Remembering original riverkeepers

On the Refuge

By carolyn uyemura

The Sherwood Gazette, Sep 29, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

ADVERTISEMENTS

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2

The American Antiquities Act was passed and signed into law 100 years ago on June 8, 1906. All forms of irreplaceable national heritage resources (natural, scientific, and archaeological) have been protected under this act. When you visit an archaeological or historical site, state and federal laws prohibit damage or removal of artifacts. One nearby place to visit is the Plank House at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. This is a replica, as exact in construction and furnishing as possible, of the great plank houses of the Chinook Indians and you can learn fascinating details about their way of life at this site. There will also be a fall celebration and BirdFest on October 14-15 (rfriends@pacifier.com). This year's Oregon Archaeology Celebration includes events for all -scholars or families, hands-on or lecture. To see a copy of the calendar, go to www.oregonheritage.org. Another site, Archaeology for the Public, is at www.saa.org/public.

The Atfalati Unit of the Refuge is located along Highway 99W between Sherwood and King City. Look for the signs to the entrance. When you take a walk along the trails toward the Tualatin River or the woods, visualize the life of the Atfalati who lived here so long ago. The landscape had to be so different from what we see today. They did not have Himalayan blackberries, English ivy or Scotch broom. They had beavers and muskrats, but no nutria (a large water rodent from South America). Refuge staff efforts to restore native vegetation and the natural cycle of flooding from the Tualatin may someday give us a replica of the landscape the Atfalati lived so comfortably on for thousands of years before us.

You are invited, dear reader, to our Annual Meeting on Saturday, November 4, at the Sherwood Senior Center. We are planning an especially entertaining program by the Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project, good food and fellowship, as well as a "state of the refuge" review, and a brief business meeting. You can always find us on the web at: www.friendsoftualatinrefuge.org. Or leave a message at 503-972-7714.

<< Prev. Page 1 | 2