Climate Action United States Project #5347

Protecting Land on the West's Outstanding Rivers

Project Report | Oct 25, 2012
Western Rivers Conservancy: Fall 2012 Report

By David Wilkins | Development Director

With backing from GlobalGiving donors, Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) is buying land along outstanding rivers across the western United States. Your gift supports the core costs of purchasing land and placing properties into permanent conservation stewardship. Your contribution is dedicated to such activities as: developing relationships with willing seller landowners; preserving salmon and wildlife habitat; and creating new hiking trails, boating access and recreational opportunities.

Thanks to your contribution, we have recently:

- Purchased an additional 177 acres of critical habitat along the North Santiam River.

- Protected 287 acres of prime estuarine habitat within the Siuslaw National Forest.

Oregon’s North Santiam River:

Oregon’s Willamette River Basin is ripe for protection and restoration. Here, Western Rivers Conservancy is on the leading edge of a multi-agency conservation effort, working to preserve a strategically-located property along the North Santiam River, an important Willamette River tributary. In December 2011, Western Rivers Conservancy took an important step toward restoring fish and wildlife habitat by purchasing the first 161 acres of a 338-acre property.

WRC successfully purchased the remaining 177 acres of this site in September 2012. The property is located near the town of Stayton and has two miles of North Santiam frontage, seven side channels/sloughs and frontage on the smaller Dieckman Creek. It is the most intact wetland assemblage within 50 square miles. The North Santiam is designated as a salmon stronghold for its high level of winter steelhead production. Historically, it was the largest producer of winter steelhead in the basin and the source of approximately one-third of spring Chinook salmon for the entire Willamette Basin. Besides the large number of aquatic species, four wildlife species of concern also call this property home: pileated woodpecker, hooded merganser, western pond turtle and red-legged frog.

Purchasing and restoring land along the North Santiam River is a critical step for native fish and wildlife, and will aid in the recovery of upper Willamette River Chinook salmon (Threatened), winter steelhead (Threatened) and Oregon Chub (Endangered). WRC is hopeful that this first acquisition along the North Santiam will lead to the conservation of additional properties with high quality habitat and good restoration potential.

Oregon’s Alsea River and Drift Creek:

This autumn, Western Rivers Conservancy will convey 287 acres of prime estuarine lands on Alsea River Bay to the Siuslaw National Forest. The property is the missing link adjacent to 1,400 acres WRC protected in 2002, extending five miles up Drift Creek through moss-draped forests and to a waterfall.

Once the largest powerhouse of coho production in the state, these habitats provide just what young salmon need to survive and grow, and in rare abundance — winding sloughs, wetlands and salty backwater areas full of eelgrass. Still, restoration was needed to reconnect complex tidal channels that had been blocked for dairy farming. WRC negotiated with two forest products companies to buy the lands, enabling a large-scale coho restoration effort by the U.S. Forest Service and partners.

Now each year when the salmon return — not just coho, but also some of the state’s healthiest runs of Chinook, steelhead and sea-run cutthroat trout — this restored habitat will be waiting for them.

Conclusion

With the support of GlobalGiving donors, Western Rivers Conservancy is expanding our efforts to protect riverlands for fish, wildlife and people. Please contact David Wilkins at 503-241-0151, ext. 214 (or dwilkins@westernrivers.org) with any questions or for further information. Thank you.

Attachments:

Western Rivers Conservancy: Project Photos (PDF)

1 Attachment

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Jul 24, 2012
Western Rivers Conservancy: Summer 2012 Report

By David Wilkins | Development Director

With backing from GlobalGiving donors, Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) is buying land along outstanding rivers across the western United States. Your gift supports the essential operating costs of purchasing land and placing properties into permanent conservation stewardship. Your contribution is dedicated to such activities as: developing relationships with willing seller landowners; preserving salmon and wildlife habitat; and creating new hiking trails, boating access and recreational opportunities.

Thanks to your contribution, we have recently:

- Conserved 400 acres along a great Colorado stream.

- Protected a vital fish and wildlife habitat corridor in northern California’s Sierra Nevada.

Colorado’s Gunnison River: Expanding a National Conservation Area in Colorado's High Desert

In June 2012, Western Rivers Conservancy successfully conveyed 400 acres along Colorado’s Gunnison River to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), permanently protecting a property that was threatened by gravel mining and expanding the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA).

One of the great tributaries to the Colorado River, and the second largest river in Colorado, the Gunnison sweeps past rocky bluffs, desert slopes and riparian thickets of cottonwood. This is one of the few places where four species of Colorado Basin warm-water fish still survive: Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub, bonytail chub and razorback sucker. The property, located at the entrance to the NCA, will help protect sensitive fish and wildlife habitat as well as create a public resource for hikers, floaters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The NCA was designated by the BLM in 2009 and includes 66,280 acres of outstanding ecological and cultural resources including ancient fossil beds, red rock canyons and desert flora and fauna. WRC began securing critical portions of land in this region in 2010 with a 214-acre inholding purchase within the BLM-managed Bangs Canyon Special Recreation Management Area, just downstream from the NCA.

