The Palouse

GroundWorks does most of its work in the Palouse region of southeastern Washington and northeastern Idaho.The area was once an extensive prairie composed of mid-length perennial grasses such as bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoregnaria spicata) and Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), today virtually all of the Palouse Prairie is planted in agricultural crops. The native prairie is one of the most endangered ecosystems in the United States (Noss et al. 1995), as only a little over one percent of the original prairie still exists.

GroundWorks is commited to maintaining natural areas within the Palouse. These areas provide wildlife habitat, moderate hydrologic flows, and allow for environmental educational opportunites and a recreational opportunities. Our protection and resoration efforts are focused on riparian areas. These areas are extremely important to wildlife and in regulating hydrology.

We will use the following space to highlight some of the amazing plants and animals of the Palouse and the work of local students and naturalists. If you have a favorite and would like to contribute a description please email us at groundworksmail@verizon.net. These descriptions were written by GroundWorks board member Lena Pollastro Septimo.

Native Plants and Wildlife of the Palouse

Symphoricarpos albus, more commonly referred to as snowberry, is one of the most widespread shrubs in North America and can be found at low to mid elevations in open forests, grassy openings, thickets and dry rocky slopes. The shrub can grow to 6 ft tall and is common in habitats of Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and choke cherry. The leaves are oval-shaped with smooth to wavy-toothed edges. The snowberry produces clusters of white berries in mid to late summer, which persist through to fall to provide a winter food source for birds; however, native cultures in the Interior area referred to these berries as “corpse berries” or “ghost berries” for their poisonous qualities. Traditional cultures used snowberry for various household purposes like alleviating sore eyes or tuberculosis, curing diarrhea or making a “soapy Native shampoo.” Its stem can also be used as a smoke pipe.

The magpie, Pica pica or P. hudsonia, is a member of the Crow (Corvidae) family and one of the most common birds we see around town all year. Brilliantly plumed with black and white feathers, the sun delineates the green iridescence on the bird’s wings and tail. With its distinctive nasally voice, the magpie is a social creature during feeding and breeding times. Magpies build their bulky stick nests in trees or shrubs; both sexes build the nest and feed the young. These birds eat just about anything, from insects, eggs and rodents to berries and nuts to garbage on the ground; they’re also quite willing to steal food from other birds.

One folkloric story about magpies’ awkward gait comes from Cyprus. There was a magpie who saw that the pigeons in a yard at the end of the village were well fed and well looked after by their owner, while she was pecking donkeys' wounds all day long. She thought to change her coloring to look more like a pigeon in order to eat well with them. She went into a tub full of plaster and became snow white and mingled with the pigeons. She had a good time for two or three days until the plaster peeled off and the pigeons realized who she was. They kicked her and threw her off the wall so she broke her legs and could not walk straight. Ever since, she has been limping and has become the laughing stock of people and birds.

Noss, R.F., E.T. LaRoe III, and J.M. Scott. 1995. Endangered ecosystems of the United States: a preliminary assessment of loss and degradation. U.S. National Biological Service. Biological Report 28.