Protecting Oregon's
Natural Lands

For Generations To Come

We are Mckenzie river trust

The McKenzie River Trust is a nonprofit land trust formed in 1989 to protect critical habitats and scenic lands in the McKenzie Basin. Since 2000, our service area has included the watersheds of the Long Tom, Upper Willamette, Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette, Umpqua, Siuslaw, and coastal streams and lakes from Reedsport to Yachats. In 2021, we expanded our coastal service area to stretch from Reedsport north to Lincoln City and opened our first field office in Newport.

Throughout our history, we have partnered with caring landowners, our members, foundations, and partner organizations to protect, forever, land and water in western Oregon.

protecting land and water

McKenzie River Trust works with willing landowners to protect and care for more than 7,000 acres of land for fish, wildlife, water quality, and the people of Western Oregon.

Connecting people to place

Each year, McKenzie River Trust members, volunteers, business supporters, schools, and community groups give their time and resources to help protect and care for the lands and rivers we cherish in western Oregon.

restoring natural systems

From the Cascade Mountains to the Oregon coast, McKenzie River Trust works with partners across the region to design and implement large-scale restoration projects for the benefit of fish, wildlife, and people of western Oregon. With your help, we’re leaving the land better than we found it.

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Sustaining our mission

The work of land trusts is forever work. That’s why we rely on the incredible care of community members like you to help us not only advance, but sustain our mission over time. There are so many ways to get involved. We hope you will join us. 

Join us for Upstream: An Evening with David James Duncan

Join author and river advocate David James Duncan (The River Why, The Brothers K, My Story as Told by Water) and McKenzie River Trust for an inspiring and thoughtful conversation about the relationships between people and the natural world around us. Duncan will reflect on ideas from recent works, including his 2023 novel Sun House, which explores the American search for meaning and love, and a forthcoming collaborative book of essays, Going to See, inspired by Barry Lopez. 

“Upstream” is a series of annual events hosted by McKenzie River Trust. These gatherings are designed to inspire conversation about the complex and interdependent relationship between humans and the natural world.

Join us on the land

Explore Green Island on the Second Saturday of Each Month
Learn in the outdoors through Connect with the land tours
Volunteer for conservation from September-June

From the Field

430-acre Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center protected forever!

Local conservation organizations Yakona Nature Preserve and McKenzie River Trust have partnered to permanently protect 430 acres on the Yaquina River estuary. Founded by longtime Newport residents JoAnn and Bill Barton, Yakona Nature Preserve & Learning Center offers educational programming, community events, and guided access to the historic site. This month, the area was permanently protected through a conservation easement with McKenzie River Trust, ensuring the site’s future remains focused on serving the community through conservation, education, and building cultural connections.

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On This Land 2024

Our Winter Writers Series weaves stories of connection between people and place. From logging camps to Wild and Scenic Rivers, the frontlines of climate activism, and off-grid retreats into the wilderness, we are met with grief, connection, hope, and humor.

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Improvements Underway at the Finn Rock Boat Landing

Exciting changes are underway for the McKenzie River recreation community! Beginning in November 2023, McKenzie River Trust broke ground on a large-scale improvement project for the Finn Rock Boat Landing. Generously funded through the Oregon State Parks Recreational Trails and Permits grant program, investments from the Lane County Parks Levy, and the generous support of private donors, large and small; this project will have wide-reaching benefits for recreational river users and commercial outfitters alike.

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McKenzie River Trust

120 Shelton McMurphey Blvd, Suite 270
Eugene, OR 97401

(541) 345-2799

Email the office at: mrt@mckenzieriver.org

Note: Office hours are currently limited due to COVID-19 safety precautions. Please contact us through email as much as possible.