This unassuming plant now blooming in the Gorge is puccoon, a Native American name. Known botanically as Lithospermum ruderale, it was used as a dye & body paint. It also has medicinal uses. A poultice of leaves & stems was applied for arthritis. But it has another secret... It was used as a natural contraceptive. Women of the Shoshone drank a cold water infusion of the roots daily for 6 months & achieved permanent sterility. Modern research was first carried out in 1945 & confirmed the active chemical, lithospermic acid, suspends the estrus cycle...

Milkweed is starting to sprout in Portland. Monarchs are just starting to move north in California, with the northernmost reports at Sacramento. Our cold spring might delay arrival here to late June. While overwintering numbers were much better, the migration potential... of the population is unknown because there's growing evidence some butterflies are becoming permanent local residents in California. Be sure to report your sightings to Journey North at journeynorth.org/sightings/
Photo documentation is preferred but not required. You can also...

Updated Oregon #coronavirus trends. 1,095 new cases, 1 new death. The 14-day average for deaths is 6.3, the lowest seen since the start of the Delta wave around August 10, 2021. While the cumulative death trend has finally leveled off, increasing cases give concern it could be... a short-lived break. Hospitalizations are still bouncing around at low levels though, which is a hopeful sign. There are 159 total patients, 17 in ICU, & 5 ventilator patients. Where @OHAOregon is falling down is in vaccination of seniors in care facilities. They've dropped...

Blue camas (Camassia quamash) is now blooming in low elevations of the Gorge. The plant likes moist, sunny meadow areas. The Indians used it as a #FirstFood. When Lewis & Clark explored the area, they were introduced to it by natives. Their first impression wasn't good & it... caused quite a stir, digestively speaking:

20th September 1805 [Clark]
they <those people> gave us a Small piece of...

Buffalow meat, Some dried Salmon beries & roots in different States, Some round and much like an onion which they call <Pas she co> quamash.

.@GorgeFriends just updated their outdoor event calendar. March 3, they committed to "looking at new ways to deepen Gorge community connections to our outdoor programs; partner with BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other historically marginalized community groups on special, joint-outings..." but the events make no mention of any of the promised joint outings. So the wait 🥱continues. Don't let them off the hook. First, they'll need to build trust with marginalized groups; that might present some difficulty. If you are asked to partner, ... gorgefriends.org/hike-the-gorge…