Wetlands 2016 8 2 WINTER VOLUME ISSUE WATER Richard Wilhelm Water is essential to sustain all life. It is equally important to humans as the natural landscapes that sustain us. Conservation and protection of water may be one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime and of our children and future generations. While the amount of water on the planet today is the same as it was in prehistoric times, the demands for it have increased. ❚ Land and water are inextricably connected. We must understand and acknowledge their interdependency and relationship as we develop and implement strategies to conserve water. ❚ Wetlands, vital to the health of our environment, support conservation of the land-water connection. Their irreplaceable role is the result of the unique natural characteristics of wetlands. Like kidneys, they absorb, filter and recirculate our water. Which in-turn provides critical fish and wildlife habitat to so many of the iconic species we identify with Oregon. In the face of destructive floods, they serve as natural buffers helping to protect our communities. ❚ With the heightened awareness around limited water resources, wetlands role in cleaning and recharging our water supply has become even more essential. We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one. Jacques Cousteau Oceanographer
Transcript
Wetlands 2016 8 2
WINTER
VOLUME ISSUE
WATERRi
char
d W
ilhel
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Water is essential to sustain all life. It is equally important to humans as the natural landscapes that
sustain us. Conservation and protection of water may be one of the greatest challenges of our lifetime
and of our children and future generations. While the amount of water on the planet today is the same
as it was in prehistoric times, the demands for it have increased. ❚ Land and water are inextricably
connected. We must understand and acknowledge their interdependency and relationship as we develop
and implement strategies to conserve water. ❚ Wetlands, vital to the health of our environment, support
conservation of the land-water connection. Their irreplaceable role is the result of the unique natural
characteristics of wetlands. Like kidneys, they absorb, filter and recirculate our water. Which in-turn
provides critical fish and wildlife habitat to so many of the iconic species we identify with Oregon. In the
face of destructive floods, they serve as natural buffers helping to protect our communities. ❚ With the
heightened awareness around limited water resources, wetlands role in cleaning and recharging our
water supply has become even more essential.
We forget that the
water cycle and the
life cycle are one.
Jacques Cousteau
Oceanographer
2
Every year in early winter, high tides in Oregon
are higher than usual. These extreme high tides,
commonly called “King Tides,” occur when the moon
is closest to the Earth. King Tides visually demonstrate
what an estuary might look like as the sea level rises.
TWC is sharing our King Tide aerial photos to jumpstart
conversations about what lays ahead for the future of
our estuaries and how sea level rise may necessitate
changes in land use and infrastructure.
Willamette Valley Wetland prairies are seasonally
flooded ecosystems dominated by herbaceous plants.
In response to restoration of fescue fields, thousands of
native prairie plants, including some rare species have
turned Mud Slough Wetland Preserve into a tapestry of
color and texture. Every fall through spring, thousands
of ducks and geese, shorebirds and swallows return to
the wetlands. In addition, bitterns, rails, herons, and
egrets feed in the marshes, while bald eagles and
northern harriers work the skies overhead.
Oregon Coast freshwater wetland habitats include
deflation plain wetlands, sphagnum bogs, and lakes
formed by small creeks that have been blocked by
moving sand dunes. Sphagnum bogs, like TWC’s
Ian Nedry Peterson Preserve typically occur in
depressions and in coastal headlands with Blacklock
soils where water is “perched.” Species present in
these communities include pitcher-plant, cottongrass,
Photos: Upper: Brandyn Six; middle: David Pitkin; lower: Clean Water Ser-vices. Right panel–newt, turtles, water striders: Ron LeValley; frog, dragonfly: Scott Christianson
of their time to conserving Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands.
Volunteers assisted with preserve maintenance,
stewardship and monitoring, scientific data collection,
sharing photos and stories, being TWC ambassadors,
office work, helping at events and participating on
board committees. TWC staff and Oregon wetlands
thank you for your time and passion.
For the past
two years TWC
has partnered
with Light Hawk
Volunteer Pilots
on our King Tide
(highest tides of
the year) to get
an aerial look at
how Oregon Cen-
tral Coast estuaries might respond to rising sea levels. This spring
pilots provided us with the 1,000-foot perspective of the land,
wetland and water connection of the Harney Basin. Drone pilots
have been helping us document the presence of beaver
and changing water levels at our preserves.
OREGON’S GREATEST WETLANDS
Removal of 1400 ft Dike Improves Fish Access to Poole SloughInter-tidal salt marshes are among the most
biologically productive natural ecosystems on
earth because of the way marsh plants live, die,
and decompose. Tides are the life-blood of these
unique estuarine habitats that provide criti-
cal habitat for all salmonids species during an
important transitional life phase between fresh
and saltwater. Coho salmon typically spend
several weeks to a month in the estuary feeding
and completing the transition between fresh and
salt water.
