“I appreciate the opportunity to be a volunteer photographer for the Deschutes Land Trust,” said Dudley. “The stunning view of the Cascades across the wide meadows of the Indian Ford Preserve will always be for me, in every season, a view of home, a sense of place, thanks to the vision and work of the Deschutes Land Trust.”

Mary Crow has been a Land Trust volunteer since 2006. “Mary is one of a handful of core volunteers who make the Land Trust’s Walk + Hike Program possible. We simply couldn’t offer such outstanding options for exploring our protected lands without her,” said Sarah Mowry, the Land Trust’s outreach manager.

Mary enjoys leading longer hikes that explore the far flung corners of Rimrock Ranch or Whychus Canyon Preserve, but she is equally at home helping document wildflowers or monitoring fences for the Whcyhus Creek restoration. “Volunteering for the Land Trust is the best job I’ve ever had! Where else could I pursue my passion for hiking, while reminding others it’s up to them to take care of our Northwest paradise?” said Mary. Mary was presented with the 2011 Volunteer of the Year award.

Sherry Steele became involved with the Land Trust last year when she learned of the Land Trust’s campaign to purchase Whychus Canyon Preserve. An avid fly fisher and fly tyer, Sherry immediately volunteered to see how she could help ensure the prime steelhead habitat at the Preserve would be protected.

Hundreds of hours later, she helped spread the word about the campaign by designing and tying the Whychus Canyon Steelhead Fly.  “The Land Trust was so lucky to have an artist like Sherry to help with the Campaign. She not only tied hundreds of flies herself, but she also organized other tyers and rallied the fishing community,” said the Land Trust’s executive director Brad Chalfant. Sherry was presented with the 2011 Volunteer of the Year award.

Volunteers donated more than 5,700 hours to the Deschutes Land Trust during the past year. The Land Trust is truly indebted to the community of volunteers who support land conservation in Central Oregon. Congratulations to Byron, Mary and Sherry for their outstanding contributions!
 
The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 8,200 acres in since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

Gillian Ockner

Gillian Ockner is an environmental consultant with more than 13 years of experience in watershed protection, sustainable development, and ecosystem service evaluation. A resident of Bend, Gillian is the President of the Board of Directors of EarthShare Oregon and a member of the Oregon Chapter of the American Water Resources Association. She brings her extensive collaboration and consensus building skills to the Land Trust Board.

Bob Thomas is a lifelong resident and participant in Bend’s community life. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford University and just recently retired from his 37 year career in the family retail automobile business, Bob Thomas Chevrolet Cadillac Honda. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Bob can often be found skiing, hiking, or mountain biking.

Dougal Williams

Dougal Williams is a Principal and Chief Investment Officer of Vista Capital Partners, a wealth management and investment advisory firm based in Portland, Oregon. Raised in Sunriver and a graduate from Bend High School, Dougal is the President of the CFA Society of Portland and is a former board member of Exceed Enterprises, a Portland-area non-profit dedicated to creating career and personal development opportunities for adults with disabilities. Dougal’s financial background will be a key asset to the Board.

“We’re excited to have Gillian, Bob and Dougal on board as we pursue the next series of ambitious conservation projects for Central Oregon, including protecting places like Skyline Forest. Their leadership skills and board experience will be crucial to making those projects happen,” says Brad Chalfant, executive director of the Land Trust.

The Deschutes Land Trust just completed its 15th Anniversary Campaign which resulted in the creation of the 450 acre Whychus Canyon Preserve outside of Sisters, Oregon. Over the next year the Land Trust hopes to acquire an option to purchase Skyline Forest, a 33,000 acre former tree farm between Bend and Sisters that contains important wildlife habitat and protects the recreation-rich scenic green foothills that set off the Central Oregon Cascades.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 8,200 acres in since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

Zak received his B.A. in International Affairs from Lewis & Clark College, and his Masters in Public Administration/Nonprofit Management from Portland State University.  He is currently chair of the Nonprofit Network of Central Oregon steering committee and co-chairs the fellowship committee for the Rotary Club of Bend/Mt. Bachelor. Zak was the Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Oregon for the past 4.5 years and prior to that worked in university relations at Portland State University and grants management at Oregon Health & Science University. 

