Take it Outside! 

Faces of 

the BLM 

Future 

Forward 

Into the Light 

Raise the Roof 

Top o’ the Rock 

SOLAR-POWERED WELLS 

WATER THE DESERT 

RECYCLING A BARN 

AN OUTDOOR WONDERLAND 

wild mountain nation  ancient aeronautics  an officer and a forester 
 

 

Op - “Ed” 

Every autumn reminds 

me of the one constant in 

life: change. From the 

turning of fall colors ushering 

in a beautiful new season to 

my own memories of starting 

each brand new school year, 

change has always been a 

natural part of each fall. 

Change is also the theme 

running through our latest 

issue of Northwest Passage 

– which just so happens to 

be celebrating our second 

anniversary if you keep track 

of such things. 

As college students of all 

ages begin a new year, they 

might have some trepidation 

about the labor market. 

And certainly our fellow 

Americans in the workforce 

may be considering new 

career paths of their own. 

Should you or someone you 

know find yourself in any 

of the above categories, I’d 

highly recommend learning 

more about the BLM’s 

Student Career Experience 

Program (SCEP). 

This program is an 

opportunity for college 

students from almost every 

major – from forestry to biology 

and from communications to 

economics – to apply for paid 

internships with the BLM that 

can turn into a full-time job 

after graduation. I know our 

current group of SCEP interns 

has been a wonderful addition 

to our staff, and I hope to see 

them all return to Oregon and 

Washington with diplomas in 

hand. 

Another change is the 

BLM’s movement toward 

our greater use of renewable 

energies. In this issue we 

highlight a unique partnership 

with our neighbors in eastern 

Oregon’s high desert to install 

solar-powered wells which 

use the sun’s natural rays to 

generate power and pull up 

water for wild horses and local 

wildlife. 

Well, I suppose I could go on about all the 

other changes on the horizon. But why don’t 

I let you read about them yourself. Many are 

right here, inside this very issue. And after 

seeing all our full-color photos, we hope 

you’ll join us outside on your public lands 

to experience autumn’s awesome beauty 

first-hand. 

Hope to see you out there. 

Edward W. Shepard 

State Director 

Oregon/Washington 

Bureau of Land Management 

2
 
 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Contents 

FEATURES
 

6 Wild Mountain Nation
 

8
 Ancient Aeronautics & Other Mysteries 

10 Future Forward 

24 Into the Light 

28 Top of the Rock 

DEPARTMENTS
 

2 Op - “Ed”
 

4 This Month’s Cover
 

5 Our Contributors
 

14 District Round-Up 

18 Public Lands Live 

22 Pioneers 

32 BackCountry 

Photo by Matt Christenson 

Autumn 3

2010 
Take it Outside! 

V o l u m e 2 I s s u e 4 

W W W . B L M . G O V / O R 

Ed Shepard / publisher 

Jody Weil / editorial director 

Matt Christenson / editor /art director 

Teddi Duling / copy editor 

Shelly York / production coordinator 

contributors 

Michael Campbell, Matt Christenson, 

Jeff Clark, Molly Cobbs, Megan 

Harper, Ariel Hiller, Trish Hogervorst, 

Christina Lilienthal, Tara Martinak, 

Michael Mascari, Pam Robbins, 

Cheyne Rossbach, Scott Stoffel, Maria 

Thi Mai, Jim Whittington, Mark 

Wilkening 

photographers 

Matt Christenson, Jeff Clark, Molly 

Cobbs, Lyla Duncan, Trish Hogervorst, 

Corey Plank, Cheyne Rossbach, Rob 

Sharp, Scott Stoffel 

contact 

Northwest Passage is a publication of 

Bureau of Land Management 

Oregon State Offi ce 

333 SW 1st Ave 

6th Floor 

Portland, OR 97204 

503.808.6035 

or_northwest_passage@blm.gov 

mission 

The BLM’s mission is to sustain the 

health, diversity, and productivity of the 

public lands for the use and enjoyment 

of present and future generations. In 

Oregon and Washington, the BLM 

provides innovative leadership in 

managing natural resources of the 

Pacifi c Northwest. 

4

This Month’s Cover 

This summer, I had the awesome opportunity to travel to the BLM’s Lakeview 

District and spend a week in the field with the Oregon BLM’s college interns. 

These folks are part of the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and were 

thrilled to put their many different degrees to work in the real world. 

