2016 Land trusts boldly coming together to conserve special places for . 2 COLT State of the Lands Report 2016 WHY I’M HOPEFUL s a mother of two small children, I am concerned about the future of Oregon. I want to believe that my children will A COLT board members tour restoration site on Deschutes Land Trust’s Whychus Creek. one day experience the same sense of awe I feel while perched atop the bluffs of the Gorge or fishing the cold, clear waters of the McKenzie River. Given the state’s LAND TRUSTS increasingly altered landscape due to development pressures, degradation, and climate change, I 19 know that Oregon’s natural wonders are at risk. But there is hope. I am reminded of this when I FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES stop to think about the special places that land trusts across Oregon work to protect every day, and the people who step up to 200 support their work. This year’s State of the Lands report shines a light on the places we protect BOARD MEMBERS and the people we touch. In the last year alone, our members engaged nearly 70,000 Oregonians with their work, more than double the previous year. As more 198 people move to urban areas, and the gap between kids and nature grows, COLT’s members play an important role connecting people to the land they conserve.

Within these pages, you’ll read how the land trust movement is fueled by ACTIVE VOLUNTEERS partners, committed landowners, and thousands of land trust supporters 4,022 who put a personal stake in the future of Oregon. Land trusts are making our communities better and more vibrant places to live, grow, and raise families. PEOPLE ATTENDING I am humbled by the work of land trusts: by their quiet way of helping communities save land, restore habitat, and connect people to nature. As my 69,591 OUTREACH EVENTS two small children sleep soundly in their beds, I breathe easier knowing that, by working together, we will not fail our future generations. Together we continue to take a stand for this beautiful place that we call home. SUPPORTERS 41,471 ACRES OPEN TO Kelley Beamer, Executive Director Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts 86,518 THE PUBLIC DATA FROM 2016

Cover: Hikers at Deschutes Land Trust’s Whychus Canyon Preserve. Photo by Tyler Roemer. www.oregonlandtrusts.org 3 623 CONSERVATION PROJECTS PROTECTING 345,990 ACRES

COLT board members tour restoration site on Deschutes Land Trust’s Whychus Creek.

@@ @ CONSERVATION @@@@@@@ @@ #@@#@ @@# @ @ EASEMENTS @@@ @ @@@ @ #@# @ @@@ @ @@@@# @ @@@@@@@ @ @ 190 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS @ @@ @@@ @@# @ #@ @# #@@@#@@@@@@@@ # @ @ # @@ @@ @@@#@@@@#@@@@@@@ @ # # @ @@@@@@@@@@@ @ @ 62,348 ACRES PROTECTED @@#@@@@#@@ @ @ @ @ @@ #@@ @ @ # @@ @# A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement # # @ @@#@@ @@ between a landowner and a land trust that allows the landowner @ @ @ ##@@@ @ to permanently restrict how his or her property may be used. @# @#@@# @ @ # # # @@## # @ # ## @ @@ #@@@ ###@#@##@ ACQUISITIONS @@@# @#@#@#@@@ @ @@@ @ @# @ # #@ @@#@@# # # #@@ # ## 210 ACQUISITIONS @###@@ #@@ # @ @ # ## @# @#@ @ @ @@ @@@@#@@#@#@#@ @ @@# #@#@@@@ 147,508 ACRES PROTECTED @ ### # A fee acquisition means a land trust owns a property @@ # @ outright, through donation or purchase, with the intent of @ @ long-term ownership and management. @ ## @ @ @# @@@@ @ @ #@ @ RECONVEYANCES @@ @# @ @ # @ # # @ 223 RECONVEYANCES @ @# @ @@ @ # @ @ @@ # # @@@ @ @@ @ @ 136,134 ACRES PROTECTED @# @#@####@# @@ @@ # @ @# #@@#@ # @ @ A reconveyance means a land trust owns the land or # # ## # @ @ @# # ##@ #@ @ @ easement temporarily, with the property eventually # #@ ### # @@ #@ #### #@#@@ transferred to another entity, such as a public agency @# @#@#@@ @ @ or nonprofit partner. A guided plant walk with McKenzie 4 COLT State of the Lands Report 2016 River Trust.

Greenbelt Land Trust’s LIZ LAWRENCE PHOTO annual Symphony on FUNDING THE WORK the Land, held at their Bald Hill Farm OF LAND TRUSTS property. and trusts are unique in their approach and long in their vision. Acquiring and conserving land means committing to its L protection in perpetuity. This requires support not only from federal and state funding partners, but also from the thousands of caring Oregonians who contribute to their local land trust.