California’s Deer Creek: Conserving a Vital Link in the Sierra Nevada

In the northern Sierra Nevada foothills, Deer Creek winds through more than 50 miles of chaparral, blue oak groves and grassy hills. A haven for fish and wildlife, it is significant for its dam-free length, undeveloped stretches and breathtaking scenery. Deer Creek is also one of the precious few rivers that hold hope for restoring the Sacramento River’s endangered salmon and steelhead runs.

In March 2012, Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) conveyed 600 acres along Deer Creek to the Northern California Regional Land Trust, permanently protecting the spectacular Lower Deer Creek Falls and completing a continuous fish and wildlife habitat corridor between the Lassen National Forest and the Ishi Wilderness Area. The property, purchased by WRC in 2009, received permanent funding from California’s Wildlife Conservation Board, a division of the California Department of Fish and Game, in December 2011.

In addition to important habitat, Deer Creek is an outstanding outlet for nature enthusiasts, hikers and recreationists alike, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Conveying this property into conservation stewardship will expand visitor access to hiking trails and waterfalls. The property connects to a complex of trails, including the trail to Lower Deer Creek Falls.

Conclusion

Attachments:

Western Rivers Conservancy: Project Photos (PDF)

1 Attachment

Permalink

Apr 24, 2012
Western Rivers Conservancy Spring 2012 Report

By David Wilkins | Development Director

With backing from GlobalGiving donors, Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) is buying land along outstanding rivers across the western United States. Your gift supports the essential operating costs of purchasing land and placing properties in permanent conservation stewardship. Your contribution is dedicated to such activities as: developing relationships with willing seller landowners; preserving salmon and steel head habitat; and creating new hiking trails, boating access and recreational opportunities.

Thanks to your contribution, we are:

- Protecting vital fish and wildlife habitat corridors in northern California’s Sierra Nevada.

- Conserving access to one of the most beautiful river floats in Oregon.

California’s Mill and Deer Creeks: Conserving Vital Links in the Sierra Nevada

In the northern Sierra Nevada foothills, a few precious streams hold the hope of restoring the Sacramento River’s fishery. Among them are Mill and Deer Creeks. Flowing in adjoining watersheds from the slopes of Mount Lassen to the Sacramento Valley, these are two of the last streams in the northern Sierra Nevada that support Threatened runs of spring Chinook and winter steel head. Western Rivers Conservancy’s acquisitions along these streams are establishing continuous protected corridors for fish and wildlife, as well as new public recreational opportunities.

Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) has committed to purchasing 1,792 acres along Mill Creek, including two and a half miles of river frontage. Besides supporting Threatened fish species, the upper Mill Creek watershed boasts one of the largest stands of old-growth forest remaining in the northern Sierra, which is a haven for California spotted owls, Pacific fishers and wolverines. This project presents an unprecedented opportunity to protect the only private lands along 35 miles of Mill Creek between Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lassen National Forest and the Ishi Wilderness. WRC has helped the Lassen National Forest secure Land and Water Conservation Funds to purchase these in holdings.

WRC’s project also includes 640 acres in the Deer Creek watershed, just south of Mill Creek. Deer Creek winds through more than 50 miles of old-growth coniferous forest, chaparral, blue oak groves and grassy hills. In 2009, WRC began to conserve this vital link along Deer Creek when it purchased the Lower Deer Creek Falls property from Sierra Pacific Industries. In December, 2011, the California Wildlife Conservation Board approved funding that allowed WRC to convey this land to the Northern California Regional Land Trust for permanent conservation.

The Mill and Deer Creek watersheds are treasured by river runners, anglers and hikers, and attract thousands of visitors each year. Conserving these properties will improve access for hiking, fishing and whitewater kayaking. This project will also complete public ownership of the scenic Mill Creek Trail, which links Lassen National Forest to the Ishi Wilderness Area. The same can be said of the Deer Creek acquisition which is the missing link in a complex of trails that include the breathtaking Lower Deer Creek Falls.

Oregon’s Minam River: Prime Eastern Oregon River Access Forever Conserved

River recreationists will forever have access to one of the most beautiful river floats in Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa Rivers, the Minam Store is a prized access point for river users, including anglers, hunters and especially boaters. The site is vital for reaching the majestic river canyon and launching multi-day family float trips on the Wild and Scenic Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers.

On March 1, 2012, Western Rivers Conservancy conveyed two acres, including the Minam Store property and 350 feet of river frontage, to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

The site sits adjacent to Minam State Recreation Area and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has long sought to bring the property into public ownership. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s permanent stewardship of the Minam Store property will result in continued public access and a protected waterway for fish, wildlife and people.

Conclusion

With the support of GlobalGiving donors, Western Rivers Conservancy is expanding our efforts to protect river lands for fish, wildlife and people. Please contact David Wilkins at 503-241-0151, ext. 14 (or dwilkins@westernrivers.org) with any questions or for further information. Thank you.

Links:

Western Rivers Conservancy's website

Attachments:

Project Report Photos - Spring 2012 (PDF)

1 Attachment

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