Join us this fall for a restoration tour and volunteer work party at Phipps Meadow. Participants will learn about ongoing and planned restoration projects and have an opportunity to contribute directly to the work.

Phipps Meadow is BMLT’s first fully owned and protected property. Located just outside Prairie City, Oregon, this beautiful 278-acre landscape is surrounded by U.S. National Forest and includes wetlands, pine forest, and more than 1.5 miles of the headwaters of the Middle Fork John Day River. Its waters provide important spawning and rearing habitat for wild spring Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout.

BMLT is working with a team of restoration professionals through the John Day Basin Partnership on a multi-year program of aquatic and upland restoration at Phipps Meadow. Volunteer activities will depend on group size, experience, and project needs, but may include ladder-fuel thinning, fence building and repair, riparian planting, rehabilitation, and monitoring.

No experience is necessary, and no one will be asked to take on work beyond their comfort level. We’ll provide tools, training, and leadership, with activities suited to a range of interests and abilities. You’re also welcome to join simply to explore the property and learn more about the restoration work underway.

For those interested, BMLT will provide a hot dinner and organize overnight camping at nearby Bates State Park on Friday evening. If the forecast calls for sub-freezing or wet conditions, we will make contingency plans and update registered volunteers by the Wednesday before the event. Participants are also welcome to attend for just one day or arrange their own Friday night lodging in Prairie City, John Day, or Baker City.

Come spend some time at Phipps Meadow, learn about the work underway, and help care for one of BMLT’s most remarkable protected landscapes.

Learn more abut Phipps Meadow here.

Questions? Contact Andrew Addessi at andrew@bmlt.org.

Trip Details:

• Volunteer work to accomplish:

  Activities will be selected closer to the event based on current restoration needs, weather, group size, and volunteer experience. Work may include:

  🌲 Thinning and lopping small-diameter conifers and ladder fuels.

  🌲 Removing encroaching conifers around aspen or other priority habitat.

  🌲 Scattering or piling cut material.

  🌲 Fence construction, repair, or removal.

  🌲 Riparian planting or other revegetation work.

  🌲 Noxious weed surveys and hand pulling.

  🌲 Restoration monitoring and other light stewardship activities.

  Not every activity will necessarily occur during this event.

• What it takes to do this work party:

  🌲 No previous restoration or thinning experience is necessary.

  🌲 BMLT staff and volunteer leaders will provide instruction, tools, and safety guidance.

  🌲 Participants can work at their own pace and select tasks appropriate to their comfort and ability.

  🌲 Some activities may involve several hours of moderate physical work on uneven ground.

  🌲 Recommended for ages 16 and older. Younger volunteers may participate with an accompanying adult where appropriate.

  🌲 Volunteers who primarily want to tour the property and learn about the restoration work are also welcome.

• Meeting location:

  Phipps Meadow, Grant County, Oregon

  Exact meeting directions will be sent to registered participants before the event.

  Important: Cell service is generally unavailable at Phipps Meadow and limited around Bates State Park. Please download directions before departure.

  Carpooling from Walla Walla:

  BMLT will help coordinate carpools for interested participants. The anticipated departure from Walla Walla is approximately 7:30 AM Friday, allowing arrival at Phipps Meadow by 11:00 AM.

  Please contact Andrew at andrew@bmlt.org if you would like a ride or are willing to drive from Walla Walla or an alternative location.

• Schedule:

  Friday, October 23

  7:30 am: Optional carpool departs Walla Walla.
  11:00 am: Arrive at Phipps Meadow; introductions and orientation. Walking tour of Phipps Meadow and current restoration projects.
  12:00 pm: Lunch (Pack your own)
  12:30 pm: Volunteer work, with breaks as needed.
  4:00 pm: Wrap up and travel to Bates State Park.
  6:00 pm: BMLT-provided group dinner and campfire, weather and fire restrictions permitting.

  Saturday, October 24

  Morning: Breakfast on your own and break down camp as needed.
  10:00 am: Meet at Phipps Meadow; safety briefing and work assignments.
  10:15 am: Volunteer work
  12:30 pm: Lunch break
  1:00 pm: Volunteer work
  3:00 pm: Wrap up and departure

  Participants are welcome to attend both days, or join for only Friday or Saturday.

• What to wear:

  For volunteer work, please bring:

  ✅ Sturdy boots or work shoes suitable for uneven ground

  ✅ Long pants and long-sleeved shirt

  ✅ Rain gear

  ✅ Warm layers

  ✅ Work gloves and eye protection (glasses, sunglasses)

  ✅ Hat and sunscreen

  ✅ Ticks can be present: bring DEET for self, Permethrin for clothes

  *** BMLT Blues Crew Supplied: Safety gear, first aid kit, hard hat, tools

• What to bring:

  ✅ Day pack

  ✅ Water bottle

  ✅ Lunch for each work day you attend

  ✅ Trail snacks

  ✅ Warm layers and rain gear

  ✅ Personal medications and other personal necessities

  Equipment for camping:

  ✅ Tent

  ✅ Sleeping bag suitable for cold fall temperatures

  ✅ Sleeping pad

  ✅ Personal toiletries

  ✅ Breakfast for Saturday morning

  ✅ Any additional beverages or snacks you would like

  Equipment:

  ✅ Day backpack

  ✅ Everything you need for 1-2 nights of “car camping” (camping fees will be covered by BMLT).

  ✅ Tent, sleeping bag, and pad

  ✅ Warm clothing and rain gear

  ✅ Long pants and long-sleeve shirt

  ✅ Boots (no sneakers or sandals during work hours)

  ✅ Work gloves and eye protection (sunglasses ok)

  ✅ Toiletries, medications, personal items

  ✅ Water bottles (suggest 64oz for daily use)

  ✅ Camp chair (optional but cozy)

  ✅ Bug spray: DEET for you, Permethrin for your clothes

  ✅ Personal care items

  Blues Crew practices Leave No Trace™ principles -- please bring what you need to comply.

• Weather & Camping Contingencies

  Late October weather at Phipps Meadow and Bates State Park can be cold and variable. BMLT will monitor the forecast leading up to the event.

  If conditions are expected to be unusually wet, snowy, or sub-freezing overnight, registered participants will receive an update by Wednesday, October 21 with any changes or alternative plans.

  Camping is optional. Volunteers may participate for either or both work days without camping, and may arrange their own accommodations in Prairie City, John Day, or Baker City.

• Trip notes:

  ⚠️ Pets are not to accompany volunteers due to work safety concerns.
  ⚠️ Please fill out the liability waiver and email to bmlt@bmlt.org or print and bring with you to the work party!

  ⚠️ Please stay home if you are feeling unwell.

  ⚠️ Phone service is not available around Phipps Meadow or Bates State Park. Please download the directions and contact us as soon as possible before your departure if you have questions.
  ⚠️ BMLT Blues Crew practices Leave No Trace™ principles.

  ⚠️ Activities may change depending on weather, site conditions, and restoration needs.

  ⚠️ Is this your first volunteer trail work party? Check out this short video on ‘What to Expect and How to Stay Safe’

• Contact information:

  For more information, contact us at bmlt@bmlt.org or 509-525-3136.

Presented in partnership with United States Forest Service.