Each member of the group demonstrated a strong sense of intelligence, wit, and 

creativity. All were motivated to embark on career of service on our public lands as 

well as incredibly fun to be around. (And, as I type these words, I realize I’m describing 

virtually every one of the talented hands at the BLM...) 

But beyond my immediate impressions, I was interested in learning their personal 

stories, how their individual paths led them to the BLM. And I found an incredibly diverse 

group of men and women of all ages and backgrounds ranging from a young student not 

long out of high school to an Iraq War veteran back in college starting a new career. 

Inside this issue (Page 8) you can read just a small portion of their story. Then I hope 

you’ll follow their tale with a video and photos that are online at blm.gov/c64c. 

And what about you? Are you interested in learning how you or a friend or a family 

member might join SCEP and begin a whole new adventure? You can visit SCEP’s online 

home at blm.gov/404c for further details. 

Who knows? Your journey to the BLM may begin right now with a single click... 

– Matt Christenson 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Contributors 



Tara Martinak Matt Christenson 

Ariel Hiller 



Christina Lilienthal 



Maria Thi Mai 

Jeff Clark 







 This fall our deserts are turning...green? That’s right – green  There’s trees in them thar barns! And Ariel is going to save every 

energy! From the high deserts of eastern Oregon, Tara Martinak of the BLM’s one she can! Our newest contributor Ariel Hiller graces Northwest Passage with 

Burns District reports that they’ve converted the sun’s rays into pure power not one, but two articles this issue! Hailing from the Roseburg District where she’s 

pumping water wells for mustangs and other wildlife (Page 24). And when she a community planner and volunteer coordinator, Ariel completed a detail in public 

isn’t sharing the latest news on the BLM’s ever-increasing focus on America’s affairs providing masterful support. Inside these pages she reports on the BLM 

renewable energy, you can find Tara engaged in virtually every aspect of our recycling 100 percent of an old barn (Page 18) as well as a heroic forester who 

majestic wild horses – from public adoptions to gathers to press highlighting just so happens to moonlight as a decorated military officer (Page 22). Having 

the BLM’s safety and care of these magnificent animals. (p.s. You can learn lived most of her life in Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and other barren areas, Ariel 

more about adopting your own wild horse at blm.gov) Hi-ho, Silver. Away! is fascinated by the extremely large vegetation of the northwest – aka “trees.” 

 Maria Thi Mai is back! And all is right with the world. This  A new harvest. Another first timer, Christina Lilienthal joins us 

self-professed fan of warm weather trekked out to the deserts (near Tara from the center of it all – the BLM’s Prineville District. Christina spent 

in Burns, in fact) to help the BLM and Oregon Public Broadcasting film time with members from her local community who regularly come together 

Native American Medicine Wheels from a hot air balloon high in the to farm and landscape their very own public lands (Page 6). In protecting 

sky (Page 8). Then afterwards Maria visited Sheep Mountain where the their local ecology by cultivating natural vegetation, these folks turn their 

University of Oregon’s own archaeological team debated the mysteries of work into fun weekends of family getaways and BBQs, and socials. Don’t 

life from 12,000 BC years ago – as well as the latest episode of Survivor. be surprised if you feel like picking up a rake after reading her article! 

 Matt Christenson is growing a mustache. What do you think about 

it? Sure, you can be honest. Wow. Really? Ouch. We asked you to be honest, 

not brutal. Oddly, it’s better than you might think. But before he started looking 

like a roadie for Foghat, Matt spent a week in the BLM’s Lakeview District with 

Oregon’s amazing college interns. Interviewing them and learning their stories 

was one of the highlights of his summer (Page 10). Well, that and the massive 

Wizard Fest co-headlined with Uriah Heep. 

 The good news is we haven’t scared off Jeff Clark yet! After 

joining the BLM’s public affairs staff in Oregon just in time to contribute to our 

last issue, Jeff is back with a full feature article (Page 24). He highlights the 

Molalla River Corridor Recreation Site and neighboring Table Rock Wilderness 

Area, two terrific spots sure to inspire the nearby city-dwellers of Portland and 

Salem to get outside and visit ‘em – even in the winter. Hey, if a guy nicknamed 

“Sugar Bear” can hike Table Rock, you can, too! 

