PHIPPS IN FALL
BY GENEVIEVE PERDUE
The Blue Mountain Land Trust (BMLT) conservation team spent the past few months getting acquainted with its new property, Phipps Meadow located outside of Prairie City, Oregon. Through examination of the riparian corridor, beaver dam complexes, pine forest upland habitat, and existing infrastructure, the team is learning the details of the property to help plan future maintenance and restoration projects. At over 4,200 feet in elevation, snow will soon cover the landscape. The team will use this time to plan for next steps when the property is accessible again in the spring.
In partnership with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service, the conservation team will create plans to thin the pine forest uplands and enhance the meadow’s riparian habitat.
In some areas, beavers created systems of deep pools that slowed the water flow of the John Day River. BMLT’s future restoration efforts will complement and enhance the great work the beavers have already completed. The team will also explore managed grazing options that support soil health and carbon sequestration.
While not as glamorous as riparian restoration, rebuilding the perimeter fencing at Phipps Meadow is critical to property protection and maintenance goals. Currently, old fence posts and fallen trees have created many downed stretches of fencing, making Phipps Meadow vulnerable to cows grazing on the adjacent National Forest. While some of the restoration and management plans will be multi-year endeavors, the team hopes to address the fencing issues as soon as possible. Stay tuned for a 2022 BMLT fencing work party at Phipps!
Restore Phipps Meadow.
From the Middle Fork of the John Day River to the mighty Malheur National forest, help protect and restore this region’s habitat for future generations.