The Deschutes SWCD is working with USFS, NRCS, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Deschutes County, Walker Range FPA, and local stakeholders and residents in southern Deschutes County addressing threats to our timber resource and local communities.  Southern Deschutes County contains a mosaic of dry forest types and aquatic/riparian systems such as ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine, as well as extensive riparian areas along the three main rivers (Deschutes River, Little Deschutes River, and Fall River). Most of the area is lodgepole pine that is overstocked and prone to Insect and disease. These threats are a high risk to catastrophic fire which can threaten municipal infrastructures, impair the Upper Deschutes River water quality due to erosion and overall timber production. The partnerships objectives for Southern Deschutes County are:

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1) Increase forest resiliency from fire, insect and disease and reduce the risk to

    communities of south Deschutes County/north Klamath County from wildfire.

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2) Reduce the chance for uncharacteristic wildfire that would threaten municipal

     infrastructures and impair the Upper Deschutes River water quality due

     erosion.

 

3) Enhance key elk and deer habitat by reducing the encroachment of lodgepole  

    pine into natural meadows.

 

4) Strengthen partnerships with communities through established agreements to

     treat hazardous fuel accumulations in high risk areas and improve water

     quality and quantity in the upper Deschutes River corridor.

 

5) Provide educational opportunity for landowners to explore land management 

     activities.

 

6) Leverage established agreements to plan and implement fuels treatment

    activities across Federal and Private land boundaries.

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If you are a timber owner in Deschutes County and would like to address your timber resource the Deschutes SWCD is here to help!

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