The Pond Addition to Camp Polk Meadow Preserve

About the Pond Addition to Deschutes Land Trust's Camp Polk Meadow Preserve.

: The Pond property's wetlands and pine groves will now be part of Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Photo: Byron Dudley.

The Pond Property is a six acre parcel of springs, wetlands, and woodlands adjacent to the Land Trust's Camp Polk Meadow Preserve near Sisters, OR (see map). The property is a critically important addition to the 143 acre Preserve that will allow the Land Trust to protect and restore the meadow more holistically. With wetlands, a section of Whychus Creek, aspen, cottonwood and pine stands, the Pond portion of Camp Polk Meadow is home to a variety of plant and wildlife species. Take a virtual tour of The Addition (be sure to click "show info" in the upper right hand corner of your screen to see the captions)!

Why it is a conservation priority

The Pond Addition is a priority project because it is adjacent to Camp Polk Meadow Preserve and includes a key stretch of Whychus Creek and important wetland habitat. The conservation of this property further protects Camp Polk Meadow and will allow the Land Trust to restore wetlands, springs, ponderosa pines, and more of Whychus Creek. Eventually, the Land Trust hopes to restore this stretch of Whychus creek which historically included a large complex of wetlands and beaver ponds. In addition to the high quality spawning habitat for steelhead that once existed on this stretch of Whychus Creek, the presence of wetlands and wet meadows make the Pond Addition an important part of enhancing the existing bird habitat and bio-diversity found at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve.

What to see

: A Wilson's warbler. Photo: Kris Kristovich.

Watch for wildlife: The Pond Addition and adjacent Camp Polk Meadow Preserve are home to deer, cougar, otters, elk and many species of birds. More than 150 species of birds have been observed in Camp Polk and with 59 in the Pond Addition alone! See the Camp Polk bird list or help with bird surveys.

Brush up on your plants: The Pond Addition protects a diverse array of wetland plants, along with aspen, cottonwood and ponderosa pines. In the spring, native lupine and iris bloom, adding a splash of purple color to the meadow.

Discover the story of native fish: Whychus Creek at Camp Polk Meadow is now home to salmon and steelhead that have been reintroduced and brought back to the upper Deschutes for the first time in more than 40 years. The Land Trust is currently implementing a major restoration plan for Whychus Creek in partnership with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and the Deschutes River Conservancy. Learn more about the restoration or watch a video on the project.

Visiting the Pond Property

Since the Pond Addition will become a part of Camp Polk Meadow Preserve, visitor access in the main meadow will be limited to guided Land Trust tours. These tours will be available in Spring of 2012. Views of the Pond Addition of Camp Polk Meadow Preserve can be seen from the publicly-open Hindman Springs interpretive loop. Please check our event page for upcoming Camp Polk Meadow Preserve tours.

Restoration and Education activities

: The restored channel now meanders its way across Camp Polk Meadow. Photo: Jay Mather.

The Land Trust will actively and permanently manage the property as part of Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Initial restoration work will focus on removing existing structures on the property and restoring the adjacent wetlands. The Land Trust will also work to restore native aspen, cottonwood, and pine stands.

Adjacent portions of Camp Polk Meadow Preserve are currently undergoing a major restoration of Whychus Creek. The Land Trust is working with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, the Deschutes River Conservancy and the Deschutes National Forest to implement a restoration plan which will enhance water quality and quantity for the reintroduced salmon and steelhead. Visit our Whychus restoration page for more information.