A LAND TRUST FOR THE
Willamette River System’s Rivers, Wet Prairies, Oak Woodlands and More.
Conserving Our Water, Wildlflowers and Wildlife
Prescribed Burns at Oak Meadows and Ancient Prairie
At the end of September two Trust properties had prescribed burns that went very well! They occurred at Oak Meadows and the Ancient Prairie.
Supported by the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, each burn was implemented to improve conditions for native wildflowers. Prrescribed burns help to remove thatch, remove invasive plants, and generally create disturbance that is beneficial to a range of native species.
Though the State of Oregon had a rough wildfire season, prescribed burns are done in cooler months of the year, and soil, wind and vegetation conditions have to be just right in order to implement such burns. Given they are fueled by low vegetation, the flames are relatively small and die out quickly. EcoStudies led the burn effort, with support from Oregon Woods, Inc. Local fire crews also attend.
For centuries the Kalapuyan people of the Willamette Valley conducted prescribed burns that stimulated plant growth for food and assisted with the presence of game. We look forward to seeing the benefits of this type of effort that generally occurs one out of five years in a given area.
New Property — The Ookow Preserve
The Willamette River Preservation Trust is happy to announce the donation of a wonderful conservation property to the Trust on July 9th, 2026. Brimming with wildlife and water, it is 80 acres west of Gaston. We are calling it the Ookow Preserve.
The Ookow (Dichelostemma congestum) is a native wildflower that blooms in May and June, and is found on this site (see image below). If you are uncertain of the flower’s pronunciation, think of it as “oo” (like boo, rhymes with chew), cow.
The site has a gorgeous mix of creek habitat, a bit of meadow, conifer woodland and more.
Over the last year the Trust has worked with the former owners who are long-time supporters of the Trust, toward the donation of the property. Over the months we’ve explored the creek, the vibrant floodplain, the expansive stands of fir, oak and other native trees and more. This new protected place is a wonderful addition to the Trust’s conservation lands, and we are excited as heck.
Like many sites there are invasive plants to work on, yet we also saw the ecological resiliency of the site with native rushes and sedges found along portions of the creek, an array of ferns, young oaks, and of course the Ookow flower. The bird life is also fantastic, with migratory songbirds, raptors, owls and more.
Stay tuned in the months ahead for opportunities to volunteer at the site, and also to see it and explore it.
The Wildflowers of 2026 Have Arrived!
Below are just a few of the images we’ve taken recently at our three wet-prairie conservation sites, as well as our educational walks at these sites. Spring and summer flowers this year have been amazing!
The Trust Closed on the Ancient Prairie Property this Winter!
The Trust was able to close on the 114-acre Ancient Prairie Property this past week on January 9th, 2026. Thanks to everyone who supported this effort!
This conservation property is just fantastic. It supports species of wildflowers that occur naturally in only a handful of other places in the Willamette Valley. This place is simply very special, and it is emblematic of why land trusts work to protect land in perpetuity.
We look forward in the weeks and months ahead to providing many opportunities for you to experience the property through our guided walks. Stay tuned to our website, or better yet, email updates for the dates. We will publish those by February 1st.
CONSERVING
Creeks, Rivers, Oak Woodlands, Upland Forests, & More…
