2023 Year in Review

2023

Ye a r i n R e v i e w

Letter from the Executive Director Dear Wildlife Conservation Supporter – The following pages are a magazine style rememberance of Oregon Wildlife Foundation’s activities, accomplishments, and notable stories from the past year. If your experience of the passage of time is anything like mine, you might be challenged to remember what happened three months ago, let alone 2023. Regarding the Foundation, we’re here to help!

Here are a few teasers of what you’ll find inside: •With donor support the Foundation helped Oregon State Police add a second Wildlife Conservation K9 team • As of this writing, just over 24,000 registered vehicles are sporting the Watch for Wildlife license plate. Proceeds from the sale and renewal of this plate are currently supporting three wildlife crossing initiatives on Oregon highways •We launched a friendly sporting clays competition as a fundraiser for the Foundation.

Interested in joining us this year?

•Are you listening to our Northwest Nature Matters podcast?

•Did you know that Oregon is getting its own native trout challenge?

With a new year upon us, a quarter already gone and only three to go(!), we hope you’ll consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible gift. Your generous financial assistance helps ensure the lion’s share of the funding we receive for wildlife conservation goes to projects, not overhead. A remit envelope is enclosed with this report for your convenience. If you are reading this online, you can make your donation by visiting www.myOWF.org or you can text MYOWF to 44-321.

On behalf of the Foundation’s Board and staff, thank you for your generosity, encouragement, and consideration in 2023. We look forward to hearing from or seeing you sometime this year!

Warmest regards, Tim Greseth

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Table of Contents 02 Letter from the Executive Director 04 Board Roll 06 OSP Conservation K9 Team 08 OWF Staff 10

Watch for Wildlife Disbursements

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Clays for Conservation

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NWNM Podcast Sponsorship

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Sturgeon Interpretive Center

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Across the Arches

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Land Stewardship

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Spruce Gifts and Provisions

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Projects Funded

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Basalt to Breakers

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Donor Roll

Thank you!

We are grateful for your generous support of the Oregon Wildlife Foundation. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on our donors to help us make strides in the race to protect vulnerable species and habitats, ensuring a future for Oregon’s fish and wildlife and Oregonian’s enjoyment of the outdoors.

Your Impact The Foundation is currently engaged in 15 projects across Oregon; from wildlife passage improvements in NE, SW, and central Oregon to a capital campaign for needed repairs and improvements to the Sturgeon Interpretive Center at Bonneville Fish Hatchery in the Columbia River Gorge.

We are the fiscal sponsor for 13 different conservation initiatives in Oregon including OSP’s Wildlife K9 teams and Basalt to Breaker’s Native Trout Challenge.

OWF is an active supporter of land conservation and stewardship. We hold a conservation easement on ecologically sensitive habitat in the Clackamas River basin and are managing a small piece of frontage on the Umpqua River in SW Oregon.

With donor support, we’ve held our administrative fee to 10% or less which ensures that most funds we receive, both public and private, are spent on project costs and not overhead.

Learn More To see the wide scope and variety of the projects we have supported or visit the interactive map at our NEW website. Our project portfolio is ever changing. Check back periodically for updates.

www.myOWF.org/GISmap

2337 NW York Street #201C, Portland, OR, 97210

(503) 255-6059

www.myOWF.org

Board of Directors Committee Chairs

Officers

Board Development - Morgan Smith

Tom Rask (President)

Executive Committee - Tom Rask

Strawn Dixon (Vice President)

Fundraising Committee - Craig Johnston and Strawn Dixon – Vice Chairs

Brad Staples (Past President)* *not an elected position Pat Richardson (Secretary)

Investment Committee - Ryland Moore

EK MacColl (Treasurer)

Land Conservation & Stewardship Committee - Tom Rask Project Committee - Lori Steele

Shannon Berg

Chip Graeper

Gary Pape’

Meg Braestrup

Tyler Haberling

Tony Pullen

Blair Bubenik

Jim Irvine

Blake Seabaugh

Carl Burnham

Campbell Kidd

Tori Sise

Matt Davis

Gordon King

Uriah Stockdale

Blaine Dickason

Kim MacColl

Rob Stuart

Roy Elicker

Nick McDonald

Matthew Tabor

Bryce Gartrell

Curt Melcher

Chijo Takeda

John Gilleland

Doug Nelson

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Remembering Gary VandeVenter

Service on the Board of a nonprofit organization is a serious endeavor. Not everyone is cut out for it. Gary VandeVenter, who served on the Oregon Wildlife Foundation Board of Directors from 1995 to 2006, certainly was and he made a difference. Gary was an avid fisherman and the patience and fortitude that served him so well on the water, helped him get things done on the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“He was the type of person who could look at a situation and see how to improve the process,” said his wife Patsy. “He enjoyed taking on any challenge that was offered.”

This included refining how projects were evaluated by the Projects Committee which VandeVenter chaired for seven years. Under his leadership, consequential projects including the restoration of Diamond Lake and fish habitat improvements along the Clackamas River were completed.

Among his many roles with the

Foundation, Gary served as Chair of the Sturgeon Strategy Committee which raised over $150,000 in 1996-97 to Gary VandeVenter help build a permanent home for Herman the Sturgeon at Bonneville Fish Hatchery.

“His pride and joy was Herman the Sturgeon,” said his daughter Kasey Rockwell. “He was so excited to have that built.”

