Plant Oregon Semaphore Grass in the Logan Valley of the Malheur River Basin
Join us to plant Oregon semaphore grass, one of the rarest grasses in North America, in Logan Valley in Harney County.
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Oregon semaphore grass (Pleuropogon oregonus) is one of the rarest grasses in North America.Today, the only places that Oregon semaphore grass grows in Oregon are moist places, protected from development, farming, and agriculture, that are at elevations of 3300-5600 ft. The Burns Paiute Tribe’s Logan Valley property is home to one of the remaining populations, and the only successful restoration planting of Oregon semaphore grasses in Oregon.
During this work party, volunteers will work with Natural Resources staff to prep plantings for transport from the greenhouse to the Logan Valley. Then work in teams to count semaphore tillers (individual plants that grew from rhizomes associated with “parent plants”), plant clumps of semaphore tillers, then carry water to plantings. Each planting site will also require a volunteer to tamp PVC pipe markers, for future monitoring efforts.
Reserve your spot to plant sephamore grass in Eastern Oregon.
Come to Logan Valley to plant Oregon sephamore grass, one of the rarest grasses in North America.
Learn MoreAbout Logan Valley
The Logan Valley is an historically important place for several bands of Northern Paiute. The Burns Paiute Tribe acquired this more than 1,000 acre property as a wildlife mitigation property in April 2000. The Tribe’s Natural Resources staff currently manage this property for conservation, cultural, and other fish and wildlife-related goals, including harvest opportunities. The Logan Valley property’s wet meadows and streams provide great views of the Strawberry Wilderness, with occasional views of Mountain Goats climbing on the rocky slopes of the Strawberry Mountains. Other possible species include American kestrels, mule deer, elk, migrating passerines, and sandhill cranes.
Trip highlights
- Navigation through unmowed meadows, over uneven terrain, and over creeks with variable fall temperatures (that may be around freezing at night).
- Satisfaction knowing you’re helping conserve/restore populations of a rare grass.
- Populations of semaphore grass may help prepare high elevation wet meadows for climate resiliency.
Housing
- Housing will be provided at a location TBD.
- Participants may be required to camp, or can find lodging in Burns or John Day if not comfortable with camping.
- If camping, camp kitchen will be available.
Questions? Contact Teresa Wicks, Eastern Oregon Field Coordinator at twicks@birdallianceoregon.org.
