Nearly 4,000 acres of a sprawling cattle ranch in central Oregon featuring plentiful wildlife habitat is now permanently protected thanks to a collaborative effort. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation contributed funding to the project headed up by the Deschutes Land Trust to protect 3,748 acres of the Aspen Valley Ranch located east of Bend near the small town of Post.
“With Crook County one of the fastest growing counties in Oregon, growth pressure, coupled with generational ownership transitions, is threatening to break up ranches in the Post-Paulina Valley,” said Brad Chalfant, Deschutes Land Trust executive director. “The Land Trust’s conservation of Aspen Valley Ranch helps ease the stressors Jim (Wood), his family, and his neighbors have faced for decades while conserving some really amazing wildlife habitat.”
The property features large rolling hills with native grasslands and juniper trees. It protects agricultural land, significant elk and mule deer winter range, pronghorn antelope habitat and outstanding scenic views.
(Photo source: Deschutes Land Trust)