From the Field

Shaped by Water: Freshwater Sponges found at Green Island 

August 18, 2026

Beneath the surface of Green Island’s side channels, an unexpected animal is thriving. Freshwater sponges that build delicate skeletons of microscopic glass around the rivers’ flow. These fascinating animals filter the river through their bodies and can glow electric green with the help of algae. Their discovery has opened a window into a strange and largely unseen freshwater world where an animal completely different than ourselves is making its home among the current.

Working together for western Oregon

July 15, 2026

Every conservation success starts with people working together. From the McKenzie River to Oregon’s coast, collaborative partnerships are helping communities protect drinking water, restore habitat, and build a more resilient future for western Oregon.

Ringtails: The Elusive Acrobats of Oregon

July 9, 2026

What looked like a “lost lemur” in Springfield turned out to be one of Oregon’s most elusive native mammals. Meet the ringtail, a remarkable nighttime acrobat with incredible climbing abilities, a mysterious lifestyle, and a surprising connection to nearby conservation lands.

The River Returns to haich ikt’at’uu

June 3, 2026

After 15 years of planning and development, a major conservation project near the town of Florence has achieved its goal: connecting a large swath of restored farmland to the Oregon Coast. The Siuslaw Estuary is a 217-acre expanse that’s expected to accommodate the return of salmon, lamprey, shorebirds, and native plants as it transforms with the tides.

A Place of Constant Change: Explore the Story of the Siuslaw River Estuary

May 7, 2026

Our new StoryMap, A Place of Constant Change, invites you to immerse yourself in this incredible landscape. Through stories, research, videos, and on-the-ground examples, this interactive experience traces the Siuslaw’s geologic history, the many people who have cared for this place across time, the changes that have shaped it, and the collaborative restoration efforts now underway.

Balancing the Benefits and Risks of Wood in Our Rivers

May 4, 2026

Restoration practitioners across the state are thoughtfully working to return wood to rivers, especially in areas where salmon spawn. Learn why large wood is so important to river ecosystems and how we’re working to balance the needs of nature with recreation on Oregon’s rivers.

Called to Care: An Earth Day Story

April 14, 2026

Since moving to Oregon in 2005, Anice Thigpen and Andrea Halliday have been caring for the land here. Now, they’re inviting others to join them through a special donation matching challenge in honor of Earth Day.

From Flame to Flower: How Prescribed Fire Supports Wildflower Prairies

April 5, 2026

Tribes, agencies, and nonprofits are working together to bring prescribed fire back to the landscape. Prescribed fires in spring and fall help restore balance. They limit the spread of invasive plants and reduce the risk of larger, more destructive fires. By supporting prescribed fire, we can help restore these landscapes and ensure wildflowers continue to thrive.

Woodrats: The Aerial Architects of Oregon

March 22, 2026

Wandering through a riparian woodland, where sprawling branches — dripping in lush moss and lichen — stretch outward from ancient trees, the understory and forest floor are diverse and teeming with signs of life. Dangling above nurse logs and decaying downed wood, an unassuming clump of what appears to be haphazardly piled sticks and debris is gathered and suspended by branches. These are the elaborate homes of the dusky-footed woodrat.

Public Notice: McKenzie River Trust Seeks Accreditation Renewal

November 24, 2025

McKenzie River Trust is pleased to announce it is applying for its third accreditation renewal through the national Land Trust Alliance. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. The public is invited to comment through Monday, December 22nd, 2025

Caring Across Time

November 13, 2025

More than four years ago, McKenzie River Trust expanded our work into Lincoln County to help safeguard this special place. Now, we’re carrying forward the good work of the Central Coast Land Conservancy and expanding impact across the Yaquina River watershed.