2023 Year in Review

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

Table of Contents Thank you!

Letter from the Executive Director Board Roll

OSP Conservation K9 Team

OWF Staff

Watch for Wildlife Disbursements

Clays for Conservation

NWNM Podcast Sponsorship

Sturgeon Interpretive Center

Across the Arches

Land Stewardship

Spruce Gifts and Provisions

Projects Funded

Basalt to Breakers

Donor Roll

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

Board of Directors

Committee Chairs

Officers

Tom Rask (President)

Strawn Dixon (Vice President)

Brad Staples (Past President)*

*not an elected position

Pat Richardson (Secretary)

EK MacColl (Treasurer)

Board Development - Morgan Smith

Executive Committee - Tom Rask

Fundraising Committee - Craig Johnston

and Strawn Dixon – Vice Chairs

Investment Committee - Ryland Moore

Land Conservation & Stewardship Committee - Tom Rask

Project Committee - Lori Steele

Shannon Berg

Meg Braestrup

Blair Bubenik

Carl Burnham

Matt Davis

Blaine Dickason

Roy Elicker

Bryce Gartrell

John Gilleland

Chip Graeper

Tyler Haberling

Jim Irvine

Campbell Kidd

Gordon King

Kim MacColl

Nick McDonald

Curt Melcher

Doug Nelson

Gary Pape’

Tony Pullen

Blake Seabaugh

Tori Sise

Uriah Stockdale

Rob Stuart

Matthew Tabor

Chijo Takeda

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 help build a permanent home for Herman the Sturgeon at Bonneville Fish Hatchery.

Gary VandeVenter

“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.

Good B ys

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

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

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

Thank you Lauralee for all your years of service!

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.

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

Hannah Carter Assistant Store Manager

Lauralee Foley General Store Manager

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.

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

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.

www.myowf.org.events

OWF’s 2nd Annual Clays for Conservation (C4C)

June 7, 2024

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.

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

Thank

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.

Ways to Give to OWF

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

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.

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.

1. Donate Online

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

2. Send a Check to:

Oregon Wildlife Foundation 2337 NW York St #201c Portland, OR 97210

3. Donate via your Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

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.

5. Give Stock

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

WATCH FOR WILDLIFE

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

Continued from page 10.

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.

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 MATTERS PODCAST

Residents of the Pacific Northwest value beautiful natural scenery, 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 opportunity to hear directly from the experts, through long-form conversation about natural history and conservation.

2023

BY THE NUMBERS

LISTEN AND CONNECT

Listen to the Northwest Nature Matters Podcast almost anywhere! NWNM is available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more. For those in southern Oregon, tune in every other Sunday at 7pm to hear NWNM on KQUA 99.7 The River, Roseburg’s community radio station produced by Umpqua Watersheds.

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.

MEET 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.

“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

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

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

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.

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

Thank you to the many sponsors who made this event possible

Gold Sponsors

Craig & Lynne Johnston

John & Emma Gilleland

Silver Sponsors

Arnerich Massena

Ferguson Wellman

Moss Adams Aquatic Contracting

Blair & Peggy Bubenik

Bronze Sponsors

Perkins & Co.

Umpqua Bank

Certified Languages International

Sporting Clays

Morgan Smith

Roy Elicker

Kim & Melinda MacColl

Ty and Noelia Haberling

Doug Nelson

Station Sponsors

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

Special Thanks

Irwin-Hodson Co.

Campbell Kidd & Willow Bar Farm

Station Hosts

Spey Casting

Portland Fly Shop (Jason Osborn)

John Wall

Mo Wall

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

Archery

James Benson

Trooper Ross and K9 Scout Raptors

OSP Fish & Wildlife

Conservation K9

Senior Trooper Wolcott and K9 Buck

Land Conservation & Stewardship

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

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

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.

Fly Creek Stock Ranch.

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

Projects Funded By Your Donations in 2023

Approximately $500,000 for wildlife conservation, research, education, and restoration

Wildlife Research

•Cascadia Wild Wolverine Monitoring

•UWIN Portland 2023-24 Field Season

Assessing Distribution of Sierra Nevada Red Fox

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

Avian Research

•Indian Ford/Ryan Ranch Bird Monitoring Project

Fish/Amphibian

•Estacada Lake Habitat Project

•Nitrox Equipment for Aquarium Research Dive Team

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

•Adopt-a-Lek 2024

•Determining Yellow Rail Distribution

•Oregon Vesper Sparrow Population Monitoring

•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

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.

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.”

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.”

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

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

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.

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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 $500 to $999

Anonymous (x2)

David and Judith Berg

Catalyst Corporation Federal Credit Union

In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin

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

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David Horstkotte

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Les Fahey

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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

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

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Jeffrey Bender

In Honor of the Roeland Family

Robert Best

Kim Bickford

In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin

Kattie Blu

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Todd Brickey *+

Lynne Bridges

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John D Carr

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Robert Dickason

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Susan Foster *

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In Memory of John Paul McLaughlin

Good Lab

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James Harper

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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

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Kathie Koellmann

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Anna Kovach

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L and C Tree Farms, LLC

Ted Labbe and Kelly Rodgers

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In Memory of Jay Watson

Sheryl and Brian Little

In Memory of Tom Thornton

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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

Matching Gifts

The Clorox Company

Microsoft

Nike

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

Grants

Autzen Foundation

Olseth Family Foundation

The Portland Garden Club (supporting Friends of Baltimore Woods)

Swigert Foundation

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

Amazon Smile

Patagonia

REI Cooperative Action Fund Corporate Support

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