Bankston Family Nature Preserve AKA Bankston Conservation Easement

12/15/2025

The creek is still high, it’s fun to watch the water sparkle!

06/10/2025

It was too sudden and short to get a picture, but I had a close encounter with a mama deer and her TWO tiny, adorable fawns! They quickly melted back out of sight, but I was completely enchanted for at least an hour afterwards! ❤️❤️❤️ If anyone in the vicinity gets a picture of them I’ll add it here. #😍

05/20/2025

The Emerald Ash Borer. Is this beauty a friend or foe? Check out the proceeding post to learn more!

05/20/2025

Here is a young ash tree. I’m told it may be young enough to avoid death by the Emerald Ash Borers that have reached Oregon in the last few years. They are an invasive beetle from Asia that have been destroying millions of ash trees in 36 states so far. It is the most destructive tree insect pest ever introduced in North America. In the easement, the ash trees have helped many species of plants, amphibians, stream-dwellers and their surrounding areas keep moist and shaded. Hang in there little tree!

05/20/2025

Pretty sure this is a Geum of some sort, possibly Wood avens. Delicate yellow flowers appear on slender stems from May to August and are a good source of nectar. Wood avens is an important food source for caterpillars of the Grizzled Skipper butterfly. Looking good with that horsetail backdrop!

05/20/2025

Two whitetail deer were spotted coming through the easement! The blacktail deer are common here, but the whitetails are rare. So happy they found a safe place to hang out. And thanks to the sharp-eyed neighbor who spotted them! ❤️🦌🦌😍

01/20/2025

Mama and baby hanging out in the easement. ❤️❤️❤️

11/04/2024

Such a huge loss as both an incredible conservationist and a devoted husband and father. He will be sorely missed, but he left a legacy that will continue to allow us to champion for wild creatures and spaces. Thank you Bob.

Willamette Riverkeeper is deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of our Executive Director Bob Sallinger. As we grieve alongside Bob‘s family, we also honor his immense contributions to the broader environmental community, and will continue to impart his spirit in our work toward the protection, restoration and conservation of river habitats and water quality across the entire Willamette watershed.

08/10/2024

Two good friends of the easement! Check them out!

Join Tualatin Riverkeepers and Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District for a virtual aquatic w**d watcher workshop AND a guided paddle trip!

🌿 Increase your awareness of the invasive w**ds considered to be of greatest concern and train to be a floating botanist.

🌿 Learn to identify these invaders in local natural areas and along streams and rivers as you drive, hike, bike, and paddle.

🌿 Add valuable knowledge to your repertoire of facts, natural history, river lore, and conservation information that you can share.

The workshop & stewardship paddle trip will provide you an opportunity to identify these problem species in the field, discuss control strategies, and paddle with friends!

Virtual Workshop: August 8th, 2024, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Guided Paddle Trip: August 10th, 2024, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM @ Tualatin Community Park

More information & registration on our website: https://tualatinriverkeepers.org/events

07/24/2024

I did some research on the small-flowered bullrush and found some interesting facts. Their stems are triangular, and have been used historically for weaving lightweight baskets and cooking food. It has the important ecological niche of providing food for birds and shelter for amphibians. It wants full sun and is often found growing with skunk cabbage. So exciting to watch the diversity increasing every year!

07/24/2024

Inviting sun and shade vista! The forest floor is gaining diversity as additional native plants are reintroduced to this habitat. The horsetails are giving way to a more natural mix of many trees, shrubs, and perennials.

07/24/2024

Young checkermallow establishing itself in the easement. I don’t know what exact species it is, but I’ll post a picture of a flower in the comments.