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WINTER BLOOMS INTO SPRING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our native Osoberry (Oemleria cerasiforis) started leafing out and flowering in early February in the LBA Woods. This is one of our earliest bloomers in the Pacific Northwest so its appearance isn't so unusual. Osoberry technically blooms in late winter, but it's often considered a very early (and welcome) harbinger of Spring, but Spring seems earlier this year, perhaps because we barely had a winter--mostly rain, mud, and a few dips below freezing. At least we are not under a thick layer of ice and a polar vortex of brrrrrr. The Osoberry creates a lush understory of green. The male plants offer an early source of nectar and pollen, the female plants produce clusters of red-to-black berries (very small, bitter, mostly pit). Pollinators, birds, wildlife, and humans consume or use all parts of these shrubby trees. Take the time to observe their delicate white flowers and thecucumber-scented leaves. 

 

 

HOUSING FOR HUMANITY

If you've driven along Boulevard Road between Yelm Highway and Log Cabin Road, you've likely noticed some very large trucks parked along the edge of the open field that backs the LBA Woods. This is the beginning of the South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity development of affordable housing project. This 10-acre parcel of land was acquired by the City of Olympia for housing at the same time the 133-acre woods behind it was acquired for public parkland.

 

While it's hard to lose this piece of wildilife habitat popular among birds feeding on elderberry bushes and small mammals finding nesting sites in the tangle of blackberry, this flat, unforested site is well suited for housing. This project aligns with the city's plan increase the supply of permanently affordable housing for households that make 80% or less of area median income. The development is well served by Intercity transit (#94 bus) and schools are within walking and biking distance. Recall that the LBA Woods--all 150 wooded acres--was slated for 1,000 single-family homes before it was acquired as a city park. 

 

The development include 112 homes/units across 21 buildings with a mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-story units featuring 2,-3-, and 4-bedroom floorplans. For details information and updates, please visit the South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity website here. 

 

 

 

SATURDAY APRIL 4th WORK PARTY 10 a.m.-12 noon

Join us for a work party to continue our progress on beautifying the Van Epps Street ped-bike entrance to the LBA Woods. We will be removing a swath of ivy at the trailhead so that emerging and transplanted understory plants can thrive. Join us on Saturday April 4th. We'll meet at the dead end of Van Epps Street (off Morse Merryman Rd.). Tools, gloves, and snacks will be provided. Volunteer service forms gladly signed. Everyone is well, but anyone under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. NOTE:   The two parking lots  in LBA Park are likely to be full (baseball season!) so walking, biking or using on-street parking on Van Epps is your best option. Questions? Write us at lbawoodsoly@gmail.com

 

 

A word of thanks to Nick, a parkgoer who has been picking up the tiny 1/4-inch plastic pellets from the LBA Woods. Nick grew up nearby the woods, went to school nearby, and has a special place in his heart for these forested acres. Back before the woods became a city park (and pellet guns were prohibited per park rules), the hill near the water tower on Boulevard Rd. was a popular spot for pellet gun and paintball gun battles. How wonderful to have the forest floor free of the spent pellets. 

 

SPECIAL EVENT in CENTRALIA on Thursday March 12 for TREE LOVERS 

 

And finally, award-winning journalist and author Lynda Mapes will be speaking at Centrail College on March 12th 6:30-8 p.m. in the Transalta Commons (TAC-122). Lynda's book will be available for purchase and signing at the event. 

 

In “Trees are Speaking," Lynda connects the present and future of Pacific Northwest forests to the hard-logged legacy forests of the northeastern United States. With vibrant storytelling supported by science and traditional ecological knowledge, Lynda invites us to understand the world where trees are kin, not commodities.

 

Centralia College is just 30 minutes south of Olympia. For directions go here.