Wondering what The Crest has been up to?
Written on October 26, 2023. Posted in At The Ranch.

Fall at The Crest
The Crest has been staying busy this fall hosting several field trips each week, and our first Star Party this past Saturday. Thank you to all who joined us!
In our newsletter this month, we’re excited to share about our recent collaboration with Pollinator Project Rogue Valley, the silent auction for ourWinter Solstice Celebration and Star Gazing Event, and seasonal plant and animal activity in the “Who’s Flying, What’s Blooming?” section.
Field Trips with Pollinator Project Rogue Valley
The Crest is in the peak of fall field trip season! Students are visiting the ranch to explore the farm and learn about the ecosystems here.
We recently collaborated with Pollinator Project Rogue Valley during a school field trip to grow our pollinator curriculum and increase pollinator knowledge amongst students at The Crest. As part of this experience, students studied sleeping bumble bees, used microscopes, and made seed balls for planting pollinator-friendly flowers in their home or school gardens.
We look forward to continuing field trip collaborations with Pollinator Project Rogue Valley next Spring, when students will study and survey pollinator activity in the wildflower meadows!
Winter Solstice Celebration and Star Gazing Event

Gourmet farm-to-table meal, libations and stargazing on the Winter Solstice at Willow-Witt Ranch’s idyllic Meadow House
Mark your calendars….silent auction opens November 15th!
Event is on Thursday, December 21st
The Crest will hold an online silent auction for 10 seats to this intimate event where you will be transported up to Willow-Witt Ranch’s lovely Meadow House in the depth of the gorgeous winter wonderland to enjoy gourmet fireside farm-to-table delicacies and libations (catered by local Rogue Renaissance Catering), nestled in the arms of the longest night of the year, followed by stargazing with the experts away from the bright lights of the city. Pick-up in Ashland at 4pm, drop-off at 7:30/8pm.
Proceeds from this event support our Summer Programming, making it accessible for all.

Ruffed Grouse
The Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) is a year-round resident of our area. These birds are named for their dark neck feathers that form a bushy “ruff” when on display, and sport spotted plumage and a short crest atop their head. Ruffed Grouse usually live in the underbrush of the forest where they forage for seeds and insects; however, these birds have also been known to inhabit areas recovering from logging or burning.
Photo: Lucas Bobay, Macauley Library

Quaking Aspen
While the Quaking Aspens (Populus tremuloides) may not be “blooming” in the truest sense of the word, these trees are displaying bold fall colors as their leaves turn. All the trees in an Aspen stand, or group, are genetic replicates of each other that share an extensive and fast-growing root system. Aspens can tolerate various soil conditions, but require full sunshine of the locations where they grow.
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