In August 2016, TWC removed a 1,400-foot-
long dike along the Oregon Oyster parcel of our
Lower Yaquina Preserve to improve fish access
to the extensive distribution of tidal channels at
high tides and storm events. The barrier removal
reestablished natural processes and functions to
provide self-sustaining unobstructed habitats for
native migratory fish and other fish and wildlife
species.
We look forward to watching changes in the
ecological function and fish and wildlife use of
Poole Slough in response to this project and our
2015 large wood placement.
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OREGON’S GREATEST WETLANDSL A N D M A N A G E M E N T / S T E W A R D S H I P
O U R M I S S I O N
To partner with
communities
across our state
in conserving,
enhancing and
restoring the physical
and ecological
values of Oregon’s
greatest wetlands
for current and
future generations.
In partnership with others, TWC is getting closer to
conserving and restoring 10,000 acres of Oregon’s
coastal forest, river, wetland, and estuary habitats in
an area spanning Yaquina Bay, Alsea Bay and Beaver
Creek watersheds between Newport and Waldport.
The health of our water
is the principal measure
of how we live on the
land. Luna Leopold
6
2016
Over 150 people gathered in appreciation
of Oregon wetlands and The Wetlands
Conservancy. It was a fabulous afternoon of
delicious food and drink, catching up with old
friends and making news ones and learning
about TWC’s most recent projects and
partnerships.
Many thanks to our 2016 event sponsors!!
Through their missions, work and support of
TWC, they each share a commitment to the
ecological, social and economic value of
conserving Oregon’s wetlands. Together
we will continue to conserve and restore
Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands!
It wouldn’t be Wetlands
and Wellies without fresh
Yaquina Oysters from
Oregon Oyster.
The Darlingtonia; Bull Run whiskey, Starvation
Alley cranberries, Cooper’s Hall Pinot Noir and
black walnut bitters could be a contender for
the official Oregon cocktail.
Many thanks to our 2016 sponsors!
As you head into the holiday season think about
visiting one of our restaurant partners, ordering some
oysters, grabbing a growler of beer, purchasing some
wine, trying a new spirit, satisfying a sweet tooth, tak-
ing home some tasty food or buying a friend or family
member a gift certificate.
Best Wellies Contest
Special thanks to Clackamas Community College’s Environmental
Learning Center for hosting Wetlands and Wellies 2016. We look forward
to working together on the Newell Creek headwater restoration project.
This year local fashion icon Brandon Gaston, LifeSTYList, and contestants took our “Best Wellies” contest to a whole new level of fashion, creativity and fun.
Many thanks to our 2016 sponsors!
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Photos: Evrim Icoz
In Celebration of Beaver and WetlandsBeaver, our beloved state animal is woefully misunderstood
and blamed for dam building, flooding and munching on
plants. In fact, the North American Beaver create wetlands,
spawning and rearing habitat for salmon and steelhead,
and habitat for insects, birds and amphibians. Their pools
help filter water and moderate fluctuations in water flow
downstream. They are nature’s hydrologists!
History of Beaver Decline in Oregon Robert Gray and Lewis and Clark’s poetic descriptive
writings of Northwest waterways and abundant beaver and
otter populations captured the interest of powerful fur trading
companies in New York and London. Very quickly profession-
al trappers from all over the world descended on the Oregon
territory to trap beaver. By 1890, demand for beaver hats and
coats led to their decline, leaving behind only the nickname
of “the beaver state” as a testament to the once abundant
furbearers.
In response to their almost extirpation, the Oregon
legislature temporarily prohibited beaver trapping from
1899 until 1919. A second moratorium was placed on
public beaver trapping from 1937 to 1951. The combination
of management and these partial protections resulted in
the reestablishment of beaver in Oregon.
In 1969 the legislature adopted the American Beaver
(Castor canadensis) as the official state animal following
past state recognition of the beaver in the 1849 government
issued “beaver money” and in 1925 the inclusion of the
beaver on the territorial seal and state flag.
The Return of American Beaver to Oregon Since then, the beaver population has increased substantial-
ly along with a growing appreciation and recognition of the
positive benefits that beaver play in Oregon. Beaver can play
a central role in shaping our future, particularly in resuscitat-
ing our wetland and riparian stream habitats as we prepare
for the changes that a warming climate may bring.