“We’re excited to have Zak on board as we pursue the next series of ambitious conservation projects for Central Oregon, including protecting places like Skyline Forest. His leadership skills and development experience will be crucial to making those projects happen,” says Brad Chalfant, executive director of the Land Trust.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the dedicated, professional team at the Land Trust,” says Boone.  “Protecting land for wildlife, scenic views and local communities is crucial to maintaining our quality of life. And as we know, the outdoor ethos is also a key economic driver in the region. The work of the Land Trust brings together a diverse group of supporters who value the holistic benefit of land conservation and its impact on the overall vitality of Central Oregon.”

The Deschutes Land Trust just completed its 15th Anniversary Campaign which resulted in the creation of the 450-acre Whychus Canyon Preserve outside of Sisters, Oregon. Over the next year the Land Trust hopes to acquire an option to purchase Skyline Forest, a 33,000 acre former tree farm between Bend and Sisters that contains important wildlife habitat and protects the recreation-rich scenic green foothills that set off the Central Oregon Cascades.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 8,200 acres in since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

“The money raised by this year’s Dirty Half will help the Land Trust’s work to protect land in Central Oregon, including places like Skyline Forest. The FootZone’s donations from the last seven years of Dirty Half Trail Runs have been critical to our efforts to pursue these huge projects including the next generation of running trails” says Brad Chalfant, executive director of the Land Trust.

Teague Hatfield, owner of FootZone, explains that when FootZone created the race in 2001, it was not about raising money. “We just wanted to create a great running event. It was a natural fit for the store, race director Dave Thomason, and me. And, it made sense over time for this scenic trail run to benefit a local organization that protects land in Central Oregon,” says Hatfield.

The Deschutes Land Trust is completing its 15th Anniversary Campaign which resulted in the creation of the 450-acre Whychus Canyon Preserve outside of Sisters, Oregon. Over the next year the Land Trust hopes to acquire an option to purchase Skyline Forest, a 33,000 acre former tree farm between Bend and Sisters that contains important wildlife habitat and protects the recreation-rich scenic green foothills that set off the Central Oregon Cascades.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 8,200 acres in since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

The Deschutes Land Trust announces the kick-off of a free educational series called Winter Nature Nights at The Environmental Center on January 25th.  Presentations include Tracking Central Oregon Wildlife in Winter, Forest Fire Ecology East of the Cascades, and a spring preview of Wildflowers of Central Oregon.

Pat Cohen, the Land Trust's office manager, said that although most people know the Land Trust for their spring and summer tours, she hopes that people will be enthusiastic about this new winter educational series. "People are still looking for things to do in the winter.  Why not learn about  wildlife tracking or local ecology, then deepen your understanding out on one of our Community Preserves?"
                                                                 
Each presentation is led by a different local expert and will take place at The Environmental Center, 16 NW Kansas Ave. Bend, from 7:00-8:30 pm, beginning on January 25.  The Land Trust offers these presentations to give its members and the general public an opportunity to learn about our local landscapes, plants and animals and encourage them to experience the beauty of nature on our Community Preserves.

On January 25, come out of your winter dens for a free presentation with Larry Berrin, Director of Conservation Education with Discover Your Northwest. Learn how to identify mammals by their movements through the three “P” method of tracking. Then learn a few tricks of the trade including: the truth about cats and dogs, the cat track trick, and how to tell a rabbit from a squirrel. Plus who waddles and who walks? Who gallops, who leaps, and who bounds? These and many others questions will be answered as you learn this fun outdoor winter activity.

