Our May Plant Walks

Okanogan Chapter, Washington Native Plant Society

The Okanogan Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society covers the area between Wenatchee and Republic, from the Cascade crest to the Columbia River. Each year we visit botanically interesting areas in order to appreciate, conserve and study our native plants and habitats.

This is our 2014 calendar of hikes and events. All of these events are open to the public, but space is limited so registration is required. For more information call Dana at 509-997-9011 or George at 509-997-6010.

Native Plant Appreciation Week: April 27 – May 3

Thursday, May 1. with Methow Conservancy. “After-Work” Wildflower Walk & Talk. Join a botany volunteer or Mary Kiesau, the Methow Conservancy’s Educational Programs Director, on a native plant “after-work” walk and talk. We'll go to a different location on each walk, appropriate for the time of the month. These mini-classes are free but space is limited so registration is required. Contact Mary for more details or to reserve your spot at mary@methowconservancy.org or 509-996-2870. 

Saturday, May 3. Golden Doe Wildlife Area, Native Plant Appreciation Week. Visit a large bench on land below towering McClure Mountain. The landscape is open, with scattered shrub-steppe, wetlands and forest stringers. Bring lunch, dress for the weather, and consider binoculars for the abundant wildlife. The hike involves moderate off-trail difficulty, but no steep slopes. Meet at 9am in the parking area behind Hank’s Market & Ace Hardware in Twisp. Prepare to carpool; cars parked on state land require Discover Passes. To join this field trip, notify G. Wooten (509-997-6010; george232@centurytel.net). 

Thursday, May 8. Judd Ranch. Former WDFW Methow Wildlife Area Manager, Tom McCoy, leads us in this little-visited area, at a time when wildflowers should be in their prime. The first steep mile leads up to a plateau of rolling hills with meadows. Bring lunch, dress for the weather, and wear boots appropriate for snake country. The hike involves moderate walking distances. Meet at 8am in the parking area behind Hank’s Market & Ace Hardware in Twisp. Prepare to carpool; cars parked on state land require Discover Passes. We need at least 5 people to take this trip, and no more than 12. To join this field trip, notify Joyce Bergen (509-996-7808; magpie@methownet.com).

Saturday, May 17 (Saturday) Moccasin Lake Ranch Wildflower Walk and Picnic. Greata Beatty, author of Wildflowers of Moccasin Lake Ranch, will show us some of her best wildflower viewing spots. This event includes a picnic lunch and short walks accessed by vehicles. Funds will benefit the Methow Valley Interpretive Center, partners with the Native Plant Society through the native plant garden in Twisp. To register for this field trip, notify George Wooten (509-997-6010; george232@centurytel.net). Cost is $40.

Sunday May 18. Gentle Homestead Walkabout.  Dana Visalli will lead an easy walk around his 9 acres, where he claims at least 200 bitterroot will be in bloom, plus many other native shrub-steppe wildflowers, and an intact soil crust of mosses, clubmosses and lichens, plus a wildflower garden full of various penstemons.  1-3 pm; meet promptly at 1 pm at Dana's house on the East County Road near Balky Hill.   To join and for directions call or email Dana at 997-9011 or dana@methownet.com