Conservation Report 2018–2019 The Path Forward You have a place in Northwest conservation.
Old-growth temperate rainforests; lively city neighborhoods buzzing with people, pollinators and songbirds; mossy coastal wetlands and rolling oak-and-pine woodlands blanketed in wildflowers; major cities, growing towns, and rural communities; foresters, farmers, fishers, and city dwellers; immigrants, refugees, recent West Coast transplants, lifelong residents, and indigenous peoples—one river ties these lands, waters, creatures, and people from all walks of life together.
A basin the size of France drains into a brilliant blue ribbon that cuts through an entire mountain range, emptying into the Pacific Ocean right here in our little corner of the world. The Columbia River and its surrounding lands bind us to a collective bounty and a shared responsibility. We can enjoy a future in which communities large and small enjoy a healthy environment, clean air and water, equitable access to trails and parks, intact ecosystems, and thriving economies—but we can only do so if we embrace our role as caretakers of the land.
The path to this future is not easy. In fact, the challenges facing the nature of the Northwest grow more daunting by the day. Climate change is actively reshaping the landscape, with dwindling snowpack and drier, harsher wildfire seasons. Vast swaths of natural and working lands are being developed practically overnight, putting pressure on wildlife and the intricate natural systems that sustain us. Pollution threatens the health of people and wildlife alike. Communities of color and other marginalized groups continue to bear the brunt of climate change and pollution, and environmental solutions too often fail to address those inequities.
In the face of these challenges, we are confident that our staff, partners, and the people of the region will rise to the occasion. In many ways, we already are. In 2017, Columbia Land Trust launched its Conservation Agenda, a 25-year framework for conserving lands and waters with the greatest potential to keep the natural systems and wildlife of the Northwest intact and thriving. In the year and a half since, we have accomplished some truly remarkable feats of conservation, which you will read about in the pages of this report.
At the same time, we are seeing new avenues to conservation open up through local partnerships with agencies, tribes, allied organizations, businesses, and community groups. We are learning more about the political, social, and economic barriers to conservation so we can better help remove them. We are also working to connect people to nature in ways that are more responsive to community interests and needs. Our approach is twofold: act swiftly and with purpose to conserve the nature we love where we can today, and help build broad public support for nature for the long haul.
Over the next two years, we are continuing this critical work. Our conservation and restoration initiatives are setting the standard for similar efforts across the country, and you are the key to our success.
Cover: Sandhill cranes at Cranes’ Landing in Vancouver, WA (© Tiny Seed Photography) Inside Cover: Columbia River Estuary near Svensen Island, OR (Land Trust Staff) [Impact postcard front will go here.]
You Make It Happen
The four-year objectives outlined in our agenda, and listed at the beginning of each section of this report, require $1.2 million per year. We are poised to leverage this amount into $100 million of conservation. Thanks to generous individual donors, businesses, foundations, and funding agencies, we met our goals for both 2017 and 2018. Over the next two years, we need your continued investment. This unprecedented campaign calls on the entire community to come together, fearless and united for nature.
Support the places and services imminently threatened by development, pollution, and the impacts of climate change. Your investment today will help permanently protect the nature of the Northwest. We have the plan, the staff, and the determination to make it happen. All we need is you.
Every dollar you donate to Columbia Land Trust is leveraged into $20 for conservation. We accomplish this by securing private and public grants to fund comprehensive, collaborative projects.
Our conservation agenda guides where and how we conserve land. We are working at a grand scale to conserve land across the Columbia River region’s rich tapestry of lands. We trust you’ll continue alongside us as we take on the audacious task of conserving, caring for, and connecting people to the nature of the Northwest today for generations to come. Conservation Opportunity Areas The Conservation Agenda identifies conservation opportunity areas (COAs), geographies vital to the health of our region and its wildlife. To establish COAs, we analyze the current presence of wildlife species and habitat, landscape connectivity, climate resilience, expert opinion, and local knowledge. The map on the next page depicts our highest priority COAs color coded to reflect each of five ecologically distinct regions. Throughout this report, we have noted when site-specific projects exist within COAs. Increasingly, new projects fall within these areas of strategic focus.
Maples in the sun along the Sandy River (© Gabriel Olson)
OUR AGENDA AT WORK
Volunteers during a planting day at Cranes’ Landing, Clark County, WA (© Paul Peloquin)
Fearless Conservation
In 2017, we at Columbia Land Trust made a commitment to practice fearless conservation. This meant evolving and expanding beyond traditional approaches to conservation as well as having earnest conversations in search of common ground. Over the past two years, to get a better sense of how best to serve nature and the communities of the Columbia River region, we connected with more people in more ways than ever before with the goal of reaching enduring, equitable conservation solutions. We continue to make strides at the outset of this long journey.
Our 25-year conservation agenda describes ambitious goals to conserve the broad landscapes of the Northwest. While essential, traditional land trust tools, such as acquiring, restoring, and stewarding land, are insufficient to achieve these goals. In addition, we face significant social impediments to fundamentally changing the pace and scale of conservation.
6 Our Agenda At Work 7 that the agenda represents a shared, inclusive vision for the region,for imple- is vision it inclusive and that a shared, the agenda represents that thousands of people in the Land Trust’s work to build long-term support for conservation conservation for support long-term build to work Trust’s Land the in people of thousands ENGAGE stewardship. of a culture and foster ecological through conditions to improve in decision-making partners and communities INCLUDE and enhancement. restoration collaborative ENSURE partners of and individuals. set diverse a culturally by mented Our long-term objectives are: Our long-term objectives barriers to land conservation. and economic social, political, REMOVE OUR AGENDA OUR AT WORK 8 Our Agenda At Work Volunteers installingplantsataneventwithcommunity partner APANO in SEPortland, OR (LandTrustStaff) ment will require new ideas, collaboration, the daunting challengesfacing ourenviron become more culturally responsive. Solving broader for support conservation, we must relevant, grow more effective, andgarner remain to wish we If region. River Columbia not represent thecurrent diversity of the We alsorecognize that ourorganization does petuating them. inequities inthepast,we played arole inper decisions. By acknowledgeto failing these impactsof environmentaluse and land policy are disproportionately burdened by the adverse nities of color andunderserved communities Columbia Land Trust recognizes that commu Equity - - - audit inorder toset a baselinefor ourprogress. we conducted acomprehensive internal equity leaders, and board,for andemerging ourstaff, ownour and implicit biases. We trainingsheld toric inequities of theconservation movement largely oneducating ourselveshis- the about focused we 2018, In outcomes. conservation conversationsseek to equitable inclusiveand join and,where appropriate, lead fearless culturally responsive organization. We will but we are committed tobecoming a more We of alongjourney, are at thebeginning innovative movement. conservation movement is astronger, more and unique perspectives. A diverse, inclusive Our Agenda At Work 9 - - - - Engage One Million People People One Million Engage in Conservation Land Oregon of Coalition the by led project a In Trusts, Columbia Land Trust is playing a key strategy communications in a statewide role and about nature knowledge public to expand just those of the conservation community but community the conservation just those of and to our friends important are issues that the from excluded long been partners who’ve conservation. of benefits pro education existing and new Supporting a robust that to ensure way is a key grams for and grows endures stewardship of culture thought advancing By to come. generations our region across leadership and focusing can opportunities,on hands-on learning we the in mean will stewardship what define help future. our com opportunities for expand we’ll Finally, and benefits, values, the experience to munity conservation. of possibilities awe-inspiring truly and volunteerism, on stewardship focusing By and recreation, outdoor in diversity enhancing in art we and culture, avenues new embracing to bringing committed are to a conservation adapt our we population—and expansive more own understanding of conservation (and its in the process. entry) barriers of our engagement program manager began eval began manager program our engagement partnerships, and programs, current our uating a road and is developing groups, stakeholder while building people more meeting map for and 2019 in conservation support for broader beyond. Engagement for Map Road devel and learning, listening, for was year Last action. of year a be will 2019 relationships; oping will support, explore, program Our engagement priority three around programming and create experience. and education, pillars: advocacy, will be our platform advocacy Our board-led first step we in an have entering where arena know We scope. in limited historically been are but we be complicated, can advocacy that in approach a comprehensive to committed which our positions and actions reflect not