On February 24, join Amy Waltz, Fire Ecologist with The Nature Conservancy and Deschutes National Forest for a talk on the unique diversity of eastern Cascades forests and their different adaptations to fire. We’ll look at how forests have changed with human management and how fire has also changed its path through the landscape. Then, learn about some of the strategies that are being used to restore fire as a natural, ecologically appropriate, important part of our forests.

On March 24, get ready for spring with our final presentation on wildflowers. Join Maret Pajutee, District Ecologist for the Sisters Ranger District, for a flower-filled armchair tour of local wildflowers. From sand lilies to shooting stars, learn fun facts about their cultural uses, ecology, and why wildfire areas can be an unexpected wildflower bonanza.

All presentations are open to the public and free of charge.

Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 8,200 acres since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

“It’s a spectacular wildlife property and offers great opportunities for hiking, fishing, birding, and education,” said Win Francis, co-chair of the Land Trust’s Whychus Canyon Preserve Committee.  “More importantly, this project links prior conservation projects along the creek and sets the stage for the additional land protection work that will establish the Whychus Creek steelhead stronghold.”

The Land Trust’s goal was to raise $2.9 million before they exercised their option to purchase the property, which was set to expire on December 31.  As of last week, they felt they were close enough to the fundraising target that moving forward with the purchase made sense.  “We’re grateful to all the people that have stepped up to contribute to the Whychus Canyon Preserve in such a short period of time,” said Francis.  “This property and this section of creek are dazzling natural areas that deserve permanent protection.  The first step of buying the land is complete and now the fun work of restoration and enhancement can begin.”

The largest contribution to the project came from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, which distributes a portion of Oregon Lottery proceeds to projects that protect and restore important wildlife habitat.  Contributions from the Pelton-Round Butte Mitigation Fund, Portland General Electric, The Nature Conservancy, and a host of individuals and charitable foundations demonstrate broad support for the Land Trust’s Whychus Creek program throughout Oregon and beyond.

Francis noted that “Oregon’s fishing community in particular really stepped up and that support will be critical going forward.  The Land Trust is continuing its land protection work in key locations on Whychus Creek and in the Metolius and Crooked rivers – the areas that will provide the foundation for rebuilding wild runs of salmon and steelhead in the upper Deschutes.  These efforts will ultimately mean a healthier, more natural, and more complete river system and more wild fish in the Deschutes, which is important to those of us who enjoy steelhead fishing and spending time on Central Oregon’s favorite river.”

The Land Trust is developing plans for enhancement of the property’s fish and wildlife habitat, and will open the preserve to the public once they’ve completed a plan for public use.  Francis noted that “while we did identify a portion of the $2.9 million goal for the most immediate and basic restoration and public use requirements, additional habitat enhancement work, trail construction, and other efforts will require additional funding, which is why we’re continuing our effort to raise money for the project.  The sooner additional funds are available, the faster the enhancement process.”

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities.  The Land Trust is locally-based and nationally accredited, and has protected more than 8,200 acres in Central Oregon.  For more on information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

Deschutes Land Trust
Lands in trust protected forever

NOTE: Photos of Whychus Canyon Preserve are available, as well as is a DVD illustrating the stream restoration on Whychus Creek to support the historic reintroduction of salmon and steelhead.
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The Land Trust is donating grand firs that will be thinned as part of their long-term forest restoration at their Metolius Preserve. “The Land Trust is really pleased to be able to share some trees with MountainStar families. The grand firs make perfect Christmas trees and, instead of landing in burn piles, they’re going to families that need them,” said Brad Chalfant the Deschutes Land Trust’s Executive Director.

“Christmas is all about generosity. These trees are a huge benefit to our families and it’s the little boosts like this that really help during the holiday season,” said Tim Rusk MountainStar’s Executive Director.

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect in Central Oregon by providing services to keep children safe, parents successful and families together. The Nursery provides crisis intervention and a therapeutic classroom for babies and young children aged 6-weeks to 4-years-old.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 7,750 acres in since 1995. For more on information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

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 the once-in-a-generation conservation opportunities—like Whychus Canyon Preserve—that are currently at hand.