In 2016, the following funding programs were used by land trusts to conserve farms, ranches, and wildlife habitat:

Major conservation funding sources in 2016: Every individual and partner makes a Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) difference in our collective story, both now Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program and into the future. The Nature Conservancy / Doris Duke Charitable Foundation North American Wetlands Conservation Act National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant USFWS Endangered Species Section 6 grant (USFWS) Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program Private and landowner donations

In addition to the funding for conservation projects, local communities and individuals provide the backbone of land trust support. Thousands of people who care about their local rivers, forests and wetlands step up every year to support land trusts. In 2016 alone, more than 41,000 people gave financially, along with 4,000 volunteering their time and energy to their local or regional land trust.

Every individual and partner makes a difference in our collective story, both now and into the future. LOCATION: JACKSON COUNTY LAND TRUST: LAND CONSERVANCY (SOLC) www.oregonlandtrusts.org 5 MAJOR FUNDING SOURCES: OWEB, USFWS, TNC / DORIS DUKE, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS PHOTO LIZ LAWRENCE PHOTO

“This campaign taught us so much about our community. It confirmed how much Southern Oregonians love our lands and want to see them protected.” —DIANE GARCIA

ROGUE RIVER LEGACY A COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE HEART OF THE ROGUE CAMPAIGN

t was sweet serendipity. Just “Heart of the Rogue.” Local celebrity Patrick as the Southern Oregon Land Duffy and now-late wife, Carlyn, stepped in I Conservancy began casting about to lead the effort. Buoyed by grants from the for a signature acquisition as the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the centerpiece for its conservation program, an US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Doris extraordinary property became available. Duke Charitable Foundation through The Nature Conservancy, SOLC reached out to Two miles of iconic Rogue River frontage. the community to make up the difference. More than 350 acres of undeveloped land. The same family had owned the property Contributions began to trickle in, speeding for nearly seventy-five years. Other than up as the deadline drew near. In all, some a modest riverfront house, the land was 500 individual contributions would help SOLC pristine—a mosaic of virtually undisturbed reach its goal just days before the deadline.

PHOTO JIM HARPER PHOTO native habitats. “We didn’t imagine it could be done in such a short amount of time, but the community The Rogue The owners offered Southern Oregon Land really rallied behind this project,” says River Preserve Conservancy a bargain sale price of $2.4 Garcia. million, far below the land’s market value. Elk freely Even discounted, SOLC faced an enormous Soon to be under land trust stewardship, roam Rogue fundraising challenge. The goal of $3.5 Rogue River Preserve will serve as a place to River million to cover acquisition and perpetual meet, educate, and inspire SOLC members, Preserve. stewardship was “a huge leap for us,” says local schoolchildren, and the entire SOLC Executive Director Diane Garcia. There community, in perpetuity. was additional pressure: the offer was good “This campaign taught us so much about our for only 18 months. community,” says Garcia. “It confirmed how With determination and a few deep breaths, much Southern Oregonians love our lands

