Deschutes Land Trust preserves Priday Ranch

Priday Ranch, a wilderness area that sprawls over 4,500 acres of land north of Madras, has been formally acquired by the Deschutes Land Trust, a deal that ensures special protection of delicate wildlife habitat for fish and large mammals.

The Land Trust purchased the property for approximately $3.5 million, according to Brad Nye, conservation director for the Deschutes Land Trust. The property, 18 miles from Madras, was purchased in July but an announcement was delayed until this week, as the Land Trust worked with neighboring properties on initial fire and access planning, said Nye...