04/18/2026
Prior to colonization, the Willamette Valley was primarily White Oak Savanna maintained by the Kalapuya people. Fire was used as a tool to clear brush, open up the prairie for hunting, and stimulate the production of acorns and camas bulbs.
These diverse ecosystems have almost disappeared due to settler occupation, fire suppression, agriculture, and urbanization. You can still experience them in conservation areas such as the Camassia Natural Area in West Linn.
If you have a stately Oregon White Oak in your landscape we encourage you to plant companion species such as Camas, Checkermallow, Madrone, Oregon Iris, Baldhip Rose, Showy Milkweed, Mahonia, Red Flowering Currant, Fawn Lily, Foothill Sedge, and Roemer’s Fescue.
Have you experienced the Camassia Natural Area? For a brief time at the end of April/Early May the camas bulbs are absolutely stunning.
Where else have you hiked through an Oak Savanna in Oregon?