Nearly two miles of Whychus Creek flows through Whychus Canyon. Photo: Brian Ouimette.

The Land Trust is working to protect Whychus Canyon, a 440 acre property on Whychus Creek near Sisters, Oregon. With nearly two miles of Whychus Creek, high quality grasslands, and old growth juniper stands, Whychus Canyon supports a wide variety of species. Conserving this property could also provide public access to the creek and exciting new trail linkages.  

The Land Trust secured an option to purchase Whychus Canyon in November 2009 and is working to raise funds for the purchase. Preliminary commitments have been secured from the James H. Stanard Foundation and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. The Land Trust hopes to purchase Whychus Canyon and manage it as a Community Preserve.

Why it is a conservation priority
Whychus Canyon has the most extensive stream frontage of any property of on Whychus Creek. This stretch of Whychus Creek is lined with mature

Whychus Creek flows through Whychus Canyon. Photo: Brian Ouimette.

vegetation and will support the reintroduction of steelhead and spring Chinook to the upper Deschutes basin. The property is also home to outstanding canyon scenery and a host of wildlife species: redband trout, mule deer, rocky mountain elk, golden eagles, ash-throated flycatchers, and spotted bats to name a few. The conservation of Whychus Canyon would buffer adjacent public lands and provide for further enhancement of Whychus Creek for returning salmon and steelhead. 

The map below shows the location of Whychus Canyon along with other Land Trust conserved lands.