The Wetlands Conservancy will host a traveling beaver
art exhibit and sale in 2017, featuring over 100 Northwest
artists. The exhibits will highlight the aesthetic, ecological
and cultural significance of beaver, Oregon’s iconic
state animal and Oregon State University mascot.
The first three exhibits will be in February, April and
May of 2017.
February, 2017–Oregon State University In partnership
with SPARK Arts + Science @OSU, the kickoff of Beaver
Tales will be at Oregon State University with a reception,
exhibit and sale at the LaSells-Stewart Center. The exhibit
will run throughout the month of February in tandem with
presentations/workshops highlighting relevant research
from multiple academic disciplines.
April 2017 In honor of International Beaver Day (April 7),
the exhibit will move to the Lake Oswego 510 Museum and
ARTspace. The exhibit will continue through the month,
and include workshops, tours, and other activities around
the city.
May 2017 In partnership with the Necanicum Watershed
Council, and the North Coast Land Conservancy, Beaver
Tales will move to Seaside Oregon for a month long cele-
bration and activities in honor of National Wetlands month.
Visit the TWC website and Facebook pages for updates of
exhibit locations, hours, partners, field trips, lectures and
beaver fun!!
Marnie Ernst Zoa
Judy
Wel
ter
Mike BergenMike Bergen
Dave & Boni Deal
Heidi Perryman
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Carol MurdockCarol Murdock is
a Water Resource
Program Manager at
Clean Water Services
in Washington County,
OR. She is currently working on several strategic
initiatives that are focused on creating resilient
ecological systems that support the long-term
health and well-being of both wildlife and hu-
man populations. A childhood spent wandering
through the oak-hickory forests of Tennessee
inspired Carol to seek out a career in the environ-
mental sciences and she has since been working
with natural systems throughout her 25 year pro-
fessional career. She is an avid birder and spends
most of her non- working life in the mountains,
forests, and deserts of the great northwest.
Giovanni SalimenaGiovanni Salimena is
an entrepreneur and
designer who aspires
to create good things
with great people. He
is passionate about
finding unobtrusive ways to explore our world,
which led him to co-found Nearstory, a platform
that connects immersive audio stories with the
listeners’ location. Nearstory was named by
Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the 100 Brilliant
Companies to Watch in 2016. Native to Portland,
he spent his summers working as a dairy farmer
in Tillamook County. He honed his craft working
at creative agencies, digital startups, socially
responsible companies and nonprofits, and his
own design company, Salimena Studios. Giovanni
is an avid outdoorsman; he loves hiking in Oregon
and has also conquered the Inca Trail in Peru.
Changing of the Board: Farewell & WelcomeWhile we’re very excited to welcome some new
faces to the board, we’re sad to bid farewell to
Anne Eakin, David Smith and Heather Stout. We
thank them for all they have given us, wish them
well as they move on and take comfort knowing
that they will continue to be a part of our wetland
community.
TWC is delighted to welcome our three newest
members to our board: Carol Murdock, Morgan
Rider and Giovanni Salimena. Their range of
experience and passion for our mission will be
an enormous help as we continue to expand and
conserve Oregon’s wetlands.
Morgan RiderMorgan Rider has
a Civil and Environ-
mental Engineering
degree from Cornell
University, and for over
25 years she worked
with government, non-profit and private compa-
nies on a variety of environmental and natural
resource related issues. Morgan currently works
for Grady Britton, a creative branding agency put-
1980n TWC is born through donations of land in Hedges Creek Marsh and Apache Bluff in Tualatin.
n Outreach and educa-tion efforts increase awareness and under-standing of the impor-tance of wetlands.
n TWC acquires 13 new preserves throughout Portland metro area.
n Partnerships and land ownership expand to coast, with new dona-tions of preserves in Arch Cape, Manzanita, Neskowin, and Beaver Creek.
n Urban Streams Coun-cil created as a program of The Wetlands Con-servancy, providing technical assistance on stream conservation and restoration.
n Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands program launches, coordinating statewide conservation efforts in biologically important wetlands.
n TWC partners with the Institute of Natural Resouces to create the Oregon Wetland Explorer.
n TWC leads efforts to coordinate multi-wa-tershed, multi-partner conservation network on Central Coast.
1990 2000
The Wetlands ConservancyA N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6
Larr
y O
lson
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n TWC works with state parks in creation and dedication of Beaver Creek Natural Area.
n Climate change be-comes increasingly an important part of the environmental picture.
n TWC works with state and federal agencies to improve long term conservation of wetland mitigation banks.