Movement foster a more inclusive environment, environment, inclusive a more foster serve as a resource for and engage with engage and with for serve as a resource that knowing groups, other conservation go. as we also learning are we benefitting multicultural communities and communities multicultural benefitting color, of communities - shift rep our staff to be more and board of diversity the growing of resentative region, in the Columbia River people and engage local communities of color in in color of communities engage local decision-making, staff our communication train on inclusive oppression, and interrupting support priorities policy to actively work refine and use ourequity lens to inform and policies and update our programs procedures, • • • • • • • Building a Stronger In In 2017, the Land Trust secured funding to a manager, program an engagement hire and formalizing with charged position new building our effortsstrengthening toward stronger community relationships. In 2018, Dramatically increase the number of people people the number of increase Dramatically conservation. supporting nature Capacity Adding incentives is weak. We need to ensure that that to ensure need We is weak. incentives cares and loves, knows, generation the next nature. for Our Solution Our Challenge from increasingly are disconnected People public funding and new Support for nature. In 2019 we continue to: continue 2019 we In 10 Our Agenda At Work Landingfor aplantingevent(©Paul Peloquin) Nearly 30volunteerscameouttoCranes’ of support. gagement initiative to buildastrong foundation initiating astatewide communications anden audiencesconservation,land support to and capacity toengage with more people andnew buildgreater to awareness,messaging building rentcollective capacity, developing statewide will befocused understandinglandtrusts’cur The first three years of the Coalition campaign Trustcampaign led Alliance. by theLand Oregon. This work is also informing a national animperativetion issuefor allcommunities in that willmakelasting publicsupport conserva andminds, and creatinghearts arising tide of to andaddressing theircitizens’ needs, moving representative of theircommunities, listening land trustsasbeloved andessential institutions conservation. The Coalition envisions Oregon - - - stewardship principles on their urban and conservationin partners as by practicing Portlandthe metroout area.Participants act organizations, and other institutions through apartments, businesses,schools, community that encourages habitat stewardship at homes, is aneducational andconservation initiative building makes it animportant asset. BHCP andtheadded value ofthe region, community education andhabitat enhancement across integralasan componentof conservation since 2009. The program is widely recognized Backyard Habitat Certification Program (BHCP) Audubon Society of Portland tomanagethe the with partnered has Trust Land Columbia Certification Program Backyard Habitat Expand the
- Our Agenda At Work 11
- magazine, Fieldbook their inspired work in 2018. They added new out Habitap a successful members organized hands-on a handful of along with event reach opportunities. volunteer In the 2019, group is through capacity its growing to committed recruitment. active Through three issues of our of issues three Through lively e-newsletter, Moss our of issues monthly content, and web communities, social media the Land Trust delved deeper into complex produced also We 2018. in issues conservation to “letters our of release the to tied film short a and tribal in which friend campaign the future” Chuck Sams highlightedleader for the need we fall, the In conservation. and collaboration across people letters from additional shared our region more for the need underscoring generations. future on behalf of to act people The Land Trust will continue to highlight on conservation perspectives of a diversity channels. through media various its Next-Generation Conservation group a (ELC), Council Leaders Emerging The support to building dedicated volunteers of continued among their peers, conservation of of conservation is integral to our mission. mission. to our is integral conservation of To this end, we recruit volunteers to assist hiring are We work. and site monitoring with the next staff train to help seasonal and interns provide we and conservationists, of generation Developing public access. lands for and manage the to broadening partnershipsstrong is key support nature. base of for our strides supporters to celebrate convene We agenda goals and raise our conservation toward In gala. fall Splendor Wild our at funds crucial our for out turn supporters 200 nearly addition, event, annual picnic and member appreciation hour every happy year our Habitap hold and we people to more our work to introduce as a way area. metro in the Portland-Vancouver Stories Sharing Engaging people in the work and the benefits benefits the and work Engaging the in people - - help us in the office, take amazing photographs, photographs, amazing take office, the in us help along the up litter clean stranded trees, plant black and wrangle invasive Columbia River, and English ivy. holly, berry, connection connection to nature. In 2019, we will lead a to connect events tours and volunteer of variety people to the land. Tours explore Columbia and wetlands coastal habitat, pika Gorge River and sandhill-crane- habitats, backyard plants, filled croplands.Meanwhile, our volunteers Tours, Volunteering, and Volunteering, Tours, Events Inspired conservation action starts with a our expansion into Clackamas County. We also We County. Clackamas into our expansion efforts planning undertook new with extensive into partners the program to launch program Clark and Oregon, County, Washington both in spring 2019. Washington, County, nurseries to supply tens of thousands of native native of thousands tens of to supply nurseries to participants. plants The Backyard Habitat Certification Program resource natural local by to be seen continues to supportingmanagers as important municipal conservation efforts. In 2018, we completed mental health benefits not only to the program program the to only not benefits health mental communities local our but for participants as well. more Annually, than 100 volunteers contribute 1,900+ hours to support program plant native local with and work operations year. Currently, more than 5,200 participants Currently, year. about spanning the program, in active are 1,400 acres. these Together, actions make a significantimpact on the qualityof air and throughout water our region, habitat improve and physical provide and urban wildlife, for signs), and signs), encouragement. Then they create on habitat enhance to a plan implement and their property. throughout areas works the urbanized BHCP and counties Clackamas and Multnomah of enrolls more than 800 new properties each of local watersheds and support wildlife by support and by wildlife watersheds local of invasive removing plants, native planting pesticide use, managing eliminating weeds, wildlife. and stewarding on-site, stormwater as technical with participant each provide We certification and (coupons incentives sistance, suburban properties to improve the health health the propertiessuburban improve to 12 Our Agenda At Work A cattledrivethrough thewestSimcoe Mountains, WA (©GabrielOlson) for thenatural resources of theNorthwest. vastand our goals common groundof caring basedBuild onour shared trustandstrategies Solution Our in caring for theland. strong relationships between all those invested funding andincentives that could come from collaborating.than We on increased missout forestry are frequently at odds, fighting rather age natural resources suchasagriculture and Conservationists andlandowners who man ChallengeOur Working Lands - and economic into services thefuture. they continue toprovide amyriad of ecological for protecting farms and ranches, and ensuring we willdevelopbroadlya solution supported project, this Through analysis. our inform to the conservation andagriculture communities in of partners on theexperience andinsight ranchers.and farmers We are relying heavily theconservationto serving needs of Oregon feasibility of anew statewide entity dedicated the study to Trusts Land Oregon of Coalition tural landowners, we with are the partnering relationships between landtrustsandagricul Building onourprevious work foster to positive capacity for conserving farms and ranches. an Oregon statewide toincrease strategy the in role lead a playing is Trust Land Columbia Outreach Program Oregon Agricultural
- Our Agenda At Work 13
Another area is Skamania County, Washington, Washington, is Skamania County, Another area and forest, state forest, national the where Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area have been at the core of conflictover how to County Skamania With manage the forest. lands commissioner, Washington’s leaders, and congressional representatives, the Land be may that solutions creative seeking is Trust to ensure Our goals are the nation. a model for protecting while to the county forestry revenue and recreation. habitat for forests old critical Resources Resources leadership, the Officeof the State the American of members Superintendent, legislators. Council, and state Resource Forest The team is proposing legislation for state working release would that land trades forest of conservation harvest ensure and for forests such as the species, endangered for old forests murrelet. marbled and Hills Willapa Strategy Forest Skamania in the Northwest communities Forested forests, bound to their surrounding are jobs, revenue, county for on them relying in engaged actively are We and recreation. and federal, state, key with conversations a to help strike leaders company private management. in public forest balance Wahkiakum and in Pacific Willapa Hills to the local forestry is core where counties, of serves as an area and economy, culture this strategy. for focus