PHOTO PETE BEDELL PHOTO SOLC initiated a grassroots campaign called and want to see them protected.” LOCATION: NORTH COAST 6 COLT State of the Lands Report 2016 LAND TRUST: NORTH COAST LAND CONSERVANCY MAJOR FUNDING SOURCES: NUMEROUS RAINFOREST RESERVE CONSERVING OREGON’S “COASTAL EDGE” or Oregon’s first state park superintendent, it F was the one that got away: the spectacular coastal-fronting peaks between Cannon Beach and Manzanita on Oregon’s north coast. Together with Oswald West and Nehalem Bay state parks, Samuel Boardman had envisioned this place as “one of the outstanding natural parks in the nation.” Nearly a century later, North Coast Land Conservancy is taking steps North Coast Land Conservancy board and staff members meet with to make Boardman’s vision a Rep. Suzanne Bonamici on tour of Boneyard Ridge Habitat Reserve. reality. With a purchase and sales agreement for 3,500 acres in hand, seeks opportunities for long-landscape NCLC is seeking public and private funding conservation in the unique ecosystems to complete what will be the largest single between Tillamook Head and Nehalem Bay. private acquisition of land for conservation In 2016 the conservancy completed in . its first major acquisition in the Coastal Edge: Boneyard Ridge, on Tillamook Head. The genius of what NCLC is calling the That 340-acre property now serves as a Rainforest Reserve isn’t so much its habitat bridge between Ecola State Park size but its proximity to other conserved on the shoreline and NCLC’s own Circle lands, including a state marine reserve. Creek Habitat Reserve in the river All together, the project will create an floodplain to the east. Donations from unbroken 29-square-mile summit-to- private individuals covered more than half sea conservation corridor encompassing the cost of that acquisition; a grant from North Coast Land virtually an entire watershed. Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board That kind of connectivity is exactly what completed the funding. Conservancy is taking NCLC is looking for as it pursues its steps to make Samuel Coastal Edge Initiative, of which the Rainforest Reserve is a part. The initiative The Angora Peak Boardman’s original complex, within the proposed Rainforest coastal vision a reality. Reserve. LOCATION: HARNEY COUNTY LAND TRUST: THE WETLANDS CONSERVANCY www.oregonlandtrusts.org 7 PARTNERS: PARTNERSHIP, HARNEY BASIN WETLANDS INITIATIVE, OWEB MAJOR FUNDING SOURCE: OWEB PHOTO BRANDYN SIX BRANDYN PHOTO CONSERVING WATER AND WETLANDS BUILDING A COLLABORATIVE HARNEY BASIN VISION outheast Oregon’s vast Harney As Esther and the four ranchers cautiously “There are now lasting Basin is a complex mosaic of dug a little deeper, they quickly recognized S productive ranchlands and a mutual love and respect for all that relationships, built on wetland habitats with Malheur the Harney Basin supports. This shared National Wildlife Refuge at its center. appreciation then led to brainstorming on trust, which lay the The basin provides critical stopover and how to deal with competing needs for water breeding habitat for millions of migrating and the prospect of a changing climate and foundation for some waterfowl. The wetlands here are fragile potentially diminished water supply. and threatened by multiple stressors In 2016, the Oregon Watershed truly great things to in this arid landscape; numerous users Enhancement Board recognized the compete for the limited water supply. These happen in Harney collaborative vision of a diverse group of pressures create uncertainty in the basin— HIGH DESERT PARTNERSHIP PHOTO: partners and interests in the Harney Basin as they struggle to balance the need to for ranchers and wildlife alike. County.” —GARY MARSHALL, with a $1.6 million Focused Investment provide water bird habitat with ranchers’ Five years ago, four Harney County ranchers Partnership grant to support development need for nutritious forage for livestock. RANCHER invited The Wetlands Conservancy’s Esther and implementation of shared goals for the The benefits of this collaboration far Lev to talk with them about flood irrigation, basin. exceed the measureable impacts on in the hope that they might have a common While the partners do not always agree natural resources, according to rancher vision. It took only a few minutes to find a on every idea, process, or project, they all Gary Marshall. “There are now lasting mutual appreciation of the benefits that agree that a better scientific understanding relationships, built on trust, which lay the spring flood irrigation provides to both of the natural dynamics in the basin will foundation for some truly great things to ranching and the millions of water birds that help both public and private land managers happen in Harney County.” rely on Harney Basin wetlands. LOCATION: DOUGLAS COUNTY LAND TRUST: MCKENZIE RIVER TRUST PARTNERS: ECOTRUST FOREST MANAGEMENT, CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF 8 COLT State of the Lands Report 2016 THE SILETZ INDIANS MAJOR FUNDING SOURCE: OWEB

“It’s part of our RESTORING TRIBAL cultural tradition to TRADITIONS take care of the land BRINGING KEY SALMON HABITAT BACK INTO and its inhabitants. TRIBAL OWNERSHIP ivemile Creek reaches the Fivemile Creek by bringing it back into This is another Pacific Ocean just north of Tribal ownership. The project is significant F Reedsport on the central not only because of the property’s habitat opportunity to do , the heart of the value but also because of the investment —TRIBAL CHAIRMAN traditional home for many Native American the Confederated Tribes have made in both.” people. The undammed creek’s forested the basin over many years, working with DELORES PIGSLEY slopes have been heavily logged over the the US Forest Service and others to help past century. Yet in a testament to the restore habitat and the creek’s natural resilience of native ecosystems, it still meandering complexity. (The word “Siletz” supports some of the highest numbers comes from “se-la-gees,” or “crooked of threatened coastal coho salmon of any rope” in English.) stream in Oregon. Ecotrust Forest Management, a for-profit In 2016 an unusual partnership between forestland investment company, purchased a forestland investment company, the the property in 2013 with the goal of Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, ultimately transitioning it to an owner and the McKenzie River Trust protected 125 that would preserve its ecological and acres of key salmon habitat along cultural value. For the Tribes, Fivemile Creek was a natural acquisition, given the land’s network of wetland sanctuaries and spawning habitat for salmon. The Tribes already owned more than 6,000 acres in the region, including lands adjacent to Fivemile Creek. As the local land trust, McKenzie River Trust played a vital role, securing grant funds from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and facilitating the sale of the property to the Confederated Tribes in October 2016. “It’s part of our cultural tradition to take

