Change Over Time: BDA 7
Beaver Dam Analogue #7: before, during, and after construction
Author:
Change Over Time: BDA 9
Left to right: summer 2016, initial construction; spring 2017, first high water; summer 2017, adaptive management construction; spring 2018, second high water
Change Over Time: BDA 14
Before, during, and after construction–the streambed is raised four feet higher in one year!
Deflector Dams: Bird’s-Eye View
A deflector dam (2018) pushes the stream against the bank to lengthen and widen the channel and recruit sediment for building the streambed higher.
The same view, 2 years later (2020).
Secrets and Strengths of the Moss World
Mosses are a fascinating part of our world. They operate much like their larger relatives, like trees and shrubs, just on a much smaller scale. On Friday, January 4, 2019, Erica Heinlen shared her expertise to bring the moss world into focus for our community. In this talk, we touched on the taxonomy of mosses as well as their structure and life cycle. We discovered the importance of mosses in our ecosystems and discussed where they grow. We explored concepts of conservation and then saw some special species found here in the Okanogan. Finally, we addressed some of the “Frequently Asked Questions” the audience had about mosses. It was an interesting journey as we unlocked the secrets and strengths of the moss world.
From Pollen to Flowers: Plant Life Cycles
On July 1, 2018, our community had an exceptional opportunity to go hiking with renowned naturalist Dana Visalli.
Butterfly Field Trip – Gems that Fly
Butterflies are the quintessential symbol of renewal through change. In a world that is rapidly changing, the Highland Wonders educational series provides opportunities for our community to learn more about the natural world, with the hope that these experiences may renew our enthusiasm to take care of the rich biodiversity around us.
Era of Megafires
Things seem to be changing in the West – snowpack levels are lower than they used to be, and the snowpack melts earlier in spring. Fire seasons are longer and more severe. Megafires, wildfires over 100,000 acres, now occur more often, causing wide-ranging impact on homes, communities, and wildlands. These changes are expected to continue, and we need to increase the fire resiliency of our wildlands, while also completing defensible space work around homes and communities.
Ants: Marching in Hidden Worlds
Entomologist Joseph Fortier provided a glimpse into the enigmatic life of ants.