Sustainable Forests Forests Sustainable Columbia Land Trust spearheaded a concept steering State a Washington became that - represen which includes diverse committee, three from commissioners county of tation Natural of Department counties, forest-reliant these goals. The challenge is supporting sus- someon practices management forest tainable while ensuring forests owned our publicly of stands. old-growth our remaining of protection Our Solution Forests in the Northwest are among our most our among are Northwest the in Forests essential are They resources. natural important wildlife vibrant and for economy to a healthy of both supports Trust Land Columbia habitat. Our Challenge for community forestry with the goal of helping of goal the forestry with community for for program a grant develop State Washington forests. community Spanning Spanning nearly 70,000 acres in the foothills as a is cherished Adams, this forest Mount of viewshed and resource for Klickitat County. Columbia Land Trust, with Klickitat County are leaders and community commissioners, help to capital sharing this story in the state’s understanding, support, and funding advance helping develop funding and support programs support funding and programs helping develop forestry. community for offer County Klickitat in Mountains Simcoe The forest community a potential for in point a case revenue, offorest benefits could provide that and grazing. habitat, water, clean public access, and urban, west and east of the Cascade the Cascade of and east and urban, west bringing of benefits the seeing Mountains—are to home. Columbia closer ownership forestland Land Trust has been a leading voice in this movement. We helped create the Northwest are we and now Coalition, Forest Community Across Across the Northwest, there is a movement communities—rural diverse culturally where Simcoe Klickitat Community Mountains Forest 14 Our Agenda At Work land management of critical habitats. education, incentives, for better and support Create collaborative that partnerships provide Solution Our are ineffective. so vast that traditional conservation strategies are corridors habitat critical areas, certain In ChallengeOur Habitat Corridors Corridors Habitat Conserving Conserving and engagement strategies inthisarea.and engagement strategies ploy landacquisition, restoration, partnership, over nextthe effort severalyears. We willde- a geography in which we will focus significant shed, Columbia Land Trust has prioritized it as opportunities within the Tualatin River water west. Recognizing theuniquepressures and and population of Portland continues to expand nificant pressure as the urban growth boundary and wildlife. The watershed is experiencing sig functions relied upon by both urban residents amount of essential habitat and ecological quarter of the region. It also contributes a high region’s largest watershed, comprising one Portland-Vancouverthe Tualatinis RiverThe Tualatin River Partnership - - Our Agenda At Work 15 (© Brian Chambers Photography) (© Brian Oaks at Four Sisters, Wasco County, OR. OR. County, Wasco Sisters, Oaks at Four person or entity living, working, and/or playing playing and/or living, working, person or entity see can Gorge Columbia River in the eastern and sustainable educated, as a productive, itself ecosystem. part a thriving and resilient of grazing, grazing, learning about prescribed fires and the USFS and others, from fuels reduction cultural and reciprocity about out finding and also We elder. a Yakama oak from of utilization about stakeholders 30 than more interviewed landscapes, oak in interests and needs their partnership five-county two-state, the across service area. phase learning its As the partnership completes any which in plan a deliver to hopes it 2019, in
tools, and human interactions, like grazing, grazing, like tools, and human interactions, prescribed restoration, management, forest fires, fire suppression, fuelsreduction, first a placed We resources. and cultural foods, emphasis on understanding the human heavy on a convening oak systems, dimensions of discuss to ranchers with area wildlife local and several committee meetings to advance to advance meetings committee and several base of strategic planning and build a shared understanding among partners. Each meeting of variety a wide on presentations included ecology oak including biology, and topics, planning impacts, climate utilization, species In In its second year, the East Cascades Oak the engagement coordinated Partnership of more than 130 individual members in partnership meetings formal full-day four East Cascades Oak Partnership Partnership Oak 16 Our Agenda At Work much more useful and flexible, as well as more is tailored for landtrustsandpromises to be application This Ouzel. called database lands buildanew to tor andimproved iteration of our In 2018, staff continued to work with a contrac Ouzel leading-edge systemsand technologies. ourstewardshipthe curve, team isinvesting in of ahead stayTo grows. habitat steward and its responsibility tomonitor, manage,restore, As the Land Trust succeeds in conserving land, A drone collectsaerialdataatasitealongthe Tualatin River, Washington County, OR. Land ManagementLand Systems - high interest inthispartnership. high with more dozen several with “on-boarded” land trustshave subscribed andare being for landmanagement tracking. Currently two creating acommon andshared understanding vision would bolsterlandconservation by develop tailored versions of the database. This which willhelpotherlandtrustsandgroups andsubscriptionagreements,zel partnership In 2019, staff will be working to develop the Ou webinar for land trusts. a on Ouzel presented and 2018 throughout has continuedOur staff to test theapplication affordable, thanany otherapplication available. - Our Agenda At Work 17 - - in the region on the method with the hope in the region the hope with on the method partners will adopt the conservation more that developed have will we successful, If approach. the understanding of and broader a consistent lands in both Oregon conserved of condition and Washington. Integrity Ecological Assessments Supporting the ClassificationHabitat Assess structured a science-based, is Program ment assessing the ecological of integrity method lands. An ecological integrity our habitat of more givesa Land(EIA) the Trust assessment conserved of the condition assessment detailed the progress to measure and means a habitats of the stewardship program in fulfilling its responsibilities. This effort is a collaboration of Department State Washington the with Natural Resources (DNR) Natural Heritage Program to refine and adapt the EIA method Trust Land the 2018, During use. Trust Land for Program Heritage Natural the with contracted the methodologyto implement stew on nine acres. 4,900 than more covering units ardship Staff will continue to implement EIA work on conserved properties in 2019. In partnership with DNR staff, we trained other land trusts - - - - tree thinning, fuels reduction, mulching, and thinning, fuels reduction, tree and property management other restoration place take will work stewardship The strategies. throughout service area. the Land Trust’s of losing ground on a functional resource con resource on a functional losing ground of Throughout trend. declining a having or dition, will work site priority this 2020, into and 2019 This trends. reverse to order in implemented be and planting control weed involves typically efforts,efforts include monitoring but also may of the program should be deployed and what and what should be deployed the program of stewardship effort responsible for the overall looks like. In 2018, through the habitat classification steward 24 identified we protocol, assessment terms in needs intervention having as units ship habitat lands vs. more recreation-oriented recreation-oriented vs. more lands habitat green spaces), the condition of the natural trend its and functional), vs. degraded (i.e., land (i.e., is it declining, at risk, or improving). All basis, an acre-by-acre on this information, of the resources how determining in critical is dition and status of our conserved lands. This lands. conserved our of status and dition judgment the on professional system is based gives and managers land of to ability the us the of needs the future for and plan understand program. It informs us what type of property the program is responsible for (i.e., sensitive The stewardship program has implemented a has implemented program The stewardship provides that system classification habitat new better to the con understand approach a rapid ogy to aid in land conservation is significant every year. and growing Classification Habitat Program Assessment Trust can quickly and efficiently collect aerial collect efficiently and quickly can Trust plan sites, complex and large assess to data map activities, and management restoration stands, document forest characterize weeds, a three-dimensional develop and even projects, technol this of power The model. surface land The Land Trust has begun to take greater in technology this of investing by advantage and fly to staff training and equipment own its process data. With this equipment, the Land Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Vehicle Aerial Unmanned Program Monitoring The COAST
Ecoregional Objectives
GIVE rivers room to move and flood naturally, enabling them to support healthy salmon runs and riverside habitat without threatening communities and infrastructure.
