Caught on film at the Metolius Preserve
Stewardship Director Amanda Egertson talks about forest restoration projects on the Metolius Preserve. Photo: Land Trust.
At the end of September, the Conservation Alliance held a forest restoration work party called The Backyard Collective at the Land Trust’s Metolius Preserve. Several local Conservation Alliance business members volunteered along with Conservation Alliance grantees, the Oregon Natural Desert Association, Central Oregon Landwatch, and of course, the Deschutes Land Trust.
Feedback from the event was positive, with participants telling us that they had a wonderful experience and that they were amazed to find out that a place as lovely as the Metolius Preserve was open to the public for hiking, mountain biking and general wandering to enjoy and appreciate nature.
The Metolius Preserve in particular has so much going on, due to its size, location and
ecological significance. For example, the Metolius Preserve was a
featured stop on the Oregon Society of American Foresters forest
restoration conference held October 12-14. Due to the innovative
forestry restoration projects the Land Trust has undertaken with Darin
Stringer of Pacific Stewardship, conference participants were able to
explore recently restored sections of the forest and learn about the
process of forest assessment, design, and implementation that is
intended to restore the forest to more historic conditions.
- Enjoying the brisk forest restoration tour. Photo: Land Trust
Another
ongoing project at the Metolius Preserve involves the creation of
snags for cavity-nesting birds (specifically white-headed woodpeckers).
Matt Orr, an OSU Cascades Professor, has his students participate in
data collection and monitoring of the snags, which were created using a
variety of methods. The ultimate goal is to determine what types of
snags the woodpeckers prefer for foraging and cavity-building so that
other management agencies can efficiently restore habitat specifically
for the white-headed woodpecker.
Last week Amanda and Matt took
several Land Trust volunteers and stewards out to the research sites to
teach us more about the ongoing forestry projects. While we were there
we were able to test out our new Flip video cameras. Who knows, one day
in the near future, you may be able to take a virtual tour of our
Preserves. Of course, being out there in person is always best!