2010n New relationships de-veloped with farmers, fishers, food producers, chefs and restaurants. Wetlands and Wellies and Aqua Plate Special programs are born.
n Community ties strengthened through work with the Board of Directors, hundreds of volunteers, staff and partners.
n 26,000 acres of Oregon’s Greatest Wet-lands are protected.
n TWC develops new partnerships to keep water in High Desert (Malheur) wetlands.
n Scorecard Project shows TWC Urban Wetlands are doing their job.
n TWC and Confeder-ated Tribe of Siletz Indians develop Lower Siletz watershed wetland conservation plan.
n 500 more acres of Oregon’s Greatest Wetlands are restored and protected.
2017
FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ESTHER LEV
2016 was an amazing year for
TWC, as we saw new awareness
and appreciation of the ecological
and community benefits of
wetlands. With the dramatic
changes in weather, we watched
our wetlands absorb water during heavy rains and then ease
the effects of drought by slowly releasing the stored water
back into the landscape. As the recognition has grown, new
communities and organizations across Oregon have turned
to TWC, for help in protecting and restoring wetlands.
Through our on-going partnerships in Harney County and
with The Siletz tribe we have learned more about the role
opportunities and limitations of wetland conservation in rural
communities and how to recognize and include traditional
knowledge and connection to landscapes to our ecological
conservation and climate change planning and strategies.
Through sharing stories, ideas, knowledge and connection
to the landscape, we have developed lasting relationships,
built on trust, which are laying the foundation for some truly
creative and great opportunities to conserve Oregon’s
Greatest Wetlands.
We look forward to continuing to work with others around
the state to protect most biologically rich and productive
landscapes.
FROM BOARD CHAIR JOHN VAN STAVEREN
Whether it is working closely
with ranchers in Harney County,
landowners on the Central
Oregon Coast, partners in
Southeast Oregon’s Closed Lake
Basin, or organizing hundreds of volunteers at our preserves
in the Metro area, your donations allow us to work throughout
our beautiful state. The Wetlands Conservancy is the only
organization in Oregon dedicated to promoting community
and private partnerships to permanently protect and
conserve Oregon’s greatest wetlands.
I like to think of wetlands as a community partner.
A partner that works to clean and store our water, provide
habitat for species whose existence is threatened, a partner
which buffers the effects of flooding when our rivers and
streams swell from excess rainfall or snowmelt. Wetlands
are a community partner that asks nothing in return. Our
task is to protect this valuable partner to make sure they
can function throughout our state.
We’ve accomplished a lot over the years! And there
is much work to be done. Your support guides our future
efforts. Thank you for all you’ve contributed to these
accomplishments. 37 years
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12
Our sound financial
position allows us to
achieve our mission. We
thank you for your past
support and hope you will
continue to work with us
to conserve Oregon’s
Greatest Wetlands.
Source: audited financial statements
Statement of Financial Position
A S S E T S Current Assets Checking/Savings ................................... $ 389,365 ...... $ 333,158 Accounts Receivable ........................................ 56,682 ............. 87,539 Other Current Assets ......................................... 2,238 ................ 3,527
Total Current Assets ........................................... 448,285 ............424,224
Other Assets Endowment Fund–OCF .....................................11,009 ...............11,943 Stewardship/Legal Defense ............................ 153,925 .............140,519 Knaupp Fund–Mud Slough ........................... 298,829 ............ 232,927 Land Acquisition Fund ................................... 440,085 ............ 440,041 One Horse Slough Fund ....................................57,829 ...................... – Evergreen Fund................................................ 67,800 ...................... –
Total Other Assets ...........................................1,029,477 ............825,430
Total Assets ..........................................................1,479,343 ......... 1,252,235
L I A B I L I T I E S A N D N E T A S S E T S Liabilities Current Liabilities Accounts Payable ..................................$ 5,599 ....... $ 25,694 Payroll Liabilities .......................................... 18,741 ............. 28,900