PROTECT older forests, ensuring that large expanses are managed in ways that connect critical habitat areas, set the stage for more old forests, and support the survival of endangered species.
INCREASE the prevalence of tidal wetlands in the Columbia River Estuary and continue managing invasive species.
CONSERVE and restore the last remaining large, undeveloped properties containing coastal interdunal wetlands and lakes, associated forests, and beaches.
STRENGTHEN local economies and expand public awareness of conservation benefits by providing healthy and functional natural areas.
18 Coast Range & Estuaries 19 - - Columbia River Estuary (© Pat Sacks, National Park Service) Park Sacks, National (© Pat tions with communities who are invested in in invested who are communities tions with wa developing the goal of with this watershed conservation community-based tershed-scale, Cowlitz and Trust Land the 2019, In strategies. Tribe will engage in a broader partnership this vision. the regionacross toward and state Land Trust will be able to complete three large large three complete to able be will Trust Land projects restoration wetland intertidal scale benefitting salmon, steelhead, eulachon, and shorebirds. and migratory waterfowl numerous Power Bonneville by funded are projects These Administration. resource critical a is watershed River Grays The for fish, and wildlife,forestry clean economy, Collaborating water. with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, the Land Trust is beginning conversa Conservation the acquisition of additional properties, the the properties, additional of the acquisition which is the fourth of five planned acquisitions acquisitions planned five of fourth the is which to move project restoration a tidal to allow forward. The Land Trust is in the process of properties twoacquiring along Crooked more acres 68 another adding River, Grays and Creek of conserved land in Grays Bay in 2019. With The Land Trust is in the process of purchasing purchasing of process the in is Trust Land The Grays of confluences the at properties multiple and the Creek and Crooked River, Deep River, Land The 2018, In Bay. Grays at River Columbia River, Deep on property small a acquired Trust Grays Bay Watershed Watershed Bay Grays WA County, Wahkiakum River Grays Estuary, River Columbia COAs: 20 Coast Range & Estuaries steelhead, eulachon,andnumerous migratory listedColumbianwhite-tailed deer,salmon, benefitting project restoration a complete to able be will Trust Land the properties, the of acquisition the With ago. years 100 to 50 cleared andhydrologically altered for grazing were lands These salmonids. supporting Elochoman, the of floodplain and wetlands acres, thethree were properties historically River near Cathlamet, Washington. Totaling 122 lowerColumbia River the Elochoman just off of purchasing more two properties on the process the in is and property 34-acre one In September 2018, the Land Trust purchased Black bearonLongBeachPeninsula, Pacific County, WA (©Rollin Bannow) ACRES 34
COA: ElochomanRiver Wahkiakum County, WA River Lower Elochoman by May of 2019. Wetlands GrantProgram and will becompleted NationalCoastal the by projectfunded is The listed salmonids,bear, birds. elk,andmigratory benefiting frontage, River Chinook additional and wetlands of acres 20 add will quisitions ac- The County, Pacific Washington. in 2017 in acquired acres 285 the to adjacentRiver, Chinook on acres) (20 properties more three acquiring of process the in is Trust Land The by Bonneville Power Administration. waterfowl and shorebirds. The project is funded ACRES 20
COA: Columbia River Estuary Pacific County, WA Chinook River Coast Range & Estuaries 21
- - Wallacut River: Planting Planting River: Wallacut Control and Weed WA County, Pacific Estuary River Columbia COA: In our second year since a hydrologic resto round an additional effort, conducted we ration of planting and weed control in 2018. More than trees 7,000 and shrubs were planted in the early months of 2018 by local contractors that areas to help supplement volunteers, and during the previous weeds for treated were summer months and help refine the species composition throughout the property. The work, control weed continued also Trust Land throughout species weed priority targeting an additional will plant We the property. 3,000 trees, shrubs, and emergent wetland species in 2019. Weed control, particularly planting around gorse, and maintenance for to come. will be ongoing in the years areas Kerry Island: Planting and and Planting Island: Kerry Control Weed OR County, Columbia Estuary River Columbia COA: In 2018, the second year since a large tidal floodplainrestoration effort, the Land Trust and planting of undertook round an additional weed control. Crews installed 14,000 trees for account to year in the and shrubs early mortality and refine the species composition have We thus far. success on planting based efforts, targeting control weed continued throughout species - the prop weed priority erty. In 2019, the Land Trust is planning an additional planting of 3,400 native trees and well as contractors Trust Land both by shrubs through school groups as local a partnership with Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. ef control further planning weed are We forts through the summer and fall of 2019. - - COA: Columbia River Estuary River Columbia COA: South Point Tongue OR County, Clatsop
Stewardship & Restoration 90 ACRES trol throughouttrol place the property will take of repopulation with along 2019 summer during channel to track meant channel cross-sections in- installed of a result as time over change structures. stream stream restoration, all disturbed areas were were areas all disturbed restoration, stream planted with 4,000 trees and shrubs in early This conditions. reference approximate to 2018 as as well vegetation native will help restore prevent a flushof invasive species common con Weed after activities. ground-disturbing Upper Elochoman Forest: Elochoman Forest: Upper Enhancement In-Stream WA County, Wahkiakum Elochoman River COA: the in- for work follow-up of As a last piece steelhead, eulachon, and numerous migratory eulachon, and numerous steelhead, . and shorebirds waterfowl National Coastal Wetlands Grant Program and Program Grant Wetlands Coastal National Board Enhancement Watershed the Oregon With the (OWEB). acquisition of the property in 2019, the college will be able to work with intertidal a large-scale partners complete to salmon, benefitting project restoration wetland ing a 90-acre property on Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon. The land will be owned by a College, Community which owns Clatsop will door and next facility education marine its a living laboratoryuse the property for for students. The project is being funded by the The Land Trust is in the process of acquir 22 Coast Range & Estuaries for 2020. for wetland swale creation andplanting slated fence removal, andcoordination and permitting school,additional hybrid poplarremoval,high wildlife with monitoring thelocal inpartnership dynamics. Work in 2019 will include additional of which were banded to help track population martins, resulting in the birth of 81 nestlings, 79 vide cavity nestingtostate-candidate purple fifth seaon with artificial gourds erected to pro wildlife monitoring. Last year also marked our poplar removal, snagcreation, andavariety of excavation, large wood installation, hybrid control, planting, elk fence construction, swale yearsof intensive restoration,weed including of part is workproperty. This the within area plantingpreviously5-acre,failed a plantedin were trees spruce Sitka 4,000 2018, in Early COA: Columbia River Estuary Wahkiakum County, WA Indian Jack Slough Follow-Up Planting at Lower ElochomanRiver: and restore native forest vegetation. weedthe and board manage invasiveto species continue owners with property the topartner will Trust Land corridor.the 2019,Inriparian Control Boardinvasive tomanage weeds in this partnered with Cowlitz County Noxious Weed has Trust Land Columbia years, four last the habitat for coho salmonandsteelhead. For helping toimprove watershed function and corridor of riverside forest alongthecreek, a protect easements These Creek. Abernathy easements onprivate alonglower properties Columbia Land Trust holds seven conservation Cowlitz County, WA Forest Enhancement Abernathy Creek: Riparian - COA: Columbia River Estuary Multiple counties inOR andWA Species Control Intertidal Marsh Invasive Columbia River Estuary: follow-up weed control. natural hydrologyof the site, in addition to the restore help to filling ditch and removal wetland restoration work, includinglevee planning also are we 2019, In 2019. in shrubs and trees native 40,000 approximately of Lower Elochoman Forest unit for the planting In 2018, the Land Trust prepared the site in the COA: Columbia River Estuary Wahkiakum County, WA Wetland Restoration Lower ElochomanRiver: Northwest. Pacific the throughout freshwaterhabitats in will inform restoration practitioners working Northwest National Laboratory with the results Pacific with partnership in conducted being is experiment This properties. Island Kerry and Farm Kandoll the on experiment control its third year of asix-year reed canarygrass in also is Trust Land The Cathlamet. to Bay loosestrife fromproperties on multiple Grays with aconcerted focus oncontrolling purple Trust Land will continue in these 2019 efforts The habitats. estuary conserved on control canarygrass are targets typical for annual reed and iris, flag yellow gorse, loosestrife, purple as such plants Invasive estuary. the function onnaturalecological landsthroughout Invasive species represent a constant threat to Coast Range & Estuaries 23 Wallacut River, Pacific County, WA (© Paul Peloquin). Paul WA (© County, Pacific River, Wallacut Volunteers of all ages plant trees and shrubs of all ages plant trees along the Volunteers The Valleys
Ecoregional Objectives
RESTORE the health and function of the floodplains, riverside forests, and wetlands associated with our rivers.
