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State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation meets March 29 in Zoom Meeting - 03/27/24

Salem, Ore. – The State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will meet March 29 on Zoom to consider a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The SACHP meeting is open to the public. 

Friday’s meeting agenda includes the hearing of one proposed nomination.

The business meeting on Friday will begin at 11:00 a.m. Anyone may listen to the meeting and instructions on how to attend electronically will be posted on the commission web page prior to the meeting. Registration is required to speak at the meeting, and is available online at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/Commissions.aspx#SACHP

On Friday, the committee will review the Malmgren Garage, Talent, Jackson County.

For specific hearing times, refer to the online agenda: www.oregonheritage.org (click on “Commissions & Committees” at top of page and look under “State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation”).

The SACHP is a nine-member governor-appointed citizen commission with credentials in many historic preservation-related fields. 

Nominations recommended by the SACHP go to the National Park Service, which maintains the Register under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

This effort aligns with the Oregon Historic Preservation Plan goal to increase the thematic diversity of Oregon properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It also supports the goals to include more voices and increase access to Oregon heritage that are part of the Oregon Heritage Plan

The conference call is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting may be made with at least three days of advance notice by calling (503) 986-0690. 

More information about the National Register of Historic Places process is online at www.oregonheritage.org.

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Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee meets April 2 to evaluate grant applications - 03/22/24

Salem, OR—The Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee (OORC) will meet 9 a.m., April 2, to rank and establish a priority list of Land and Water Conservation Fund grant proposals submitted from throughout the state. The proposals are for projects to develop and rehabilitate public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. 

The meeting is open to the public, but there will not be time for public comments. 

The meeting will be held in person at 725 Summer Street NE, Room 124A, Salem, OR 97301. For those unable to attend in person, a Zoom meeting option is available. 

Attend via Zoom (no registration required):
Online: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89598640948?pwd=ZxKl4x8n9HS5T1PW4JS3K8CpLBavt0.1
Passcode: 007105

View the agenda for a list of project proposals and additional meeting information: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/gra/pages/gra-lwcf.aspx . Select the 2023-2024 Schedule link.     

Recommendations from the OORC will be submitted to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for review and approval at their April meeting. OPRD will then forward approved project proposals to the National Park Service for final approval. 

The OORC is made up of nine members who represent a variety of interests and are appointed by the OPRD director.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is a financial assistance program of the National Park Service. LWCF grants provide matching funds to state and local governments for acquiring and developing public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) administers this federally funded grant program for the state.

For more information contact Nohemi Enciso, LWCF Grant Program Coordinator, at 503-480-9092 or nohemi.enciso@oprd.oregon.gov, or visit the LWCF webpage on the OPRD website.

Camp Namanu
Camp Namanu
National Park Service Lists Camp Namanu in Clackamas County in the National Register of Historic Places (Photo) - 03/22/24

SANDY, Ore. – Camp Namanu is among Oregon’s latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places. Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) recommended the nomination at their October 2023 meeting for its important social and architectural history. The National Park Service — which maintains the National Register of Historic Places — accepted this nomination in March 2024.

Camp Namanu, Oregon's first girls' camp founded in 1924 by Camp Fire Girls, spans 552-acres along the Sandy River. It features rustic wooden buildings blending seamlessly with the surrounding meadows, forests, and river. Reflective of Progressive Era summer camps, Camp Namanu was established to provide the types of leadership and outdoor development opportunities to young women that already existed for boys.

The camp's structures are influenced by the back-to-nature movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries that romanticized the American landscape. Notably, Camp Namanu features works by Pietro Belluschi, an Italian American architect renowned for his Pacific Northwest-inspired designs. Belluschi is credited with the design of several existing lodges at Camp Namanu and those buildings illustrate the early development of his style.

For more information on how Camp Namanu is celebrating its 100-year anniversary, visit www.campfirecolumbia.org or contact Josh Todd, President & CEO of Camp Fire Columbia at jtodd@campfirecolumbia.org or (971) 347-6250.

The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

This effort is in line with Oregon’s Statewide Preservation Plan that seeks to increase the number of listings in the National Register and addresses the goal to increase the populations underrepresented in Oregon’s National Register listings. It also supports the goals to increase access to and include more voices in Oregon heritage that are part of the Oregon Heritage Plan.

Properties listed in the National Register are:

  • Recognized as significant to the nation, state, or community;
  • Considered in the planning of federal or federally-assisted projects;
  • Eligible for federal and state tax benefits;
  • Qualify for historic preservation grants when funds are available;
  • Eligible for leniency in meeting certain building code requirements;
  • Subject to local laws pertaining to the conservation and protection of historic resources.

