COLT PRESS RELEASE

Spence Mountain Protected Thanks to Forest Legacy Program

Rising dramatically above Upper Klamath Lake in Southern Oregon, Spence Mountain is home to oak and ponderosa pine woodlands, some of the rarest habitats in the state, and more than 47 miles of biking trails. 

As of this month, it’s protected forever. That’s thanks to the Trust for Public Land, Klamath County, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and $4.6 million in federal funding from the U.S Forest Service Forest Legacy Program, administered through ODF.

“The Forest Legacy Program helps Oregon protect working forests, drinking water sources and habitat for fish and wildlife,” said Kelley Beamer, executive director of the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts. “Spence Mountain adds a gem to our network of protected lands, creating expanded public access through hiking and biking trails. This project is a win for communities, the local economy, and conservation."

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

Gorge Towns to Trails Project Highlighted on OPB

Our friends at Friends of the Columbia Gorge were recently featured on OPB's Think Out Loud to talk Towns to Trails – their ambitious effort to connect communities through the gorge via a 200-mile loop trail.

Gorge Towns to Trails project manager Renée Tkach and D’na Chase, a Cherokee Nation tribal member and land trustee with Friends of the Columbia Gorge share project goals, progress, vision, and more.

Events & Webinars

• January 10: Nature Night: Oregon’s Marine Reserves – What Have We Learned in 10 Years? (Portland Audubon) 🖥
• January 21: Walk. Hike. March through History. 2023 Crossing the St. John’s Bridge (Forest Park Conservancy & Love is King)
• January 21: Open Lands Day at Rogue River Preserve (Southern Oregon Land Conservancy)
• January 24: Volunteer Trail Work Party at Bald Hill Farm (Greenbelt Land Trust)
• January 26: Intro to USDA's NRCS Programs for Small & Urban Farmers (Ecotrust) 🖥
• January 23: Aligning with Oregon’s Tribal History/Shared History and Washington’s Since Time Immemorial (Confluence) 🖥

Conservation Jobs

• Oregon League of Conservation Voters is hiring a Digital/Communications Coordinator (Portland, OR) Applications due January 2
• The Nature Conservancy in Oregon is hiring an Oregon Conservation Director (Portland, OR) Applications due January 4
• Oregon Wild is hiring a Public Lands Campaigner (Bend, OR) Applications due January 9
• Tualatin River Watershed Council is hiring a Project Manager (Tualatin, OR) Applications due January 10
• Klamath Bird Observatory is hiring a Spanish English Bilingual Outreach Assistant (Ashland, OR) Applications due February 15
• The Nature Conservancy in Oregon is hiring an Oregon State Director (Portland, OR) Open until filled
• Oregon Association of Conservation Districts is hiring an Executive Director (Portland, OR) Open until filled
• Ecotrust is hiring an Executive Director (AK, CA, OR, or WA) Open until filled
• Great Peninsula Conservancy is hiring an Administrative Manager (Bremerton, WA) Open until filled
• Southern Oregon Land Conservancy is hiring a Development Director (Ashland, OR) Open until filled