05/29/2026
Hello Everyone,
The Pend Oreille County Master Gardeners invite the public to join them, in partnership with the W**d Board staff, for a special field trip exploring the diverse native plant communities of northern Pend Oreille County.
See the News Release attached for more information.
Best,
Beverly Sarles, CPP
Acting County Tribal Director
Extension Volunteer Coordinator
4-H & Master Gardener Program Coordinator
WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension
P O Box 5045
Newport, WA 99156
(509) 447-2401 (Phone)
(509) 447-6912 (Fax)
[email protected]
WSU/Pend Oreille County Extension
News Release: May 28, 2026
Contact: Beverly Sarles [email protected]
Washington State University (WSU)
WSU Master Gardeners host a Field Trip to Explore Native Plants of North Pend Oreille County
The Pend Oreille County (POC) Master Gardeners invite the public to join them on a special field trip exploring the rich native plant communities of north Pend Oreille County. The excursion, offered in partnership with the Pend Oreille County W**d Board, will take place Saturday, June 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. South County participants may meet at 8:00 a.m. in the parking lot of the WSU POC Extension Office to receive maps, review the day’s route, and organize carpooling. All other attendees should plan to meet at the first stop, which will be at Sweet Creek County Park at 9:00 a.m. where W**d Board staff will lead a guided “W**d Walk” focused on identifying native plants and discussing bagged noxious weeds. Following the park tour, Tom Pulford, from the W**d Board, will lead the caravan to explore a variety of native trees, shrubs, and understory plants unique to the intermountain West. As time and road conditions allow, the field trip will travel through several distinct ecological zones: beginning in the Ponderosa Pine Community near the river, climbing into the mid elevation mixed conifer forest shaped by long winters, and potentially reaching the subalpine zone, where participants may have the chance to see the iconic Whitebark Pine.
This educational outing is free of charge and open to all. All attendees must provide their own transportation. 4 wheel or all wheel drive vehicles are required for the upper elevation portions of the tour. Bring a sack lunch, water, mosquito protection, sunscreen, hiking shoes, and binoculars. Carpooling will be arranged at the start of the event. For community members interested in native plants, forest ecology, or simply experiencing the natural beauty of Pend Oreille County, this field trip offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from knowledgeable guides in the landscapes they know best.
WSU Extension programs are offered without regard to race; s*x; religion; age; color; creed; national or ethnic origin; physical, mental or sensory disability; marital status; s*xual orientation; and/or status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran. Persons with a disability requiring special accommodation while participating in this program may call: 509-447-2401 at least 14 days before the program.
