July 2021 Deschutes Canyon Currents: Protecting Local Public Lands

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Deschutes Canyon Currents

July 2021

Buckwheat and sagebrush / Tom Iraci

We work to preserve and restore the wild landscapes of the middle Deschutes and lower Crooked Rivers and lower Whychus Creek through advocacy, stewardship and education.
-FANs of the Deschutes Canyon Area's Mission Statement

Protecting Coyote Canyon

There is a magical escape in the middle of Crooked River Ranch with ancient trees and the remains of volcanic activity, including numerous lava upthrusts, for exploring. We call it Coyote Canyon. It has always been a non-motorized area within the Steamboat Rock Recreation Area that welcomed hikers, bikers and horse enthusiasts. Marilynne Keyser and Eric Hanson have led FANs hikes into the area.

In the last several years, it has been discovered by ATV riders who have transformed the narrow trails to wide dirt roads. There has never been any Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signage to explain usage restrictions, so this is not surprising. Both FANs and the Crooked River Ranch Homeowner's Association have asked BLM to block motor vehicle access to protect the ecosystem and ensure that non-motorized users can safely use the area.

This week, FANs volunteers placed BLM signs at eleven access points so that all users are now aware of the restrictions. As a part of the Steelhead Falls Fuels Reduction Project, BLM will be working in the area. We hope that once their work is complete, BLM will use large boulders to block access to non-authorized motor vehicles. Thanks to Jeff Scheetz and Rhan Fitzpatrick for their hard work installing these signs!

Rhan Fitzpatrick (pictured) and Jeff Scheetz installed BLM signs at
Coyote Canyon in Crooked River Ranch.

Trash Site on Public Lands Cleaned Up
Adapted from article by Kay Limbaugh

In June, a group of volunteers from Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area (FANs) and Crooked River Ranch Horseback Riders (CRR Riders) combined forces to clean up a trash site on Bureau of Land Management land in the Wild & Scenic Deschutes River corridor. Cleaning trash from public lands is an ongoing effort by a number of Crooked River Ranch (CRR) organizations, including FANs, CRR Riders, Lions Club and the ATV Club. FANs member Mona Steinberg was contacted by a member of CRR Riders about a large trash dump close to the middle Deschutes River. At the request of FANs, Mark Brown, Law Enforcement Supervisor for BLM Prineville District, met with them and inspected the site, searching for evidence of the perpetrator prior to cleanup. Apparently some folks had plans (which were found at the site) to remodel an RV and they needed a place to strip it first.

Our enthusiastic volunteer crew met the messy challenge full-on and left our public lands a better place. FANs stewardship coordinator Jeff Scheetz provided onsite leadership. A big thank you to Jeff, Mona Steinberg, Kay and Keith Limbaugh, John Keyser, Yves Garceau, Jason Mosiman, Tyler and Liz Limbaugh, Linda and Wayne Buttolph and Norm Sharp.

Mark Brown, BLM Law Enforcement Supervisor, inspected RV dump site for evidence.

FANs Volunteers Use Longer Days to Help in Many Ways!

Elevation changes on FANs Chimney Rock hike above the Crooked River provided a wide range of native wildflowers, from fading orange yellow bells to blooming pink bitterroot. Blue Stoney-ground lupine and desert yellow daisy rounded out the rainbow. The group often paused along the way to identify native plants.

This summer's FANs booth at the Crooked River Ranch Independence Day Celebration featured displays of local native plants along with information about FANs activities. Youth visitors made rubber stamp animal tracks of local wildlife.

Six American kestrel chicks and one adult were banded by certified bird bander Ken Hashagen in June. The kestrel boxes were placed at Robin and Mike Galloway‘s property near Terrebonne as part of FANs youth nest box program. Photo shows Ken and Robin with newly banded kestrels.

Oregon Sunshine

Eriophyllum lanatum, with common names Oregon sunshine and woolly sunflower, is a common, widespread, sun-loving North American plant that brightens arid landscapes. It really put on quite a show this summer in various locations of the Deschutes Canyon Area.

Photos by Tom Iraci.

FANs Membership Keeps FANs Strong

FANs has remained strong and focused through the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are excited to move forward in 2021 and beyond.

Your membership, participation and financial donations are vital to the health and success of FANs…. your local conservation organization!

All memberships initiated or renewed in 2020 are NOW DUE for renewal. In future years, the renewal date will be July 1. This year’s renewal campaign was delayed until the completion and publication of our new website. We have recently learned that the website transition should be smooth and immediate when the site launches, so we are proceeding with renewal requests at this time.

Membership begins at $10 per person. We are grateful to so many FANs members that generously give more.

To renew, print this form and mail it with your check to:

FANs, P.O. Box 2127, Terrebonne, OR 97760

Or visit our website, www.fansofdeschutes.org, to donate online and complete an online membership form.

If you have membership questions, please contact Sue Combs, FANs Treasurer and Database Manager, at 541-604-0280 or suekeeper@gmail.com.

Deschutes River XII, Rimrock Dwelling
Watercolor by John Hermannsson

Grandview Wildfire

Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the recent local Grandview Fire, including FANs members that live in evacuated areas. We are grateful to firefighters and support personnel that helped protect homes and habitat.

We encourage all FANs members to visit Crooked River Ranch Fire and Rescue website to be prepared for wildfires.

View of Grandview Fire from
Crooked River Ranch
Photo: Tom Iraci

Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area
is proud to be a part of
Friends Grassroots Network
and
Central Oregon Conservation Network

Board Meeting Schedule

Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area board meetings are usually held on the second Sunday each month. Copies of the agenda are available before the meetings. Public comments are welcome at the end of board meetings.

Our next board meeting will be August 8, 2021, at the home of Marilynne and John Keyser. Please email fansofdeschutes@gmail.com if you would like to attend this board meeting.

FANs Board of Directors

Our all-volunteer Board of Directors focuses on our mission: Preserve and restore the wild landscapes of the middle Deschutes and lower Crooked Rivers and lower Whychus Creek through advocacy, stewardship and education.

You can read more about our Board of Directors and Leadership Team by clicking here.

FANs is a 501-C-3 Nonprofit Organization EIN #45-4986167

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Our mailing address is:
Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area
PO Box 2127
Terrebonne, OR 97760
541.771.FANS (3267)

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Friends and Neighbors of the Deschutes Canyon Area · PO Box 2127 · Terrebonne, OR 97760-2127 · USA