Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts

06/12/2026

Northwest Land Camp wouldn't be possible without the support of our Coalition Members and sponsors like The Nature Conservancy! 🌲

In just a few weeks, conservation professionals from across Oregon, Washington, and beyond will gather in Florence for Northwest Land Camp 2026 (June 23–26) to learn from one another, share ideas, and build relationships that strengthen conservation across the region.

Hosted by the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts and the Washington Association of Land Trusts, Land Camp brings together people who care deeply about the land and the communities connected to it.

A big thank you to The Nature Conservancy our Doug Fir sponsor, for helping make this gathering possible.

We're excited to see everyone soon.

Get your tickets! ➡️ https://www.tickettailor.com/events/landcamp/2007790

06/12/2026

06/11/2026

In the schoolyard where I went to middle school there was a small, grassy area alongside the baseball diamond — just beyond a drainage…

06/11/2026

A huge thank you to Country News for their recent article on floodplain restoration on the McKenzie River: “On Oregon’s McKenzie River, an unprecedented approach to restoration takes shape. A bold process aims to repair the damaged watershed.”

“An hour’s drive east of Eugene, Oregon, Quartz Creek pours down the flanks of the Western Cascades, across a widening valley and into the McKenzie River. One morning last August, I stood on a bridge spanning the creek and watched thunderheads boil up over a distant ridgeline, trying to wrap my head around how this place became itself.”

Read more about floodplain restoration on Quartz Creek and the South Fork McKenzie River:
https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-6/on-oregons-mckenzie-river-an-unprecedented-approach-to-restoration-takes-shape/

📷 Sarah Koenigsberg, High Country News
✏️ Jaclyn Moyer, High Country News

Image Description: “This aerial view of the South Fork of the McKenzie River shows the river flowing as a single channel (background) into a restored section of the river (foreground).”

06/10/2026

Conservation easement efforts are increasingly expanding in Oregon’s Agricultural sector. 🚜

In addition to protection from development, Conservation Easements increase affordability of land for the next generation of farmers, as well as boost the local economy. However, due to various barriers to entry, there is an increased need for programs that are able to provide assistance to landowners as they navigate the transaction process.

Read more on the trajectory of Conservation Easements in Oregon’s Agricultural Sector with additional insights from C**T Executive Director Joe Buttafuoco and Conservation Director Karsyn Kendrick. Please share your thoughts on the trajectory of Conservation Easements for Oregon’s growers in the comments below!

Special thank you to Mateusz Perkowski from Capital Press for this robust coverage and for featuring our members in this story!

Urban development isn’t yet encroaching on Northwoods Nursery near Molalla, Ore., but owner Jim Gilbert isn’t taking any chances. To preserve the 66-acre property as farmland in perpetuity, Gilbert is […]

06/10/2026

06/09/2026

🌿 Fresh off the press, the 2026 State of the Lands is here.

This year's issue, The Seeds We Plant Together, explores how Oregon's land trusts, Tribes, community partners, and conservation leaders are investing in the long-term health of our lands and waters. Inside, you'll find stories from six land trust members (Friends of the Columbia Gorge, Deschutes Land Trust, View the Future, Western Rivers Conservancy, Oregon Desert Land Trust, and Wild Rivers Land Trust) across the state, along with features highlighting recipients of the Oregon Lands and People and Indigenous Land Relationship Fund grants.

It's Great Outdoors Month! So grab a cup of coffee, find a sunny spot, and spend some time with the stories of the people, places, and partnerships helping conserve Oregon's lands and waters for generations to come. ☕🌞🌿📖

If you don't have a physical copy, you can read the full issue online!

Read our State of the Lands reports.

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

Please help us welcome our Communication & Engagement Intern, Mariya Kalinina and our 2026 Legal Extern Megan Shubert to the C**T team this summer! 🌿

Mariya joins us from the University of Portland, where she is pursuing degrees in Environmental Science and Economics. Inspired by her experience researching on the Juneau Icefield and witnessing the impacts of climate change firsthand, she is passionate about conservation, community engagement, and supporting Oregon's land trusts.

Megan recently completed her first year at the University of Oregon School of Law and brings more than a decade of public service experience. As C**T's Legal Extern, she will support legal research, outreach, and resource development for projects including our pro bono legal library, water initiatives, and Tribal Land Access and Return Legal Toolkit.

We're excited to have Mariya and Megan on board and look forward to the contributions they'll make to conservation across Oregon. If you're attending Northwest Land Camp later this month, come say hello!

06/09/2026

Columbia Land Trust seeks a collaborative and strategic Executive Director to further its mission of conserving and caring for the vital lands, waters, and wildlife of the Columbia River region through sound science and strong relationships.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead an organization that has conserved more than 64,000 acres and guide the Land Trust into its next chapter of growth and impact.

The Executive Director will be based in Vancouver, Washington and work throughout the Columbia River region, building relationships with staff, board members, community partners, Tribal Nations, landowners, donors, and more.

Columbia Land Trust is partnering with Potrero Group on this executive search. Applications received by July 6 will receive priority consideration.

Learn more and apply at: https://www.columbialandtrust.org/careers/