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. 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,” said Brad Chalfant, the Land Trust’s executive director.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 7,750 acres in since 1995. For more on information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

Deschutes Land Trust
Lands in trust protected forever

“Lottery funding has helped the Land Trust seize a number of incredible conservation opportunities during the last 15 years,” said Brad Chalfant, Executive Director of the Deschutes Land Trust.  “The Land Trust would have had a really tough time protecting the Metolius Preserve or restoring places like Camp Polk Meadow Preserve without those funds, which then attracts private funders to the projects. Our current Whychus Canyon project depends heavily on these funds and this vote means we can count on funding being available for other high quality wildlife project, including perhaps Skyline Forest.”

As part of the Land Trust 15th Anniversary Campaign, the Land Trust is working to acquire Whychus Canyon Preserve—a 450 acre property, with 2 miles of Whychus Creek, which will create new regional trails, protect scenic views, and essential habitat for fish and wildlife. Lottery funds from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is providing an important block of the funding for this $2.9 million project, with the Deschutes Land Trust working to raise the remaining balance by year end.

Since many of the Land Trust’s projects take years to develop, Chalfant noted, “the knowledge that these dedicated funds will continue to be available is critical to our ability to work with a private landowner and structure a transaction which may take several years to close.”

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. Since 1995, the Land Trust has protected more than 7,750 acres in Central Oregon. For more information on the work of the Deschutes Land Trust, how to visit a Land Trust Preserve, or contribute to the Land Trust’s 15th Anniversary Campaign, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

Deschutes Land Trust
Lands in trust protected forever

The 15th Anniversary Campaign launches the next 15 years of great land conservation in Central Oregon. The Land Trust’s ambitious projects will create new regional trails, protect scenic views, and essential habitat for fish and wildlife.  A major outcome of the campaign will be to complete the acquisition of the Land Trust’s newest preserve, the 450 acre Whychus Canyon Preserve, near Sisters, Oregon which is a key step toward creating a salmon and steelhead stronghold along Whychus Creek. It will also set the stage for more ambitious projects, like creating the nation’s largest community forest, Skyline Forest.

Since its founding in 1995, the Land Trust has permanently protected 7,750 acres for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. Today, the Land Trust is on the cusp of many outstanding conservation projects and their goals for the next 15 years are truly ambitious. Their vision for the future of Central Oregon is one of the next generation of children witnessing the historic return of salmon and steelhead to Whychus Creek, biking through the nation’s largest community forest, and having the chance to learn and play in a wild, but accessible backyard. 

“The Land Trust’s 15th Anniversary Campaign comes during an economically challenging period, but also a period of great opportunity. The Land Trust has worked with landowners for 15 years to conserve key lands and now is the time to seize these once-in-a-generation opportunities,” said John Casey, the campaign co-chair.

By contributing to the campaign supporters can help the Land Trust seize the once-in-a-generation conservation opportunities that are currently at hand. With the majority of the Land Trust’s operating funds coming from private donors, it is these unrestricted annual gifts that allow the Land Trust to turn quiet conversations with landowners into spectacular conservation. The Land Trust hopes to raise $450,000 in annual support as well as the final $400,000 in funding to complete the purchase of the 450 acre Whychus Canyon Preserve by the December 31st deadline.

“Typically special campaigns can pull from your annual operating funds. With the current economic situation, the Land Trust really can’t afford for that to happen. That’s why we’re asking supporters to give an extra generous annual gift and then consider giving to a special gift to help us acquire Whychus Canyon Preserve” said Brad Chalfant, the Land Trust’s executive director.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 7,750 acres in since 1995. For more on information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

Deschutes Land Trust
Lands in trust protected forever

What: The Deschutes Land Trust was founded fifteen years ago by a small group of engaged citizens, meeting over pale ales and porters at the Deschutes Brewery & Public House in downtown Bend. The group was in search of collaborative and innovative ways to protect the unique quality of life that defines Central Oregon. 