PHOTO COURTESY OF EFM COURTESY PHOTO care of the land and its inhabitants,” said Freshwater wetlands Tribal Chairman Delores Pigsley. “This is on the Fivemile Creek another opportunity to do both.” property. At left, Fivemile Creek. PHOTO COURTESY OF EFM COURTESY PHOTO LOCATION: DOUGLAS COUNTY LAND TRUST: MCKENZIE RIVER TRUST LOCATION: WALLOWA COUNTY LAND TRUSTS: WALLOWA LAND TRUST, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY PARTNERS: ECOTRUST FOREST MANAGEMENT, CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF www.oregonlandtrusts.org PARTNERS: WALLOWA RESOURCES, NRCS, LOCAL LANDOWNERS 9 THE SILETZ INDIANS MAJOR FUNDING SOURCE: NRCS’S REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM MAJOR FUNDING SOURCE: OWEB FOCUSING ON FARMERS HELPING LANDOWNERS to willing landowners that will improve soil health, enhance irrigation THROUGH EFFICIENCY efficiency, and conserve more than AND CONSERVATION 16,000 acres of farm and ranch land in Wallowa County. or those who make their living off the land, Wallowa Along with expanding rotational grazing F County has everything: rich and pivot irrigation, the project will soils, abundant water, and help land trusts purchase conservation stunning natural beauty. But farmers easements on farms and ranches, with and ranchers here and across Oregon the goal of keeping agricultural lands in are facing unprecedented pressures. production while protecting important Not only are Oregon’s farmers the habitat for native plants, fish, and oldest in the nation, but an astounding wildlife. amount of farmland is expected to change hands over the next two Joe Dawson of Diamond D Farm & decades: more than 10 million acres, Ranch understands how he and other an area the size of Massachusetts farmers will benefit. “These types of and Vermont. Combined with investments in our agricultural lands routine economic uncertainty and are vital for our future. They assist land management puzzles, Oregon in succession planning as well as agriculture today faces complex infrastructure, to make sure the land challenges. stays productive and viable for future generations. In response, Wallowa Land Trust joined PHOTO LEON WERDINGER PHOTO forces with The Nature Conservancy “There’s much uncertainty in our and another local stewardship future,” Dawson adds, “but assuring “There’s much uncertainty in organization, Wallowa Resources, that agricultural lands will continue to apply for funding from the federal to be productive is a small step in eliminating the unknown.” our future, but assuring that Natural Resources Conservation Service. In 2016 they were awarded Collaborative and creative efforts like a $3.2 million grant through NRCS’s these in Wallowa County will go a long agricultural lands will continue Regional Conservation Partnership way to help family farmers. Program to offer tools and incentives

to be productive is a small step Wallowa County ranch lands. Above: Wallowa farmer Woody in eliminating the unknown.” Wolfe leads a tour of his farm protected with a conservation easement. –JOE DAWSON, FARMER JENSEN DAVID PHOTO LOCATION: STATEWIDE 10 COLT State of the Lands Report 2016 LAND TRUST: ALL OREGON LAND TRUSTS TOUCHED BY THE LAND OREGON LAND TRUSTS CONNECT PEOPLE WITH PLACE t’s April, and east of the hikes, bike rides, even astronomy nights and “The result is an engaged community that Cascades the few new green other outings at their protected lands. Last values and understands our lands and I leaves bravely unfurl in year the state’s active land trusts offered waters and invests in their future,” Mowry sheltered, warm corners. After a some 800 tours and other events featuring says of the tour programs. “This is what we Close encounter on a Kids’ long winter, residents of the High Desert are their protected lands, engaging nearly as a land trust need to do to be successful Butterfly Walk at eager to hit the trails. And Deschutes Land 70,000 people. in protecting land forever.” Deschutes Land Trust is poised to welcome them to places Examples of these diverse events include The tours are an enjoyable way for folks to Trust’s Metolius such as Whychus Canyon Preserve, where Lower Nehalem Community Trust‘s get outside close to home. And according to Preserve. visitors admire wildflowers, watch birds, community garden days on its Alder Creek comments from participants, they are also and learn about the positive impact this Below: Walking Farm, McKenzie River Trust’s kayaking successfully getting across key messages land trust has had on wildlife and their local tour of Greenbelt trips to its otherwise inaccessible lands, about land conservation. “I am so happy that community. “There really is no better way to Land Trust’s Bald and Wallowa Land Trust’s walks on the East the land trust is helping to set aside land for share the beauty, wonder, and importance Hill Farm. Moraine of Wallowa Lake. Other land trusts future generations,” wrote one participant SUE ANDERSON PHOTO of land than via a guided tour,” says Sarah demonstrate wildlife-sensitive farming who brought her husband and that she will have this area to enjoy for her Mowry, DLT outreach director. methods, or invite artists to create on their granddaughter on a visit to one of Deschutes lifetime. Thank you for the good Each year Oregon land trusts host walks, lands, or provide peeks at rare plants. Land Trust’s Preserves. “It is wonderful work that you do.”