Hundreds of thousands of people have since visited the Sturgeon Interpretive Center at Bonneville to catch a glimpse of Herman (see page 18). Gary enjoyed seeing projects like this come full circle.

“He loved working to improve conditions for wildlife so they’d be there for future generations,” said Rockwell.

“Wherever Gary went, Patsy

was there too, and because of that I came to know both of them very well,” said Executive Director Tim Greseth.

“Although Gary wasn’t on the board at the time I joined the Foundation, he and Patsy, who were stalwart supporters of OWF, were incredibly kind. Their words of encouragement and advice meant the world to me,” said Greseth.

Gary’s bright spirit is missed, but his impact on the people and the world around him lives on.

Gifts Given in Memory of Gary VandeVenter Jim Sanders and Melanie Heald Rob Hehlen Jeanette Neuburger Rick and Debbie Olcott Rob Stuart and the Stuart Family Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation Tracy and Danny Jones

Thank you to our outgoing board members Kim MacColl, a dedicated board member since 1992, made significant contributions to the foundation’s conservation efforts in Oregon. Kim’s service to the foundation included service on the Projects, Board Development, and Fundraising committees and almost two decades as President of the board. Kim’s unwavering support and advocacy, especially for the Deschutes River, made a lasting impact. He also played a pivotal role in salmon habitat recovery projects along the Oregon Coast during his tenure at the foundation.

Campbell Kidd, Managing Partner at Red Hills Holdings, brought six years of valuable board experience to OWF, where he served as Vice President and contributed to both the Strategic Planning and Project Committees. Campbell is an avid outdoors-man who enjoys hunting with his dog, Jenny.

Shannon Berg, Founder and CEO of the public relations and consulting firm Berg & Associates, served our board through 2023. Shannon and her team were instrumental in helping OWF spread the word about conservation projects and events statewide, leveraging their numerous connections to media professionals to broaden the scope of influence, and further cementing the reputation OWF has as a valuable conservation partner.

Chijo Takeda served on our board from 2020-2023. He is the Founder and CEO of Dogpaw Studio, a company that helps non-profits effectively communicate their stories and mission online. Chijo lent his expertise to OWF staff throughout his tenure.

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Good B ys

OSP Conservation K9 Team added a new handler and K9 in 2023 6

At first glance, Scout might look like he’s a typical, playful pup, but this 18-month-old, black Lab is developing a nose for crime. Meet the newest member of the Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Conservation K9 team. Scout, along with his handler Trooper Shae Ross, will be following in the footsteps of the first anti-poaching team in Oregon made up of K9 Buck and Senior Trooper Josh Wolcott.

The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) Stop Poaching Campaign, a division of OSP Fish & Wildlife, and the Oregon Wildlife Foundation (OWF) held a joint press conference to announce the expansion of the OSP Fish & Wildlife Conservation K9 team on Jan. 25, 2023 at the ODFW headquarters in Salem.

“Adding another wildlife detection K9 team provides another asset to our division to address poaching issues and increase awareness across the state,” said OSP Fish & Wildlife Division Captain Casey Thomas. “Senior Trooper Wolcott and K9 Buck have done a great job of getting this program started. Adding a second team will increase the program’s efficiency and reduce the excessive travel strain on the current team. I want to thank everyone involved in establishing, maintaining, and supporting OSP’s Conservation K9 program,” continued Thomas.

“This program wouldn’t be possible without them and these strong partnerships.”

Speakers at the event included: Senior Trooper Wolcott, Trooper Ross, Stop Poaching Campaign Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Yvonne Shaw and Oregon Wildlife

OSP Conservation K9 handler Senior Trooper Josh Wolcott and K9 Buck were the first team added to the program.

Foundation Executive Director Tim Greseth. A demonstration by Buck and Senior Trooper Wolcott followed the presentations.

“Oregon’s fish, wildlife and other natural resources belong to all of us,” stated Shaw. “The partnership between Oregon Wildlife Foundation and the OSP F&W Conservation K9 program helps to protect these natural resources for current and future generations.

OWF’s generous donors recognize the value of these dogs, which offer a unique connection between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” continued Shaw.

OWF, in collaboration with OSP Fish & Wildlife Division, launched Oregon’s first Wildlife K9 team in 2019. K9 Buck and Senior Trooper Wolcott have conducted numerous poaching investigations and logged hundreds of hours in the field since the inception of the program. The current team is located at OSP’s Springfield Area Command but has worked across the state since its inception.

The effectiveness of the K9 program led OSP leadership to the recent approval of the additional

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team at the OSP Area Command in Bend. As with the inaugural team, OWF donors have generously agreed to help cover the cost of the program’s expansion.

“Oregon Wildlife Foundation is pleased to be able to support the OSP Fish & Wildlife Conservation K9 program and our partnership with Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division,” said OWF Executive Director Tim Greseth.

“We greatly appreciate generous donors stepping up, once again, to expand this successful program and help us introduce a new K9 team to the public.”

Donate to the OSP Conservation K9 Program Oregon Wildlife Foundation accepts donations to the OSP Fish & Wildlife Conservation K9 Fund to offset expenses associated with the canine members of the teams. Donations help defray the costs of veterinary care, training equipment and related supplies. To support and learn more about the OSP Fish & Wildlife Conservation K9 program visit www.myowf.org/ k9team.

