Here in Corvallis, the rainy season might finally be just about over. It’s been a wet spring, which at least for me, had the bright side of a Memorial Day without worrying too much about fire. But now, aside from a few brief showers on Sunday, it looks like we have a week of sun ahead of us, while still not getting all that hot. So it’s a great week to get outside and hike, weed, clean up our river, or any of the other nature activities set for this week.
Thursday: River Cleanup
With summer comes a rise in recreation on the Willamette and Marys Rivers. That means they need the watchful eyes and helping hands of volunteers more than ever to keep them clean for both us and our native wildlife. This Thursday, the City of Corvallis and Willamette Riverkeeper are running a river cleanup between Crystal Lake and Michael’s Landing along the Willamette, maybe as far as the Marys Peak confluence, if there’s time and enough volunteers.
If you have a small raft or boat, bring it! Otherwise, reserve a seat on one of Riverkeeper’s boats (space is limited.) The cleanup runs from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm on Thursday, June 13. Volunteers must register. For a list of what you need to bring and free registration, click here.
Saturday: Marys Peak Weed Pull
Marys Peak is the tallest point in the Oregon Coast Range, and home to spectacular and endangered mid-elevation prairie habitat. The Institute for Applied Ecology is looking for volunteers to come to Marys Peak this Saturday and help them pull invasive oxeye daisy, to make room for native plants and the animals that depend on them.
The weed pull starts this Saturday, June 15, at 9 am, and runs until 2 pm. Volunteers should bring their own lunch, water, closed-toed shoes and clothes for the unpredictable mountain weather. IAE will provide gloves. RSVP is required to make sure the organizers bring enough supplies. Click here for more information.
Sunday: Little Willamette Hike
As I mentioned earlier, Sunday is looking a little rainy. But it’s not looking like much more than a drizzle. Don’t let it keep you from a nice hike. This Sunday, Greenbelt Land Trust and the Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center are hosting the latest in their Hike Together series, a 2-mile gentle hike through Little Willamette. One of Greenbelt’s local conservation easement sites, Little Willamette is a 199-acre protected area between Corvallis and Albany. It is home to some unusual Willamette Valley wildlife, like pond turtles, western bluebirds and acorn woodpeckers. The site is only open for events like this, so it’s a rare chance to see and enjoy it.
The hike is this Sunday, June 16, from 9:30 am to Noon. Click here to register and for more information.
Sunday: Chintimini Fundraiser
After the hike—or however you spend your Sunday morning—come down to Common Fields in the afternoon for food, drinks and live local music, all to benefit Chintimini Wildlife Center. “Songs for Songbirds” will include performances by Adam Scramstad, The Matt Neely Trio, and Chuck Tourtillott. Chintimini is in its busiest time of the year, thanks to the influx of baby birds and animals, and needs the community’s support. There’s no easier way to help than to sit with a pupusa and a craft beer and listen to some tunes.
The benefit runs from 2 to 5 pm this Sunday, June 16, at Common Fields on 3rd street.
Monday: Summer Free Park Tour Begins
Technically, summer doesn’t start until next week, but this year’s Corvallis Free Summer Park Tour isn’t waiting for the solstice. Sponsored by Corvallis Parks and Recreation and the Corvallis Indoor Park, the series is a two-month tour of some of our great local parks, every Monday and a few Saturdays through August. It kicks off next Monday, June 17, from 9:30 am to Noon at Central Park.
For the full summer tour schedule (bilingual English/Spanish), click here.
By Ian Rose