The Blue Mountain Land Trust (BMLT) recently purchased its first property, Phipps Meadow, with the support of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon (CTWSRO), and financing from Craft3.
Located outside of Prairie City, Oregon, Phipps Meadow is an ecologically diverse 278-acre property surrounded by U.S. National Forest. It’s composed of wetland meadow, pine forest, and 1.58 miles of the John Day River—an important ecological feature for wildlife and native fish in the region.
Photography courtesy of CTWS
“Phipps Meadow is a remarkable property in the headwaters of the Middle Fork John Day River. The John Day River basin contains one of the last entirely wild runs of salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin. This section of the river provides critical habitat for wild spring Chinook salmon, Mid-Columbia summer steelhead, bull trout, redband trout, pacific lamprey, and a host of other native non-salmonid fishes,” said Amy Charette, Watershed Restoration Coordinator with the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs John Day Basin office.
In addition to its incredible freshwater resources, the property is home to wildlife, including Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, upland and migratory birds, and beavers.
“We discovered seven beaver dams on the property when our conservation staff conducted our first site visit this spring,” said Amanda Martino, BMLT Conservation Director. “The beavers are extremely active, damming a series of springs and parts of the Middle Fork to create a small wetland area and deep pools. They’ve already begun the first steps towards property restoration.”
BMLT’s vision for Phipps Meadow includes an intersection of conservation, agriculture, education, and recreation initiatives on one of the most beautiful landscapes within the southern Blue Mountain region. Over the next few years, BMLT will work with partners, supporters, and local communities to plan for the future of the property, including river restoration on this critical section of the Middle Fork John Day River.
The John Day Basin Partnership (JDBP)—a 30-organization group of state and federal agencies, regional Tribes, soil and water conservation districts, watershed councils, and other conservation organizations—work collaboratively together on basin-wide restoration initiatives. The group identified that restoration of the Phipps Meadow property would greatly benefit salmon by providing spawning and rearing habitat.
“The upper Middle Fork John Day River provides a truly unique opportunity for comprehensive watershed restoration. Most of the watershed is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, the remaining private land is minimal, much of which is already in conservation ownership including properties owned and managed by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs,” said Charette. “Acquisition and conservation management of Phipps Meadow is critical to the maintenance of this stronghold for wild salmon. We are excited that BMLT was able to purchase this property and are looking forward to partnering on future restoration actions.”
Photograph courtesy of the Whitney Land Company
The property’s forested uplands and meadow ground also provide BMLT the opportunity to partner with local producers for limited grazing. Guided by a holistic grazing plan to improve soil health and increase the abundance of native plant communities, BMLT aspires to continue the property’s history of agriculture in a way that complements and enhances conservation efforts.
“We are excited to take the next step in our conservation work through the purchase of the land trust’s first property and to implement a vision that protects Phipps Meadow and its incredible natural resources,” said Martino.
THE FUTURE OF PHIPPS MEADOW
Our vision for Phipps Meadow includes an intersection of conservation, agriculture, education, and recreation initiatives. Over the next few years, we will work collaboratively with local tribes, partners, supporters, and communities to plan for the future of the property. We hope to improve habitat for freshwater species and wildlife while providing educational and recreational opportunities for the community.
As we take the next steps in our conservation work at Phipps Meadow, your support will make a difference. Make a gift today to protect Pacific Northwest rivers and the native species that depend on them.
Courageous Conservation
From the Middle Fork of the John Day River to the mighty pine forests, help protect and restore this region’s habitat for future generations.