Chris Carvalho

@gorgepulse.bsky.social

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News, photography, analysis, and commentary on the Columbia Gorge and the environment. Rectal cancer survivor. Voice of marginalized Gorge communities.

Subject: Work Party with Barbara on 8/2
Date: July 29, 2026 at 2:41:45 PM PDT
To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Hello, Naturalists!

Thank you to everyone who helped with our fire abatement project! We accomplished an incredible amount in the three days, and our building is now much safer if another fire sweeps through.

I spoke with Barbara this morning, and she would like to wrangle volunteers for a work party this Sunday, August 2nd, from 10:00 to 1:00 at the Discovery Center & Museum. The work will largely consist of weeding – no heavy machinery this time!

Barbara and I strongly ask that folks RSVP to me. I will be out of town, and neither of us wants her out on the grounds alone in case she has a fall.

Barbara will meet folks in the picnic area of the Discovery Center at 10:00. If you're not able to come until later, which is completely okay, you can find her on the West side of the grounds between the highway and the pond. Please bring gardening gloves!

For day-of communications, especially if you are no longer able to come, you may call Barbara at (541) 705-7767. If she doesn't answer, please leave a voicemail and send a text message.

We appreciate your support,
Britney

Britney Gitch
Program Director
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum
(541) 296-8600 ext. 212
(she/her)

A pinedrops flower spike is dark red with short, fuzzy hairs. The hairs are sticky and coat the yellow flowers, which are at the end of arching stems off of the main bloom spike. The flowers are nearly spherical but tapered at the tip with a small opening that flares out slightly.

We're writing with an update following the Lyle Hill Fire, which affected the Lyle Cherry Orchard Preserve at the end of June.

First, some good news: the fire has been put out, evacuation orders in Lyle have been lifted, and no lives or homes were lost. We remain deeply grateful to the Lyle firefighters and the regional crews whose swift, coordinated response protected the community.

Our land trust staff was recently able to get out to the preserve for a first look at the damage. Walking the trails, they saw that sections will need repair and that the oak woodlands must be assessed for damaged trees that could pose a danger. This was only an initial visit, and a comprehensive survey of the burned area is still to come.

Due to their findings, the preserve will remain closed indefinitely. Repairing the trails and giving the land time to heal will take months of work and stewardship before it's safe to visit again. We know this is disappointing, but the closure protects the Lyle community, visitors, and the recovering landscape. Staying away from the preserve also keeps the limited emergency resources available where they're needed most.

For the foreseeable future, we ask that you do not visit the preserve. When it's ready to reopen, you'll receive official word from us.

Looking ahead, we anticipate a range of stewardship opportunities where you'll be able to help us restore the land. We don't have a timeline for those yet, but keep an eye on your inbox for future work party announcements.

Thank you for your patience, your care for this special place, and your continued support.

Two blue anemone flowers float above three-lobed leaves with slightly notched edges. The flowers are a rich blue with five or six petals, about 1.5 inches across. The texture of the petals resembles tissue paper. In the center are 30-50 white-tipped stamens.

By Butterfly austral - Serge Ouachée - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12185129