State law in Oregon requires local governments to offer a minimal level of protection for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places; the decisions about how to accomplish that goal reside with local governments, which also have the authority to create and regulate local historic districts and landmarks.

More information about the National Register and recent Oregon listings are online at oregonheritage.org (listed under “Designate”).

Attached Media Files: Camp Namanu , Camp Namanu , Camp Namanu
Whale Watch Center outside
Whale Watch Center outside
Spring Whale Watch Week returns to the Oregon coast for spring break 2024 (Photo) - 03/14/24

Corrected: The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

OREGON COAST, Oregon— Oregon State Parks will host Spring Whale Watch Week along the Oregon Coast Saturday, March 23 through Sunday, March 31.

Trained Oregon State Park volunteers will be stationed at 15 sites along the Oregon Coast to help visitors spot whales and their calves and answer questions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily March 23-31. The sites are some of the best places to watch for whales on the Oregon Coast. 

The spring event is three days longer than last year and might include better odds of seeing gray whales on their journey home from the calving lagoons in Mexico in light of today’s announcement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

NOAA announced the end of an Unusual Mortality Event, a significant die-off of the gray whale population, that had affected the marine mammals since 2019.

“The latest counts indicate that the gray whale population has likely turned the corner and is beginning to recover. It’s a perfect time for people to see them as they swim north with new calves to feed,” said Michael Milstein, public affairs officer with NOAA Fisheries.

Researchers counted about 412 calves last year, which was almost double the number from the year before. That helped signal an end to the Unusual Mortality Event and a likely turnaround in numbers as the species begins to rebound.

An estimated 14,500 gray whales are expected to swim past Oregon’s shores from late winter through June as part of their annual migration back to Alaska.

“Spring is a great time for whale watching because the gray whales are usually closer to shore on their return trip, typically around a mile or so out, and the weather can be better for viewing. But don’t forget your rain gear just in case,” said Park Ranger Peter McBride.

A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online on the official event webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching

The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 23-31. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Rangers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.

All Whale Watch Week visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and keeping an eye on the surf at all times. Go to https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.

For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit oregonstateparks.org.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Spring Whale Watch on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch24.

Media Resources: photos available at this link.

Cherry blossoms illuminated at State Capitol State Park March 16-April 6 - 03/13/24

SALEM, Ore.—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will host “Yozakura,” night viewing of the Akebono cherry blossoms, March 16 through April 6 in the North Mall at State Capitol State Park. 

Parks staff will illuminate the cherry blossoms with Japanese lanterns and lights nightly 6-9 p.m. Visitors may bring blankets, camping chairs or an evening picnic to enjoy under the canopy of the illuminated trees. 

The lanterns and lights create a striking and beautiful scene inside the park at night.

The Focal Point Photography Club of Dallas will be in the park March 23 at 7 p.m. to help photographers capture the perfect shot of the illuminated blossoms. SamaZama, a koto and cello duo, will perform in the park March 30 at 7 p.m. The duo will also perform March 16 as part of the Cherry Blossom Day sponsored by the Oregon State Capitol Foundation and the City of Salem.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will livestream the cherry blossoms on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OregonParks beginning March 16 during the day and evening through April 6. 

Park staff ask that tree limbs and blossoms are left as is so everyone can view them throughout the bloom. Alcohol is not allowed in State Capitol State Park (without permits) and the park closes at 10 p.m. 

For more information on events at the Capitol, call Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 or visit the events page .

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Plovers and nest
Plovers and nest
Respect nesting areas to protect threatened snowy plover March 15 - Sept. 15 (Photo) - 03/13/24

OREGON COAST, OR – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and Siuslaw National Forest remind visitors that it is plover nesting season on the Oregon coast March 15 to Sept. 15 ­— visitors can help recovery efforts for the threatened western snowy plover by observing recreation restrictions in designated plover areas. 

Sensitive plover nesting areas will be roped off or identified by signs with rules and limits, such as staying on the wet sand, to help protect the small shorebirds and their exposed nests during this crucial period. Recreation restrictions occur in designated plover management areas: stretches of beach along the coastline where plovers nest or might nest. These areas combined make up about 40 miles of Oregon's 362 miles of shoreline

Seasonal recreation restrictions have helped protect these small birds that nest on open sand. Nests, and especially chicks, are well-camouflaged. During the nesting season, human disturbances can flush adult plovers away from their nests as they attempt to defend their young. Left alone too long, or too often, eggs or chicks can die from exposure, predators or people. 

Reminders for recreation on designated plover beaches March 15-Sept. 15:

  • The following are not permitted: dogs (even on a leash), driving a vehicle, riding a bicycle, camping, burning wood, flying kites or operating drones.
  • Foot and equestrian traffic is permitted below the high-tide line on wet, packed sand.
  • Respect signs and barriers to protect nesting habitat.