Autumn 

2010 5
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Story by Christina Lilienthal 

 Photo by Lyla Duncan

6

[A partnership 

protecting 

Oregon’s 

beautiful 

native wildlife.] JOr

ust past the Painted Hills in 

egon’s John Day Basin, 

there’s a picture-perfect view of an old 

farmstead with a field adorned by bright 

yellow sunflowers. These days it’s hard 

to imagine that this beautiful plot was 

once overrun by knapweed, cheat grass, 

and medusahead – noxious weeds of 

the west. But a long-term partnership 

between the BLM and the community 

that uses these lands have joined forces 

to create locally-sustained farmlands. 

Green Harvest 

In 1992, a large land exchange 

provided the BLM’s Prineville District 

with a number of former agricultural 

lands – the type of terrain that’s highly 

susceptible to noxious weeds if left 

unattended. Following this exchange, 

the BLM initially launched a program 

to farm this area to maintain its 

ecological health. But after several 

successful years, BLM biologist Don 

Zalunardo began thinking these fields 

might benefit from a more communitybased approach that would include 

folks who regularly use and have a 

personal stake in their public lands. 

Enter the Redmond Chapter of the 

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) 

and the Quail and Upland Wildlife 

Federation (QUWF). Don and his 

cohorts from the BLM first contacted 

members from these groups to discuss 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn 7

2010

a plan that would manage noxious weeds 

through a carefully designed conversion 

to forage and cover crops made available 

year round for wildlife such as deer, elk, 

birds, and small animals. 

OHA Treasurer John Crafton says 

everyone agreed the first goal was to rid 

the area of noxious weeds followed by 

planting native grasses. The operation 

was financed through grant funds and 

the BLM’s Prineville District with the 

OHA and QUWF supplying all labor. 

For example, a long weekend in May of 

2010 saw volunteers generously giving 

almost 1,300 hours of hard work to plant 

300 shrubs alongside three full fields of 

food across 15 acres. Volunteers then 

laid 600 pieces of pipe to irrigate the 

crops. And not least, two miles of fences 

were converted from old barbed wire to 

a new type of fence that has a smoother, 

more wildlife-friendly structure. And 

after the initial work was complete, 

volunteers came out regularly to water 

and farm the fields. 

One major outcome of this effort 

according to Mr. Crafton is “...if we can 

draw the wildlife to our fields and keep 

them out of the private ranchers’ fields, 

the animals will benefit and the ranchers 

will be happy not to have field damage.” 

Board member Tim Van Domelen added, 

‘Being a hunter, it’s an opportunity to 

give back to wildlife.” He continued, 

‘In the high desert canyon lands, which 

reflect millions of years of erosive 

action, the green oasis of a wildlife 

plot is a valuable asset. It could mean 

the difference of herds making it 

through the winter and a healthy big 

game calf crop in the spring.” 

To those who have seen these 

community members come together 

and participate in such an ambitious 

effort, all agree it’s an incredible sight. 

Weekend work parties are planned 

to include entire families who camp 

overnight to recreate and socialize 

in an atmosphere of hard work and 

giving. Days are spent planting wild 

roses or picking up irrigation pipe 

from fields. Folks walk through tall 

sunflower plants, pipe held high above 

their heads. Then nights after the 

work is done, volunteers gather for 

a steak barbecue over conversation 

about their lives, their work, and their 

land. And so it has come to be in this 

partnership between the BLM and the 

communities who live and work and 

play here, all find that their vision 

does indeed preserve the health of 

this natural landscape and its native 

wildlife for many generations to come. 

Autumn 7

2010 

Wild 

Mountain 

Nation 

The Big Field 

Sunflower Stasis 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

Ancient Aeronautic 

STORY BY MARIA THI MAI 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY COREY PLANK 

& MARIA THI MAI 

Exposition
 DO YOU REMEMBER the childhood 

game “rock, paper, scissors”? 

That’s what comes to mind as I circle the ancient 

Medicine Wheel some 40 miles outside Burns, 

Oregon. I wonder if the sons and daughters of 

the people who built this terrestrial rock bracelet 

played games like we do. 

Archaeologists tell us the Medicine Wheel is 

thought to be less than 2,000 years old whereas 

the oldest human inhabitants in Oregon lived 

almost 14,300 years ago. Interesting. Were 

the people who made the Medicine Wheel 

their descendants? Was the Medicine Wheel a 

place to play, dance, and tell stories? Did they 

convene council here to make crucial decisions? 

Who sat around the circle? Men? Women? 

Were children allowed? (Did rock beat paper?) 

