In a significant moment for conservation and habitat restoration, McKenzie River Trust has acquired a 175-acre timberland property along a crucial stretch of Gate Creek, a vital tributary to the McKenzie River. The newly protected land includes floodplain forests and an expanse of upland forest, making the site a high-priority for ecological conservation in an area recovering from wildfire.
The property, which was long managed for sustainable timber production by Weyerhauser, spans both sides of Gate Creek a few miles upstream from Vida. Sam Hillmann, the Trust’s land protection manager, shared, “This acquisition marks the first step toward restoring natural habitat, enhancing water quality, and supporting fish and wildlife populations in this special area. We’re grateful to the project’s partners, especially the Weyerhaeuser team. Together, we overcame several hurdles to complete this transaction. Many times, they could have easily walked away, but instead, they chose to work through the complications and complete the sale of this land for the benefit of the public. This success is a testament to what can be accomplished through collaborative partnerships between conservation nonprofits and industry.”
Weyerhaeuser sold the property to the Trust following several years of conversations. “This project reflects the power of partnerships to achieve long-term conservation outcomes,” says Will Stroud, land asset manager at Weyerhaeuser. “Weyerhaeuser is proud to work with McKenzie River Trust in contributing to a model of cooperative conservation that balances ecological stewardship with the realities of working forest landscapes.”…