“We’re making great strides in reversing the decline of this species,” said Cindy Burns, Siuslaw National Forest wildlife biologist. “But it takes all of us, so we urge people to do their part to understand nesting season rules and to share the beach this spring and summer.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed western snowy plovers as a threatened species in 1993, when officials counted only 45 breeding adults. The numbers of breeding adults have steadily increased since then due to ongoing efforts.  Officials counted 433 during the breeding season survey in 2023.

“We appreciate visitors' support in keeping these shorebirds safe in the combined 40 miles of protected area along the coast. We invite visitors to enjoy permitted recreation in those areas or to recreate without seasonal restrictions on the hundreds of miles of beaches not designated as plover nesting areas,” said Laurel Hillmann, ocean shore specialist for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

More information on the snowy plover, including detailed maps of nesting sites, can be found on the Oregon State Parks website (oregon.gov/plovers) and on the Siuslaw National Forest website (https://t.ly/AKPAN). Visitors to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area can review Off-highway Vehicle (OHV) maps at its website to identify unrestricted recreation areas and information on riding motor vehicles on the sand. 

New plover activity   

The increase in plover numbers may result in nesting occurring in new or historical nesting sites. For example, visitors to Sand Lake Recreation Area may see small roped off areas near the lake’s inlet to protect active nests, and may encounter plovers on the beach. Beachgoers are encouraged to protect these birds by restricting recreation activities to wet sand areas, avoiding roped off nesting areas, packing all trash out and keeping dogs on leash. 


Background on plover protections

Several land managers oversee beach activity for plover protection, primarily the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

Habitat loss from invasive plants — as well as human disturbances, including litter and discarded food scraps that attract predators — have contributed to the birds’ decline. The Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative, saveoregondunes.org, is working with land managers on a restoration strategy and to raise public awareness about the need to restore the dunes ecosystem for western snowy plovers, rare plants and animals and the unique recreation opportunities offered here. 

Editors: photos are available at this link.

Attached Media Files: Plovers and nest , Plover and chicks
Rose
Rose
Oregon Black Pioneers' exhibit runs through May at Champoeg Visitor Center (Photo) - 03/08/24

Updated to include hours: SALEM, Oregon— Visitors to Champoeg State Heritage Area can learn about Black Pioneers and early Black history in Oregon at an exhibit that runs through May at the visitors center 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. 

Champoeg partnered with Oregon Black Pioneers to bring the traveling exhibit to the state heritage area.

“These stories enrich understanding of early pioneer life in Oregon and the contributions of Black Americans,” said Park Manger David Figgins.

“These were courageous Americans who overcame the odds to reach for the dream of safety and prosperity for themselves and their families. They’re an important piece of the tapestry of stories that make up Oregon history.”

The exhibit features eight interpretive panels that highlight just a few of the approximately 400 Black residents who came to Oregon from 1840 to 1870. What little is known came from newspaper articles and public records. Topics include the Oregon Trail, Black exclusion, slavery in Oregon, challenging the laws and land ownership.

The traveling exhibit was created by Oregon Black Pioneers, an African American historical organization that has been preserving the history of Black Oregonians for more than 30 years. 

"We are so proud to display The Black Pioneers at Champoeg State Heritage Area,” said Oregon Black Pioneers Executive Director Zachary Stocks.

“People of African descent are often left out of the stories of early Oregon, but this exhibit demonstrates the determination of the first Black men and women to call Oregon home."

People can also view the exhibit online at https://oregonblackpioneers.org/exhibit/the-black-pioneers/ If you are interested in hosting this or other traveling exhibits or would like more information on other resources and services, please reach out to the Oregon Black Pioneers at their website https://oregonblackpioneers.org/

Champoeg State Heritage area was home to the Kalapuya Indians for thousands of years and eventually the site where pioneers voted to establish Oregon’s first provisional government. For more information about the park including hours, visit the webpage https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=79

Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area is a hidden gem and one of the least visited parks in 2023.
Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area is a hidden gem and one of the least visited parks in 2023.
Near record-breaking levels of visitation at Oregon State Parks in 2023 (Photo) - 03/05/24

SALEM, Oregon— Oregon State Parks continued to experience near record-breaking levels of both day use and camping in 2023. 

It was the second busiest year for day-use visits with an estimated at 52.2 million visits, just behind the historic record of 53 million in 2021. It was the fourth busiest camping year with 2.9 million camper nights, which is slightly less than the record high of 3 million in 2021.

Parks with the largest increases in day-use visits include Beachside State Recreation Site, Ecola State Park, Harris Beach State Recreation Area (most visited in the state), Oswald West State Park, Maud Williamson State Recreation Site, Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site, Clyde Holiday State Recreation Site and Farewell Bend State Recreation Site. 

