The Panakanic Prairie is a vernally moist meadow amongst the coniferous forests north of White Salmon, Washington that turns blue each May with the flowers of camas (Camassia quamash). It has a rich human history, including that of the Klickitat people. From the 1880s through much of the 20th century, it was the home and ranch of the Markgraf family.
Joy Markgraf has gathered the stories of this special place and published them in “Panakanic: An Oral and Natural History Since 1878”. In addition to the history, her interests are primarily to protect the animals, plants, and fungi that have outlasted the mostly abandoned settlements. She includes a detailed appendices of observed species, some with her own illustrations. Her reasons for these efforts? “Special wild places need to be protected so we can experience the wonders and spirit they embody.”
Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on August 22, 2023
Excerpted from the Fall 2023 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin