Nov. 22, 2024. Hood River, OR — Ferment Brewing has teamed up with Oregon Wildlife Foundation (OWF) for Red Legged Ale, a collaborative hoppy red ale that supports our red-legged amphibian neighbors in Forest Park. The beer is available on draft and in 16oz 4-packs for a limited time beginning Nov. 19.
Every fall and early winter for millennia, Northern red-legged frogs have migrated between their habitat in Forest Park to wetlands near Multnomah Channel to lay their eggs, creating the next generation. Directly in their migration pathway are the busy Highway 30, railroad tracks, and Marina Way, making their journey dangerous and often fatal.
Northern red-legged frogs are a species of conservation concern in Oregon’s State Wildlife Action Plan. This particular sub-population has, for many years, had an assist from wildlife supporters who hand-collect the frogs in buckets and move them safely across Highway 30. The Harborton Frog Shuttle is a wonderful but not sustainable long-term solution for safe wildlife passage.
In trying to get to a workable solution, OWF commissioned the design of a highway crossing structure — an undercrossing on Highway 30 near the town of Linnton to help red-legged frogs and other small animals get safely across the highway.
The Harborton Frog Crossing project will address the barrier that Highway 30 is to the movement of red-legged frogs and other small species. OWF’s consulting team, with input from ODOT and ODFW personnel as well as Frog Shuttle volunteers, have settled on a conceptual design and plan. Now it’s a question of raising the funding needed to implement this project. To donate to the crossing visit myowf.org/frogs.
“This project represents an opportunity to help address habitat connectivity for red-legged frogs and other small wildlife species living around us. They can’t fix what we’ve made, only we can do that. We hope you’ll join us in this effort” said Tim Greseth, Executive Director of Oregon Wildlife Foundation.
Sales from Red Legged Ale benefit the Oregon Wildlife Foundation’s advancement of the Harborton Frog Crossing project. The beer is a red ale made with rolled oats, German wheat, and English crystal malt for a velvety smooth texture. Local Centennial and Ekuanot hops from Yakima Chief were added to the whirlpool to create delicate lemon and rose aromas and a beautifully hoppy finish.
“As a brewery that values and celebrates nature, Ferment Brewing is committed to promoting conservation efforts in our community, " said Jenn Peterson, Ferment’s Director of Operations. “That's why we couldn't be more proud to support the Oregon Wildlife Foundation and their vital work in protecting and preserving red-legged frogs. Enjoying a delicious pint of Red Legged Ale means you're not only savoring a great beer, but also making a positive impact on the local ecosystem.”
You can grab a 4-pack or enjoy a glass at Ferment’s Hood River brewpub or throughout its distribution footprint in Oregon and Washington.
Learn more about the red-legged frogs at myowf.org/frogs.
About Ferment Brewing Co.
Ferment Brewing Co. opened in 2018 as a 20-barrel brewery and tasting room in Hood River, Oregon. Born out of an appreciation for the art of fermentation, the company prides itself in providing a modern brewery and tasting room experience that fuses traditional farmhouse techniques with a forward-thinking scientific approach. Ferment offers a unique family of beers that tap the wild terrain of the Columbia River Gorge for inspiration. Learn more at fermentbrewing.com.
Oregon Wildlife Foundation
Oregon Wildlife Foundation is an apolitical operating charitable foundation dedicated to increasing private and public funding support for wildlife conservation projects in Oregon. Since 1981, OWF has directed tens of millions of dollars in private and public support to a broad range of projects throughout Oregon. For more information visit www.myowf.org.
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