Behind the Waterfall
A NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF SILVER FALLS MEMBERS
Public Lands Alliance
by Chelsea Sims, Executive Director
This February, staff and two board members attended the Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show. The event was held in Las Vegas at the Westgate Hotel and Casino.
The Public Lands Alliance (PLA) protects America's public lands by supporting and empowering the local, nonprofit partner organizations dedicated to their conservation. Its members are nonprofit organizations, like Friends of Silver Falls, that have a formal partnership with a land management agency to support parks, forests, wildlife refuges, conservation areas, and other public lands sites.
The annual event gathers leaders from nonprofits, land management agencies, and businesses to network, access tools, and discover products that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, preservation, and enrichment efforts. The four themes of this year’s conference were:
Funding the Mission: Building Financial Resilience
Inclusive Conservation: Strengthening Community Partnerships
Healthy Lands, Healthy People: Wellness in Outdoor Spaces
Adapting for Tomorrow: The Future of Public Lands
Field trips included behind-the-scenes visits to Red Rock Canyon, Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, and Ice Age Fossils State Park. While the landscapes of Las Vegas differ significantly from those of Silver Falls, the principles for interpreting the space and enhancing accessibility are similar. Seeing successful partnerships, creative educational exhibits, fundraising efforts, and interpretive shops serve as an incredible source of inspiration for both staff and board members.
Thank you business sponsors!
Chelsea Promoted to Executive Director
By Mike Niemeyer, Board President
The Friends of Silver Falls Board is happy to announce that they have promoted Chelsea Sims to the newly created position of Executive Director. Chelsea has been with FOSF since 2020 and has presided over the significant growth of the organization in her role as Administrator. This includes over 200% growth in store revenue, 400% growth in memberships, development of the FOSF app, and numerous other operational improvements. The rise in revenue has led to substantial contributions toward project and program funding in the past four years. With the creation of the Executive Director position FOSF now has a more traditional non-profit structure with a single executive “… who will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for FOSF nonprofit staff, programs, expansion, and execution of its mission.” Please join me in congratulating Chelsea and welcoming her to this new role.
Pudding River Watershed Council
Our partners at Pudding River Watershed Council will be hosting the following event at the Oregon Garden on April 27th. Please RSVP using the QR code or click here. If you have any questions about the event send them to MacKayla at mac@puddingriver.org.
Welcome New Team Member, Sayler
The Nature Store continues to see increases in visitation along with Silver Falls as a whole. This year, we are excited to announce that we’ve hired some extra help for the busy summer season. Sayler will be joining the Friends of Silver Falls team in early April. Having grown up in Silverton, she has extensive knowledge of the park and is eager to assist visitors in appreciating and understanding the natural and cultural resources of Silver Falls. Sayler’s enthusiasm aligns beautifully with the mission of the Friends of Silver Falls, as she expresses, “I want to share the gift and spirit of exploration, curiosity, and adventure with those who visit our park.”
Welcome to the team, Sayler!
Silver Falls Makes National News for its "ephemeral waterfalls"
Park Project Updates
from Park Staff and Management
Despite the challenges that weather brings, winter and spring are typically project-focused seasons for the staff at Silver Falls.
The campground has been closed since September to replace the B-Loop bathroom and repave A-Loop. The park anticipates re-opening in July.
Northwest Youth Corps has been working on rebuilding a stone wall at the South Falls Viewpoint that failed this winter. They have also been doing some drainage and trail work on the switchbacks down to South Falls.
South Falls Cafe closed on March 23rd to prepare for the new concession. The anticipated re-opening is in early-mid April.
Installation of the entrance monument signs has begun. Entrance monument design mock-up below courtesy of Mayer/Reed
Events, Invitations, and Announcements
Mother’s Day Birding and Wildflower Festival
May 10th & 11th
Celebrate spring at Silver Falls and learn about our native birds and wildflowers.
Native Plant Sale
Guided Hikes
Discovery Tables
Wildflower Show
More!
