VANCOUVER, WASH. — A land conversation group announced Monday they have acquired 115 acres of wildlife habitat for preservation at Mill Creek Ridge, located southwest of The Dalles.
To the editor: Your Sunday (June 7) article on oak woodlands was excellent for oaks west of the Cascades and in California, but is somewhat misleading for oaks in Wasco County. For instance Sudden Oak Death Syndrome is “taking out the larger oaks” in California and Southern Oregon, but it does not affect White Oaks, the only kind in Wasco County. This article talks about conditions and research in California and the West Side because absolutely no oak research has been done east of the Cascades. Oak woodlands in the Willamette Valley and Puget Sound areas are unhealthy, and that is where all the research and restoration ideas for oaks are coming from.
For thousands of years the oak has been relied upon for a variety of uses, not only as a major food source, but wood for fire, utensils, and medicines. They are also critical habitat for a number of plant and animal species. Western Native American cultures actively managed their oak woodlands and savannahs in order to ensure the health of these trees for optimum acorn harvesting.
A pair of 1-0 losses last week at the Southwest District Class 1A girls soccer tournament in Kalama prevented Columbia High from clinching its first WIAA state championship berth since 2008.
LYLE- The Washington Trails Association is organizing work parties to restore and reroute trails at Catherine Creek and Coyote Wall trails in the Columbia River Gorge Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17.
