Land Trust to dedicate expanded Whychus Canyon Preserve

BEND, Ore. - The Deschutes Land Trust announced today it will dedicate the new portion of its Whychus Canyon Preserve in a ceremony on Saturday, May 30th.

The Land Trust acquired and permanently conserved the new 480-acre addition to Whychus Canyon Preserve in October of 2014. The additional acres create the 930-acre Whychus Canyon Preserve that the Land Trust owns and manages to conserve fish and wildlife habitat. The acquisition and Dedication are part of the Land Trust’s Campaign for Whychus Creek.

“The Land Trust is thrilled to dedicate this new portion of Whychus Canyon Preserve," said Brad Chalfant, Deschutes Land Trust executive director. "We couldn’t have done it without the overwhelming support of the local community.

"Together we’ve accomplished so much and the dedication is a way to celebrate the successes and look towards the future. This is new part of Whychus Canyon Preserve is a significant step in completing our key acquisitions along Whychus Creek.

"With the community’s continued support, we hope to continue to build momentum with the Campaign for Whychus Creek, creating a legacy for our children and grandchildren,” Chalfant added.

Launched in the fall of 2014, the goal of the Campaign for Whychus Creek is to finish protecting the highest quality wildlife habitat along Whychus Creek, ensure the permanent care of those lands for generations to come, and engage the community along the way. The Land Trust has raised nearly a third of its goal for the Campaign.

The 480-acre addition to Whychus Canyon Preserve protects two miles of Whychus Creek and secures important habitat for salmon and steelhead, deer and elk, eagles and songbirds. The newly-expanded Whychus Canyon Preserve also offers public hiking access to Whychus Creek. Public access to the Preserve will remain at the Whychus Canyon Preserve kiosk off of Goodrich Road.

Funding for the 480-acre addition to Whychus Canyon Preserve came from a variety of agencies, foundations, and individuals, including: Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Pelton-Round Butte Mitigation Fund, Ann & Bill Swindells Charitable Trust, James H. Stanard Foundation, Laird Norton Family Foundation, and Roundhouse Foundation.

The Deschutes Land Trust conserves land for wildlife, scenic views, and local communities. As Central Oregon’s only nationally-accredited and locally-based land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has protected more than 8,750 acres since 1995. For more information on Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit http://www.deschuteslandtrust.org