The Applegater

Applegater Fall 2017 23 Enchanted Forest Wine Run is September 23 Pay no attention to the various gnomes, pixies, elves, and other mythical forest creatures who will soon make an appearance in the Applegate Valley! They will be participating in the second annual Enchanted Forest Wine Run scheduled for Saturday, September 23. is exciting event is a fundraiser for the Applegate School Strings Program. Race routes begin and end at the beautiful vineyards of Wooldridge Creek Winery at 818 Slagle Creek Road, Grants Pass, Oregon. Runners will weave through vines of ripening grapes on their way to the Enchanted Forest, which will reveal amazing views of the valley below. There are various races offered to enthusiasts: a 24K, 12K, 5K, and Kids' Run. e 24K and 12K start at 10 am, the 5K starts at 10:15 am, and the Kids' Run starts at 12:30 pm. Register to run at facebook.com/ thewinerun. Volunteers are needed for this very important day! If you're willing, please call Applegate School at 541-846-6280 and leave a message with your contact information. A p p l e g a t e S c h o o l s t u d e n t s i n g r a d e s s i x through eight completed their science field study this June with the development of pollinator gardens in Cantrall Buckley Park. A strong community effort made this project a s u c c e s s . B e f o r e t h e Ju n e f i e l d w o r k , g u e s t s p e a k e r s e x p l a i n e d t o students the impor tant role that pollinators play in ecosystems as well the critical role that soil, water, and plants play in providing habitat for these pollinators. Guest speakers included Tom Landis, retired US Fo r e s t S e r v i c e ( U S F S ) n u r s e r y e x p e r t , w h o discussed native plants specific to pollinators; and Jakob Shockey, riparian m a n a g e r a t A p p l e g a t e Partnership and Watershed C o u n c i l , w h o s h a r e d information about the local watershed and the impacts that humans have had on it. Joni Brazier, a forest soil scientist with the USFS, also joined students, as did Bonni Criswell, a landscape designer and community educator, who helped students with a garden design and habitat requirements for monarch butterflies. Special thanks go to Janis Mohr- Tipton, who was instrumental in designing and coordinating the project, and Linda Kappen, who worked closely with the school and with Janis to make it all work. is project expands on Linda's work at Applegate School in conjunction with the Southern Oregon Monarch Society and Washington State University. "is project was a great opportunity for kids to get their hands dirty doing science," said Darrell Erb, principal of Applegate School. "We know that students doing work that is beneficial to the community and the Earth builds citizenship and character. is is a win- win-win—for our kids, our community, and pollinators!" Pollinator gardens are complete Linda Kappen demonstrated proper planting technique with advice from Janis Tipton as Applegate students looked on. Students then went to work planting their gardens at Cantrall Buckley Park. Applegate School students and staff helped create this tree mural depicting Applegate life. See story on page 22. Photo: Courtney Zimmerman, Carrying Wonder Photography.

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