Institute for Applied Ecology
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The Institute for Applied Ecology works to conserve native species and habitats. With offices in Oregon and New Mexico, our work puts restoration, research, and education into action. Take action in this new decade,
volunteer
or
become a member
with a donation today!
"
The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes,
but in having new eyes.
" - Marcel Proust
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How does IAE get all of those plants in the ground?
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Fall is planting season, which means IAE’s restoration ecologists are in the midst of their busiest time of the year. Most of the restoration work that takes place the rest of the year is in preparation for planting and seeding each fall. This year, nearly 116,000 plants were planted and over 450 pounds of seed were sown to enhance native habitats in the Willamette Valley and the foothills of the Coast Range, as well as at the Oregon coast! Most of these plants were put in the ground by volunteers who are critical to the success of IAE’s restoration efforts.
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2019: A Better Year for Fender's Blue Butterfly
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Since 2016, IAE has coordinated annual surveys for the endangered Fender’s blue butterfly (
Icaricia icarioides fenderi
) across its range in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The total number of Fender’s blue butterflies fluctuates on an annual basis, driven by variation in individual populations, which sometimes double or halve between years. We are thrilled and relieved to report that after two years of relatively low butterfly numbers, 2019 was a great year for Fender’s blue.
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Staff Spotlight: Alexis Larsen
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Alexis first came to IAE as a Conservation Research Intern in 2009, and returned to IAE for the 2010 season as a technician. She spent the following decade gaining knowledge and experience in plant
conservation and habitat restoration. She received her M.S. in Ecology from Oregon State University where she studied a rare plant species of dynamic cobble-bar environments on the Columbia River. Her field work, studies, and love for Oregon and its native habitats took her to the southern Oregon coast, where she worked for the Coos Watershed Association on riparian, invasive species, and salmon habitat restoration projects. Moving on from the coast, Alexis continued salmon habitat restoration work in the iconic Rogue River Basin working to improve fish passage and floodplain connectivity. Alexis returned to IAE this fall as our Native Seed Partnership Coordinator, where she is combining her skills and experience to guide the Willamette Valley Native Plant Partnership and the nascent Coastal Native Seed Partnership. When not working, Alexis enjoys cooking new recipes, hiking, reading, planning adventures, and playing with her two orange tabby cats, Finley and Cheddar.
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IAE is hiring!
We seek one full-time employee to fill the role of Accounting and Payroll Assistant for our organization. Responsibilities include bookkeeping (accounts receivable and payable), payroll, and human resources tasks. The Accounting and Payroll Assistant reports to the Fiscal Administrator and provides support to the administrative and program staff. The position does not have supervision responsibilities. Closing date: January 15.
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We also are hiring numerous seasonal positions in 2020, please check our website for job descriptions. Most positions close January 24 or later.
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IAE has been involved in grassland restoration at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge on the southwest Washington coast for over five years. One of the goals of the restoration is to prepare the habitat at the site for the rare Oregon silverspot butterfly. Recently, Nick's Timber Services brought a crew of 20 people and planted an amazing 28,000 native plants to support the butterfly in a single day. The site has been in preparation for several years and this is its first significant native planting.
In partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Habitat Restoration staff will continue to work at coastal refuges to improve the habitat conditions for Oregon silverspot and other coastal grassland species.
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The New Mexico Nature in Prisons project has just wrapped up a second successful year! In 2019 participants at the New Mexico State Penitentiary grew 5000 plants (3 native pollinator host plants), constructed a shade structure, and received horticultural training. The program was co-facilitated by IAE staff and one of the inmates. Plants grown were used to restore pollinator habitat at the Taos Bureau of Land Management, start seed production fields, and landscape at the prison. Funding was provided by the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management and the Native Plant Society of New Mexico.
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Ecological Education Program
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As part of the "Unidos por las Aves" youth ecological education program, retired S. Albany High School teacher and volunteer Chava Neuhaus visited two Willamette valley sister elementary schools in the rural towns of San Franco and Cabras, Guanajuato, Mexico, to deliver handwritten pen pal letters from Oregonian students. There, the students wrote reply letters and made drawings and origami cranes to send back to Oregon. Along with IAE Ecological Education staff,
Chava visited Garfield and South Shore Elementary Schools to hand-deliver the letters and show pictures of their sister communities and natural areas in Mexico. We thank the Meyer Memorial Trust Foundation, the Gray Family Foundation, and other supporters for making this program and exchange possible!
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IAE Board of Directors:
Ken Bierly, President; Cary Stephens, Vice President; Laurie Halsey, Treasurer; Deborah Clark, Secretary; Anne Bradley, Sarah Greene, Brandy Humphreys, Debbie Johnson, Shinji Kawai, Mak Estill, Carol Savonen
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