Join us as we honor our founding with a special plaque presentation and dedication by Gary Fish of Deschutes Brewery. Then, kick off the next fifteen years with remarks and a big announcement from Brad Chalfant executive director of the Deschutes Land Trust. Deschutes Brewery beer and Backyard BBQ to follow.

When:  Monday, September 20, 2010 at 4:30 pm

Where: The Deschutes Brewery & Public House, 1044 NW Bond Street, Bend.

Background: 

Since 1995 the Deschutes Land Trust has worked for Central Oregon—protecting 7,750 acres of land for wildlife, scenic views, and the needs of local communities. While our achievements these past 15 years are notable, our aspirations for the next 15 are truly ambitious.  Join us on September 20, 2010 as we celebrate our accomplishments and announce our plan for a remarkable future.

Central Oregon community organizations, the Deschutes Land Trust and Experience Works, combined efforts to place Mary Sojourner, national author and NPR commentator, at the Deschutes Land Trust as Writer in Residence. 

One of Sojourner’s first tasks was to launch the new Deschutes Land Trust blog, Trusting the Land, with her initial post Earth Alchemy. She will write for the Deschutes Land Trust website; research and write articles for national publications; create media and public relations materials---and teach twice-monthly Writing from Place workshops. 

“We’re incredibly excited to have Mary join our work,” Brad Chalfant, Executive Director says. “She has written about and for Western lands for twenty-five years.  She brings not just writing and teaching skills to the Deschutes Land Trust, but rapidly growing knowledge of Central Oregon forests, deserts and waterways.”

“I’m equally excited by this opportunity,” Sojourner says, “especially since I believe so strongly in the work of Land Trusts. I’ve read, written and taught for many of them at both local and national levels. Land Trusts are more than good neighbors—they keep the greater neighborhood alive.”

The Deschutes Land Trust has been keeping the greater Central Oregon neighborhood alive for 15 years since its beginning at the Deschutes Brewery in 1995. It is fitting that Sojourner will begin teaching her Writing from Place workshops on the anniversary of the Land Trust’s founding.

“We will meet on the gorgeous properties the Deschutes Land Trust is protecting and let the land tell us its stories. Writing from Place is for beginning adults and kids and for those writers who want to move into writing about the land. I’ve taught this workshop for twenty years—in the Southwest and the Mojave Desert—and I’m delighted to begin teaching it here in a vastly different landscape.”

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. Experience Works places older, experienced workers at job sites that can offer new opportunities and training to help them secure permanent jobs. “This is an incredible opportunity for me,” Sojourner says, “to finally learn the inner workings of operating a Land Trust and the lands we all love in Central Oregon.” 

For more information about Experience Works, visit www.experienceworks.org. To register for a Writing from Place workshop, contact the Deschutes Land Trust at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 7,700 acres in since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

Deschutes Land Trust
Lands in trust protected forever

The Deschutes Land Trust, whose mission it is to conserve land in Central Oregon, is in the midst of an ambitious effort to acquire and conserve Skyline Forest, a 33,000 acre former tree farm between Bend and Sisters, and key stretches of river for salmon and steelhead.

“The money raised by this year’s Dirty Half will help the Land Trust’s work to protect land in Central Oregon, including projects like Skyline Forest. The FootZone’s donations from the last five years of Dirty Half Trail Runs have been critical to our efforts to pursue these huge projects including the next generation of running trails” says Brad Chalfant, executive director of the Land Trust.

Teague Hatfield, owner of FootZone, explains that when FootZone created the race in 2001, it was not about raising money. “We just wanted to create a great running event. It was a natural fit for the store, race director Dave Thomason, and me. And, it made sense over time for this scenic trail run to benefit a local organization that protects land in Central Oregon,” says Hatfield.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 7,700 acres in since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

Deschutes Land Trust
Lands in trust protected forever