FLOWERS bloom at Mill Creek Ridge in Wasco County, where Columbia Land Trust is working to preserve a total of 400 contiguous acres of scenic vistas and native habitats. The group acquired a new 115-acre piece of the area Friday, which connects the project together.
FLOWERS bloom at Mill Creek Ridge in Wasco County, where Columbia Land Trust is working to preserve a total of 400 contiguous acres of scenic vistas and native habitats. The group acquired a new 115-acre piece of the area Friday, which connects the project together.
Photo courtesy of Columbia Land TrustVANCOUVER, WASH. — A land conversation group announced Monday they have acquired 115 acres of wildlife habitat for preservation at Mill Creek Ridge, located southwest of The Dalles.
Columbia Land Trust, a Vancouver non-profit with offices in Hood River, Portland and Astoria, has worked to protect the region for almost a decade, and the new piece of land finishes their project.
The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board provided $140,800 in funding for the acquisition, in addition to $50,000 from the American Bird Conservancy through funding from the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Local landowners also donated to make the deal possible.
Mill Creek Ridge is a scenic expanse of oak woodlands and wildflower meadows rising from the basalt flows that narrow the Columbia River. The ridge’s woodlands and native grass prairies support pollinators as well as migratory and resident birds, including meadowlarks, bluebirds, and woodpeckers.
“Mill Creek Ridge is home to a rich and diverse array of wildlife,” said Land Trust Executive Director Glenn Lamb, “wildlife that recalls a time when abundance flowed forth unconstrained by human forces.”
In a news release, Columbia Land Trust described the ridge as a “crucial feature” of a wildlife corridor that runs southwest to northeast.
Between 2006 and 2015, the Land Trust conserved more than 300 acres of the ridge across multiple properties, but one large intervening parcel still divided the protected areas.
On Friday, Feb. 26, the Land Trust acquired that key 115-acre parcel, completing the long-term goal of connecting up-ridge and down-ridge conserved lands.
After years of collaboration with area residents and funders, the conservation team has now protected more than 400 contiguous acres of striking vistas and increasingly rare native habitat for wildlife at the edge of the East Cascades.
With this project completed, the Land Trust’s work now turns to stewardship of the land. Staff will get to work controlling weeds, monitoring tree health, and planting where necessary, which in turn will strive to support wildlife in the Mill Creek Ridge habitat.
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.