The Deschutes Land Trust helped the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) with an ongoing elk research project last year, and data collection from Paulina Creek Preserve is now complete.
Efforts are underway in the Central Oregon Cascades to monitor migration and habitat use of female Rocky Mountain elk. This long-term study will help ODFW identify key migration routes and seasonal habitats used by elk. Two GPS collars on female elk were deployed at Paulina Creek Preserve in the spring of 2024.
Both collars are no longer in use, but ODFW was able to collect close to a year's worth of data, which is considered a success. The collars provided the location of the elk five times a day.
Data collected from the two elk at Paulina Creek Preserve show extensive use of the meadow at the Preserve, as well as semi-frequent crossing of Highway 97. According to Andrew Walch, district wildlife biologist at ODFW, these crossings are likely so the elk can access water in the Little Deschutes River.
Since meadows are a fairly limited habitat in the eastern Cascades, Paulina Creek Preserve—and its large, relatively quiet meadow—is an important place for elk in Central Oregon. In addition, having the meadow connected to other habitats, like forests, is invaluable to female elk. When elk calve in mid-May, they usually go into the forest and are alone with their calf for around a month, before returning to meadow environments for increased food sources. Overall, the data showed that Paulina Creek Preserve provides good year-round habitat for elk.
Looking forward, the Land Trust's goal of improving the year-round water availability of Paulina Creek at Paulina Creek Preserve will also benefit elk in the area. There is a chance this will decrease the number of times the elk need to cross the highway for water, reducing the use of a dangerous route for both elk and humans.
The Land Trust is happy to collaborate in small ways, and is excited to learn more about female elk behavior in the eastern Cascades from ODFW's research. We also look forward to seeing how future restoration efforts improve habitat for elk and other wildlife at Paulina Creek Preserve!
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