Total Net Assets .............................................. 1,449,003 .......... 1,197,641
Total Liabilities & Net Assets ................................1,479,343 ......... 1,252,235
6.30.16 6.30.15
IncomeTotal $826,427
ExpenseTotal $569,736
Financial Report J U LY 1 , 2 0 1 5 – J U N E 3 0, 2 0 1 6
Memberships &Contributions
29%
Grants & Contracts69%
Dividends Interest2%
Land Acquisition 6%
Land Management18%
Research 28%
Operations31% Communication
5%
Management & General11%
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Founders CircleAnonymousJoe & Pat CampbellMolly DinsdaleDaniel DixonJules & Meryl EvensIan and Barbara FergussonStan Geiger & Marilynn StriblingMark GreenfieldJohn & Sue MillerGoran SamojlovskiLouise Solliday
Corporate SponsorsIBM CorpKingfisher Environmental ServicesMason Bruce & Girard IncMud Slough Wetlands Mitigation Bank III IncNew Seasons MarketOregon Public HouseOregon Wetlands LLCPacific Continental BankPacific Habitat ServicesPacific Natural FoodsPembroke Asset Advisors LLCPGE Community AffairsSharkey’sSpence-Tobey Realtors c/0 Remax Equity GroupStrategic Aerial MediaToolbox 4 Healthcare LLCWhole FoodsWinterbrook PlanningWolf Water Resources Inc
FoundationsAnonymousEcoworks Foundation, Inc.Kiilsgaard-Green FundLTA Alliance ACE ProgramOregon Community FoundationPortland Garden ClubResources Legacy FundSilicon Valley Community FoundationThe Caryll M. & Norman F. Sprague Jr. Foundation
AgenciesBureau of Environmental ServicesCity of GreshamCity of MilwaukieCity of TualatinClean Water ServicesCollege of Forestry, Oregon State UniversityEast Multnomah SWCDEastern Oregon Range and Experiment StationEnvironmental Protection AgencyInstitute for Natural ResourcesLincoln CountyMetroMalheur National Wildlife RefugeNOAA Restoration CenterOregon Department of Environmental QualityOregon Dept of Fish and WildlifeOregon Parks and RecreationOregon Department of TransportationOregon Division of State LandsPortland State UniversityTualatin Soil and Water Conservation DistrictUS Fish and Wildlife ServiceUS Forest ServiceWater Environment Services – Clackamas CountyWest Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation
NonprofitsEarthshare of OregonHigh Desert PartnershipLand Trust Alliance, NW Office
ThanksOur donors, volunteers, board, staff and partners are the foundation of
TWC's success. We appreciate the diverse ways the community supports our
mission and projects. Thanks to all of you. We look forward to continuing to
work with you and others to conserve Oregon's Greatest Wetlands.
Kim
Pay
ne
14
Olivia HurdJudith HvamJohn JacksonRay JensenLee & Nancy JockersKrista JonesThomas & Deborah KapferKristine KarnezisWallace KaufmanJeff KeeneyChris KiilsgaardNate Kirby-GlatkowskiWilliam KirchnerMr. & Mrs. Edward KirschbaumJeanette KloosLaura & Karl KonecnyGlenn Lamb & Susan KnightMatthew LarrabeeCasselle LaTourette & Jeff MillerPeter Lawson & Nancy Jane ReidDavid & Nancy LeafJohn LeCavalierEsther LevBrian LightcapAlex LivermanRichard A. Lloyd-JonesCurtis LoebSue LydicLisa MacKenzieCynthia & Larry MahrtBob and Mary MannKendra Manton & Jacob PrinzSteve Manton & Shay O’NeilCraig & Susan MarkhamJames A. MarshallAndrew & Lori MasonCarole & David McAdamsCharline & Ernie McDonaldWilma & Joel McNultyLinda McNulty & Mathew SimpsonEdward McReynoldsJay & Elizabeth MedleyVictoria MeierJoanne MeisterHolly MichaelFred Miller & Karla WenzelNancy Murray & Bob WiseStuart & Gerri Myers
Judy NedryPriscilla NelsonAllen NeuringerBob and Kathy NewcombGeorge & Jane NormanLen Norwitz & Janis BeesonRobin OneilTracy OnionJohn O’TooleWalter & Carol OttosonRob PabstGreg & Myra ParrottBurt PaynterKaren Pazucha & Larry MorandiAmy & Bill PearcyJulie PedersenMarilyn & Richard PetersenJoel & Sierra PhillipsLona & Allen PierceEmily PinkstaffErin PoorRobin PowersBarbara PriestBenjamin ProtzmanClaire PuchyToni QuennevilleSuzanne RagueScott RichLiz RichardsJane RomboutsLaurie LaBathe & Thom RossMaggie RoundsMeg RubyJim & Joanne RuyleBruce & Connie RyanMichael & Marie RyanGail SanfordCarrie SannemanAlexandra SantoraChristina ScarzelloBarbara SchaffnerRory & Kate SchmickPatricia SchwartzSusan Sealy & Jeff MillerEthan SeltzerAaron ShawJohn ShermanMostafa & Naomi ShiraziDick & Sally ShookAnn SihlerFred SmallAl SmithBarbara SmithJonathan Soll & Melissa Rowe-Soll
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Sharon HuberAlan & Susan SchlossDarlene SiegelDave & Tanya SmithMary Lou SosciaJohn Van StaverenDesi & Karen Zamudio
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