Land Trust close to making 'gift to Sisters community'

The Deschutes Land Trust (DLT) is very close to securing the preservation of a stretch of Whychus Creek Canyon.

DLT announced last week that it has raised 90 percent of the $2.9 million dollars needed to protect two miles of Whychus Creek and create a new 450-acre wildlife preserve.

As the December 31 purchase deadline nears, the land trust is asking for a final push to raise the remaining $160,000.

The quest to purchase Whychus Canyon Preserve is part of the Deschutes Land Trust's 15th Anniversary Campaign. Supporters of the campaign are helping the land trust seize once-in-a-generation conservation opportunities - like Whychus Canyon Preserve - that are currently at hand.

According to DLT, Whychus Canyon Preserve is a key step in creating a stronghold on Whychus Creek for the historic return of steelhead to Central Oregon. The proposed preserve would also protect a key migration corridor for big game moving between summer range in the Cascades and winter range on the Crooked River Grasslands, as well as create a regional hiking trail along Whychus Creek.

"Special campaigns often compete with an organization's annual operating funds. With the current economic situation, we can't afford for that to happen," said Brad Chalfant, the Land Trust's executive director.

"That's why we're asking supporters to give their annual gift first and then make an additional gift to Whychus Canyon. The good news is that we're well on our way with Whychus Canyon and, as long as the community keeps stepping up, we should meet our

goals."

Chalfant, who spoke at Sisters' annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Barclay Park on Friday evening, said that the holiday season completion of purchase funding will mark DLT's "gift to the Sisters community."

For more on information on Deschutes Land Trust, call at 541-330-0017 or visit http://www.deschuteslandtrust.org.