Deschutes Land Trust establishes new Ochoco Preserve
The Deschutes Land Trust announced Wednesday it has established a new 152-acre preserve near Prineville. The Ochoco Preserve includes frontage on the Crooked River and its two main tributaries, Ochoco Creek and McKay Creek.
The land trust said the new preserve will provide additional floodplain for the Crooked River and will build on previous restoration work completed at the city of Prineville’s Crooked River Wetlands Complex, located immediately across the river.
The land trust said it is developing management plans for the preserve, including assessing opportunities for stream restoration, wetland restoration, community access, and outdoor education.
It’s also working with the city of Prineville “to ensure these its plans complement the access and education opportunities the city is providing at the Crooked River Wetlands Complex,” the news release announcement stated.
The land trust said it has enlisted the help of a variety of partners to plan the future of Ochoco Preserve. The organization expects the planning phase of the project to extend through 2020, with design and implementation of any restoration or community engagement components to follow as it secures funds for those activities.
The land trust said it partnered with community lender Craft3 to purchase Ochoco Preserve; the organization would not disclose the purchase price or identify the seller. Craft3 provided financing through its Conservation Bridge Fund, which provides loans for conservation, restoration and open space.
The Deschutes Land Trust is Central Oregon’s locally based, nationally accredited land trust. Since 1995, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 9,052 acres for wildlife, scenic views and local communities. For more information on the Deschutes Land Trust, call (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.
About Craft3
Founded in 1994, Craft3 is a regional nonprofit that makes loans in Oregon and Washington that strengthen the resilience of businesses, families, and nonprofits, including those without access to traditional financing. It has offices in Port Angeles, Seattle, Spokane and Walla Walla, Washington and Astoria, Bend, Klamath Falls and Portland, Oregon.
In partnership with the conservation community and Meyer Memorial Trust, Craft3 has provided more than $9.6 million to conserve 2,950 acres in Oregon. The Craft3 Conservation Bridge Fund is a regional source of capital for qualified organizations to acquire land, water rights or conservation easements, and finance restoration work ahead of permanent funding. To learn more, visit www.Craft3.org/LandConservation and www.Craft3.org.
