Saturday, Apr. 19, 2008

Richland preserve a natural oasis

By John Trumbo

Einstein is a recluse, but that’s not unusual for a beaver.

Evidence of his engineering skill and his industriousness are some of the unmistakable features of the Amon Basin Nature Preserve. Einstein’s neighbors include various species of waterfowl, cottontail rabbits, black-tailed jackrabbits, raccoons, hawks and river otters.

The creek is a hobbit-like hideaway just south of Claybell Park in Richland. Development is closing in, yet the preserve is hardly noticeable because of the undulating terrain.

The public has a chance to visit Einstein’s environment Saturday during a guided interpretive walk starting at 9 a.m. The event is sponsored by the Friends of Amon Basin and the Tapteal Greenway Association. People who want to join should meet at Claybell Park, off Broadmoor Street in South Richland. Hikers are advised to bring water, binoculars, a camera and wear sturdy shoes, but leave their dogs at home, said Scott Woodward, president of the Tapteal Greenway Association.

A recent walk to the 100-acre preserve revealed a mix of wetlands and shrub steppe that includes freshwater springs, vistas and one of the last patches of Wyoming sage in the Tri-Cities and one of the best examples in the world, Woodward said.

The walk begins just south of Claybell Park, following a dirt trail heading to the west about 50 yards, then due south about 100 yards, drawing closer to the west fork of Amon Creek.

Russian olive trees sink their tap roots deep along the creek bank, while their thorny branches provide cover and seclusion for rabbits and migrating salmon. The walking trail broadens because it has been used for vehicle access and because it is the old Yakima River bed, Woodward said.

Farther on, as the trail sneaks along a side hill to the east, the creek environment closes in on the west. Midmorning sunlight paints the creek with bright yellows and greens, and a pair of green-winged teal scoot low over coyote willows and horsetail rush. Redwing blackbirds and blue heron frequent here, Woodward said.

Woodward walks and talks, eager to point out a surprise just ahead. “We have a resident you will want to see,” he said. A couple of harrier hawks skim over a pond where the ambling Amon Creek leaks through a mass of vegetation that conceal muskrat.

It’s the first sign of Einstein, but Woodward held his tongue. He preferred to point out the fragile ecology of the hillside, noticing the occasional white spots on the ground where it looked like someone dropped a bag of flour.

Those spots are evidence of underground springs, the white being minerals deposited when the wetness evaporates in the heat of the day, he said.

Walking a bit closer to the south end of the pond, Woodward pointed out a beaver condominium, as he called it, and a beaver slide, where Einstein and his family have stripped away grass to make a muddy path to the water in case a quick getaway is needed.

The largest edifice attributed to Einstein is something the beaver created more than 100 feet across on a pond. The pond provides not only refuge for Einstein, but a play area for river otters, Woodward said.

Leaving the creek, and marching due east up the dune hills, Woodward reached a vantage point and an old railroad right of way.

The evidence of unauthorized off-road activity was obvious. Embankments had been scrubbed of fragile vegetation. Sagebrush was flattened, some of it decades old, Woodward noted.

The railroad bed swung a long arc around the hill, generally northeast and led to a broad open area devoid of vegetation. Rusty car bodies were about and lots of off-road trails criss-crossed the area.

A rush of water emerges from a culvert during irrigation season, creating Beer Falls, a popular off-roading rendezvous site. The Amon Wastewater meanders about one-half mile northward toward Claybell Park. Woodward pointed out damage from off-roading that has created flooding problems.

Today’s tours are intended to educate and invite the public to participate in protecting and making the preserve better, said Kathy Dechter, one of the coordinators.

There are 15 volunteer guides who will take each group out for 11⁄2 to 2 hours, Dechter said.

The sponsoring organizations also hope the tours will create interest in the public attending a community meeting at 7 p.m. April 30 at the Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Dr., Richland.

The city’s Parks and Recreation Department will be asking for public comment as it considers how to further develop and expand Claybell Park adjacent to the preserve.

Dechter said the Tapteal Greenway Association also wants public participation in helping eliminate illegal vehicle access to the preserve, in restoring damaged areas, and in establishing trailheads and designated trails.

— John Trumbo: 582-1529; jtrumbo@tricityherald.com

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