Land trust meets $450K Whychus Creek challenge grant

The Deschutes Land Trust announced Thursday it has met a $450,000, three-year challenge from an anonymous Oregon family foundation for the Campaign for Whychus Creek.

The land trust successfully raised $450,000 in matching funds from more than 400 supportive donors to meet the match. The funds will be used to conserve and care for lands along Central Oregon’s Whychus Creek.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Oregon family foundation that stepped up to match the community’s efforts in this Campaign for Whychus Creek,” said Brad Chalfant, Deschutes Land Trust executive director..

“This particular family has deep roots in Oregon, with a vision to protect it as a legacy for future generations. We also owe our thanks to all of our supporters who have thus far donated to the Campaign. Your gifts have truly made a difference! As we near the end of our campaign in June, we hope everyone will choose to get involved,”

Launched in the fall of 2014, the land trust’s goal for the Campaign for Whychus Creek is to finish protecting the highest quality wildlife habitat along Whychus Creek, ensure the permanent care of those lands for generations to come, and engage the community along the way.

In the 2 ½ years of the campaign, the land trust has protected two new parcels of land along Whychus Creek and continued to care for the more than 2,200 acres already entrusted to them.

The 480-acre addition to Whychus Canyon Preserve was acquired in October 2014. It protects two miles of Whychus Creek and secures important habitat for salmon and steelhead, deer and elk, eagles and songbirds.

Whychus Canyon Preserve is located between Sisters and Redmond and offers seasonal public hiking access to Whychus Creek. Public access to the 930-acre preserve is at the Whychus Canyon Preserve kiosk off of Goodrich Road.

Aspen Hollow Preserve was acquired in April of 2015 and protects another 58 acres of land along Whychus Creek near Sisters. The preserve includes ½ mile of Whychus Creek, unique columnar cliffs, and pine and aspen stands.

The property is home to a variety of wildlife species, including salmon and steelhead, mule deer, rocky mountain elk, golden eagles, spotted bat and numerous songbirds.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally-accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 8,770 acres since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact them at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.