Meet Our Staff

Tim Greseth Executive Director

Zach Mallavia Project Specialist

Rebecca Roberts Development Manager

Kerwin Carambot Financial Controller

Mo Montgomery Communications & PR Manager

Jess Bynum Communications & Design Specialist

Thank you Lauralee for all your years of service!

Hannah Carter Assistant Store Manager

Lauralee Foley General Store Manager

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Lauralee began working for Spruce in 2013. She was promoted to Assistant Store Manager in 2016 and again in 2020 to General Manager, Lauralee oversaw personnel, merchandise, and general operations for the stores. Her keen eye for purchasing led to sales growth and returning guests, all benefiting OWF.

Oregon Wildlife Foundation and partners statewide are working together to reduce that.

Wildlife passage projects are in development at numerous collision hotspots throughout Oregon. Wildlife crossings decrease collisions and improve habitat connectivity; outcomes that are good for animals, both big and small.

Proceeds from the sale and renewal of the Watch for Wildlife specialty license plate help fund passage projects statewide. Your support makes roads safer for wildlife, and people too.

To learn more about migration corridors and the Watch for Wildlife Fund, visit us online at www.myowf.org/watchforwildlife, or scan the code below.

LEARN MORE

On The Move

OWF Announces Watch for Wildlife Funding Disbursements A deer crossing the road might be a brief inconvenience or a closecall accident to you, but for species like mule deer, it’s a matter of survival.

As wildlife moves throughout their habitat for food, shelter, and to find mates, the roads and highways crisscrossing the state make that a dangerous and sometimes fatal journey. Each year, almost 6,000 drivers in Oregon are involved in a collision with a deer, elk, bear or other wildlife species.

The Oregon Wildlife Foundation (OWF) aims to reduce wildlifevehicle collisions on Oregon highways and roads. The foundation is working with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) to implement wildlife crossing projects throughout the state. Funding for these efforts comes partly from the sale of the Foundation’s Watch for Wildlife specialty license plate (see page 9).

Since its unveiling in May 2022, more than 24,000 plates have been sold. OWF recently announced that funding from the plates would go to two upcoming projects: the Bend

to Suttle Lake (B2S) Highway 20 Wildlife Passage Initiative and the Highway 101 Coastal Marten Crossing Initiative. Media was invited to learn about the Bend to Suttle Lake (B2S) Highway 20 Wildlife Passage Initiative and the Highway 101 Coastal Marten Crossing Initiative on April 18 where they heard from experts including OWF Executive Director Tim Greseth, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Wildlife Passage Program Leader Cidney Bowman, and Michele Zwartjes, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

“With no dedicated source of funding support for wildlife passage projects in Oregon, the W4W license plate was conceived to draw attention to the problem of wildlife-vehicle collisions and help migratory wildlife species move safely around Oregon highways and roads,” said Greseth.

Bend to Suttle Lake (B2S) Highway 20 Wildlife Passage Initiative Mule deer and elk in Oregon are susceptible to wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVCs) particularly in central and eastern Oregon along

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Hwy 20, a major highway bisecting their historic migration routes. This is especially concerning for mule deer, a species already in decline throughout its range. The project aims to improve wildlife passage and motorist safety along Highway 20 between Bend and Suttle Lake, Oregon.

“According to ODOT, between 350 and 600 mule deer and elk are killed every year by vehicle strikes along Highway 20 between Bend and Suttle Lake in central Oregon, the highest density of deer and elk wildlife-vehicle collisions in the entire state,” Greseth stated.

OWF will contribute $50,000 to the project to help pay for a qualified firm to conduct a wildlife mitigation study of the target highway corridor and develop conceptual designs for wildlife crossings.

Highway 101 Coastal Marten Crossing Initiative While the Highway 101 Coastal Marten project is still in an early planning stage, the need for the project is clear. The conservation and recovery of threatened coastal Continued on page 15.

OWF’s 2nd Annual Clays for Conservation (C4C) June 7, 2024

2023 Winning Team representing Hoffman Construction: Aaron Hibbs, Dan Grierson, Greg Boersma and Tyler Wynn

We are looking forward to our 2nd annual C4C Event. Your sponsorship of this event will help raise critical funds for our ongoing conservation efforts. Team sponsorship includes clays and ammo for a squad of five, eye and ear protection, thank you gifts, and lunch. Contact Rebecca Roberts at rebecca@myowf.org with questions to sponsor and host a team.

www.myowf.org.events

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Thank you to our sponsors!

Team Sponsors Roy Elicker Nick McDonald Tori Sise Blair Bubenik Gordon King David Mansfield Brad Staples Chip Graeper Jeffrey Pawlowski Carl Burnham Blaine Dickason

Thank you also to....

Roy Elicker and Morgan Smith for their leadership and direction in coordinating this event.

Nick McDonald and Irwin-Hodson Co. for their donation of printing and signage.

Strawn Dixon and Accent Marketing Group for their donation of takeaway gifts.

Morgan and Thao Smith for generously sponsoring our Gun Raffle.

What is Clays for Conservation?

Established in 2023, Clays for Conservation was created as a fun way to gather Foundation donor and clay shooting enthusiasts to support conservation projects throughout Oregon...projects making a difference in our efforts to conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Our guests enjoy a morning of friendly competition at Mid-Valley Clays and Shooting School near Gervais, followed by lunch, awards, and raffle drawings, all in support of the work we do at the Foundation.