PROTECT, maintain, and restore oak and prairie habitats.
MAKE urban areas more conducive to wildlife through thousands of nature-scaped properties that allow pollinators, resident and migrating birds, and other wildlife to move across the landscape.
BUILD strong partnerships between agriculture and conservation communities to benefit wildlife habitat, movement, and migration.
PROVIDE meaningful opportunities for people to connect to nature throughout cities and natural areas.
24 Willamette Valley & Puget Trough 25 Lacamas Lake North Shore, Shore, North Lacamas Lake Clark County, WA (Jay Kosa) (Jay WA County, Clark East Fork Lewis East Fork Greenway River: Expansion WA County, Clark River Lewis East Fork COA:
40 ACRES planned planned acquisition is adjacent to Lewisville East County the Clark extend and will Park Fork Lewis River It Greenway. will prevent and development and residential subdivision River. Lewis to the East Fork access ensure The Land Trust is acquiring a conservation and recreation of acres 40 roughly on easement forest land on the East This Fork Lewis River. - Conservation Land Trust co-manages this program with the with program this co-manages Trust Land Portland. of Audubon Society Multnomah and Clackamas Counties, OR Counties, and Clackamas Multnomah See pages 10–11 for details on how the Land Certifica Habitat Backyard innovative Trust’s efforts region-wide our into fits Program tion conserving in and people to engage more caring for the nature of the Northwest. The Backyard Habitat Habitat Backyard Program Certification 26 Willamette Valley & Puget Trough Backyard Habitat program participants celebrate Silver certification in Portland, OR the county’s ownership. heavilyin most parkPark,usedLewisville the property is to expand the county’s neighboring way acquisition. The long-term vision for this acre shoreline adjacent property tothegreen 90- the on build will project Greenway.This acquisition of the 160-acre Lewis River Ranch for diligenceClarkdue and County’s support transactional providing is Trust Land The ACRES 160
Clark County, WA Greenway Lewis River Ranch COA: East Fork Lewis River (Lower) - the historicPittock-Leadbetter House. viewshed of the north shore. It will also protect the protecting backdrop forested a and Lake vision of a multiuse loop trail around Lacamas 2019. This project supports the City of Camas’s in acres 100 remaining the acquire will and Camas acquired 32 acres of this project in 2018 Futures, and Columbia Land Trust. The City of City ofthe Clark Camas, County Conservation conservation andpark project underway with collaborative a is Shore North Lake Lacamas ACRES 132
COA: LacamasPrairie Clark County, WA North Shore LakeLacamas Willamette Valley & Puget Trough 27 - Stewardship & Restoration COA: Columbia River Lowlands River Columbia COA: In late fall 2018, the Land Trust completed berms two miles of nearly of the construction (earthen mounds) to create visual barriers along high-traffic areas(walking path and Landing the Cranes’ of located site roadways) Washington. Vancouver, of limits city the within sandhill for order in essential are berms These while foraging the secure within to feel cranes early 2019, the Land Trust will initiate efforts to efforts initiate will Trust Land the 2019, early pas and habitat floodplain historic the restore and woodland of mixture to a diverse turelands deer by preferred scrub-shrub communities migratory bird neotropical of as a suite as well in occur will restoration proposed The species. and 2019 early in beginning phases distinct four involve will efforts These 2023. in finishing then in order rancher the current with coordinating while also habitat deer provide to effectively allowing for active cattle ranching. Phase I old, miles of several on removing will focus as installing nearly as well fences dilapidated the in fencing deer-friendly new, of feet 11,000 the 50 of historic acres Nearly spring 2019. of floodplain and current pasturelands will be and trees native 60,000 nearly with reforested 2020. 2019 or early shrubs in late Berm Landing: Cranes’ Construction & Planting WA County, Clark Columbia Stock Ranch: Ranch: Stock Columbia White-Tailed Columbian Restoration Deer Habitat OR County, Columbia Lowlands River Columbia COA: the of the hydrologic connectivity Restoring near located Ranch lowlands, Columbia Stock Deer Island in Columbia has County, proven effort will take to be a very that complicated a number of years to adequately resolve. The Land Trust has an opportunity to restore the wildlife other of myriad a for habitat floodplain threatened the federally including species, Beginning in deer. Columbian white-tailed - - - Wapato Valley Valley Wapato Bank Mitigation Easement WA County, Clark Lowlands River Columbia COA: Atfalati Prairie Prairie Atfalati OR County, Washington River Tualatin COA: 9 876 ACRES ACRES property for migratory waterfowl and other and other migratory waterfowl property for wildlife. Through the mitigation bank, the riverine to increase propertybe restored will wetlands and tidally influenced freshwater Act–list Species Endangered for areas rearing species. salmon and other native juvenile ed as part a conservation and wetland mitigation mitigation and wetland as part a conservation a longtime family by bank under development Ridgefield adjacent is property The landowner. Colum the across and Refuge Wildlife National Wildlife Island Sauvie Oregon’s from River bia used and heavily an important making it Area, The Land Trust is in the process of acquiring an acquiring of process the in is Trust Land The conflu the at easement conservation 876-acre River. Columbia the and River Lewis the of ence The conservation easement will be donated River. It is an important stepping stone between stone stepping important an is It River. lands, adding to the overall other conservation these wildlife of functionality and connectivity from pressure increasing face as they habitats development. and residential urban expansion are are working to acquire the final 9 acres- nec essary Once begin to restoration. large-scale an as serve will Prairie Atfalati the restored, Tualatin the of species priority for site anchor Atfalati Prairie is a nearly 300-acre floodplain, 300-acre nearly a is Prairie Atfalati and oak woodland prairie, wet forest, riparian part- In project. restoration and conservation we Regional Government, Metro nership with 28 Willamette Valley & Puget Trough County, WA Eye (©Scry Photography) Sandhill cranes atCranes’ LandinginClark upcoming fallandwinter months. will provide critical forage for cranes inthe oats, springwheat, grasses, orothercrops that nearly 450 acres with either corn, alfalfa, peas, farming efforts in late spring 2019 by planting create elevated native hedgerows. We willbegin to 2020early or 2019 late in shrubs and trees and then planted with more than 20,000 native controlled for noxious weeds throughout 2019 and monitored be will berms These cranes. much-needed conditions for sanctuary the that thesebermsare effectively providing property, andrecent monitoring has shown thesummer.ings willcontinue through Weed control and maintenance of tree plant- pasture grasses to infill the previous planting. area currently dominated and by blackberry will add another 1,000 plants within a 2.8-acre 1,500 plants within a disturbed area. In 2019, we In 2018, the Land Trust installed and maintained COA: EastFork Lewis River Clark County, WA ian Forest Enhancement Storedahl Property: Ripar - Willamette Valley & Puget Trough 29 - by the West Willamette Restoration Partner Willamette Restoration the West by in watersheds on forested ship, which focuses Woodlands Keller on Work hills. Southwest the included invasive weed control (particularly Volunteer shrubs. and trees to addition in ivy) interpretive of and the installation events work elements. public outreach important signs were In 2019, the Land Trust will continue habitat and also will on the ground work restoration Keller Woodlands: Urban Urban Woodlands: Keller Restoration Forest OR County, Multnomah Park Forest COA: In 2018, the Land Trust wrapped up its first at work restoration habitat of phase significant - Port site in Southwest Woodlands the Keller larger a of part was effort three-year This land. implemented project and outreach restoration - ditional ditional 1,250 native trees to for account past is control weed Follow-up mortality. planting the ensure to effort final a as 2019 for planned to grow. free are trees Skamania County, WA County, Skamania River Washougal COA: and control weed initial of two years Following ad an planted Trust Land the efforts, planting Schoolhouse Creek: Creek: Schoolhouse Restoration Habitat 30 Willamette Valley & Puget Trough Volunteers atWoods Landing,Clark County, WA (Land Trust Staff) County, WA (LandTrustStaff) Land Land Trust holds a conservation easement on tween Gladstone and Milwaukie, Oregon. The the Willamette River in the Oak Lodge area be Boardman Creek watershed, which drains to of habitat alonganatural springintheupper Water Conservation District restore to oneacre vate landowner andClackamas County Soil and Columbia Land Trust is partnering with a pri- Clackamas County, OR Urban Restoration Headwaters Easement: Boardman Creek the surrounding trail networks. enhance public access to Keller Woodlands and develop anew pedestrian trail project that will work with Portland Parks and Recreation to - forested McGahan site alongtheClackamas tion Districtcontrolto invasive species atthe CountyClackamas SoilandWaterConserva - with partnering been has Trust Land The COA: Clackamas River andTributaries Clackamas County, OR Habitat Enhancement McGahan Property: habitats at thesite. plants toenhance theexisting riparianand oak wetland 350 and shrubs and trees 900 plant will Trust Land the 2019, In species. invasive 2016 have significantly reduced the amount of watershed health. Weed control since efforts the existing habitat to benefit wildlife as well as has been and property the workingrestore to Willamette Valley & Puget Trough 31
