FANs Responds to BLM Scoping Letter on the Steelhead Falls Fuels Reduction ProjectOn August 7, 2020, the BLM Prineville District released a scoping letter for public comment that will begin the Economic Assessment (EA) process for the “Steelheads Falls Fuels Reduction Project.” As a result of FANs continued involvement in this issue affecting, we were able to respond to the scoping letter, work with the Crooked River Ranch HOA Board of Directors to get information to property owners so that they could also participate in the scoping process, and alert our conservation partners.
Read FANs response to the BLM scoping letter. Friends and Neighbors of the
Deschutes Canyon Area: What We Do Tom Iraci, FANs member and professional photographer, created a video that shows some of our work and play, along with the beauty of the Deschutes Canyon Area public lands. Enjoy!
THANK YOU for making 2019 a
Year of Great Accomplishments! FANs Membership and Fundraising:
We now have ongoing projects focused on golden eagles, American kestrels and mountain bluebirds; trail monitoring and maintenance; native plant restoration; and graffiti, trash and weed removal. FANs Lens on Learning Programs: In 2019, we offered six programs which were attended by both members and non-members, with topics varying from Recreation and Rivers to Shackleton's Antarctic Nightmare. FANs Guided Hikes: Our hiking schedule in 2019 included 18 hikes. In addition to trails within the Middle Deschutes and Lower Crooked River canyons, like Scout Camp, Steelhead Falls and Otter Bench, we offered wildflower hikes and birding hikes further afield. We look forward to working with all of our members and partners in 2020 to further our mission to preserve and restore the wild landscapes of our public lands. Tom Iraci created a video titled "Beauty in the Canyons," featuring images from the Deschutes Canyon Area.
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Lens on Learning Series
Bringing Speakers on the Natural World To Crooked River Ranch Mysteries of the Belted Kingfisher
Presented by Marina Richie, naturalist writer October 24, 2020, 10:00 a.m. Free event on Zoom Register Now Delve into the secretive world of belted kingfishers with naturalist writer Marina Richie of Bend. Learn tips on where and how to find them on the Deschutes River and nearby waterways. Delve into what makes these cocky, jay-sized birds such expert anglers--from the art of the headfirst dive to superior vision. Discover why the kingfisher is the halcyon bird, linked to a Greek myth of transformation.
Marina Richie has followed belted kingfishers in the field for more than a decade, and has authored a book-length manuscript, now in the publishing process. She's written for National Wildlife, Audubon, and Birdwatching Magazine (including a feature in the May/June 2020 issue). She's also an award-winning writer of interpretive panels--including a series of 67 signs along the Oregon coast for the Oregon Islands NWR. Her nature blog can be found at www.marinarichie.com. belted kingfisher photo: Charles Wheeler (left)
Marina Richie, presenter (right) Animal Migration in Central Oregon
Presented by Suzanne Linford, Executive Director of Protect Animal Migration November 14, 2020, 10:00 a.m. Free event on Zoom Register Now Protect Animal Migration (PAM) is an educational nonprofit providing fact-based wildlife biological information to the general public. They are a collaboration of wildlife biologists from Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Deschutes National Forest and wildlife advocates. Our goal is to inform the public of increasing threats to wildlife and of the need for public advocacy to support mitigating solutions that will stabilize species like mule deer.
Suzanne Linford, the Executive Director of PAM, a Master Naturalist and wildlife interpreter; Cidney Bowman, Wildlife Passage Coordinator (biologist), ODOT; Sara Gregory, Wildlife Habitat Biologist, ODFW; will share information and updates to wildlife passage here in Central Oregon. Lauri Turner will be in the audience to answer questions relevant to land management and recreation, and Suzanne Linford will explain new federal initiatives on migration and habitat and how collaborations and individuals are joining resources for wildlife. Our Lens on Learning series is available on video:
What's Blooming Now on the Canyon Rim? May 2020 Learn about native plants that grow along the canyon rim above the Middle Deschutes and Lower Crooked Rivers. What's Blooming Now in the Grasslands? June 2020 Grab your Guide to Common Native Plants of the Deschutes Canyon Area and enjoy this virtual walk through the grasslands around the Deschutes Canyon Area. What's Blooming Now in the Riparian Zone? August 2020 Enjoy a journey through the riparian zone of local rivers and streams that features flowering plants found on walks through riparian habitat. Common Weeds of the Deschutes Canyon Area Sept. 2020 Learn to recognize and manage common weeds found on public land and private properties of the Deschutes Canyon Area. October 2020 Guided Hikes
FANs is offering three guided hikes, with temporary restrictions to mitigate COVID-19 risks, in October. We believe our program meets all current health authority rules and recommendations. Hikes are subject to cancellation due to changing conditions of weather, fire, and public health.
Space is limited to 8 hikers, including hike leaders, and registration is required. If you are interested in any hike, you can learn more and sign up using the links below. In addition to the conditions listed for each individual hike, participants need to abide by the following COVID-19 safety measures:
The Peninsula: Past, Present and Future Crooked River National Grassland - Two different dates! Thursday, October 29, 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Rating: Easy (~2.5 miles of fairly flat, easy hiking; 0.5 mile of cross country hiking) Guide: Eric Hanson, FANs trail monitor This easy hike includes great views of the Lower Crooked River gorge, Middle Deschutes River gorge, historic homestead remnants, wildlife guzzler, wildflowers and a discussion about the past, present and future of this very special and unique landscape. Learn more and sign up for the October 29 hike. |
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Guide to Common Native Plants of the
Deschutes Canyon Area written by FANs President Marilynne Keyser This field guide includes the most common native plants on public lands near Crooked River Ranch in Central Oregon. This guidebook is small (8.25 x 4.5 inches) and durable, so you can take it on your hikes to identify native shrubs, bunchgrasses and wildflowers on the many trails around Lower Whychus Creek, the Middle Deschutes and Lower Crooked Rivers. Organized by bloom time, this field guide is especially helpful in February through September. FANs of the Deschutes Canyon Area member price is $10 and non-member price is $12. Your purchase helps support FANs projects that preserve and restore public lands in the Deschutes Canyon Area. CLICK HERE to learn more and order Guide to Common Native Plants of the Deschutes Canyon Area. |
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Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area
fansofdeschutes@gmail.com
P.O. Box 2127, Terrebonne, OR 97760
541.771.FANS (3267)
fansofdeschutes@gmail.com
P.O. Box 2127, Terrebonne, OR 97760
541.771.FANS (3267)
