September Change for Good Partner: Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
At Ashland Food Co-op, our commitment to community and sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. This September, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on our Change for Good partner, Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (Friends of CSNM). This dedicated organization works tirelessly to protect, restore, and conserve the natural beauty of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument through service, advocacy, and education.
Stewardship in Action: Restoring Riparian Areas
One of the key initiatives Friends of CSNM has been involved in is the restoration of riparian areas within the Monument. By using low-tech, process-based restoration techniques, the Friends are contributing to the re-establishment of beaver populations—an essential step in maintaining healthy ecosystems. On June 1, 2024, Friends of CSNM hosted its first-ever Beaver Scavenger Hunt, an innovative event where fifty volunteers scoured creeks and streams throughout the Monument in search of beaver signs. The data collected during this event will play a crucial role in guiding future restoration efforts. Learn more about this project here.
Education and Engagement: Hike & Learn
Friends of CSNM is also dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Monument through education. This fall, they’re offering two exciting Hike & Learn events in collaboration with local non-profits. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or someone looking to deepen your connection to the natural world, these events are a fantastic way to engage with the Monument:
- Birding in the Monument in partnership with Klamath Bird Observatory.
- Thinking Like an Ecosystem for Bottom-Up Change with The Understory Initiative.
These hikes offer a unique opportunity to learn from experts while exploring the stunning landscapes of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. For more information and to sign up, visit the Friends of CSNM website.
Support Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
Throughout September, every time you shop at Ashland Food Co-op, you can support the vital work of Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument through our Change for Good program. Your contributions will help fund their ongoing efforts to protect this unique and valuable ecosystem.
Join us in celebrating and supporting Frikends of CSNM this month. Together, we can make a difference for our local environment and ensure that the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument remains a treasure for generations to come.
Stop by the Co-op and get to know more about Friends of CSNM in person on Wednesday, September 4th from 10:00am - 2:00pm and Wednesday, September 18th from 10:00am - 2:00pm.
Learn more about Friends of Cascase-Siskiyou National Monument online!
More Co-op News
August Change for Good Partner: Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center
August's Change for Good Partner is
Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center
(KS Wild)
KS Wild's mission is to protect and restore wild nature in the Klamath-Siskiyou region of southwest Oregon and northwest California.
July Change for Good Partner: Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
July's Change for Good Partner is
Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Protecting and enhancing precious land in the Rogue River region
to benefit our human and natural communities since 1978
Meet the 1st Street Beet
Welcome to the newly redesigned and reimagined newsletter from the Ashland Food Co-op: 1st Street Beet.
Think of this publication as a resource to know what’s going on in every level of the community: at the co-op, around town, in the region, and on Earth!
June Change for Good Recipient: Our Family Farms
June's Change for Good Recipient is
Our Family Farms, an Oregon 501(c)3 non profit organization, is hard at work educating and inspiring farmers, policy makers and the community at large to support regenerative agricultural practices.
Capiche Conversations: Interview with Tracy Kaiser, Marketing & Education Manager of Ashland Food Co-op
Our own marketing manager, Tracy Kaiser, was interviewed by Melissa L. Michaels for Capiche Conversations.
May Day Community Block Party
Photography by Chelsea Whitney Art
On May 1st, several Southern Oregon businesses came together for a block party to provide a space to gather as a community after a rough spell due to the pandemic and fires. The May Day Block Party was hosted on Main St in Phoenix, where the scent of food trucks mingled with artisan goods such as local cheeses, locally farmed flowers, and even fresh-baked pastries.
May Change for Good Recipient: Rogue Valley Farm to School
May's Change for Good Recipient is
Rogue Valley Farm to School educates children about our food system through hands-on farm and garden programs, and by increasing local foods in school meals.
April Change for Good Recipient: Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
April's Change for Good Recipient is
A Visit with Rolling Hills
Visit Rolling Hills Farm and learn more about owner Dave Belzberg, who the Ashland Food Co-op is so honored to partner with for more than thirty five years.
A Visit with Magnolia Farms
Visit Magnolia Farms and learn more about owner Elissa Thau, who the Ashland Food Co-op is so honored to partner with for more than twenty years.
A Visit with Emerald Hills
Visit the Emerald Hills Ranch and learn more about this fourth generation ranching family that the Ashland Food Co-op is so proud to partner with for more than twenty years.
A Conversation with Katie Falkenberg, Photographer and Filmmaker
Katie Falkenberg's photography and filmmaking has taken her all over the world, and lucky for us - she's been calling the Rogue Valley home for a couple years now. Exquisitely and harmoniously capturing the world around her, she is documenting not only through the lens but also through her peaceful and loving spirit. Katie reached out to us in hopes of collaborating after falling in love with the co-op soon after moving here.
March Change for Good Recipient: North Mountain Park Nature Center
March's Change for Good Recipient is
North Mountain Park Nature Center,
a division of Ashland Parks and Recreation, that encompasses demonstration gardens, a nature playground, and approximately 14 acres of Natural Area that is managed for wildlife preservation and public education.