Proposed preserve would protect Whychus canyon

Since 1995, the Deschutes Land Trust (DLT) has been conserving and protecting land in Central Oregon for fisheries, wildlife, scenic views, and local communities.

They're about to do it again with "Whychus Canyon Preserve." The plan for the proposed preserve will add another 450 acres to DLT's stewardship projects, protect another two miles of fish and wildlife habitat, and ultimately include a trail system that will provide public access for hikers, from Sisters all the way into the Crooked River Grasslands.

"We've been working on this land purchase for about 11 years," said Brad Nye, Deschutes Land Trust conservation director, "and it looks like it's going to happen - but..."

The land trust has commitments for $1.8 million, Nye stated. "We believe we can secure the total of $2.5 million for the land from public agencies and charitable foundations. To put those dollars to use, however, we need to raise an additional $400,000 in private donations in a few short months."

DLT has had marked success through cooperative work among The Confederate Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Portland General Electric, the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Upper Deschutes Watershed Council in the reintroduction of salmon and steelhead in Whychus Creek at Camp Polk Preserve.

In the case of the proposed Whychus Canyon Preserve, Kim McCarrel, land trust board member and a member of the advisory council in the Sisters Trails Alliance, has brought her expertise into the project as well.

"I see creation of the land trust's Whychus Canyon Preserve as a golden opportunity to provide the public with quality fishing and hiking," she said.

"There is no public access to Whychus Creek between Sisters and Alder Springs," Brad Nye pointed out.

Brad Chalfant, Deschutes Land Trust's executive director, liked the trails idea so much he sat down with his staff and put a proposed trail on the map, linking it from the new preserve all the way from Sisters to Alder Springs Ranch, where it could eventually go into the Crooked River National Grasslands.

While the trust was researching the historical and natural resources of the area, a section of the historic Santiam Road was found wandering through the juniper and grasslands on the eastern edge of the property.

The early occupancy by Native Americans was also discovered when a small group of volunteers were inspecting the property Thursday, July 28; lithic scatter, composed of obsidian and broken tool fragments was found on the property, near the rim of the canyon.

The land under consideration for the proposed preserve is zoned for destination resorts, and in light of the recent developments regarding that particular land-use in Deschutes County, the establishment of a proposed preserve may be timely for protecting the scenic value of the private lands across the canyon.

Since their beginning in 1995, the land trust has helped to protect over 7,700 acres of wildlife and fish habitat. In addition to the preserves, the land trust also has conservation easements on Rimrock Ranch and helped to bring Alder Springs into the National Grasslands.

Bob and Gayle Baker, owners of Rimrock Ranch, summed up the role of the Deschutes Land Trust: "We conserved our land with the land trust because we knew that the creek, juniper forests and all the wildlife will be cared for forever."

For more information visit http://www.deschuteslandtrust.org.