Tag: public conservation areas

Global Big Day

Join CLC and the Alan Devoe Bird Club to be part of the Global Big Day! Led by bird club member and ornithologist, Michael Nicosia, we will explore the different habitats at Drowned Lands Swamp and collect data to be part of birding’s biggest day! We will discuss the use of the eBird resources for submitting birding check lists that contribute to important global data sets.

What is Global Big Day? Every year from midnight to midnight on the first Saturday of May, bird enthusiasts around the world report bird sightings via e-bird. Last May, more than 30,000 people around the world participated, reporting more than 7,000 species in a single day!

Hunting Season Begins at Several Public Conservation Areas

Hunting Season Begins October 1

Hunting season at several of CLC’s Public Conservation Areas begins October 1. 

The Columbia Land Conservancy issues permits every year to a small number of individuals to hunt deer at six of our sites. When visiting these sites during hunting season – October through December – particularly during early morning and evening hours, please wear orange or other bright colors. Hunting is allowed at select sites by permit only. 

If you’d rather not hike at a site where hunting is taking place, visit Borden’s Pond, Siegel-Kline Kill, Ooms, or High Falls.

Click here to learn more about why hunting is an important part of managing CLC’s Public Conservation Areas.

Foraging at Public Conservation Areas

It’s ramp season, and the allium lovers among us are ecstatic! We’d like to remind everyone that while some of our Public Conservation Areas may play host to the tasty treats, we do not allow foraging for ramps (or other edibles) at any of our sites.

Why not?

  • First and foremost, many ramps are overharvested to the point where their populations are threatened. CLC does not have the organizational capacity to closely monitor foragers and ensure that ramps are harvested sustainably.
  • Many ramps are also located off-trail. Going off the trails at our sites is highly discouraged, as there’s potential for foragers to damage fragile flora and fauna, like ephemeral spring wildflowers that are often growing at the same time ramps are. Pick closer to the trails, of course, and you risk noshing on a ramp that’s been previously doused by our trails’ many dog patrons!
  • And of course, there’s the potential that you could pick something poisonous, and harm yourself. For example, false hellebore looks a lot like ramps, and sends people to the emergency room each year.

Thanks for understanding and complying with this policy! You can also check out these tips to be a sustainable harvester if you find ramps on non-CLC lands that permit foraging.

Painting credit: Frans Ykens – Still Life with Shrimps, Ramps, Flowers and a Glass Vase