Families and friends of all ages are welcome to join us for a Twilight Walking Tour of Horseshoe Lake. This 236 acre floodplain property is located on the east bank of the Willamette River between Corvallis and Albany.
On this mostly flat and leisurely walk, we will explore a mix of habitats including wetlands, prairie, and riparian forest as we look and listen for birds, beavers, and pond turtles who all find food, water, shelter and room to roam in this beautiful place.
The walk will be under three miles, mostly along a mowed access road with some uneven footing at times. Our walk leaders will be Kendra Callahan from Greenbelt Land Trust and Brome McCreary, Wildlife Biologist with the US Geological Survey.
Join Greenbelt Land Trust’s Executive Director Jessica McDonald for a presentation and walk at Owens Farm to learn about the fascinating history of the property and the exciting vision of community health-focused recreation that the Owens Farm Partnership is moving forward.
Step inside the historic farmhouse, walk along the route of future trails, and learn how you can help the Owens Farm Partnership – City of Corvallis, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Benton County and Greenbelt Land Trust – make the vision come true.
We will walk for up to one mile, with some mild elevation, over uneven ground at times. No restrooms on site. Please leave four legged friends at home.
We’re all feeling the stress of uncertainty as we get through the first days of what may be an extended period of social isolation and staying home.
Parents are scrambling for ways to teach, inspire, or just deal with their kids with the schools closed. Everyone’s at home, all day.
For Claire Fiegener, Greenbelt’s Conservation Director, birds were part of the solution, and a new hobby for her kids.
“After realizing that my husband and I would be working from home while our twin 13-year-old boys would also be home from school, and the initial panic started to wear off, I knew we needed to provide some fun and structured activities they could do during the day.
Learning more about our local “backyard” birds appeared to spark some interest, so we brought out our binoculars and bird identification books, printed out local common bird lists, and downloaded bird ID apps on their iPads. They set up notebooks to document the species they were viewing and general information about the time and location (in the yard) they were conducting their viewing activities.
We present different challenges to them such as what time of the day do you tend to see more birds, how does the weather impact your viewing, and can you use the bird ID apps (that include bird song recordings) to identify any birds by their song, to try and keep them engaged and interested for as long as possible.
As my family is working to adjust to these uncertain and trying times, it does bring me joy to see my children discover a new ‘hobby’ as they call it, that sparks their interests.”
What do they think about their new stay at home work, and how is it making their stay at home time better? 
Let’s hear from one of Corvallis’s newest birders:
“Bird watching is fun because it is nice and peaceful outside, it is cool to look at pretty birds, and it gives you something to do to get some fresh air. I think it is peaceful outside because no one is talking and it is very quiet.
I find the birds to be pretty because they are very graceful and their calls sound cool. In addition, the bird’s multi-colored feathers are very unique and nice to look at. I would recommend bird watching to other kids who are also out of school because it is fun and it can help you calm down during a stressful time like this.
I first did bird watching last week. It is a very fun and cool hobby especially at a time like this while kids are home from school because of the Covid-19 virus, and if you haven’t done it before, now is a great opportunity to try it!”
This is how kids get hooked on birds, they learn it at home.
Bird watching is an easy way to connect with nature and once you start it may be hard to stop. On your walk, in the car, or from the couch, birds can be seen or heard just about anywhere.
Backyard birders can contribute to citizen science, enter photo contests, and even play Fantasy Birding.
Feeling cooped up and want to get your family started in the world of birds?
Claire has some great tips up above, and here’s an article from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology with resources for bringing birds into your life and making the next few weeks a little easier.
We’ll be posting more ideas and resources for home science and nature learning on our social media channels over the next few weeks. Be safe, and bird on!
All are invited to the public open house and holiday gathering hosted jointly by Greenbelt Land Trust, Marys River Watershed Council, and Benton Soil & Water Conservation District. Visit with staff, volunteers, and friends while learning about our conservation projects and partnerships. Enjoy delicious treats and beverages.
There’s a lot to celebrate this year! Drop by or stay awhile – we look forward to seeing you!
Weather note: This event is still on!! Join us for a public open house and holiday gathering hosted jointly by Greenbelt Land Trust, Marys River Watershed Council, and Benton Soil and Water Conservation District. Come and visit with staff, learn about our work and partnerships, and enjoy delicious homemade pies, cookies, and hot cider (made from Bald Hill Farm apples) with friends. Plus, be serenaded by the Spartacappella high school group at 3:30 pm. Drop by or stay awhile – we hope you can join us!
