A high-elevation meadow in the Oregon Coast Range is helping uncommon wildlife like purple martins, bats and bees.
Walker Meadows is around 13 miles west of Veneta and at an elevation of 2,300 feet. The meadow was established by an effort between the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The site is located at the top of Walker Point where there are three communication towers and an ODF smoke detection camera, according to Randy Smith, ODF wildlife biologist. “The 2020 wildfires prompted discussion for options to remove timber to reduce fire risk and also limit damage to infrastructure from falling trees from the 84-year old timber stand on the point.”
A timber sale removed 6 acres of trees and plans were made to improve habitat for wildlife.
Smith said they wanted to retain three patches of large diameter conifer trees.
“These trees were topped during harvest operations to create replacement snags for a nearby small colony of western purple martins whose existing snag habitat was quickly degrading,” Smith said. “They nest in those snags after woodpeckers create cavities, so they are critical.”