Oregon Desert Land Trust to Steward Disaster Peak Ranch
SageCon partner Oregon Desert Land Trust (ODLT) is ready to announce a big win for sage-grouse conservation! As of this spring, they will have officially acquired Disaster Peak Ranch. This 2,690-acre property in southeastern Oregon is critical to sage-grouse and Lahontan cutthroat trout habitat. The acquisition was made possible through a partnership with Western Rivers Conservancy, state and federal wildlife agencies, and a neighboring ranch.
Disaster Peak Ranch, Photo by Brent Fenty
Combined with ODLT’s Trout Creek Ranch, the project area stretches across 75 miles of the Oregon and Nevada state lines and adds to one of the largest conservation efforts in Oregon. With over 55,000 acres of public land grazing permits associated with the property, this is a huge win for desert conservation in Oregon!
Declared as one of the most important areas for sage-grouse habitat in the U.S., ODLT will be supporting conservation efforts with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service staff. Over 90% of the Disaster Peak Ranch has been identified by The Nature Conservancy as part of Resilient and Connected Landscapes, making this acquisition critical for the future conservation and connectivity of the High Desert.
Lanhontan Cutthroat Trout, Photo by Western Rivers Conservancy
In the coming months, ODLT will work to finalize a conservation plan for the property, develop a restoration design, and continue working with Tribes, ranchers, conservation organizations, and land managers. This kind of shared stewardship of public and private lands offers ODLT direct relationships with local ranchers and others to support agricultural practices, restore access to ancestral Native homelands, further restoration activities, and to actively mitigate proposed mining efforts in the area.
SageCon Partnership is excited to support ODLT with Disaster Peak Ranch. This property will directly impact restoration efforts across thousands of acres of wet meadows, native fish, and support local livestock grazing.
Disaster Peak Ranch: Impact at a Glance from ODLT
2,690 acres of private land conserved
55,000+ acres of connected public lands stewarded through grazing permits
18+ miles of streams protected, including McDermitt Creek
55 miles of stream habitat to restore for Lahontan cutthroat trout
One of the most important strongholds for greater sage-grouse in the U.S.
Over 90% of the ranch located within Resilient and Connected Landscapes
Disaster Peak Ranch, Upper Mcdermitt Creek, Photo by Sage Brown