It’s that time of year again, isn’t it? The weather is breaking and more and more people are venturing out into our beautiful Pacific Northwest!
Just this past weekend I was driving on a forest road, you know those “2 lane” paved roads that really are just wide enough for 1 truck let alone two vehicles! They always make my knuckles white as another truck and I have to pass each other. Both have 2 wheels on the dirt edge and we still almost hit mirrors. I didn’t count but on the way down I easily encountered 15 other vehicles. This was around 2pm, I can’t imagine how busy the road was earlier in the day.
Now, think how much of an impact would be made on that area if everyone left something behind!
Maybe something like this?
To be honest; that place was the worst I have ever seen and hopefully the worst anyone has to ever see! Moving forward as we continue our work to restore and prevent public land from reach that point we’ve announced our cleanup locations for March, April, May & June.
I want to take a moment to thank all those who care enough to take a few minutes and report locations that are in need of our help! It can be easy to see it and forget about it, “out of sight out of mind” as the saying goes. We count on your input to keep up our efforts to keep Oregon & Washington beautiful!
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- March 27th, East of Salem in Silverfalls State park there is a recreational shooting area that needs cleaning. Google Maps Location
- April 24th (earth day is 22nd), I received an email from a Central Oregon hunter disgusted with dumping that’s taking place on public land where he hunts, including items like regular garbage and a hot tub.
Horse Butte Road FS RD 1815
China Hat Rd-FS RD 18
It’s SE of Bend in the Deschutes National Forest.
- May 15th, another group of local WA recreation shooters is requesting help on a cleanup they’re trying to organize;
Info: Gravel Pit Cleanup
Location: (North Fork Gravel Pit in Whatcom County)
Date: May 15, 2010
Time: 0830
- June 26th, I received report of an area near Pigsah Home Rd. in the hills about 5 miles west of Scappoose. Debris includes TVs, Propane tanks, wood frames, etc.
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While we were out and about in the forest this weekend Asha (Project Wilderness Secretary) and I found some wild Indian Plum.
The Indian Plum (Oemleria Cerasiformis) is generally described as a perennial tree or shrub. This dicot (dicotyledon) is native to the U.S. (United States) has its most active growth period in the spring and summer and fall . The Indian Plum has dark green foliage and inconspicuous white flowers, with a smattering of conspicuous black fruits or seeds. The greatest bloom is usually observed in the early spring, with fruit and seed production starting in the spring and continuing until summer. Leaves are not retained year to year. The Indian Plum has a short life span relative to most other plant species and a rapid growth rate. At maturity, the typical Indian Plum will reach up to 23 feet high, with a maximum height at 20 years of 34 feet. – GardenGuides.com
So in honor of spring flowers we’re holding a little contest! Send us your favorite picture of Pacific Northwest Flowers – wild or garden – and we’ll pick our favorite and give you a great prize from our collection of donations! Email them or post them on our facebook page;
ProjectWilderness@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/projectwilderness
Keep up the efforts and continue to let us know when natural landscape becomes not-so-natural.
Dominic Aiello
Founder & President
Dominic Aiello