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70741 NE Sturgeon Lane Cascade Locks, OR 97014 (541) 374-8447

204 Oak Street Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 436-4772

www.sprucegiftsandprovisions.com 14

Every purchase benefits Oregon Wildlife Foundation!

Photo by: Karen J Hawley Photography

Ways to Give to OWF Giving to the Oregon Wildlife Foundation us to advance and implement wildlife conservation projects throughout Oregon.

2. Send a Check to: Oregon Wildlife Foundation 2337 NW York St #201c Portland, OR 97210

With strong partner relationships and ready access to capital, your gift can go to work now and make a meaningful impact for wildlife and their habitat.

3. Donate via your Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

In our efforts to get things done, we support multiple conservation initiatives each year and have many unique stories to share. From frog shuttles to overpasses for deer and elk, we are doing things people don’t even know are possible.

4. Become a Member Be a part of the community who helps to support and sustain conservation in Oregon. OWF members receive special invitations and receive additional benefits from OWF partners. For details and how you can become a member, visit the Membership page.

1. Donate Online Use the Donate Button on our homepage at www.myOWF.org to make a donation. Or text OWF to 44-321.

5. Give Stock For Gifts of Stock, contact our Development Manager, Rebecca Roberts, at rebecca@myowf.org for donation instructions.

WATCH FOR WILDLIFE

Continued from page 10.

marten is a high priority for the ODFW, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as well as multiple conservation organizations.

Oregon’s coastal population of marten is particularly small, with an estimated 71 adults existing in two distinct subpopulations separated by the Umpqua River, making every individual critically important to the species’ continued existence.

Although historical trapping, habitat loss, and predation are primarily responsible for the marten’s steep

decline, vehicle strikes are a significant source of mortality to the central coastal Oregon population.

The goal of this project is to reduce vehicle-related mortality of coastal marten by improving or creating road crossings in known areas of marten activity.

“In a small population, every loss is significant,” Greseth said.

Plates are available for purchase at all DMV locations in Oregon.

For more information about Oregon specialty license plates and how to get your own Watch for Wildlife plate, please visit www.oregon.gov/ odot/dmv.

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6. Give via Schwab Charitable Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation (dba Oregon Wildlife Foundation) is a registered charity making giving easy if you hold a Schwab Charitable DAF. You can give through your Schwab charitable account.

Contributions to OWF are taxdeductible to the full extent of the law. OWF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and our tax ID is 930797904.

For all other questions regarding giving contact Development Manager, Rebecca Roberts, at rebecca@myowf.org or Executive Director, Tim Greseth at tim@myowf. org.

To learn more about the Watch for Wildlife specialty liscense plate visit myOWF.org/watchforwildlife or use the QR code below.

NORTHWEST NATURE MAT TERS PODCAST Residents of the Pacific Northwest value beautiful natural scener y, clean air and water, and abundant outdoor resources. Conservation is important to us, but scientifically accurate information can be inaccessible and difficult to source for those outside of the field. The goal of the NWNM podcast is to serve as an antidote; to give you the opportunit y to hear directly from the experts, through long-form conversation about natural histor y and conservation.

2023

BY T H E NUMBERS

24

30

19

10K

EPISODES

GUESTS

TOPICS

LISTENERS

LISTEN AND CONNEC T Listen to the Northwest Nature Matters Podcast almost anywhere! NWNM is available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotif y, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more. For those in southern Oregon, tune in ever y other Sunday at 7pm to hear NWNM on KQUA 99.7 The River, Roseburg’s community radio station produced by Umpqua Watersheds.

Follow us online @nwnaturematters

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES To make this resource widely available to listeners at no charge, we are asking like-minded groups to consider sponsoring NWNM. Sponsorship dollars help defray the costs associated with producing and distributing this podcast. Oregon Wildlife Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, so contributions are tax-deductible.

Sponsor a single episode for $500, an entire season for $12,000, or anywhere in between. For more information about package options and sponsor benefits, or to express interest in sponsorship, please reach out to OWF Development Mannager, Rebecca Roberts, at rebecca@myowf.org.

MEE T THE HOST Northwest Nature Matters podcast’s host may not have set out to lead an upcoming podcast, but behind every podcaster is another story waiting to be told.

Monty Gregg is a Forest Wildlife Biologist for the Ochoco National Forest & Crooked River National Grassland, where he manages the wildlife program. He’s also the new host of the NWNM podcast, produced by the Oregon Wildlife Foundation.

Gregg works at the Regional and National levels to develop partnership opportunities for the Forest Service with various wildlife conservation organizations. He has a B.S. in Wildlife Sciences from Oregon State University. How did he find his way into podcasting?

“I’d been mulling it over… a platform to share things that are going on across the northwest and be a voice for wildlife,” said Gregg. “And it’s been something of an interest of mine for a while now, especially after being interviewed on a few podcasts.” Gregg continued, “It really struck a chord with me just because of how effective certain hosts were… it seemed like a natural fit.”

Gregg is passionate about his work as a biologist. He has conducted habitat restoration efforts for locally and regionally essential species, including mule deer and elk, to federally listed species, such as the Northern Spotted Owl. An area of interest for Gregg over the past 15 years has been habitat restoration through partnership development. He’d also like to see the public become educated on the various projects agencies are undertaking, something Gregg believes the podcast will encourage.

