March 14, 2008
Oregon Conservation Grants Announced by Elk Foundation
MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, an international conservation organization with a focus on habitat protection and enhancement, has announced its 2008 project grants for Oregon.
Grants will affect Baker, Benton, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties. An additional project has statewide interest.
“This is all about ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat in Oregon,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. “Grants are based on revenues from Elk Foundation fundraising banquets in Oregon, as well as worthy project proposals.”
For 2008, 25 grants totaling $208,750 will help fund the following Oregon conservation projects, listed by county:
Baker County—Treat noxious weeds on 400 acres to decrease competition with native grasses and improve elk habitat in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest; remove tree and shrub encroachment and prescribed burn 3,000 acres on BLM lands and other critical elk habitat.
Crook County—Thin 275 acres, construct exclosure fencing to protect riparian areas, and treat 520 acres of noxious weeds to enhance elk habitat on Ochoco National Forest; prescribed burn 700 acres, thin 350 acres of encroaching juniper, seed 40 acres and plant riparian shrubs on elk summer range; prescribed burn 250 acres, thin encroaching juniper on 250 acres and seed 20 acres to improve forage conditions on critical elk habitat.
Curry County—Prescribed burn 48 acres, seed 24 acres and thin trees on 29 acres to improve habitat for elk in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
Deschutes County—Reconstruct two guzzlers to enhance elk habitat in Deschutes National Forest.
Douglas County—Prescribed burn up to 100 acres to improve forage for elk in Coos Bay District; mow shrubs on 179 acres, seed 197 acres and create 16 acres of forage openings in Umpqua National Forest.
Grant County—Prescribed burn 400 acres to improve forage for elk in Malheur National Forest; prescribed burn 3,000 acres and construct exclosure fencing for aspens to enhance elk summer range in Malheur National Forest.
Harney County—Repair two guzzlers and treat 100 acres of noxious weeds to enhance habitat for elk in Malheur National Forest; expand guzzlers on BLM lands.
Jefferson County—Thin trees on 1,000 acres to enhance elk habitat in Ochoco National Forest.
Josephine County—Install interpretive signage and prescribed burn 225 acres to improve elk habitat in Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.
Lane County—Treat 290 acres of vegetation to enhance habitat for elk in Siuslaw National Forest (also affects Lincoln and Benton counties); thin trees and brush on 95 acres and treat five acres of noxious weeds in Willamette National Forest.
Linn County—Thin vegetation on 400 acres and seed six miles of abandoned skid trails to improve forage for elk in Willamette National Forest; thin 100 acres of lodgepole pine, transplant aspen and construct exclosure fencing to restore habitat in Willamette National Forest.
Statewide (all counties)—Multi-state research project to study elk calf survival and mortality related to climate, wolves and habitat quality.
Umatilla County—Treat noxious weeds on 3,340 acres of elk winter range in Umatilla National Forest (also affects Grant and Morrow counties);
Union County—Thin trees on 200 acres and treat noxious weeds on 100 acres to enhance elk habitat on winter range near Ladd Marsh; protect springs, construct exclosure fencing for aspen, fertilize 20 acres and treat noxious weeds on 200 acres of elk habitat; treat 200 acres of noxious weeds near Ladd Marsh.
Wallowa County—Research project to study elk production related to nutrition and habitat at Sled Springs Management Demonstration Area; treat 1,072 acres of noxious weeds on BLM lands (also affects Union County).
Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 550 conservation projects in Oregon with a value of more than $31 million. Partners for 2008 projects in Oregon include Boise Cascade, Boy Scouts, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon State University, University of Montana, U.S. Forest Service, other agencies, corporations, landowners, organizations and tribes.