Camping was slightly down overall due in part to closures at two popular campgrounds, Beverly Beach State Park and Bullards Beach State Park, which were closed starting in the fall for construction projects. The valley and mountain region saw a slight increase in camping, however, with some of the largest increases at Detroit Lake State Park, Milo McIver State Park, Prineville Reservoir State Park and Lake Owyhee State Park. 

Sustained higher visitation underscores the need for rangers and support staff statewide. Last month, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) started its 2024 seasonal recruitment to hire 250 seasonal rangers and ranger assistants with the goal of filling all those roles this year. 

Rangers and support staff work hard to keep the parks clean and safe while providing educational and recreational opportunities. Visitors can also help at their favorite parks by following park rules, leaving no trace and thanking a ranger when they can. They might also consider visiting some of the hidden gems in the park system to find a new favorite place to explore.

Parks with some of the lowest visitation include Catherine Creek State Park, Bates State Park, Jackson F Kimball State Recreation Site, Unity Lake State Park, Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Clay Myers State Natural Area at Whalen Island and Golden and Silver Falls State Natural Area. 

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department continues with its GO Bonds projects totaling $50 million in improvements to aging infrastructure and to protect Oregon’s resources with projects at nine parks. The work will also add visitor facilities and expand camping at several parks including Silver Falls and Champoeg by 2026. The improvements were funded by general obligation bonds approved by the Oregon Legislature in 2021. 

“We are incredibly grateful to our visitors, volunteers, partners and to all those who cherish and support Oregon State Parks. We could not steward these outstanding natural, scenic, cultural, historic and recreational sites without your support,” said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption. 

*The overnight camping figure is derived by taking the total number occupied sites and applying a multiplier to estimate the number of camper nights. The day-use figure is derived by taking car counts and applying a multiplier to estimate the number of visits. Car counters sometimes require maintenance and replacement, which can impact individual numbers. The overall results are OPRD’s best estimate for tracking trends over time.

Kam Wah Chung main room
Kam Wah Chung main room
Kam Wah Chung museum open for tours during spring break March 25-29 (Photo) - 03/04/24

JOHN DAY, Oregon— Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site opens its doors for tours during the week of spring break, March 25-29, before reopening for the full season May 1 through Oct. 31.

The Kam Wah Chung building and museum is a National Historic Landmark that preserves the home and businesses of two Chinese immigrants, Ing "Doc" Hay and Lung On. For more than 60 years the building was a social, medical and religious center for Oregon's Chinese community.

The Kam Wah Chung building will be open for guided tours March 25-29. The free, 45-minute tour begins at the Interpretive Center at 125 NW Canton Street in John Day. It runs every hour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., except from noon to 1 p.m. 

“We’re excited to offer this opportunity once again during spring break so visitors can experience this incredible heritage site,” said Museum Curator Don Merritt.

Space is limited to 8 people per tour so reservations are recommended. Call 541-575-2800 for more information and to make a reservation.

Oregon Main Street Adds Two New Affiliated Main Street Communities to the Network - 02/29/24

SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Main Street (OMS) has accepted the City Club of Forest Grove and Main Street Cascade Locks at the Affiliated Main Street level of the OMS Network. 

Communities participating at this level have a high degree of commitment to using the nationally recognized place-based Main Street Approach™ methodology to create lasting impact in enhancing their historic downtowns. 

Affiliated Main Street level communities must have a cohesive core of historic or older commercial and mixed-use buildings that represent the community’s architectural heritage and may include compatible in-fill. They must also have a sufficient mass of businesses, buildings, and density to be effective, as well as be a compact and pedestrian-oriented district.

The primary emphasis of the Affiliated Main Street level is to provide technical assistance to program’s in their formative years.  Acceptance into this level allows communities to participate in training, community assessments, technical assistance, and receive local capacity building support. There isn’t a fee to participate in the Oregon Main Street Network. 

The selection process included submitting an application that describes their district, previous efforts to improve downtown, readiness to implement the Main Street Approach™, board development efforts, in addition to other criteria. 

Currently, there are 100 communities in Oregon participating in one of the four levels of the Oregon Main Street Network: Accredited Main Street, Designated Main Street, Affiliated Main Street, and Connected Communities. Both communities were represented by their cities at the Connected Communities level prior to being accepted at the Affiliated Main Street level. In Cascade Locks, a local Main Street group is just forming so the timing is good to benefit the assistance Oregon Main Street can provide. In Forest Grove, they have been exploring the right structure for the main street effort and found a willing partner in the City Club of Forest Grove.

Oregon Main Street is part of Oregon Heritage in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. For questions, contact Oregon Main Street Coordinator Sheri Stuart, sheri.stuart@oprd.oregon.gov.

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