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“When you give people information or provide them some ownership in the changes we’re making, it just brings everyone into this bigger fold, and you get so much more support out of it. We really need the public to understand, why here? Why now?”

- Monty Gregg

Saving Herman’s

HOME

Sturgeon Interpretive Center at Bonneville Fish Hatchery celebrates 25 years; Home to Herman the Sturgeon, the Center is now showing its age 18

September 27, 2023 marked 25 years since Oregon Wildlife Foundation (OWF) formally dedicated the Sturgeon Interpretive and Viewing Center at Bonneville Fish Hatchery, home to Herman the Sturgeon. The Center was built at the hatchery to provide a safe and appropriate habitat for Herman and serve as a venue through which hatchery visitors can learn about this unique and long-lived fish species.

OWF raised more than $350,000 to construct the Sturgeon Viewing and Interpretive Center, thanks in part to a grant from ODFW’s Restoration and Enhancement Program. The Sturgeon Interpretive Center at Bonneville Fish Hatchery is one of Oregon’s top visitor attractions and a popular destination for people visiting the Columbia River Gorge.

“Construction of the Sturgeon Interpretive Center at Bonneville Fish Hatchery served the important purpose of giving Herman a safe and permanent home. Its mission to provide visitors with information about white sturgeon and their conservation continues,” said Tim Greseth, Executive Director of Oregon Wildlife Foundation.

The Center has served its purpose and mission well for 25 years, but prolonged exposure to Columbia River Gorge weather has taken a toll on the building and the interpretive signage within it needs to speak to a current audience. This appraisal, on the anniversary of the Center, spurred the Foundation into action.

OWF is readying a fundraising capital campaign to make essential repairs to the building, improvements within the pond, updated messaging regarding white

PHOTO COURTESY OF ODFW

The Center has served its mission well for 25 years, but prolonged exposure to Columbia River Gorge weather has taken a toll on the building and the interpretive signage within it needs to speak to a current audience.

sturgeon and their conservation, and improved way-finding for people visiting the hatchery.

“We want to ensure that the Sturgeon Interpretive Center will continue fulfilling its purpose and mission for another 25 years,” said Greseth.

The Foundation, as part of its fundraising campaign, will make an appeal for public support in the near future.

“We’re getting organized and hope that Herman’s fans will help us when it’s time,” said Greseth.

Bonneville Hatchery and Sturgeon Viewing and Interpretive Center The Sturgeon Viewing and Interpretive Center is located at Bonneville Fish Hatchery, 70543 NE Herman Loop, in Cascade Locks. From I-84, take Exit 40 to Bonneville Dam/Fish Hatchery.

Follow the signs to the hatchery and park in the parking lot. For more information on the Sturgeon Viewing and Interpretive Center, visit www. myodfw.com/bonneville-hatcheryvisitors-guide.

Donate to the Sturgeon Interpretive and Viewing Center

August 12, 2023

ATA ‘23 OWF’s 6th Annual Across the Arches (ATA) event was held at Willow Bar Farm on Sauvie Island and raised funds for the Foundation’s conservation projects. Guests at our mid-August event enjoyed a summer camp-like atmosphere and camp-themed activities including archery, arts and crafts, ax throwing and clay shooting. This event was truly a celebration of our work and the donors who help make this possible.

Coming Soon! Watch for details about this year’s fun summer fundraising event taking place the weekend of August 23, 2024.

www.myowf.org/events

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Thank you to the many sponsors who made this event possible

Gold Sponsors

Station Sponsors

Craig & Lynne Johnston

Gary Pape’ Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Applied River Sciences River Design Group Kell, Alterman, Runstein, L.L.P. Attorneys at Law OnPoint Community Credit Union Tori Sise Breakside Brewery Equal Exchange

John & Emma Gilleland

Silver Sponsors

Arnerich Massena Ferguson Wellman Moss Adams

Aquatic Contracting Blair & Peggy Bubenik

Bronze Sponsors

Perkins & Co. Umpqua Bank

Kim & Melinda MacColl Ty and Noelia Haberling

Certified Languages International

Doug Nelson

Special Thanks Irwin-Hodson Co. Campbell Kidd & Willow Bar Farm

Station Hosts Sporting Clays

Spey Casting

Morgan Smith Roy Elicker

Portland Fly Shop (Jason Osborn) John Wall Mo Wall

Raptors

Archery James Benson

OSP Fish & Wildlife Conservation K9

Perch Wildlife Education & Sky Guardian Falconry Abatement (Alina Blankenship)

Senior Trooper Wolcott and K9 Buck Trooper Ross and K9 Scout

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Land Conservation & Stewardship

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One of the Foundation’s most noteworthy conservation projects was the acquisition of private land along the lower Deschutes River.

Beginning in 1983, at the request of Governor Victor Atiyeh and in partnership with the State of Oregon, the Foundation acquired a total of 17 miles of privately held river frontage along the lower river, protecting its ecological value and preserving public access to it in perpetuity. For various reasons, this extraordinary land acquisition project was the first and last that we led.

In the interim, a bevy of land conservation organizations have been established. Go to the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts website for a current list of organizations that are conserving and stewarding land in Oregon.

Even with the addition of land trusts throughout Oregon, service gaps still exist. With that understanding, the Foundation is evaluating, on a case-by-case basis, how and under what conditions we can help protect and steward land in Oregon.