ing along the edges of the riparian forest, where the riparian forest, of ing along the edges grasses pasture other and canarygrass reed invaded. have Atfalati Prairie: Prairie: Atfalati Enhancement Riparian OR County, Washington River Tualatin COA: In 2018, the Land Trust continued riparian riparian on the remnant work enhancement floodplain 200-acre a Prairie, Atfalati at forest The River. Tualatin the along located property being the property is currently of majority Trust Land the while farmer tenant a by farmed develops a restoration and funding plan. In the interim, we have continued 2017 work on 25 acrs of the property blackberry, to control English clematis, and hawthorn, English holly, the removed we Additionally, other weeds. several from trees encroaching of pressure oaks. heritage of planting the with 2019 in continue will Work control weed with and shrubs and trees native - plant future for to prepare areas in additional
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in order to eliminate as many weedy species species weedy as many to eliminate in order the property prior to a future as possible from effort. revegetation In In 2018, the Land Trust continued a full-site weed control effort that was started in 2017. This involved controlling any blackberry, ivy, English and other hawthorn, English holly, invasive species present throughout the 1.5- continue will work this 2019, In property. acre Nicolai Woods: Habitat Habitat Woods: Nicolai Restoration WA County, Multnomah Park Forest COA: of invasive English laurel, English holly, and and English English laurel, invasive of holly, volun for too large was English that hawthorn will continue and planting control Weed teers. habitat. forest riparian this enhance to 2019 in employees from HP volunteer time at Woods Woods time at HP volunteer from employees Landing pulling weeds, building a trail, and great the to addition In plantings. maintaining and our steadfast these volunteers of work conducted contractors steward, site volunteer a huge amount removing control, tree weedy Habitat Restoration Habitat For the last several years, the Land Trust has been partnering with (HP), Hewlett-Packard which has adopted Woods Landing, located I-205 the of east just River Columbia the along department’s sustainability part as its bridge, of year, a times four or Three program. volunteer Woods Landing: Landing: Woods WA County, Clark 2019 through this partnership. In future years, years, future In partnership. this through 2019 forest enhance further to plans Trust Land the species tree of mix a diverse planting by habitat the in thriving forest a healthy, ensure will that decades. coming River Invasive Species Partnership, a group of of group a Partnership, Species Invasive River - and regionallocal to strate partners working species gicallyinvasive and manage monitor throughout basin. Weed River the Clackamas in site the McGahan at continue will control River near Estacada, Oregon. BeginningOregon. Estacada, near River in 2017, the Land Trust joined the Clackamas WEST Cascades
Mount St. Helens forest, Skamania County, WA (Land Trust staff)
Ecoregional Objectives
ENSURE large swaths of both public and privately owned forestlands are intact and functional, connecting habitats for migratory species.
HALT the net loss of older forests and increase the number of forested acres managed toward old-growth forest habitat.
PROTECT important rivers for salmon and steelhead habitat by removing barriers to migration, improving river conditions, and restoring floodplains.
CULTIVATE local and regional public support for conserving working forestlands by demonstrating their economic and recreational value.
32 West Cascades 33 - COA: East Fork Lewis River (Upper) Lewis River East Fork COA: Forest Yacolt Easement WA County, Clark
ACRES 6,300 The Land Trust is working to negotiate the conserva 6,300-acre roughly a of acquisition along the located on forestland tion easement East Fork Lewis River and to adjacent Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This property is the in Clark forestland owned privately largest use as timberland continued and its County, to support forestry-based the local is essential and supporting ongoing forestry practices. supportingand forestry ongoing practices. million $4 a with achieved was phase final The Forest Legacy grant in partnership with the DNR. Washington Skamania County, WA County, Skamania Helens St. Mount COA: Mount St. Helens Helens St. Mount Conserva- Forest tion Area
Conservation ACRES 8,000 the completion of the fourth and final phase of 8,000 acres in 2018 achieved that goal. In the final phase, the LandTrust purchaseda forestland on working easement conservation north the Swift for and south of Reservoir rights development extinguishing purpose of Ten Ten years after setting out to conserve and forestland of acres 20,000 on forestry protect on the southern flanksof Mount St. Helens, 34 West Cascades The damatWIldboy Creek, Skamania County, WA (©Jay Kosa) lands. The Land Trust’s Double Bend project Bend Double Trust’s Land The lands. habitat owl DNR Washington by sides two owl spotted nestcircleis surroundedand on northern a within entirely lies property The habitat for wild steelhead alongWindRiver. also protects over amile of west bankriverside includes 35 acres of old-growth forest habitat. It This 100-acre, mature, mixed-forest property for elk,bear, andcougar. forest landscape and provide important habitat lands, thisproject willmaintain acontinuous economy. By linkingpublicandprivate forest ACRES 100
COA: Wind River Skamania County, WA Bend Phase III Wind River, Double - the West Fork Washougal andWildboy and River watershed, with key tributariesincluding timber. The area is a vital link in the Washougal company andhasbeen managed for industrial timber a by owned is property forested This 2019. early in close to anticipated is project negotiationspending and withseller,the the full fundinginJune.Project work isunderway, habitat conservation project andawarded it owl spotted northern ahigh-priority this considers Service Wildlife and Fish US The acres. 236 to area project entire the expand area andthisphasewould liesjusttothenorth ACRES 1,288
COA: Washougal River Skamania County, WA Forest Wildboy Creek
West Cascades 35
- - ) that grows on the island’s shore. We treat We shore. island’s the on grows that ) biae ed indigo bush with herbicide in fall 2018 and 2019. fall in treatment of round second a do will Forest Creek: Rock Enhancement WA County, Clark Lewis River East Fork COA: control, weed continued Trust Land the 2018, In at activities maintenance plant and planting, riparian that to ensure site Creek the Rock to develop stands continue and upland forest after the existing habitat forest healthy into logging roads were decommissioned in 2016. volunteer a by planted were trees 125 of total A work crew in 2018. Weed control and plant 2019. in will continue maintenance wildlife wildlife habitat) in the spring and summer of were timberland of acres 100 than More 2019. thinned in July 2018 to help improve habitat forest-dependent and other spottedfor owls on nearly thinning will conduct We species. 150 acres in the early summer of 2019 to help towards stands young these healthy, expedite characteristics. older growth Shoreline Island: Pierce Enhancement Habitat WA County, Skamania Gorge Columbia COA: In 2018, the Land Trust secured a two-year Department State the Washington from grant false indigo invasive to eliminate Agriculture of work This shoreline. Island Pierce the from bush for habitat to maintain important is particularly colum Rorippa ( yellowcress Columbia rare the - - -
