Imagine thousands of acres of alternating private and public sections of land in a checkerboard pattern as far as the eye can see. Unfortunately, that is reality in many places across western America – a logistical and legal trespassing-related, corner-crossing nightmare.
But not in the Headwaters of the John Day River in northeast Oregon. In 2013, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation headed up a successful collaborative effort alongside a willing landowner and the U.S. Forest Service to consolidate more than 13,000 acres of checkerboard ownership into a single block of public land.
The project area covers 40 square miles around the origin and main stem of the John Day River as it flows north to the Columbia River. It offers quality riparian habitat for salmon, steelhead, bull trout and other fish species, plus several federally listed mammals and birds. And it lies in the heart of Oregon’s elk country – prime habitat for big game like elk but also mule deer, mountain goats, black bears, pronghorn antelope, upland birds and other wildlife.
Today, as public land in the Strawberry Mountains on the Malheur (Mal -HERE’) National Forest, it remains open to public access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities for generations to come.
ONE SQUARE MILE A DAY. OVER 10 MILLION ACRES BY 2030.
At RMEF, we’re not just conserving what’s here today, we’re creating what’s possible for tomorrow. That means more access, healthier habitats and a stronger future for all big game. Join the movement.