Engaging nearly 70,000 people in 2016, land trusts have doubled the number of people they help connect with the land. PHOTO JESSICA MCDONALD JESSICA PHOTO Coalition of Oregon www.oregonlandtrusts.org 11 Land Trusts board and staff members with former State Representative Peter Buckley

COLT BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Blue Mountains Conservancy – Lannce Colburn Blue Mountain Land Trust – Tim Copeland Columbia Land Trust – Glenn Lamb Deschutes Land Trust – Brad Chalfant Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust – Kevin Gorman Greenbelt Land Trust – Jessica McDonald Klamath Lake Land Trust – Crystal McMahon Lower Nehalem Community Trust – Allan Olson McKenzie River Trust – Joe Moll North Coast Land Conservancy – Katie Voelke Northwest Rangeland Trust – Frank O’Leary Pacific Forest Trust – Constance Best THE POWER OF OUR COALITION Southern Oregon Land Conservancy – Diane Garcia Over the past year, our coalition worked to support land trusts and the people they work with in The Conservation Fund – Evan Smith a number of important ways. Some highlights include: The Nature Conservancy – Derek Johnson The Trust for Public Land – Nelson Mathews HELPING FARMERS PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES PARTNERING The Wetlands Conservancy – Esther Lev COLT worked with diverse partners COLT’s pro-bono legal program COLT formalized a partnership to craft and promote Oregon’s organized three conservation with three statewide associations Wallowa Land Trust – Kathleen Ackley first voluntary agriculture law forums to educate attorneys to promote voluntary conservation Wild Rivers Land Trust – Ann Schmierer conservation program, encouraging around the state. We also facilitated across the state: farmers and ranchers to protect a program that provided more • Network of Oregon Watershed working lands while improving than 400 hours of legal services Councils habitat: the Oregon Agricultural to Oregon land trusts from two • Oregon Association of Heritage Program. dozen volunteer attorneys: Conservation Districts oregonlandtrusts.org/oahp oregonlandtrusts.org/pro-bono • Oregon Conservation Education and Assistance Network

With such challenges as population growth, climate change, and a growing divide between people and nature, the work of land trusts has never been more important. Stay engaged with their work through our website: www.oregonlandtrusts.org TOGETHER. FOR OREGON’S LAND.

FRIENDS OF THE COLUMBIA LOWER NEHALEM GORGE LAND TRUST COMMUNITY TRUST Members of the Coalition of Oregon BLUE MOUNTAIN WALLOWA LAND TRUST LAND TRUST Land Trusts conserve special places NORTH COAST LAND CONSERVANCY COLUMBIA LAND TRUST across Oregon. We help those who care

BLUE MOUNTAINS GREENBELT CONSERVANCY for the land pass it on, we restore and LAND TRUST steward lands, and we connect DESCHUTES LAND TRUST people with place. Get to know Oregon’s MCKENZIE RIVER TRUST community of land trusts:

WILD RIVERS LAND TRUST www.oregonlandtrusts.org

SOUTHERN KLAMATH LAKE OREGON LAND LAND TRUST CONSERVANCY

COLT MEMBERS WITH STATEWIDE SERVICE

NORTHWEST RANGELAND TRUST THE CONSERVATION FUND THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND

THE WETLANDS CONSERVANCY THE NATURE CONSERVANCY PACIFIC FOREST TRUST

Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts Kelley Beamer 511 South East Morrison Street Executive Director Portland, OR 97214 [email protected] www.OregonLandTrusts.org Mike Running

503-719-4732 Communications and Outreach Manager WILLIAM C COIT PHOTO @orlandtrusts [email protected] Touring The Nature Conservancy’s Zumwalt Prairie Preserve. facebook.com/oregonlandtrusts