson, except where noted.

April 15. Although NYPD Detective Derick Waller was representing the Stephen Maing documentary, Crime + Punishment at the Ashland Independent Film Festival, he had a chance to accompany Ashland resident Cara Cruikshank to go outside and see scenic areas where she hikes all the time.
     He was impressed with the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and said, “We hiked up the Pilot Rock Trail—it was a beautiful area. We then drove up to Mt. Ashland to the lookout and we were able to see Mt. Shasta and Pilot Rock.”
     Travel Oregon has identified the strength of Southern Oregon tourism: “Celebrating its national parks and monuments; growing the wine industry; promoting arts and culture such as the Britt and Oregon Shakespeare festivals; and advancing outdoor recreation.”

From tourism, town hall, fishing, research and science, culture and history–monuments matter. 

Merkley talks ‘soul of nation’ at town hall meeting in Sisters
Nugget News Online  April 10, 2018
Senator Jeff Merkley continues to champion Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and issues important to Oregon at Sisters town hall.

i Invite Lamalfa to go Fishing 
By Jon Baiocchi, Baiocchi’s Troutfitters Guide Service, Plumas County News, online edition April 13, 2018
“One of the best reasons to live in northern California is the world class fishing opportunities found between Sacramento and the Oregon border. Unlike some other states — and many other countries — most of these opportunities are on public lands with good access.”

Bears Ears Is Here To Stay
By Angelo Baca New York Times Dec. 8, 2017
“This will always be Native land. But the protections President Trump is gutting are sorely needed.” Op-ed with maps, photos, and charts.

Rare fossils could face trouble outside new Bears Ears National Monument boundaries
By Adam Wernick, Living on Earth April 15, 2018
“The Trump administration’s move to reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent jeopardizes future research and excavation in one of the densest fossil troves in the world, according to scientists who work in the region.” 

For 20 years the Klamath Bird Observatory (KBO) has been conducting monitoring and research in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in collaboration with the BLM and many other partners. 
     At the 2018 Monument Research Symposium, KBO Executive Director Dr. John Alexander presented the keynote address titled KBO Science Informing Adaptive Management and Conservation in Our National Monument. He talked about the The results that have and continue to inform adaptive management that improves ecological conservation. Dr. Alexander summarized on how KBO’s science has helped to shape management actions that have benefited migratory birds, ecosystem health, and biodiversity in the Monument.
     Three student researchers presented findings from their projects, conducted in the monument. These were supported by the Friends Research Fund 2017 grants.

Suphasiri Muttamara SOU Environmental Education
Geographic variation in vocalizations of American pikas (Ochotona princeps) in southwestern Oregon and northern California. Dr. Stewart Janes, SOU Professor of Biology / Director of Environmental Education, served as faculty advisor.  
     The distribution of pika (Ochotona princeps) populations in the southwestern Oregon are poorly known and their range is highly fragmented. Recently, a population of pika was discovered on Vulture Rock which is now within the boundaries of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (CSNM) due to the recent monument expansion. 

The results showed that vocalization of pikas populations at Vulture Rock and Sky Lakes differ from those at Crater Lake. Difference in call structures and frequencies suggested that the pikas in the southern Cascades region display geographic variation in vocalizations among populations. These results suggest the populations have become isolated. The small and unique pika population at Vulture Rock is vulnerable to loss of genetic diversity and prone to extirpation. However, the CSMN may play an important role as a climate refuge for the pikas and other species that depend on cool climate. See the photos and story.

Hope Braithwaite, SOU Environmental Education
Dragonflies and Damselflies of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Dr. Michael Parker, SOU Professor of Biology, served as faculty advisor.
     This is the first inventory of dragonflies and damselflies (odonates) in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, including distribution and relative abundance within and among diverse aquatic habitats. To date, 46 taxa (30 dragonflies, 16 damselflies) are documented in the CSNM. A notable species, Aeshna tuberculifera was recorded at Parsnip Lakes, the southernmost location known for this species in the western USA. This study creates a benchmark of odonate species diversity for the CSNM that can be further updated and utilized to potentially monitor changes in environmental conditions including aquatic habitat quality, water quality and community responses to climate change. See the photos and story.

Alec Sweetland, University of Oregon Geology
Geologic Summer Research Investigations (CSNM)  Dr. Jad D’Allura, SOU Professor Emeritus, served as faculty advisor.
     Alec Sweetland’s research included detailed mapping of volcanic rock units within the northeast portion of the Monument as well as investigation into selected stream geohydrology in the southeast part of the Monument. The objective of geologic mapping was to separate different lava and ash flow units of different rock and soil characteristics located in thickly vegetated terrain. Discharge rates of selected streams were measured in June and August to compare with data from previous wet and dry years and to relate stream characteristics and anomalies to the underlying geology. See Alec’s field notes and photos.

Research included geologic mapping of the Heppsie Formation in the newly-expanded areas of the CSNM, and a continued study regarding the hydrogeology of the eastern part of the original CSNM. The Heppsie Formation is comprised of violently-erupted pyroclastic rocks and lava flows of the Western Cascades, ranging in age dates from 21.7 to 19.6 million years ago. Our primary objective was concluded with similar-appearing lava flows being differentiated and mapped as individual units. The hydrogeology research supported that local variations in geology and groundwater interactions are a large factor in determining stream discharge rates.

Field Notes – November 6, 2017

Thank you [Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument] for giving me the opportunity to work with Jad D’Allura in the beautiful CSNM. Things have been going as well as they can even with all the smoke this last month! The first week I arrived Jad and I finished gathering the stream flow data necessary to compare to previous years, and are now in the final stages of finishing the hydrology report and creating a presentation.

The geology within the monument has been incredibly interesting, challenging, and has given me some real-life experience working in a very limited exposure area; which is very exciting! Much of our time was spent hiking around looking for contacts between our suspected lava flow units and comparing hand samples we’ve collected.

Recently, we have completed making the required thin sections of our samples which allows a more thorough comparison of the lava flows. By using Jad’s petrographic microscopes to analyze some optical properties of the minerals and various (distinguishable) textures we are seeing within the lava, we should be able to separate some of these lava units within the monument. We are also in the process of preparing samples to be sent to Western Washington to have a chemical analysis completed, which should provide further evidence of the different lava flows we’ve found.

Aside from waiting for lab results, we are completing the geologic report which will encompass a history of the geology, unit descriptions, and structural influences on the region. We are also compiling all the data collected on our field maps and will begin creating a more finalized map of the area (hopefully linking up with other completed maps!

Text and photos by
Alec Sweetland, University of Oregon, Geology
Friends Research Fund Grant 2017