The Foundation prioritizes conservation easements and fee-title ownership of land that preserves or protects wildlife migration corridors or habitats that are of ecological importance.

Given the long-term costs associated with monitoring and defending easements and the stewardship of wildlife habitat, our assessment also looks at whether a property can generate positive cash flow without compromising its ecological value. Absent that, we ask the landowner to make a tax-deductible donation to our endowment fund. The size of that

Fly Creek Stock Ranch.

contribution will vary based on the anticipated annual costs for stewardship of the property or, in the case of an easement, legal defense against violations of its terms.

In general, a stewardship donation to our endowment fund will range from $35,000 to $45,000. An estimate of annual travel expenses, staff time, communication, and legal expenses is used to determine how much funding will be needed for stewardship of the property into the foreseeable future.

A tax-deductible donation of between $60,000 and $70,000 may be needed to adequately defend the terms of an easement we hold on a piece of property.

Our cost calculation is based on the property’s location relative to our office, the risks associated with permissible activities under the terms of the easement agreement, and the likelihood of future legal challenges.

The Foundation currently holds an easement on land in the Clackamas River basin and is developing an easement agreement with the owner of property in

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central Oregon’s Metolius Mule Deer Winter Range.

Foster Creek Located in the Clackamas River basin about 4 miles south of Barton Park on South Eaden Road, Foster Creek is 72 acres of restored wet prairie and forested wetland habitat. 99% of true wet prairie habitat has been lost in the Willamette Valley making this site unique. It also boasts a selfsustaining population of Nelson’s checkermallow, a plant native to Oregon that’s listed as threatened.

Fly Creek Stock Ranch Located west of Grandview, the Fly Creek Stock Ranch is in the heart of central Oregon’s Metolius Mule Deer Winter Range area.

Situated at the head of Fly Creek canyon, this property lies within a mule deer and elk migration corridor.

If you’re interested in the Foundation holding a conservation easement on your property, making a bequest or gifting real estate to the Foundation, please contact Tim Greseth, Executive Director, tim@ myowf.org or 503-255-6059.

Shopping for Conservation Spruce Gifts & Provisions is Oregon Wildlife Foundation’s retail store program and a fun place for shoppers of all ages who want to support conservation in Oregon.

Your purchases at Spruce Gifts & Provisions stores support our statewide conservation efforts.

Our original store is located on the grounds of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) Bonneville Fish Hatchery in the Columbia River Gorge.

Visitors can grab a coffee or treat for the road, browse our book selection, find local gifts and apparel, and strike up a conversation with our cheerful and helpful staff.

Visit the Sturgeon Interpretive Center and say ‘hi’ to Herman while you are there. The Foundation worked with the ODFW to build the Interpretive Center that houses Herman the Sturgeon. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Center’s construction (see page 18).

Our second store location is on Oak Street in downtown Hood River. You’ll meet similarly friendly and knowledgeable staff that are happy to help you find what you’re looking for.

Every purchase benefits Oregon Wildlife Foundation. www.sprucegiftsandprovisions.com

Bonneville 70741 NE Sturgeon Lane Cascade Locks, OR 97014 541-374-8447 Hood River 204 Oak Street Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 436-4772

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Projects Funded By Your Donations in 2023 Approximately $500,000 for wildlife conservation, research, education, and restoration

Fish/Amphibian

Wildlife Research

•Cascadia Wild Wolverine Monitoring •UWIN Portland 2023-24 Field Season Assessing Distribution of Sierra Nevada Red Fox

•Estacada Lake Habitat Project •Nitrox Equipment for Aquarium Research Dive Team

4.8% 7%

On-going Projects

•Southern Oregon Wildlife Crossing Project •Highway 20 Wildlife Crossing Project •Harborton Frog Crossing Project •Metolius Winter Range Conservation Project •Eagle Creek Dam Removal Project

42.6% 39.7%

5.7%

Avian Research

•Indian Ford/Ryan Ranch Bird Monitoring Project •Adopt-a-Lek 2024 •Determining Yellow Rail Distribution •Oregon Vesper Sparrow Population Monitoring

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Habitat Restoration and Protection

•Butte Creek Riparian Planting •Wildlife Passage for Coastal Marten (page 10) •B2S Highway 20 Wildlife Passage Project (page 10) •Walker Point Montane Grassland Creation •Suter Creek Habitat Restoration Phase 5 •Palensky Highway 30 Wildlife Underpass •Rainbow Oak and Prairie Restoration Phase •Horse Haven Creek BDA Implementation •Shangri-la Wetland Invasive Species Removal

THE NEXT CATCH

OWF and Basalt to Breakers present new native trout challenge 26

Beginning in spring 2024, Oregon anglers can hook new fish stories via Oregon’s inaugural native trout challenge.

Basalt to Breakers (B2B) is an Oregon non-profit corporation sponsored by the Oregon Wildlife Foundation (OWF). B2B is launching the Oregon Native Trout Challenge in 2024 to encourage anglers to explore new waters, celebrate the diversity of Oregon’s trout fisheries, and support projects that conserve the species.

Several native trout species are present in Oregon rivers, spanning eight distinct ecoregions. From our oldgrowth coastal forests to volcanic peaks, Oregon offers unlimited potential for angling adventures. Popular trout fishing destination states like Wyoming, Utah, and California celebrate their fisheries and public lands with trout fishing challenges or cutslams; anglers in Oregon will now have the opportunity to do the same.

