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About Seaside signal. (Seaside, Or.) 1905-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2019)
Friday, November 1, 2019 | Seaside Signal | SeasideSignal.com • A3 Fall Fungi Frolic Katherine Lacaze North Coast Land Conservancy Land Steward Eric Owen discusses mycology, the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, during the organization’s Fall Fungi Frolic. delivers mycological treasures By KATHERINE LACAZE For Seaside Signal The going was slow along the trails at Circle Creek the afternoon of Oct. 25 during the North Coast Land Conservan- cy’s Fall Fungi Frolic. However, the small group of partici- pants was less interested in getting from a specifi c Point A to Point B as quickly as possible than they were in observing the treasure trove of mycelium and mush- rooms along the way. “Mushrooms are super cool, super important parts of our ecosystems,” Land Steward Eric Owen told participants before leading them out onto the 364- acre Circle Creek property for the conser- vancy’s fi nal “On the Land” outing of the 2019 season. Nature’s bounty As the group meandered along the ver- dant trails, still damp and muddy from the autumn rain that had fallen early that day, the participants enjoyed their discoveries in numerous ways — discussing the vari- ous fungi they happened upon, collecting small specimens to take back to the Circle Creek Conservation Center to identify, snapping pictures, and even hand-draw- ing images of the mushrooms. As Owen pointed out to the group, there are four main classifi cations of fungi: the chytridiomycota, zygomy- cota, ascomycota, and basidiomycota. Fungi in their various forms are both pro- lifi c and critical to a wide range of habi- tats, with scientists estimating as many as 90% of plant species relying on them for life. More and more, emerging research in the fi eld of mycology is exploring the sentience of fungi, their genetic and bio- chemical properties, and how they inter- act with soil, plants, and one another. Owen recommended the participants keep hard copies of fi eld guides and other references to help identify and learn Katherine Lacaze ors to the Circle Creek property study a wide ge of fungi. more about the different species they fi nd at their own property or when out mushroom-hunting. “Use all the resources available to you,” he said. Living off the land Kristin Koptiuch, who moved from Phoenix, Arizona, to Rockaway Beach in June, has recently embraced the study of mycology as a way to adapt to and explore her new environment, interact with the specifi c landscape of the North Oregon Coast, and “use what grows on the land.” In the past month, she has attended three mushroom workshops and events — including the Fall Fungi Frolic — and she was planning to attend a fourth in the coming week. Koptiuch’s interest is learning where to scavenge for mushrooms, how to iden- tify them, and how to use them for med- icine, food, and other purposes. Based on her research so far, she is especially excited about fi nding the popular King Bolete mushroom, which is “supposed to have the best fl avor,” she said. Gearhart resident Pat Wollner, who demonstrated her enthusiasm and knowl- edge of the mycelium network frequently throughout the outing, said there tend to be two groups of fungi enthusiasts: those who are interested in fi nding edible vari- eties to cook with and use for practical purposes, and those who are enamored with the fascinating – and often slimy — world of fungi, including mold and yeast. Regardless, when it comes to studying mycology, “some of the best people do it,” she joked. Wollner got interested in scavenging for and researching fungi about two years ago. Since then, she said, “it’s kind of consumed me. “I am so enthusiastic about the whole science of the thing, the whole myce- lium network,” she said, adding, “It’s so diverse.” Cove Beach property owners question moratorium Conservation group By NICOLE BALES The Astorian Property owners in Cove Beach are raising concerns about the lack of transpar- ency and oversight of the Falcon Cove Beach Water District. The water district voted for a six-month moratorium last December after report- ing water production had been at record low levels for the past several years during the late summer months. The moratorium was extended for another six months in June so the board could continue to look at long-term options to protect the water supply. The water district may vote to extend the moratotium again in December. As long as the morato- rium is in effect, property owners have to come up with another means of getting their water to obtain a devel- opment permit from Clatsop County, said Gail Henrik- son, the county’s director of land use planning. Each home is required to document a water source that will provide 250 gallons a day. The county accepts sev- eral types of alternate water supply systems, includ- ing rain catchment. But the alternatives can increase building costs, leaving some property owners in limbo as they are unclear how long the moratorium will be in place. Several property owners are not convinced there is an emergency that warrants a moratorium. Guido Paparoni and his wife, Margaret Rozendaal, bought a parcel in Cove Beach in 2017. They want to build a home and move to the coast when they retire. Paparoni has a Ph.D. in economic geology and Rozendaal has a Ph.D. in climate science. They decided to use their exper- tise to examine the data themselves. They looked at multi- ple sources, including data reported to the state of how much water is produced by the spring, data recorded by the water district using water meters and data measured by independent weather sta- tions in Cove Beach and Manzanita. They concluded there is no water shortage. The water district could not be reached for comment. “The goal here is not to fi x it. The goal here is to main- tain lack of development and they’re doing it through the duration of an emergency that doesn’t exist,” Pap- aroni said. “And because an emergency doesn’t exist, the moratorium is without a technical basis. You cannot have a moratorium without an emergency.” completes restoration project on Mill Creek The Astorian The North Coast Watershed Association, a local nonprofi t conserva- tion group serving Clatsop County, has just wrapped up a successful stream res- toration project on Mill Creek. The project removed culverts, sediment and fi ll that had blocked fi sh migration for decades, reopened and planted 1.6 miles of stream, and decommissioned almost 2 miles of old forest road. “With state fund- ing and contracted work through the Oregon Department of Forestry,” Jane Harris, executive director for the organiza- tion, explained, “we have been able to rehabilitate an important stream for migrating salmon to its original healthy fl ow.” People interested in local watershed health can learn more at clatsop- watersheds.org THANK YOU SO MUCH! On behalf of all of our members, volunteers and most importantly, THE KIDS who benefit from our programs, the Assistance League of the Columbia Pacific would like to thank everyone who made the 12th Annual Home & Chef Tour a huge success! Event Sponsor: Home Owners Jill & Tony Garvey and Alix & Tom Goodman, Susan & Eric Hoffman and Fred Trullinger, Page Knudsen Cowles, Richard & Margaret Marino, Elizabeth Kingery Warren, and Connie Cosner. Home Sponsors th Seaside American Legion Post 99 • 100 Birthday of the American Legion Semi formal Celebration Englund Marine, Autio Co., Dr. & Sheila Miller for Dr. Russel Keizer, Lums Auto Center, TOTEM Properties, U S Bank, and Bigby’s Tree Service. Chefs November 10th No host Cocktail hour 5:30 Dinner served 6:00pm $30.00 per ticket Prime Rib or Salmon Thai Me Up, Finn’s Fish House, Maggie’s on Prom, Pacific Way Café, Dough Dough Bakery and The Sweet Shop. Florists Bloomin’ Crazy, Natural Nook, and Erickson Floral Printer All Dinner Guests MUST RSVP before November 2 nd so do it now! 503-440-7630 • 1315 Broadway Seaside Oregon Public event Proceeds go toward helping our Veterans Anchor Graphics Assistance League of the Columbia Pacific is a nonprofit, all-volunteer, organization whose philanthropic programs promote the well-being and self-esteem of children and teens throughout Clatsop County. To learn more or get involved please visit www.assistanceleaguecp.org