We're celebrating!
And there’s lots to celebrate. Last week, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) awarded Southern Oregon Land Conservancy a grant of $1.4 million to help with the purchase of the Rogue River Preserve. It’s the largest gift to the Heart of the Rogue Campaign and one of largest land acquisition grants given in the state by OWEB.
OWEB is a state agency that distributes lottery dollars to support the protection and conservation of special habitats in Oregon.
Craig Harper, Conservation Project Manager, and Patrick Duffy, Heart of the Rogue Campaign Chair, smiling after announcing the OWEB award.
“This acquisition will protect some of the best functioning and connected habitat along this section of the Rogue River for a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species. In addition to the conservation benefits, this unique site can provide incredible educational opportunities for the community. We are confident that the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy will be an ideal land steward for the property,” says OWEB Executive Director Meta Loftsgaarden.
The property is currently owned by the MacArthur Family, descendants of Robert Ruhl, once editor and publisher of the Medford Mail Tribune. Ruhl purchased the property in 1943 as a weekend getaway, and aside from two small structures, the land remains relatively intact, providing a natural habitat for indigenous wildlife, as well as native plants and trees.
“We are thrilled,” says Diane Garcia, the executive director of SOLC. “This grant takes us one giant step closer to buying this extraordinary land and conserving it in perpetuity. We want to share this special place with our community, so people of all ages and walks of life can come and learn and delight in the wonders of the Rogue River Preserve.” That’s something worth celebrating!
Make a gift to the purchase of the Rogue River Preserve:
Or call us to make a pledge to Conserve the Heart of the Rogue at 541-482-3069 or email us at info@landconserve.org.