Participants in the Oregon Native Trout Challenge are tasked with catching and releasing a native trout in each of Oregon’s eight ecoregions.

Each catch must be documented according to the rules of the Challenge in order to count. A one-time entry fee of $35 offsets the administrative costs of the challenge and is further made available for habitat restoration and trout conservation projects in Oregon.

Beyond learning more about

Oregon’s native trout species and the diverse ecoregions they live in, the Oregon Native Trout Challenge seeks to encourage advocacy for local fisheries.

“We believe that advocacy begins with engagement,” said B2B founder Max McCool. “Our challenge will encourage both new and experienced anglers to explore Oregon’s vast natural resources and interact firsthand with the species most in need of protection.”

Along with inspiring native trout advocates, B2B is also seeking other positive conservation outcomes. Basalt to Breakers is developing a platform to host trout population data from participants’ catches.

This will be made publicly available at no cost. B2B is also focusing on reducing the barriers for new anglers or those new to fishing altogether.

“We recognize that fishing can be an expensive activity that requires a wide variety of gear and as an organization, we are taking steps to lower the barrier of entry so that everyone will have an opportunity to engage

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with their local waters,” said McCool. “Advocacy is strongest by a diverse group of anglers.

As we solidify our partnerships in the coming months, we will release more information on this objective.”

The start of the challenge will coincide with the beginning of the 2024 trout season in late spring. Contest rules and participation details will be released in April. Those interested are encouraged to follow @Basalt_to_Breakers on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for contest updates and educational content.

Donate to Basalt to Breakers

Donor Roll We are grateful for the generous support of our donors. Your gifts enable OWF to make strides in an effort to protect vulnerable species and habitats throughout Oregon. * denotes a recurring or monthly gift

+ denotes an employer matched gift

Heritage Society Gifts Thank you to our donors who supported OWF’s work with unrestricted gifts over $1,000

Gifts or Payments on Pledges exceeding $20,000 Strawn and Alix Dixon Craig and Lynne Johnston

Gifts between $5,000 and $19,999

Anonymous via Fidelity Charitable * Jane Hartline and Mark Greenfield Elizabeth S Holden Fund of Oregon Community Foundation Randy Labbe Kim MacColl Jr and Melinda Bishop MacColl

Gifts between $1,000 and $4,999

Anonymous (x3) Charles and Elizabeth Bar Foundation, Inc Shannon and Erik Berg + Blair and Peggy Bubenik Steven Cranston Matt Davis Janet Davis and Mark Rogers Blaine and Cynthia Dickason Dobbes Family Estate Ron and Linne’ Dodge Thomas and Carolyn Harbison David Horstkotte Craig and Louanne Koch

Bill Lofton Nick McDonald Jim and Mary Meier Gary Pape The Popma Family Ted and Rita Powell Pat and Pricilla Richardson Nelson Rutherford Morgan and Thao Smith Mr. and Mrs. LL Stewart Rob Stuart Westing Family Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation Nancy Zvan

Gifts $500 to $999 Anonymous (x2) David and Judith Berg Catalyst Corporation Federal Credit Union In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin

Dave & Patti Cummings Les Fahey Bryce Gartrell Marvin and Penny Harrison Marcia and Bud Hartman

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Steve Holwerda Gary Host Ron and Lynn Penner-Ash Lori Steele

We regret any errors or omissions to these lists.

Contact OWF with questions or corrections.

Unrestricted Gifts Thank you to our donors who supported OWF’s work with unrestricted gifts between $1 and $999 Anonymous (x21) Anonymous In Honor of John McKean Anonymous In Honor of Robert “Bob” Bartley Anonymous In Honor of Carolyn Popma Shara Alexander Les and Kari Anderson Sarah Armstrong * Charlotte and Richard Barnhart Lee Barth Brett Baumann and Susan Mead Jeffrey Bender In Honor of the Roeland Family Robert Best Kim Bickford In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin Kattie Blu Charles and Lynne Brame Todd Brickey *+ Lynne Bridges In Honor of Brad Staples Jim Burgett Jose Cacho Jan Carlson John D Carr Stephen Carrillo Christopher Carter Dick and Gail Clairmont Kristi Combs Charlotte Corkran Michael Cranston Martha Crimi Catherine Dalziel Robert Dickason Nancy Donnelly Tom and Julie Donovan Ashley Easter Margaret and Louis Fasano In Honor of Tom Dearmond Ariana Flores * Susan Foster * Jessie Fox Kathy Garner In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin Good Lab Jason Gray Terry Griffith Christina Gullion John and Julia Hall James Harper

In Memory of Bob Anthony Donna Harris and Dwane Williams Bonnie Henderson-Winnie Lin Hodges In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin Stephanie Hoke Lin Hokkanen David Holaday Julia Jackman David Jarman Sally Jepson In Memory of Lynn Lippert Dave Johnson Sameer Kapur Harriett Kazzimir In Honor of Strawn Dixon Warren King Susan Kinzel Kathie Koellmann Nancy K Koontz Anna Kovach Kurt Kremers Ron and Sharon Krettinger L and C Tree Farms, LLC Ted Labbe and Kelly Rodgers John and Karen Lee In Memory of Jay Watson Sheryl and Brian Little In Memory of Tom Thornton Suzanne Linford Helen Liu Karen Logan In Honor of Pete and Rita Shawn Looney Ken MacDonald Tiffany McCleary * Walter McGovern Meg Mendlin In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin Roger and Teresa Michaelis In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin Joseph Miller Cynthia Mizuhara Mo and Will Montgomery Kayden Neale Patrick and Cheryl Nibler Cynthia Nichols Joni O’Neil Joseph and Diane Paglino In Memory of Anthony James Kasparek Bill and Susan Parks *

