Join us this summer for a restoration work party at Phipps Meadow to help improve ecological health, reduce fire risk, and more.

Phipps Meadow is BMLT’s first fully owned and protected property. Located just outside of Prairie City, Oregon, this stunning 278-acre landscape is surrounded by U.S. National Forest and features lush wetlands, pine forest, and over 1.5 miles of the headwaters of the Middle Fork John Day River. Home to an impressive diversity of plant and animal species, Phipps Meadow also has waters that provide critical spawning and rearing habitat for wild spring Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout.

Phipps Meadow needs our help. BMLT has been working with a team of restoration professionals within the John Day Basin Partnership to design and implement aquatic and upland restoration projects on the property in the upcoming years.

The work we’ll be doing is a vital component of this multi-year, collaborative restoration plan. There will be several volunteer opportunities to help with restoration tasks at Phipps Meadow, including ladder fuel thinning treatments, fence building and repair, riparian vegetation planting, and other rehabilitation and monitoring activities. These efforts support the health of these special habitats and will leave you with a lasting connection to this beautiful property.

Volunteers will camp at a nearby campground and will prioritize thinning overcrowded patches of ponderosa pine forest to improve ecological health, reduce fire risk, and diversify bird and animal habitats.

Whether you're an experienced trail volunteer or just love being outside and giving back, this work party presents a unique opportunity to make a long-lasting impact on the well-being of native wildlife, fish, and plant species. We’ll provide the tools, training, and leadership. You bring your camping gear, work gloves, and willingness to get your hands dirty in one of Oregon’s most beautiful and ecologically rich places.

Spots are limited, so consider signing up and making a difference where it counts. If you can make it the entire trip, GREAT. If you can only do one day, please indicate that when you sign up and reach out to andrew@bmlt.org to coordinate. We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference. No experience is necessary.

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Check out more information about the area: https://bmlt.org/news/phipps-meadow

Questions? Get in touch with Andy Addessi at andrew@bmlt.org.

Trip Details:

• Volunteer work to accomplish:

  🌲 Thinning ladder fuels and small diameter (less than 8” diameter) pine trees in dense patches of forest

  🌲 Removing conifer trees in and near regenerating Aspen stand

  🌲 Scattering or piling cut material as appropriate

• What it takes to do this work party:

  • Tolerance for hard work and backcountry conditions.

  • No specific thinning experience is necessary—bring a great attitude for working with a team! 

  • BMLT Blues Crew leaders will provide training and tools as needed

  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours

  • Recommended for ages 16 and older

• Meeting location:

  Bates State Park

  Old West Scenic Bikeway

  Bates, OR, 97817

  (Download directions prior to departure since cell service is unavailable)

  If you are interested in carpooling, contact andrew@bmlt.org.

• Schedule:

  Schedule:  

  Thursday, June 25

  Arrive at Bates State Park between 4-7pm; contact Andrew in advance if you will be arriving at a different time, or if you are interested in being connected to other volunteers for a carpool

  Evening: Set-up; Campfire (unless restricted) & Introductions

  Friday, June 26

  7:30 AM: Breakfast

  8:30 AM: Travel from Bates State Park to Phipps Meadow

  9:00–3:30 PM: Safety talk and Work sessions with breaks

  Evening: Campfire & dinner and/or exploration of Bates State Park

  Saturday, June 27

  7:30 AM: Breakfast

  8:30 AM: Break down Campsites if leaving that afternoon

  9:00 AM: Travel to Phipps Meadow

  9:30–2:30 PM: Safety talk and Work sessions with breaks

  2:30-3:00 PM: Wrap up and Departure

• What to wear:

  ✅ Boots – no sneakers or sandals during work hours

  ✅ Long pants and long-sleeved shirt

  ✅ Rain gear and layers

  ✅Work gloves, eye protection (sunglasses okay)

  *** We provide: Safety gear, first aid kit, hard hat, tools

• What to bring:

  Campground fees, Friday dinner, and lunch on Saturday and Sunday will be provided by BMLT, along with plenty of drinks and snacks.

  ✅ Day backpack

  ✅ Everything you need for 3 nights of “car camping”

  ✅ Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (2 nights of car camping)

  ✅ Food and cooking gear for 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners

  ✅ Water bottles (Pristine artesian spring water will be available for fill-up)

  ✅ Toiletries, personal items

  ✅ Sunscreen, bug spray

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

  ✅ Day pack & trail snacks

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

  **BMLT will provide some light snacks and morning drinks

• 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.

  ⚠️ 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 Andrew Addessi at andrew@bmlt.org.

Presented in partnership with United States Forest Service.