Stewardship & Restoration ning on an additional 95 acres of overstocked overstocked of acres 95 additional an on ning northeast of Pine Creek, at forest stands of St. Mount of flanks southeastern the on Cougar through stand diversity enhance will We Helens. reforestation efforts (60 acres), and creating offer that trees dead (standing snags 300 over Skamania County, WA County, Skamania Helens St. Mount COA: thin forest continue will Trust Land the 2019, In and large wood recruitment for Wind River, an River, Wind for recruitment wood large and stream. salmon and steelhead important Helens: St. Mount East Forest Pine Creek Enhancement diverse native species as well as a band of thick as a band of as well species native diverse In invaders. nonnative other and broom Scotch the reduce systematically to work will we 2019, spe native to allow populations riparian weed improving zone, critical this to recolonize cies shading future and increasing habitat wildlife Skamania County, WA County, Skamania River Wind COA: along property forested Trust’s Land Columbia half a mile includes approximately Wind River of river frontage. The riparian zone includes Wind River: Riparian River: Wind Enhancement purchase price. purchase property in 2019, while the tribe is creating a for fundraising as strategy well as dam-removal December, by purchase achieve to is goal The it. restoration and removal dam conduct and 2019 within the next three to fiveyears. The Land million $3 the toward million $1 raised has Trust a 10-acre lake and blocks about 6 miles of trib of miles 6 about blocks and lake 10-acre a The steelhead. and salmon migrating to utaries Indian Cowlitz the with partnering is Trust Land the remove and property the acquire to Tribe the timberland with negotiating are dam. We the purchase funds to and raising owner Texas creeks. A dam on Wildboy Creek creates creates Creek Wildboy on dam A creeks. Texas EAST Cascades
East Cascade oak at sunset (© Brian Chambers Photography)
Ecoregional Objectives
PROTECT and restore major east-side rivers and key tributaries.
PRESERVE oak woodland habitat systems and opportunities for wildlife migration and movement.
MAINTAIN the integrity of unique transition zones between riverside and upland habitats, high and low elevations, and wet and dry climates.
COLLABORATE with local stakeholders and increase public awareness about the benefits of oak woodlands, sustainable forestry, river conservation, and ecological processes.
SUPPORT community leaders in championing conservation strategies and leading implementation.
36 EAST Cascades 37 - - vey to help inform messaging to help inform ap vey and outreach to choose language will strive ECOP proaches. using mechanisms information and deliver the diverse of and respectful inclusive are that in oak systems. A historian human experience and report on review a literature is providing on oak and impacts with human interactions systems in the late 1800s and early 1900s to the ecological our understanding of help inform oak systems. east-side of complexity will conclude its planning process in 2019 by priori- strategiesprioritizing geographic and partners, individual for roles identifying ties, the partnershipplay the role will determining the strategic of plan implementation during long-term a creating and beyond, and 2020 in funding plan. ECOP the planning process, with Concurrent input stakeholder to gather a consultant hired sur and an online through interviews separate - - Conservation the partnership could engage to make those those to make engage the partnership could func intact, with compatible more interactions stakeholder tional systems. Partners conducted presentations full-day and attended interviews the which will inform of and tours, the content put throughstrategies plan we a conservation partnership The chains. results called tool ning In In 2018, the East Cascades Oak Partnership (ECOP) focused its energy on advancing its strategic particularly on planning process, human different of the impacts understanding and strategies oak systems with interactions East Cascades Oak East Cascades Oak Partnership All in East Cascades Ecoregion COAs: 38 EAST Cascades canyon habitats, 1.1 miles of the mainstem the of miles 1.1 habitats, canyon forests, threatened oakhabitat, talus and manently conserved vibrant ponderosa pine was completed in June 2018. The project per project Canyon Klickitat the of phase second Klickitat Canyon Phase I in 2016, the 3,200-acre 2,400-acre the of success the on Building extent of oaksystemseast of theCascades. foropportunities improving the condition and human behaviors. These maps will help identify maps that illustrategeospatial the context of assist with andproduce buildingadata library to consultant GIS a engaged also has ECOP Klickitat Canyon,County, WA (© BrianChambers Photography) 3,200 ACRES
COA: Klickitat River Klickitat County, WA Phase II Klickitat Canyon -
additional 360 acres to the Klickitat Canyon Klickitat the to acres 360 additional an added Trust Land the 2018, December In be completed in2019. on this property. Management planning will habitat wildlife improved and resilience, fire manage for old-growth forest characteristics, title owner, Columbia Land Trust will be able to fee the As watershed. Klickitat the in ground percent of observed wild steelhead spawning corridors complete protection of more than 40 fish-bearing tributary streams. These riverside anadromous of miles 1.5 and River,Klickitat ACRES 360 COA: Klickitat River Klickitat County, WA Phase II:Wings Klickitat Canyon EAST Cascades 39 - - - Mount Hood Oaks Oaks Hood Mount OR County, Wasco River Klickitat COA: Mt. Laurel Jerseys Jerseys Laurel Mt. and Gladstone Easements WA County, Klickitat Valley Lake Trout COA:
ACRES 1,950 ACRES 280 followed by a landscape-level, cross-boundary a landscape-level, by followed oak habitat restoring plan for management project funding awards, Pending function. to likely is and 2019 in begin will development 2020. in early be completed munity munity of Trout Lake will forever retain its full awarded was project The character. iconic funding in 2018, and project development is closing sale negotiations, Pending underway. 2019. in late is anticipated In 2018, the Land Trust began its first large- effort Wasco in conservation oak habitat scale project Oaks Hood Mount The Oregon. County, highwill conserve oak hab old-growth quality at understory located grasslands intact and itat and Fish of Department Oregon of the nexus The ownerships. Service Forest US and Wildlife of strategy Trust’s Land the implements project at and working leveraging conservation existing function. to habitats target for sufficient scales Through via developed relationships the East be will conservation Oak Partnership, Cascades enable extension of the District’s Indian Creek Creek Indian District’s the of extension enable commitment Trust’s the fulfills project The trail. to pursuing projects that benefit species and public accessible facilitating by communities Gorge to Columbia a connection and access College. Community This project will acquire conservation ease Trout the in acres 280 additional an on ments Lake This Valley. will be the fifth agricultural easement the Land Trust has completed in the bringingvalley, the total to 700 acres. It generations future farm for a family protects to the com gateway the scenic and ensures - - - - - River: Hood Sieverkropp OR County, River Hood River Hood COA: Klickitat Canyon Canyon Klickitat III Phase WA County, Klickitat River Klickitat COA:
