President William J Clinton Signed Proclamation 7318 – Establishment of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.
     “With towering fir forests, sunlit oak groves, wildflower-strewn meadows, and steep canyons, the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is an ecological wonder, with biological diversity unmatched in the Cascade Range. This rich enclave of natural resources is a biological crossroads–the interface of the Cascade, Klamath, and Siskiyou ecoregions, in an area of unique geology, biology, climate, and topography.
     The monument is home to a spectacular variety of rare and beautiful species of plants and animals, whose survival in this region depends upon its continued ecological integrity. Plant communities present a rich mosaic of grass and shrublands, Garry and California black oak woodlands, juniper scablands, mixed conifer and white fir forests, and wet meadows. Stream bottoms support broad-leaf deciduous riparian trees and shrubs…” The monument was established for its biodiversity. Read the Proclamation text. and learn about the Monument’s significance.
     Read at Daily Tidings May 20, 2015 how the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument remains a quiet wonder:
Wild Side: The seven wonders of southwest Oregon By Joseph Valle
“Siskiyou Crest (including the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument) — The crest of the Siskiyou Mountains is a spectacular ridgeline right on southern Oregon’s border. Defined in the east by the Cascade Siskiyou Monument, the mountain peaks offer panoramic views with Mount Shasta in view. The Pacific Crest Trail follows much of the crest, so it is a wonder that is easy to explore on foot.”
     
     Tell us your personal story of what our Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument means to you. Share a scientific or cultural, historical information or photo. You can post your photos and memories to our Facebook page. Or email your story and/or image to: media.cascadesiskiyou@gmail.com. 
     Today, fifteen years after the proclamation, we rededicate to our national treasure–the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, one to take care for now and future generations, for all to learn and experience.   
     

  Dr. Peter Schroeder, Associate Professor of Biology at Southern Oregon University and a Board Member of the Friends of Cascade Siskiyou National Monument tells about our June 6, 2015 BioBlitz:
     “The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is home to one of the richest communities of butterflies in North America. Our 2015 Butterfly BioBlitz will give our citizens an opportunity to learn about butterflies in the Monument while helping scientists and naturalists gather data on butterfly diversity and abundance. We are fortunate to welcome leaders from Eugene, Klamath Falls and southern Oregon, who were at the Crater Lake 2014 BioBlitz.
     Currently, the number and diversity of many organisms, including some butterflies such as the Monarch, are declining worldwide. Stable ecosystems rely on a healthy, sustainable biodiversity. 
     Efforts to understand why organisms are declining, including the role humans play in this decline, are urgently important in finding ways to stabilize and manage ecosystems. The data collected from the Butterfly BioBlitz, along with past data on butterfly abundance and diversity, will help scientists follow changes in organism biodiversity within the Monument and possibly relate them with those in climate and/or management efforts. These data will assist BLM in developing the best strategies for managing the Monument.
     The mission of Friends of Cascade Siskiyou National Monument is to engage in projects that protect, preserve, and restore our Monument for all to enjoy. One way of achieving this mission is to assist the general public in learning about the unique biological, geological, anthropological, and sociological values of the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument and how they can participate in these efforts.”

Listen at JPR (7:34 min.)
Peter Schroeder, BioBlitz Coordinator talks about the 2015 BioBlitz of Butterflies at the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument.

Listen at JRP Radio (24:51 min.)
Peter Schroeder, Friends of CSNM Board member and Scott Hoffman Black, Xerces Society Executive Director talk about pollinators, the need for habitat, biodiversity and federal strategy. 

*Citizen scientists and crowd-sourced science are contemporary terms for centuries-old efforts and practice of independent naturalists and scientists. 

Thank you for your generous support in our year-end #Giving Tuesday campaign. You helped us meet our challenge grant from the Conservation Lands Foundation! We will be awarded an additional $3,000 to match the funds you contributed! 
     A BLM grant for Education, Volunteerism, and Public Involvement in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument that we received in November 2014 will help support these two new initiatives:

• The 2015 BioBlitz in June will bring research scientists to work with citizen scientists in their effort to survey butterfly populations in the Monument. Mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE for Saturday, June 6, 2015.

• The Friends Research Fund will provide university students small grants for research within the Monument.

These funds will help our efforts to educate and conserve our Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument!

We are most grateful to our young leaders who have blazed trails on behalf of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument! This year Board member Alexander Harding proposed that we partner with Giving Tuesday, a national effort to promote charitable giving; and she is leading the way through our Facebook page.
      “Clean Air and Clean Water” are simple reasons for having conservation lands as explained by Andy Kerr, at the Wilderness 50 celebration talk on the Southern Oregon University campus. On Giving Tuesday, we invite you to give online to the Friends of Cascade Siskiyou; and tell your circle of friends and family.
     Share why the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is a special place for you. Post onto Facebook a photo; or email your story. Maybe you study frogs or dragonflies, write or draw, or you just enjoy the endless vistas of valleys, forests, and near-by volcanoes of the Cascade Range. 
     You will be creating a legacy in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument for generations. We couldn’t do this important work without you.  Your generous donation will be matched dollar for dollar from the Conservation Lands Foundation (CLF), a nationwide foundation dedicated to safeguarding the National Conservation Lands. When we raise $3,000 in new donations this year, CLF will match this 1:1 effort by awarding us a $3,000 no-strings attached grant. 
     Please use our secure online website, to make your donation. If you prefer to mail your donation-check, print and fill out the attached form and mail to:
Friends of Cascade Siskiyou National Monument
PO Box 3495
Ashland, OR 97520