November 16, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Lewis and Clark's Flora Discoveries

During their expedition, Lewis and Clark studied and described some 200 plants that were new to them, but long known by Native Americans.  Oregon naturalist Jerry Igo will discuss wild flowers and other native plants the pair discovered during their westward expedition.  The program, co-sponsored by The Friends of the Straub Environmental Learning Center and the Willamette Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon (NPSO), will be held November 16 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 5090 Center St. NE, Salem.  Igo serves as the NPSO's Education Committee Chair and he heads the society's mid-Columbia chapter.  He is the historian/naturalist on Lindblad Expeditions' cruise ships on the Snake and Columbia Rivers.  Igo has taught botany, biology, and wilderness skills at Portland and Clark Community Colleges.  Free and open to the public.  For more information call 503-581-0887.

Suzanne Torre, Willamette University student, will discuss her research to restore a wetland prairie at the Fairview industrial site in Salem. The purpose of Torre's project is to determine whether mitigated wetlands can be effectively enhanced with Camassia and other flowering plants and how reintroduced communities differ from natural riparian meadows.  This research is important because it seeks to restore the biodiversity of these areas after natural wetlands have been developed for urban and economic expansion.  She also hopes to engage citizens and students in re-creating valuable public spaces and wetland functions.  The program, co-sponsored by The Friends of the Straub Environmental Learning Center and the Willamette Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, will be held November 18 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the environmental center.  The center is located at 1320 A Street NE in Salem (right next to Olinger Pool).  Free and open to the public.  For more information, call 503-364-8097.

Dr. Morris Johnson – Ethnobotany

December 16, Thursday, 7 p.m.

Dr. Morris Johnson, retired professor emeritus, Western Oregon University, will discuss ethnobotany, the study of how the indigenous people of our region made use of plants for food, shelter, medicine, clothing, hunting, and religious ceremonies.