Brief History of Drift Creek Nature Center

Drift Creek Nature Center grew out of a long tradition of interest in creation appreciation and stewardship by former directors and members of Drift Creek Camp. The program for the 46th DCC annual members meeting, November 3-5, 2006, focused on Creation Care and Stewardship of the Environment featuring hands-on outdoor activities on stream ecology, birding and ecology of the forest floor. Following these activities, an ad-hoc group gathered to discuss opportunities to develop an organized effort to promote creation care through DCC programming. This resulted in the formation of an advisory board to the DCC board of directors. This seven member working board held its first regular meeting the following Wednesday and continued regular monthly meetings, took several field trips together and communicated frequently on its email discussion group. In addition, a group of interested individuals kept posted on our development through a 'Friends of Drift Creek Nature Center' email discussion group.

2007 Annual Report
In the year since last November, much work has been done to bring the dreams of a nature center at Camp to reality. Mission and Vision statements were crafted and approved by the DCC Board of Directors. A strategic plan was made, operational procedures proposed and organizational structure is being developed. A variety of resources have been acquired and the construction of cabinets to house them in has begun. A web site has been designed and published. Funding is being solicited with the goal of finding resources beyond regular giving to DCC.

2008 Annual Report
The Drift Creek Nature Center advisory board’s second year was busy and productive. We decided to publish a newsletter ‘Footprints’ to report on our activities.

On March 22, we met with Conrad Gowell (river keeper) from McMinnville and a student at University of Puget Sound who is doing research on the Drift Creek Watershed.

Mervin Kropf, Nissi Gershom and John Gingerich attended a 1-day professional development event in Eugene on April 2 sponsored by the Environmental Education Association of Oregon. They had the opportunity to make some good contacts, gather some good resources, and learn about the extensive network of environmental education efforts in Oregon.

On May 24, we hosted our first bioblitz, an intensive effort to identify and document as many species as we could within a 24-hour period. It was an extraordinary success; we were blessed with beautiful weather, a remarkable team of knowledgeable experts, and identification of 200+ species. A DVD was made documenting this event, and several of the experts have returned to continue the search and the list has grown to over 340 species; the results are reported on our website.

We added some eye-catching exhibits to the Nature Information Center, a black bear hide, red-tailed hawk and mule deer.

Kenton Brubaker, Eastern Mennonite University biology professor emeritus volunteered for a third consecutive summer working with naturalist Nissi Gershom to develop and lead a variety of nature activities. A few of the bioblitz experts returned to assist with these activities.

Anna Williams and Tony Kauffman attended a Sustainable Energy Systems  Workshop August 16-17, at Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center. They gathered some important information and made some important contacts to facilitate the research, design and development of a micro hydro generating system for DCC.

This fall we were blessed to have Laura and Jesse Sigmans join the DCC staff bringing their many gifts and enthusiasm. We have seen many of our dreams come to reality in the few months they’ve been here; improved nature trails, facelift and organization to the Nature Information Center, a new map, activity sheets and trail guides, and a creek level gauge, We have purchased a trail camera to capture photos of nocturnal animals.

2009 Annual Report
New Member: Joe Ebersole
Continuing Members: Bruce Flaming (co-vice president), John (president) and Louise (secretary) Gingerich, Brenda and Tony Kauffman, Glen Oesch, Jesse and Laura Sigmans, Ken Snyder, Anna Williams (co-vice president), Jon Yoder
Retiring Members: Larry and Mary Jane Eby (continue as honorary members)

Biodiversity Survey: We have continued our effort to identify the biodiversity unique to Drift Creek Camp with significant gains in fungi, lichens and mosses. We now have 530+ species identified; 300+ with photos taken on site. We’ve had continued interest, visits and support from the specialists involved. Another spring event is planned. There is a complete inventory in the Nature Information Center and on our website.

Nature Information Center: This valuable resource continues to develop under Laura’s leadership and through the generous contributions of many. This year’s additions include:
• trail guides coordinated with new trail signs and markers and ecology field guides developed
•  salmon life cycle, copper salmon art, elk skull, butterfly and animal tracks displays
•  a microscope camera and 14 aquatic nets have been added to our resources
• the Biodiversity Survey inventory has been printed in booklet form
• 15 lessons for summer camp, each including creation care content, have been revised based on this years use
• Resources have been organized and stored in a file cabinet in the office
• a piece of library furniture for organizing and displaying our growing collection of children’s books
• a donated cabinet has been refinished for the 50 gal. donated terrarium for summer camp use
• numerous printed resources have been donated bringing our total to 400+, with nearly 100 children’s books,  90 field guides, and 20 unique pocket guides. There is a complete inventory in the Nature Information Center and on our website.

Professional Development; board members continue to participate in professional development activities:
• Water, Wetlands and Waterfowl; Project Wet and Project Webfoot workshop at Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center
• Connecting Children with Creation and Creator, Spirituality and Ecojustice in the Pacific Northwest" conference at LaSells Stewart Center at Oregon State University
• North American Association for Environmental Education conference in Portland
• Annual Mushroom Festival in Yachats with “Ecology of Plants & Fungi of Drift Creek” slideshow
• Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Grant Writing Workshop in Newport
• Let’s Go Outside; Project Learning Tree workshop at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge
• Alien Invasion: Plants on the Move!; Project Learning Tree workshop at Mt. View Elementary School in Corvallis

Looking Forward; our board is working on plans for the following projects:
• Family Nature Retreat in cooperation with Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center
• Restoration Projects in cooperation with Forest Service and Salmon Drift Creek Watershed Council including organizing a National Public Lands activity next fall
• Trail system upgrade and maintenance plan; seeking potential grant funds
• Promoting DCC for hosting Outdoor School and other Environmental Education programs
• Development of a Forest Monitoring Project for summer camp. outdoor school and other guest participation

updated 11.18.09