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MRT's Conservation Easements
MRT's conservation easements are located within these watersheds:
- McKenzie River
McKenzie River Watershed
#1 Big Island Easement
Acres: 11
Land-type: Riparian floodplain
Waterbody: McKenzie River
Habitat: Riparian
and wetlands
Acquisition type: Donated conservation easement
Date: 1992
Acquired in 1992, the Big Island Easement was the first conservation easement acquired by McKenzie River Trust. This 11 acre parcel is located adjacent to MRT’s owned property Big Island. Located on the banks of the main stem McKenzie River, the Big Island easement contains many backwater side channels that form ponds during regular flow and flush out to create channels during high water events. These channels function to recapture floodplain and create wetlands that provide critical habitat for red-legged frog, Western pond turtle and the minnow the Oregon chub.
Habitat enhancement projects such as strategic log placement in channels have been underway on the Big Island easement in order to protect the sensitive species that live on the island. Native trees have also been planted to help restore a more natural, dynamic floodplain system on the island.
# 2 Blue River Easement
Acres:
19
Land-type: Douglas fir forest
Waterbody: None
Habitat: Viewshed and upland forest
Acquisition type: Donated conservation easement
Date: 1997
Current status: Managed for viewshed
This 19-acre forested hillside parcel overlooks the Town of Blue River. It was acquired by McKenzie River Trust as a donation from a private land owner in 1997. The land has since been sold by the original owners to a conservation-minded buyer with the conservation easement attached. The easement will protect the hillside from clear-cut and conserve the aesthetic scenic values for the town and its visitors. The hillside is visible from Highway 126 from the eastern entrance to the Town of Blue River.
Suislaw River Watershed
# 3 Forest Care
Acres: 90
Land-type: Coastal forest, riparian
Waterbody: Siuslaw River
Habitat: Riparian and upland forest
Acquisition type: Donated conservation easement
Date: 2001
Current status: Managed as sustainable forest
This 90-acre conservation easement was donated to the McKenzie River Trust in December of 2001. Located two miles west of the community of Lorane this easement protects over a mile of the Siuslaw River. The forest itself has been harvested using certified sustainable harvesting methods for over 25 years.
The previous owner of the Forest Care property was interested in selling the land, but did not want to leave the forest susceptible to clear cutting. He found a conservation buyer wanting to own and manage sustainable forests, and who found conservation easements an effective way to protect the forest in perpetuity. The previous owner donated the easement for the sale, and was able to realize significant tax deductions because of his donation.
#5 Deadwood Creek
Acres: 25
Land-type: Riparian floodplain
Waterbody: Deadwood Creek
Habitat: Riparian and wetlands
Acquisition type: Donated conservation easement
Date: 2002
Current Status: Managed as protection of forest and habitat for salmon
This 25-acre conservation easement was donated to the McKenzie River Trust in January of 2003. Resting along the banks of Deadwood Creek, this protected property holds impressive habitat for threatened Oregon coastal Coho salmon. In the summer of 2002, the landowners and the Forest Service, along with the Siuslaw Watershed Council, partnered to place large woody debris in the Creek to enhance the habitat for the fish. In the late fall, expect both Chinook and Coho salmon spawning along the banks of this property.
The owners were committed to seeing their property protected from harmful activities that could endanger the natural beauty and wildlife habitat of their land. When they purchased the property a few years ago, the original house was in the floodway of the creek. They desired to tear down the existing home, and build a new one up out of the floodplain. The conservation easement continues to protect the landowners’ goals by extinguishing any right to build another house in the floodway. Because of their commitment and donation of the easement, the landowners were able to realize sizable tax benefits from extinguishing the home site. The property also includes 15 acres of alder and Douglas fir forest, which will never be clearcut. The easement allows for the removal of timber using selective harvesting methods.
# 10 Fawn Creek
Acres: 80
Land-type: Conifer forest, Riparian area
Waterbody: Fawn Creek
Habitat: Coho salmon, Upland forest
Acquisition
type: Purchased conservation easement
Date: 2005
Situated along the banks of
Deadwood Creek, this 80-acre property is densely forested with a variety of
deciduous and coniferous tress, some up to 100 years old. Deadwood Creek provides excellent
habitat for Coho and Chinook salmon, as well as steelhead and other species. Wildlife
sightings on the easement area include: spotted owl, marbled murrelet, bald
eagle, Roosevelt elk and numerous amphibians.
Jesse and Elaine
Pattison granted MRT the conservation easement in November 2005 because they
wanted to protect this beautiful area. With the work of MRT, the Pattison’s
will see the property mature into a stable, diverse refuge for wildlife,
allowing the forest to reach a climax condition suitable for coastal
rainforests and see Deadwood Creek continue to support a large number of
spawning salmon.
Mainstem Willamette River Watershed
# 4 Flying Wyrm
Acres:
140
Land-type: Oak/fir forest
Waterbody: None
Habitat: Oak savanna
Acquisition type: Donated conservation easement
Date: 2001
Current status: Managed and restored for wildlife
habitat.
Donated in December 2001, this 140-acre conservation easement supports red-legged frogs, Western rattlesnakes, black bear, cougar, Roosevelt elk, and Rio Grande wild turkey. The property has numerous springs running down the sloping hills of the property and there are several small wetland areas surrounded by oak Savannah and Willamette Valley pine forest. The conservation easement is very strict and is entirely set aside for the protection of habitat. This property is also frequented by many species of raptors such as great horned owl and bald eagle.
