Protecting and restoring our vital ecosystems.

The natural world is being damaged and destroyed every day in every corner of the earth. The plants and animals that comprise and depend on these ecosystems are now threatened or even extinct. Here in Oregon, sprawling development and large-scale agriculture like vineyards are replacing the once vast oak, savanna and grassland prairie systems. Wildlife like the western gray squirrel, northern red-legged frog, northwestern pond turtle, western meadowlark, western bluebird, and Fender's blue butterfly are all at risk. 

 

In 2019, we embarked on a mission to restore key wildlife habitat and plant life on our 98 acres here in the heart of Oregon wine country. We partnered with the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Yamhill Soil & Water Conservation District, and are receiving grants for this long-term project. Some of the things we're doing include:

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 Planting of native shrubs, grasses and forbs (herbaceous flowering plants)

Supporting native western bluebird populations by putting up and monitoring nesting boxes

Creating habitat for deer and elk populations

Established a Pacific Northwest pollinator garden to support bees and butterflies

Preserve multiple streams on the property to provide critical habitats for amphibians like frogs, salamanders, newts and others

Invasive weed removal 

Removal of competitive tree species such as Douglas fir

Thinning of small oaks to release larger open grown oaks 

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We're working with a local nursery that specializes in native plants to bring back these critical habitats that so many species depend on. 

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You can learn more about protecting key pollinators like bees at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

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