An Oak Savannah and the Importance of Native Plants

Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice believes in Native Plants! Our ultimate goal is to restore the land to what is called an “Oak Savannah” with plants native to the north Willamette Valley, but with some limitations. We have marked all the Oaks on the land and have begun the process of rescuing them from non-native and other plants that are smothering them such as Scotch Broom, Hawthorne, Himalayan Blackberry, Wild Plum, and Wild Rose. This is a task that will take years of hard labor while at the same time starting Eloheh Farm from scratch. In this process, we have chosen not to completely irradicate all these plants but to do extreme thinning and maintain them. Why?

When we first arrived at what is now Eloheh in Yamhill Oregon, the land was so overgrown with these other trees and plants that we could barely walk the land. Yet, being here in the spring and summer we were able to observe what plants were producing fruit and which were simply crowding out the Oaks and other native species. We harvested fruits like plums and blackberries for nourishment and Hawthorne and Rose Hips for medicinal purposes. These plants also, serve many purposes. They are, as author Fred Pearce calls them, “The New Wild.”

While it is common practice to get rid of everything except for the Oaks, we were struck with the fact that all plants have a purpose. We decided we would prefer, to plant and encourage native plants but severely thin and limit non-native plants. Our role over the next decade will be to maintain a harmonious balance on the land. The meta-narrative that keeps running through our minds is: Limit and watch the newcomers until the native species have a chance to grow stronger, then see what kind of a balance eventually arises. With that said, we will need the help of others over the years to assist in the thinning process and to purchase and plant native plants on the land. The native plants are already beginning to return and flourish more than the non-native species. For example, where there were no Camas patches on the land the year we arrived, there are now two natural patches where Camas have greeted us and we have planted two more, with over 500 Camas plants! We have just in the last year seen two fine patches of Tar Weed surface. Others include Mule’s Ear, Indian Balsom, and many species of wildflowers.

As climate change and development continue, we are losing more habitat for native species. The importance of biodiversity has never been more important to us and even to those with a small yard. We must all join together to make a difference. Various species of plants and insects and birds and bacteria, etc. have grown together over the millenniums, and have learned how to cooperate together. Each knows how to sustain itself with the others. When one species is endangered, all species are in peril, even humans. The plants we seek have adapted to our particular climate and soils, and become more efficient and regenerative. While they may need a little help initially, while being transplanted, they know how to sustain themselves and regenerate as they live on the land.

Which plants do I choose? There is a great list of native plants for our area to choose from at this site: https://www.oregonmetro.gov/native-plants-willamette-valley-yards-booklet

You can download the booklet and make your choices for yourself and/or for Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice. Sometimes finding these native plants can be a chore. We have used Craig’s List, local sales of native plants, and several Portland-area stores that specialize in our area including Sparrowhawk, Bosky Dell, and One Green World. Because of the cost, we are not able to do this on our own. We very much appreciate plant donations and also labor on the land. If you contact us, we can tell you what particular plants we are looking for at the time.

Currently, we are discouraging conifers except for Western Cedar. Conifers seem to do poorly when competing with the Oaks here. We always welcome Huckleberries, (Evergreen, Blue, and Red) a favored local tribal preference, as well as, Camas, Wapato, Tarweed, Elderberries, Big Leaf Maple, Oregon Grape, Cascara, Mock Orange, Checkered Mallow, Wax Myrtle, Pacific Ninebark, Red Alder, Red Columbine, Currents, Showy Milkweed, ferns, berries of all kinds, Tiger Lilly, Western Hazelnut and many others. Thanks for your support!