Urban Wildlife

Volunteers still needed at Columbia Springs' invasive species invasion

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff
Thursday, April 26th, 2012, 9:43am

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Join Columbia Springs for a community service day this Saturday.

Staff at the 100-acre environmental education center located at the historic Vancouver Trout Hatchery are recruiting volunteers to help defeat the assault of invasive plant species with a monthly Invasive Species Invasion from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 28.

All volunteers are welcome, including kids younger than 14 with parental supervision and teens younger than 16 with parental permission. Snacks and tools will be provided. Participants are asked to bring sturdy shoes, appropriate outdoor work clothing, a water bottle, and their enthusiasm for helping the community.

The focus for this Invasive Species Invasion will be on manual removal of English Ivy to save native trees and restore the forest floor.

To sign-up or for more information, send an email or call Mariah Acton at 360-882-0936 ext. 230.

Columbia Springs is at 12208 SE Evergreen Highway, Vancouver, WA 98683.

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Learn how to spot, manage hazardous trees at a free Vancouver TreeTalk Workshop on Friday

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff
Thursday, April 5th, 2012, 8:00am

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- If you're concerned about trees and want to learn how to recognize and manage hazardous trees in your yard, you won't want to miss this Friday's free TreeTalk Workshop from 6-8 p.m., April 6 in the Elm Room at the Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.

This next TreeTalk Workshop, part of a series, also includes a bonus -- a film screening of TreeVerse, a documentary by the tree preservation group, Ascending the Giants.

Workshop participants will get tips and resources on how to recognize potential hazards in your trees. You'll learn how to create a safer environment, reduce liability and better prioritize tree care. Certified arborists and tree risk assessors will be on hand to lead the discussion and answer questions.

"With careful pruning and proper care, your trees can continue to provide shade, beauty, and increased value to your home and property for years to come," said Charles Ray, Urban Forester for the City of Vancouver.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Rooted in the Past, Growing for the Future: Vancouver celebrates Arbor Month

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff
Wednesday, April 4th, 2012, 8:00am

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Vancouver will unfurl a month-long community celebration of trees with a traditional Arbor Day planting event, from 11 a.m. to noon April 11 at City Hall.

This year's Arbor Day theme, "Rooted in the Past, Growing for the Future," pays tribute to the Vancouver's proud tree heritage and highlights goals to increase trees throughout the city for future generations. During the event, Vancouver will be recognized for its commitment with the prestigious Tree City USA Growth Award and as Tree City USA for the 23rd consecutive year.

The celebration will include brief comments by local and state officials, members of Vancouver's Urban Forestry Commission, and representatives from local partner organizations. The ceremonial planting of the official Arbor Day tree, a street-and-pedestrian-friendly, deciduous Green Vase Zelkova, tree, will conclude the event. Attendees will receive free tree seedlings to take home to plant.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

When, where and how to properly plant a tree

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff
Monday, October 24th, 2011, 12:57pm
When, where and how to properly plant a tree

Fall is the perfect time to plant trees and Oct. 29 is a great day to learn how during a hands-on Vancouver Urban Forestry TreeTalk Workshop.

This free workshop will take place from 9 a.m. to noon in the Fisher's Landing Neighborhood at 18901 SE 41st Drive. You will have an opportunity to ensure that new trees planted now will thrive for generations to come.

"One of the most common mistakes we see is trees planted too deep," explains Charles Ray, Urban Forester for the City of Vancouver, on why trees die prematurely. "This deprives the tree roots of oxygen," continues Ray, "and causes rot around the trunk of the tree."

Improper planting is one of the leading causes of early decline and death in trees. This workshop is aimed at giving trees a healthy start with proper planting preparations, correct planting depth and post-planting care.

Vancouver Urban Forestry staff will provide demonstrations and answer questions, then work side by side with workshop participants to practice their new skills by planting 38 trees and over 200 shrubs throughout the natural area.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

With fall approaching, learn proper pruning and tree care at Sept. 22 workshop

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff
Wednesday, September 21st, 2011, 8:00am
With fall approaching, learn proper pruning and tree care at Sept. 22 workshop

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- The City of Vancouver's TreeTalk Workshop will teach attendees how to properly prune trees while avoiding improper techniques.

The workshop takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22, in southeast Vancouver's Cascade Highlands neighborhood. Participants will meet at McGillivray Boulevard and Briarwood Drive where they will walk a one-mile loop while pruning young street trees for clearance and structure.

This outdoor workshop will be led by industry professional and ISA-certified arborist John Buttrell, owner of Arborscape Ltd. Inc. Mr. Buttrell will provide a brief overview of proper pruning techniques and then lead attendees in pruning street trees with branches hanging into the street and sidewalk.

Tree should be pruned to allow eight feet clearance over the sidewalk and 12 feet clearance over the street.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Napping cougar relocated far away from Vancouver

Submitted by Bill Roberson
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011, 7:59am

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - Washington state wildlife officers have tranquilized and removed a young cougar spotted lounging and snoozing 12 feet up a fir tree just south of the Veterans Medical Center in Vancouver.

A veterans center doctor spotted the cat Monday and the wildlife crew was notified. The tree was just about 60 yards from Interstate 5.

Once drugged, the 2-year-old cougar was taken to an undisclosed location in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and released.

Capt. Murray Schlenker tells The Columbian that cougar sightings are rare in urban Vancouver, with the most recent being in 2003.

---

Information from: The Columbian, http://www.columbian.com

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter

Bear captured in Vancouver

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011, 8:17am
Bear captured in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Washington wildlife officials captured a small black bear near Fort Vancouver on Wednesday morning.

The bear was up a tree when officials shot it with one tranquilizer dart, said Capt. Murray Schlenker with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

After about five minutes the bear fell asleep and fell into a net below the tree. It hit the net then bounced onto the ground, Schlenker said. He said the entire operation went very smoothly.

The bear was in good physical shape and was waking up as of noon on Wednesday. It weighs about 70 pounds.

Officials will release the bear into the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

It's the same bear that was caught on camera wandering around Fisher's Landing on Sunday.

Read More
View Comments | Post a Comment
Share: Facebook Twitter