Wolftree to hold fundraising concert

A live outdoor concert with three bands on the rim of Whychus Creek Canyon: That's what the science education organization, Wolftree, has planned for this Saturday evening in the hopes of raising money to pay for habitat restoration and other expenses on their new Whychus Creek Discovery Outpost.

Funds raised will also support their education work in local schools.

Last fall, after months of negotiation, Wolftree closed the deal on a 58-acre parcel of land that straddles Whychus Creek and contains critical habitat for salmon and steelhead reintroduction and provides a venue for the outdoor education of children from all over Oregon and southwest Washington.

Now, with an administrative office here in Sisters, Wolftree has made a huge investment in the area. With a half-million dollars in grant money from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and donations from its supporters, Wolftree is making the Discovery Outpost a reality.

Janet Zuelke is heading up the fundraiser. She and her husband, Forrest Babcock, have been instrumental in the creation of the Outpost.

"He was actually the spark plug behind this happening," said Zuelke of her husband's devotion to the project. "Making sure this property ended up with Wolftree was his bottom line."

For most of the last century, much of the middle reaches of Whychus Creek have flowed across private lands, and the creek has suffered. Recently, however, three large sections of the creek downstream from Sisters have found their way into the hands of conservation-minded stewards.

Camp Polk Meadow was acquired by the Deschutes Land Trust, and work has already begun on habitat restoration. The owners of Rimrock Ranch entered into a conservation easement with the land trust; and, now, Wolftree has added another section of the stream to the list of protected areas.

Wolftree's goal is to increase scientific and geographic literacy of children in the Pacific Northwest. Its programs are especially designed to promote scientific interest in underserved populations such as ethnic minorities, female youth, and rural populations with limited access to scientific programs.

Wolftree reflects the philosophy outlined in Richard Louv's acclaimed book "Last Child in The Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder." Louv was awarded the 2008 Audubon Medal, and the book has created a national conversation about the growing disconnect between children and nature. Some like to call it the "No Child Left Inside" initiative.

Since its establishment a little over a decade ago, Wolftree has helped introduce over 125,000 students to the natural world. As schools throughout the region slash educational programs, Wolftree sees its role as becoming even more important.

"We're teaching kids in Sisters," said Zuelke. "We're teaching kids in Redmond, and in Madras, and in Prineville."

Babcock and Zuelke live on property adjacent to the Outpost and permit access to the site over their land. They will also be hosting the fundraising event at an outdoor arena they have named Pace Amphitheater.

Zuelke said the Wolftree fundraiser will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. Music will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a performance by the premiere students of the Sisters High School Americana Project. Next up is the folk rock/pop band Little Fish, and closing out the show are the Moon Mountain Ramblers, with their brand of "newgrass" music.

An "authentic" Whychus Canyon barbecue dinner will be served starting at 6 p.m., and a "Howl-on Auction" will be held at approximately 7:30 p.m. between the performances by Little Fish and the Moon Mountain Ramblers.

"This is the very first event for us, and it was difficult to get sponsors," said Zuelke, "especially in this economy. So we're hoping to raise big dollars at the event."

Guided discovery hikes into the canyon will be conducted from 5 to 7 p.m.

Zuelke said that a quite a few interesting auction items have been donated by Sisters merchants. Such things as guided fishing trips will also be on the auction block. One item expected to attract interest is artist Kathy Deggendorfer print titled "Song of the Canyon," which was inspired by the Outpost's location in Whychus Canyon. There will also be a wine raffle.

Tickets and further information are available through the Wolftree office at 549-1459. Advance tickets are $20, or $45 per family ($25 and $50 at the gate). The event will be held at 69725 Lake Drive.

To reach the site, take Highway 126 three miles east of Sisters and turn left onto Camp Polk Road at Aspen Lakes Golf Course. Stay on Camp Polk Road for a little over one mile and turn right onto Panoramic Drive. After a quarter of a mile, the road splits; take Buckhorn Drive to the right, then turn left on Lake Drive and follow the Wolftree signs to the event.