37 ACRES ACRES 3,900 This project will add 37 acres to the Hood River River Hood the to acres 37 add will project This that and ensure area conservation Powerdale is within along the river pipeline trail the entire intact protects also It management. Trust Land oak uplands, and through a partnership the with will District and Recreation Parks River Hood delays in funding opportunities at the federal the federal in funding opportunities at delays alter considering is LandTrust the and level, the project to complete funding sources native opportunity is available. while the acquisition species. species. Its remote location, adjacent to the Yakama Indian Reservation and protected by degree high very a provides River, Klickitat the Despite potential. habitat long-term wildlife of by slowed has been progress success, the year’s year. This year. phase will conserve 3,900 acres of high-elevation wood oak open pine forest, riverside of miles 9.5 and flows, volcanic lands, habitat including 2 miles of the mainstem for propertyThe habitat hosts River. Klickitat species or endangered threatened 3 federally and 21 additional state or federally protected The Land Trust successfully raised more than more raised successfully Trust Land The $5 million in grant awards for the third and final phaseof the Klickitatforest Canyon this ture that would have enabled additional devel additional enabled have would that ture by work of years together tied and it opment, agencies, federal and state and Trust Land the creating a single 30-mile-long corridor of the of the middle reach lands along conserved River. Klickitat cels, dubbed “wings”. The first parcel physically physically parcel first The “wings”. dubbed cels, adjacent protects and II and I Phases connects tribal lands. The second parcel conserves an additional one mile of the mainstem Klickitat River. This project removed the threat of 15 houses being built along the Canyon Klickitat infrastruc of rim, including the introduction forest conservaton area in two separate par two in separate area conservaton forest 40 EAST Cascades use with trail cameras and completed several cide treatment in fall. We monitored wildlife wetlandshoreline followedand withup herbi we mowed invasive brush that hadchoked the winter,InRiver. Hood lower the on Corridor off-channel wetland complex inthePowerdale In 2018, we began habitat restoration work at an COA: Hood River Hood River County, OR Wetland Restoration Powerdale Corridor: Hood RiverCounty, OR (©Steider Studios) Harlequin duckonthelowerHood River, & Restoration Stewardship Stewardship
- and abundance across approximately 300 acres presenceskeletonweed surveyed We2017. in tonweed monitoring project that we developed In 2018, we continued the multiyear rush skele COA: Wasco Oaks Wasco County, OR Weed Control Mill Creek Ridge: to document habitat usesandvalues. toring tobuildonthedata collected lastyear We willalsocontinue bird andwildlife moni- species for replantingsite the infuture years. collecting seedsand begin to propagate native we will continue with invasive plant removal gration and summer breeding seasons. In 2019, rounds of birdspring mi- the counts through - EAST Cascades 41
- - making processes. making processes. oaks that had been thinned previously. In 2019, 2019, In previously. thinned been had that oaks of Department Washington funding from with the East with will work we Fish and Wildlife, Cascades Oak Partnership to design a 1 to better to trials treatment up set to site 5-acre stand impact the sprouts understand how by affected are they how time, over structure her to respond they how and deer, and cattle will only Not treatment. mechanical and bicide our the stand towards help us move this project hopefully will but it condition, future desired questions management important help answer state, local, our to information provide and decision- partners with grappling and federal Oak Klickitat Enhancement WA County, Klickitat River Klickitat COA: student graduate University State Portland Kara Caselas and Land Trust staff produced an oak report for monitoring an effectiveness ago years fifteen undertaken effort restoration along the Klickitat River. The work involved vegetation permanent 170 than more revisiting areas and control plots in treatment monitoring is This trends. for data resulting analyzing and the first objectivereport of its kindfor thin ning efforts provided and the Cascades of east important insight the on assumptions made by community. restoration trends that learned we Kara, from data Utilizing in some are and stem density in stand structure due for had hoped we to what opposite ways white Oregon from sprouting stump prolific to - - - of the Klickitat River. the Klickitat of 8-mile restored corridor. In addition to site Will designer and project consultant work, a prepare Trust Land Columbia help will Conley 10-year, the of results the documenting report effort removing restoration multimillion-dollar floodplain active the from road paved of miles 8 native plants in areas that experienced higher experienced that in areas plants native - as aggres summer as well the mortalityover establishment to prevent control weed sive of nonnative, invasive species. These efforts will continue in 2019 with a major planting on the entire control effort and further weed Klickitat County, WA County, Klickitat River Klickitat COA: revegetate to effort our continued we 2018, In a 3-mile restored recently corridor along the Klickitat River. This involves installation of and survival. Plant Road: Haul Klickitat fungi This mats. was under and weed planted a collaborative effort with Natural Resources site difficult involved that Service Conservation but problem-solving and creative conditions spring. next successful will prove hope we that germination acorn for monitor will we 2019, In Restoration ing, Floodplain Following years of site preparation and exper preparation site of years Following Oregon establishing native with imentation white oak in a former agriculture field, the Land Trust installed more than 5,000 acorns mycorrhizal with treated on-site, collected Bowman Creek: Acorn Acorn Creek: Bowman Planting WA County, Klickitat River Klickitat COA: ments ments in test plots. In 2019, we will continue on skeletonweed data and analyze to collect herbicide to different distributionand response effective more to develop order in treatments strategies. management weed and monitored efficacy of trial herbicide treat herbicide trial of efficacy monitored and The Plateau
John Day River (© Brian Chambers Photography)
Ecoregional Objectives
PROTECT intact and functional prairie and shrub-steppe habitat from land-use conversion and degradation.
RESTORE native plant species, habitat functions, and ecological processes on affected lands.
RAISE awareness of the benefits of conservation in prairie and shrub-steppe landscapes.
INVEST time in the area to learn more and build relationships to determine how we can be most helpful in local conservation efforts.
42 Columbia Plateau 43 feasibility of using drone imagery using drone of to monitor feasibility Four at annual grasses invasive of the extent these and where whether to determine Sisters, grass species are spreading. In 2018, we also herbicide on with rush skeletonweed treated monitor will we 2019, In acres. 3 approximately findings compare and treatment this of impacts our at monitoring skeletonweed from data with Ridge property. Mill Creek Four Sisters: Invasive Invasive Sisters: Four Management Plant OR County, Wasco Oaks Wasco COA: In 2018, we completed a fourth year of - vege tation surveys at test plots where in 2015 we herbicide and burning of a variety had applied annual invasive of cover to reduce treatments grasses. In 2019, we will begin testing the
- Conservation large landowners and sharing knowledge about and sharing knowledge landowners large needs. and management priorities habitat vation partners and learning about threats to partners about threats and learning vation to Due 2019. in continue will work That habitat. in the conservation habitat for funding limited to continue ecoregion, efforts likely future are partners helping of throughon the course and leaders elected building with relationship 2018 in Agenda, Conservation the in planned As the Land Trust continued to be a presence eco- Plateau the Columbia in the ground on region. This involved meeting with conser Local Action, Global Impact
It is hard to overstate the collective impact of our conservation and stewardship successes. Consider how the Land Trust’s recent acquisitions at Klickitat Canyon helped fully conserve the entire middle stretch of the Klickitat River, a vital corridor for salmon and steelhead facing an uncertain future. Or consider how more than 5,000 properties across the Portland metro area now support pollinators and other urban wildlife while developing an ethic of stewardship.
As vast as our service area is, the results of this work extend much farther. Bird species from as far away as Patagonia stop over while migrating along the Pacific Flyway and salmon continue charging up the Columbia River basin as they have for millennia (though in smaller numbers). Natural resources support economies ranging from timber to tech, and places like the Columbia River Gorge, our iconic Cascade peaks, and the Northwest coast attract tourists and outdoor recreationists from around the globe.
By supporting Columbia Land Trust, you help drive conservation outcomes that are far-reaching and everlasting. Thank you for helping to cultivate a nature-rich future for the Northwest. Penstemon in bloom above Klickitat River (© Brian Chambers Photography) We all want a healthy, vibrant, nature-rich Northwest. Join us. Ensure that all life thrives here today and for generations to come.
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