Blue Mountain Land Trust

06/18/2026

Forest thinning is part of a long-term, collaborative restoration strategy at Phipps Meadow.

Our stewardship director, Andy Addessi gave us a look into the benefits of this restoration work:

For the upland area of Phipps, restoration is required to “reestablish the open, fire-resilient ponderosa pine stands that historically dominated the landscape under natural low-intensity fire cycles.

In recent decades, these stands have become overcrowded with a dense understory of stunted lodgepole pine, increasing the forest’s vulnerability to wildfire and climate impacts while reducing habitat quality for wildlife.”

Interested in helping out with this process? No experience is necessary! Sign up for our next thinning work party June 25 - 27: https://bmlt.org/events/phipps-meadow-tree-thinning-workparty2026

06/16/2026

National Trails Day was one for the books! This year, BMLT Blues Crew volunteers headed to the Umatilla Rim Trail to clear downed trees, repair trail tread, and cut back overgrowth.⁠
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By the end of the day, they had logged 114 volunteer hours and restored 2.5 miles of trail.⁠
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Thank you to everyone who spent National Trails Day giving back to the places we all love.

06/12/2026

Some of the most important work we do at Blue Mountain Land Trust happens over time.⁠
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When you become a monthly donor, you provide the steady support that helps protect land, care for trails, steward habitat, and connect people to the outdoors year-round.⁠
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Our goal is to welcome 60 new monthly donors by July 31. A gift each month (less than a Netflix subscription) helps sustain this work for the long haul.⁠
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Join our community of monthly supporters. Donate today: https://bmlt.app.neoncrm.com/forms/give
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06/10/2026

Join us from June 25-27 at Phipps Meadow for a restoration work party!

Volunteers will camp at a nearby campground and will prioritize thinning overcrowded patches of ponderosa pine forest to improve ecological health, reduce fire risk, and diversify bird and animal habitats.

The work we’ll be doing is a vital component of a multi-year, collaborative restoration plan for Phipps. Interested in helping out? Find out more here: https://bmlt.org/events/phipps-meadow-tree-thinning-workparty2026

06/09/2026

Together, we’ve protected working farms, restored habitat, improved trails, and connected hundreds of people to the outdoors. Conservation happens one project at a time, but only with a community behind it. Swipe to see what your support made possible.⁠
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⁠Help keep this work moving forward! Visit the link in bio to donate today: https://bmlt.app.neoncrm.com/forms/give
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06/01/2026

05/28/2026

This past weekend our BMLT Blues Crew were hard at work on the North Fork Umatilla Trail. ⁠
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Over the course of 100 volunteer hours, the group addressed several issues to make the trail a smoother climb for everyone. Volunteers worked on brushing in order to widen the trail, along with treadwork to provide adventurers with safer footing.⁠
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Two fallen trees that were impacting the trail were removed, and the trail was rerouted around a large root ball and around another major log. ⁠
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Our volunteers do incredible work to keep trails accessible for our community of Blue Mountain hikers. Want to pitch in? Look for the next work party on our website: https://bmlt.org/events

05/26/2026

Public lands need you now, more than ever! National Trails Day is coming and we’re heading straight to the trail.⁠
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Every year, the BMLT Blues Crew shows up in a big way, caring for public lands and trails this community knows and loves.⁠
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This year, join us on the Umatilla Rim Trail on June 6. Bring your energy, your friends, and your love for the outdoors. We’ll be out there working, laughing, and taking care of the places that take care of us.⁠
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Come celebrate by giving back.⁠ Sign up today: https://bmlt.org/events/nationaltrailsday-umatilla-rim-workparty

05/26/2026

Wildflowers of the Blue Mountains: Small Camas (Camassia quamash).⁠
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- Star-shaped blue to purple flowers on a tall central stalk.⁠
- Each bloom has 6 pointed petals with prominent yellow stamens.⁠
- Common in wet meadows and seasonally grasslands across Washington and Oregon.⁠
- A first food: harvested and cultivated by Indigenous communities since time immemorial. An essential cultural and nutritional staple.⁠
- Typically blooms mid to late spring⁠
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Catch this one blooming on your last outing?⁠
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Photo at Phipps Meadow by ⁠
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