Our mission is to conserve native species and habitats through
restoration, research and education.
"Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink in the wild air." - R. W. Emerson
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Bring them to the table: What you can do to fight non-native plant invasions |
It’s late summer and I’m clearing an infestation of Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) that reaches over my five-and-a-half-foot frame, with its thorny spikes easily piercing through my double-layer pants. As my hands get scratched through my gloves, all I can think is that no animal would want to be anywhere near this plant. At Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE), we've been battling invasive plants for over 20 years. Each year our Northwest office manages invasive blackberry, Scotch broom, various thistles, tansy ragwort, false brome, Japanese knotweed, stinging nettle, among others. Our Southwest office wrangles with Russian olive, Siberian elm, hounds tongue, bull thistle, bindweed, Johnsongrass, and the list goes on. Land managers dealing with these infestations see some success, but also resurgence, regrowth, and emergence of new invaders. We must be continually vigilant. So, we focus on critical areas, and read on... even have a little fun with our invasive pests. Read More
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The Estuary Technical Group's mapping methods go national |
Estuaries provide rich sustenance for salmon, other fish and wildlife -- and for people. Over the past 6 years, Estuary Technical Group (ETG) Director Laura Brophy has led the development of innovative, accurate methods for mapping these vital estuary habitats in Oregon and across the U.S. West Coast. Now, she's a core member of a team that is taking these new mapping methods national. Read More
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Field Conservation in the time of COVID-19 |
Conducting field work does not preclude the need to follow social distancing regulations. While it seems straightforward to keep a minimum of six feet of distance and/or wear a mask when in the field, these requirements do present challenges. Tom Kaye, Ph.D., executive director of the Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE), requires his team members to stay six feet apart in the field. He has noted complications arising in training and answering specific questions in the field, but they are getting the work done. Read More
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Board Spotlight: Jason Bradford |
We're thrilled to have Jason Bradford join our Board of Directors! Jason worked as a research scientist with the Missouri Botanical Garden doing plant systematics and forest ecology before making a big career switch and learning to farm and manage farmland. He currently helps manage a Community Supported Agriculture business and farms on his family’s land with Sol Cycle Farm. For years he has been involved in restoration projects in the Willamette Valley in partnership with Marys River Watershed Council, Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, the Oregon Flora Project at Oregon State University, and Institute for Applied Ecology. He is also on the board of Post Carbon Institute and with them published The Future is Rural (2019) and is a cohost of the Crazy Town podcast. For several years he has been on the Economic Development Advisory Board for Corvallis and Benton County. Jason enjoys outdoor photography, learning to cook what he grows, taking walks with his family, playing tennis, and propagating native plants to incorporate in his home landscaping. Welcome to IAE, Jason!
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Join our Virtual Frog Fry! |
We're going virtual with one of the annual highlights of our Invasive Species Cook-off event, Executive Director Tom Kaye's invasive bullfrog fry. We'll broadcast this on Facebook Live on Wednesday, August 19 from 4-5 pm! Learn why these critters are the bullies of the frog world in Oregon's Willamette Valley.
Even if you're not a Facebook user, head to our page and you will see the live post. Videos will be watchable after the event as well.
Join us as a member this August at the $50+ level, and receive IAE's unique invasive cookbook They're Cooked, IAE's invasive species cookbook!
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Since we can't have our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Invasive Species Cook-off, we are asking you to donate and become a member (or renew your membership) in lieu of tickets for this event. Donate just $35, and we will send you our Willamette Valley Weed Guide as a thank you. Donate $50 or above, and we'll throw in our self-published, unique They're Cooked: Recipes to Combat Invasive Species. With all donations, you contribute to our work restoring critical habitats for wildlife and pollinators. Donate now!
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With rigorous protocols and social distancing measures in place, IAE's Conservation Research crew has been busy working throughout Oregon and Idaho. Lisa, Denise, Nadav, and Justin (at right) have been busy working on rare plant projects throughout western Oregon, while Steve, David, Lauren, Annie, and Dave D. have been busy monitoring pollinators at sites in the Willamette Valley. Our 2 Idaho crews, based out of Idaho Falls (Erika, Danielle, Brett) and Boise (Devan, Sam, Chris) have been busy traveling throughout the state to monitor rare plant populations. |
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IAE Southwest staff, along with our Forest Service Region-3 collaborators Robert Madera and Kathryn Kennedy, were selected for the Regional Forester's Excellence in Natural Resources Leadership Award for our work in Soutwest native plant materials development and partnership efforts on the Tonto National Forest. The team was honored at the Regional (R3) meeting of the Forest Service on July 3rd for collective hard work and strong commitment to the Region's Landscape Restoration priority. IAE Southwest team members that contributed to this project include Maria Mullins, Maggie Parrish, Shawn Stone, Cameron Weber, and Melanie Gisler. Photo: Tonto Forest Botanist Robert Madera showing first year growth of native grass seedlings at our Southwest Seed Partnership production field with the Yavapai Apache Nation Agriculture Department (April, 2018).
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A huge thank you goes out to long-time IAE Board Member Deborah Clark for her ongoing help sharing IAE's work by connecting with our community during this time when we've had to cancel volunteer and outreach events. At right is Deborah at our 2019 Annual Meeting at the Corvallis Arts Center. Thank you for your time and energy, Deborah, in your many years of service to IAE! |
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IAE Board of Directors:
Ken Bierly, President; Cary Stephens, Vice President; Laurie Halsey, Treasurer; Deborah Clark, Secretary; Jason Bradford, Anne Bradley, Mak Estill, Brandy Humphreys, Debbie Johnson, Shinji Kawai, Carol Savonen, Sunia Yang
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