The Flying Wyrm easement lies directly adjacent and downhill from Mt. Tom in the Coburg Hills and is surrounded on two sides by the "BLM old-growth site." The easement provides this 190-year old relic forest with a buffer as well as providing an intact biological corridor for migrating species that move up and down in elevation in the Coburg Hills during seasonal change. This property lies on the Linn County side along the Linn-Lane County border and can be viewed from Interstate 5.
Long Tom River Watershed
#6 Lower Coyote Creek Easement
Acres: 133
Land-type: Undeveloped natural area
Waterbody: Lower Coyote Creek
Habitat: Ash riparian wetland, wet prairie
Acquisition type: Purchased conservation easement
Date: November 2003
Current status: Managed for wildlife
Set along the meandering Lower Coyote Creek north of Fern Ridge Dam, this beautiful 133-acre property contains some of the most intact wetlands, wet prairie and riparian habitat in the Long Tom Watershed. Working with the West Eugene Wetlands Partnership, the Trust was able to secure the acquisition of this conservation easement at a purchase price of $199,500. The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board provided most of the costs, and the City of Eugene, through a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant awarded to the City through the West Eugene Wetlands Partnership, provided the residual. MRT acquired the property in late November of 2003.
The
owners of the property have managed the
land for almost 30 years for wildlife habitat and wanted to see their legacy
protected. This is a supreme example of the native wetlands and wet prairie
that were once ubiquitous in the Willamette
Valley. Remnants like this
property remain and harbor some very rare and endangered plant species like the
Willamette daisy and White-topped aster. As
the land owners have stated, "Three generations of our family have enjoyed
this property and the abundance of wildlife it offers. Our children grew up
learning about nature by hiking in the forest and watching the elk, deer,
ducks, turtles, beaver, and other wildlife using the land for their own. Now,
their children are getting the same opportunity to grow up in such a rich and
natural environment, which is unfortunately something many people in this
country do not have."
Middle Fork Willamette River Watershed
#9 Wagner Creek Easement
Acres: 20
Land-type: Forested, riparian
Waterbody: None
Habitat: Riparian and upland forest
Acquisition type: Donated conservation easement
Date: 2004
Current status: Managed
and restored for wildlife habitat
The Trust’s first
project in the Middle Fork of the Willamette Watershed protects 20 acres of mixed forest and prairie near Dexter with a
conservation easement. The property contains habitat for red-legged frogs, wild turkey, a multitude of songbirds, owls, and many other animals. The owners have a deep appreciation and respect for the
natural beauty, wildlife values, and ecology of their land and came to the Trust
with the hope of protecting their property;“We wish to encourage a sense of
reverence for the land, working with the land to protect what is special. A
conservation easement is the best way for us to ensure what we value continues
beyond our lifetimes."
The owners are also working with Forest Restoration Partnership to
complete a Forest Stewardship Plan, which details the natural resources of the
property and outlines management practices to ensure the values
improve over time. The Stewardship Plan is an important component to a
conservation easement, as it outlines proactive practices to manage the land, while
the easement limits usages to what the owners desires. The
Trust is grateful for the owners’ commitment to their land and their
generosity in donating the easement.
Coast Fork Willamette River Watershed
#8 Creswell Butte Easement
Acres: 74
Land-type: Cut-over forest, undeveloped
Waterbody: None
Habitat: Upland forest, view-shed
Acquisition type: Donated conservation easement
Date: 2003
In 1995, Sheila Hale and
Larry Weaver, long time Creswell residents, took a bold and wonderful step and purchased much of Creswell Butte. The purchase was in response to an impending threat of
development on the important scenic landmark. This 74-acre special property
encompasses ove half of the Butte and
lies outside of the Urban Growth Boundary of Creswell. Larry and Sheila
acquired the property for the purpose of seeing it protected in its natural
state and over the years have worked to restore the property by planting
native trees and letting the natural progressions do their work.
In
the summer of 2003, Larry and Sheila approached the Trust about the possibility
of protecting the Butte by donating a conservation easement. They wanted to see the land protected from development
of any kind, from clear-cutting, and other activities that would disturb the visual aesthetics. Over
the next few months, MRT worked with them to draft an easement according to
their long-term goals to protect the property in perpetuity.
The property is a mosaic of Oregon white oaks, western red cedars, Douglas firs, Ponderosa pines, and open prairie. Turkey, deer, grouse, quail, raptors, and numerous neo-tropical songbirds utilize the Butte for habitat and rearing. Much thanks and accolades to Sheila and Larry for their commitment, foresight, and willingness to see this special and unique community asset protected forever.
Umpqua River Watershed
# 7 Gill Oak Forest Easement
Acres: 200
Land-type: Grazed oak forest
Waterbody: None
Habitat: Oak, Columbia white-tail deer
Acquisition type: Donated conservation easement
Date: December 2003
This 200-acre conservation easement was donated to the McKenzie River Trust in December of 2003 to protect critical habitat for the Columbia white-tailed deer and other species. This is MRT's first Douglas County project, and the Trust is very happy to work with the landowner, Marilyn Gill, to protect her special place. Ms. Gill is committed to seeing her property maintained for the diverse species that utilize its ecological values for rearing and habitat. The Trust is working with the local Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to secure funding for restoration and enhancement of the property.