Gregory Parrott Trent Pederson Point Forward Wealth Advisors In Honor of Cary Gatzke Joanna Lynne Ponce Marna and Robert Porath Eric Reed In Memory of Dustin William DeMarco Elizabeth Reichle-Alder Kasey Rockwell In Honor of Jerry Crane Barbara Russell Vickie Salinas Steven Santos Peter Saraceno Paul Schertz Guy Schoenborn Alexander Schwindt III Paula Sheppard Pam Simser Jana Smith Rachel Snyder In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin Shirley Sonnichsen Mark and Ginny Stern Lana Stevens Mr. and Mrs. LL Stewart Matthew Thompson Megan Thornton In Memory of Thomas L. Thornton Trevor Tokishi In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin Lynn and Gale Tompkins Jean Trowbridge Christy Uhrich * Tim and Tracie Unterwegner In Memory of Jeff Unterwegner Patsy VandeVenter In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin Andrea Wall Kenneth Walter William M and Sue Walter Melissa Wardell Jon Waldum Craig and Carolyn Watson Darcy Weaver Mark and Sarah Williams In Memory of Terry Caster Cullen Wilson Jill Wyatt

Event Sponsors and Underwriters Thank you to sponsors and underwriters who help us raise funds at events. See pages 13 and 21 for our generous event sponsors.

Gifts In Kind

Adelsheim Winery Adrift Hospitality Berg and Associates Breakside Brewery Buoy Beer Company Clatsop County Historical Society Columbia River Maritime Museum Craig and Lynne Johnston Crowley Wines Strawn and Alix Dixon Dobbes Family Wines The Dundee Hotel

Englund Marine and Industrial Supply Co. Inc Equal Exchange Hallmark Inn Irwin Hodson Katchka Kim MacColl Jr. and Melinda Bishop MacColl McMenamins Pubs and Breweries Newbergundian Next Adventure Northpoint Brands Northrup Station

Oregon Coast Aquarium Oregon Symphony Oregon Wine Guides Pilot House Distilling Portland Art Museum Portland Leather Goods Rogue Brewery Sesame Collective Morgan and Thao Smith Jason and Monica Wall Wamic Recreation Company LLC Willow Bar Farm Yacht Tubs

Matching Gifts

Grants

Corporate Support

The Clorox Company Microsoft Nike

Autzen Foundation Olseth Family Foundation The Portland Garden Club (supporting Friends of Baltimore Woods) Swigert Foundation

Amazon Smile Patagonia REI Cooperative Action Fund

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Restricted Gifts Basalt To Breakers Patricia Sheehan In honor of Max McCool Jonathan Dinh Friends of Baltimore Woods Sauvie Island Natives Nikkie West Friends of Fanno Creek Andrea Wall Christie and Bob Chamberlin In memory of Jay Francis Watson Marilyn Trusty Dennis Brown Harborton Frog Shuttle / Linnton Frogs Anonymous (x2) Mary Anne Cassin Henry Clifford In honor of Jesse Ratcliffe Alison Dunfee Suzanne Granahan In honor of Shawn Mooney Susan Marmaduke Ian Meyer In honor of Jane Hartline Sandra Phadke Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture Barbara and Peter M Folger Puffins Anthony Gomez *

Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund Megan Avila Jack Barclay Wayne and Patty Bowers Heather Buletti Bruce and Cindy Cairney In memory of Craig Cairney Simon Colcord Herman Fleishman Joshua Gilbert Tom Harbin In memory of Craig Cairney Judith Lohff Cayden Lowe Patty Nordyke Tim and Shane Phillips Point Forward Wealth Advisors Richard Ray and Anne Philipsborn In honor of Mark and Ginny Stern Jay and Sandra Richard Linda Robinson Loretta Sanger Marilyn Simpson Mark and Ginny Stern Elaine Stewart Jeff Upton Whitney Utt Mary Wahl Tracy White Jay Withgott Joseph Youren Oregon State Police Wildlife Conservation K-9 Team MariBeth Doran Roger Emigh * Art Pohl

Southern Oregon Wildlife Crossing Coalition Anonymous Amy Amerhein Charles Selberg Institute, LLC Elizabeth G Maughan Charitable Trust Robert and Susi Given Head and Heart Foundation C/O Bessemer Trust Shirley Long and David Lewis Cody McCabe Timothy Molinari Oregon Hunters Association - State Account Judson Parsons Leslie Pohl-Kosbau In memory of Josephine Pohl Juan Quesada Jane Selkye John Snider Jack and Cindy Williams Wallowa Wolverine Project Michael Speight Other Restricted Gifts or Gifts for Special Projects Tim and Mary Boyle Greenfield/Hartline Habitat Conservation Fund at The Nature Conservancy Estate of William Allen Haek Jr Jane Hartline Marna and Robert Porath Pete Steen

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