Local tree clippings:

The Rock Creek Headwaters, part of the Tualatin River Watershed. (Metro)
The Rock Creek Headwaters, part of the Tualatin River Watershed. (Metro)

–Metro announced it bought 20 acres of the upper Rock Creek Headwaters, according to The Oregonian.

The headwaters, which border Forest Park to the west,  is part of the subwatershed boundary for the Tualatin River.

–The City of Vancouver announced this week it is seeking applicants for a volunteer position on its Urban Forestry Commission.

The seven-member advisory board meets monthly to “enhance the city by managing and conserving trees,” according to the press release.

There is no city residency requirement and applications must be received by Nov. 4.

–If you missed the book signing and discussion with David Allen Sibley and his new tree guide, there is a 4,000-word interview on the Powell’s Books blog, including this excerpt on tree identification:

“The first 30 species are the hardest ones, and once you’ve got that kind of a head start, it becomes much easier to use the book on your own and add a few more species each week or each month to your own repertoire.”

–Just like everyone else, Oregon’s nursery businesses struggled through the last fiscal year, reports The Oregon Association of Nurseries and The Oregonian.

–The Oregon Natural Resource Education Program is calling all K-5 educators for a series of workshops that aim to teach how to utilize outdoor field trips as environmental education opportunities. The day-long sessions at the World Forestry Center will run from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13.

–TS