July 21, 2008

The Saga Continues.
by Cori Stanek

image credit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbian_Ground_Squirrel

Take note, wildlife and horticulture do not mix.
At least in our case.

We have finally identified the culprit in this chain of garden thievery: Ground squirrels (i.e. Spermophilus columbianus). Sure, they’re cute, fuzzy, amusing… until they decimate your chard… peas… lettuce… and move on full-force to the carrots.

Adam set traps for the little snitchers earlier last week, baited with an irresistible mix of chunky peanut butter and granola. Sounds tasty, but these little buggers have a more green appetite. We put traps in the garden, then in the beds themselves, then right in front of the ground squirrel holes- but they evaded our efforts and happily helped themselves to our veggies.

This week, the line was drawn in the sand, and those fuzzy little rodents crossed it. With a little help from Tom, Mark Ruby, and a little bit of artillery we have greatly reduced the pressures of ground squirrel invasion on the homestead… and our garden.

It’s too late for the chard and peas, but sunny days are bound to come and revive what is left of our ravaged little plot. For now, the ground squirrels have surrendered—for now.

The Passed Week at Connections

image credit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_hawkweed

Thanks to the organizing and motivating efforts of Steve Lamar, NwC started work monitoring weed invasion on the Forest Service’s Holland-Pierce cut that occurred this winter. Connections is one of a group of organizations that have taken on monitoring the project’s impacts on weed spread, wildlife impacts, regeneration etc.
It was the first week in the field, with many more to come.

Spring training of the Parker herd began this past weekend and most everyone was on their best behavior. Things are looking promising for the annual Parker family trip into the backcountry.

Mo Hartmann celebrated her birthday! It was a week of celebration with family, hikes, cake, and friends; and we adore her just so darn much!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MO!