A New Path for Gate Creek
Just outside the community of Vida, Gate Creek flows steadily through upland timber plantations before joining the McKenzie River in the community’s center. This creek is an important part of the McKenzie watershed, supporting fish like salmon, steelhead, and Pacific lamprey that migrate upstream to spawn. In late May, McKenzie River Trust purchased a 175-acre property along Gate Creek, marking a significant step toward protecting and caring for this special area in the heart of our namesake watershed.
In 2020, the Trust identified the property as a high priority for conservation in the McKenzie River watershed and initiated conversations with Weyerhaeuser, who previously managed the area for sustainable timber products. Following years of relationship building, Weyerhaeuser sold the property to the Trust in May 2025, signaling a significant win for Oregon’s communities, which rely on both commercial timber and natural habitats for economic and community health.
“This project reflects the power of partnerships to achieve long-term conservation outcomes,” shared Will Stroud, land asset manager at Weyerhaeuser. “Weyerhaeuser is proud to work with McKenzie River Trust to contribute to a model of cooperative conservation that balances ecological stewardship with the realities of working forest landscapes.”
This acquisition reflects the strength of thoughtful collaboration between conservation organizations and industry partners. During the years leading up to the final sale of the land for conservation, staff from the Trust and Weyerhaeuser navigated a range of complicated land use issues. “This project came together because of steady collaboration and a shared interest in seeing the land cared for over the long term,” said Sam Hillmann, land protection manager at McKenzie River Trust. “This outcome shows what’s possible when partners remain committed to common goals, even when the path is complex.”
With the property now under conservation management, the Trust will work with partners to care for the area, supporting forest recovery after the 2020 wildfires, improving wildlife habitat, and preparing the area for hotter and drier years ahead.
This summer, immediate work will take place to remove dead standing trees and other unwanted vegetation that can add fuel to wildfires. Looking ahead, upland forests will be replanted with diverse native trees and managed for their watershed benefits. Long-term stewardship of the land will focus on capturing and storing water and carbon on the landscape.
Healthy forests and floodplains play a critical role in filtering water, reducing flood risk, and maintaining clean and reliable water supplies. “Preserving this landscape is an immediate investment in the resilience of the river and surrounding ecosystems,” shared Susan Fricke, EWEB’s Water Resources and Quality Assurance Supervisor. “Enhancing floodplain and riparian areas along Gate Creek is a smart investment in long-term care of the McKenzie River as a water source and an important step toward reducing community flood risk and promoting natural water filtration in the basin.”
The purchase of the Gate Creek conservation area was funded by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), which received funding from the Oregon Legislature after the 2020 wildfires to support the acquisition and restoration of high-priority McKenzie River properties to reduce long-term post-fire impacts on community health. As we look to the future of the McKenzie Watershed, this acquisition represents a practical investment for the long-term health of the river and all of the communities who rely on it.
Gate Creek Protection Project opens new pathways for protection in Oregon’s forests: This acquisition project highlighted the need to address an issue within Oregon’s land use planning system regarding the classification of parcels of land as “legal lots”, especially on private timber lands.
In some cases, existing parcels of land are considered unverified as they didn’t meet the requirements to be developed. Because of this, these lands could not be sold without risk to the parties involved. This project emphasized the need to protect private sellers and conservation buyers when working on lands that did not meet legal lot standards.
Inspired by this collaborative effort, McKenzie River Trust staff and partners helped develop HB 2256, which passed unanimously during the 2025 legislative session. This bill removes liability and ensures protections for sellers and conservation buyers working to protect parcels of land for habitat conservation purposes. This bill will make conservation opportunities more accessible across Oregon’s timber country, strengthening conservation options for Oregon’s communities and the watersheds they rely on.