Since the 1970s, Barbara Robinson has been intent on protecting the unique plant life and habitat that many take for granted
June 1, 2023. If you’re interested in wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge, there’s no better person to go on a hike with than Barbara Robinson. That’s not just because the master botanist can tell you about any native plant species you’ll encounter along the way. She’s also spent the bulk of her life preserving and protecting a unique ecosystem too many of us take for granted.
Producer and writer Deborah Bloom recently accompanied Robinson on a spring hike to check out some of those wildflowers, and catch up with one of the people most responsible for making sure they’re still around each year for all of us to enjoy. —Editor
We had the pleasure to meet this incredible lady! What a gift to our Oregon community! Thank you for telling her story.
Barbara is a rock star ! I’ve personally experienced her amazing drive and dedication to preserving so much of this beautiful land. I don’t think anyone has figured out a way to say no to this very persuasive and passionate woman !
Way back in spring of 1998, I was an Americorps volunteer working on the grounds of The Dalles Discovery Center during the conclusion of the construction phase. Barbara taught all of our team members which invasive plants to pull, and which natives to retain. She also led us on a wildflower walk up through Rowena Dell, an area rich in native wildflowers. Barbara’s knowledge and passion was so infectious–she also knew my high school Biology teacher (Paul Slichter) who was also a native plant aficionado and heavily involved with the NPS. Folks like Barbara and Paul were instrumental in guiding me towards a career in natural resources–without even knowing it, she inspired me greatly simply through her energy and persona. I wonder how many others like me she has affected….
You will learn more about the wildflowers of the Gorge from an hour with Barbara than from any guidebook. She is a delight! And her volunteerism is an example to all.
Brava to an incredible person who has done so much for a beautiful place. Thank you.
Nice story. Barbara is amazing. The Columbia River Gorge is amazing. And….it would have been nice if you could have touched on why these wildflower heavens are so few and far between (ie poorly managed grazing and invasive annual grasses among other reasons) as well as how climate change is a threat to them.
Barbara has done a lot to preserve land for hikers & critters. She is a hero!!!