IN SEARCH OF PREHISTORIC
 

Rising Action
 These and a plethora of other questions are what 

a team of field researchers from the BLM and the 

University of Oregon are here to explore. Joining 

us are Oregon Public Broadcasting producer Vince 

Patton and photographer Nick Fisher to film for an 

upcoming Oregon Field Guide story. And lugging 

seven tanks of helium is the BLM’s own cartography 

crew: Corey Plank, Ed Zigoy, and Orrin Frederick. 

Local guides include BLM Burns archaeologist Scott 

Thomas along with Chuck Morlan. 

Draining two tanks of helium, we fill our big 

yellow balloon to suspend a camera that will capture 

images of ancient symmetrical carousels. A Global 

Positioning System records our coordinates. And, as 

I ponder how ancient people oriented themselves, I 

wonder how our own technology will be studied by 

space-age archaeologists in the future. 

Our cartography crew raises the balloon to film 

the BLM’s version of a Google EarthTM image of the 

Medicine Wheel. Satisfied with our photos, we plan to 

move to the University of Oregon Archaeology Field 

School at Sheep Mountain, a hundred miles away. 

8

8
 

2010 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 

s & Other Mysteries


CIVILIZATIONS, ANTEDILUVIAN ARTIFACTS, AND A HILL WITH AT LEAST TWO BARS OF CELLULAR COVERAGE 

Coming Down
 When we arrive the next day, I squint to see Professor O’Grady 

halfway up the hillside sitting lotus style. He reminds me of Yoda 

from Star Wars contemplating how to travel through time and 

hyperspace. But actually, he’s sitting in the only spot where we 

get cell reception. As we look toward the ancient past, our modern 

world continues. 

The Sheep Mountain landscape is peppered with colorful tents 

and meandering cows. Enthusiastic twentysomethings in the high 

desert landscape create a cacophony of swishes and arrhythmic 

drumming as they pound and sift the dirt searching for Clovis-age 

artifacts. Hunched over large screens, they speculate who’s going 

to be bumped off next on the reality show Survivor. 

Dénouement
 In the end, I believe children from the societies of Paisley Caves 

some 14,000 years past to Clovis 12,000 years ago to more recent 

millennia at the Medicine Wheel did indeed play games. And they 

told stories. Just as we do today, the mystery of life cycles forward. 

Each generation is born into their own world, a sovereign intersection 

of time and space, while the universal path marches ever on. 

Autumn
 

Autumn 2010 9

9
10

Jonathan Foster and the Oregon BLM interns explore the

 Sunstone Collection Area outside Lakeview, Oregon. 

Future For

Recruiti 
Autumn 

photos by anna laxague 

Foster may not appear to be the 

student intern. Before spending 

summer working for the BLM’s 

istrict in eastern Oregon, this 

eteran was an airborne infantry 

rom 1989 to 1992. Jonathan was 

d to both Operation Just Cause in 

and Operation Desert Storm in 

hen, after completing his military 

Jonathan worked a number of 

ral jobs until a construction injury 

back to school at the University 

ana. Now preparing to complete a 

Natural Resources and Rangeland 

, Jonathan looks forward to a 

eeped in nature and wildlife. 

other side of the State, Lily Chen 

focused on her own career change 

Portland office. After a tenure in 

Lily realized her true calling 

and went back to school to 

her accounting degree. But unlike 

s future in the fields and forests 

Lily saw her niche as part of a 

ifferent backgrounds. Two vastly 

t degrees. But both Jonathan and 

the same question: “How do I 

reer in my respective field in the 

conomy?” 

you a college student of any age looking for 

in your fi eld of study? Read on to 

about the BLM’s Student Career Experience 

AKA SCEP – your Future Forward.]

Story & PHotoS by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 AStory & PHotoS by MAtt CHrIStENSoN

ward 

A

ing for the new BLM 

employment 

n 

typical student intern. 

Vale 

Army 

soldier from 1989 to 1992. f 

Panama 

Iraq. 

service, 

u 

n 

Ecology , 

t 

On the 

from a Portland office. 

healthcare, healthcare, 

Jonathan’ Jonathan’ 

finance or budget team. nance or budget team. 

different degrees. 

Lily had the same question: d 

a 

current economy?”

[Are you a college student of any age looking for 

employment in your field of study? Read on to

learn about the BLM’s Student Career Experience 

Program, AKA SCEP – your Future Forward.] ogram, 

Story & PHotoS by MAtt CHrIStENSoN AMAtt CHrIStENSoN

t first glance,
	 Jonathan Foster may not appear to be the

Before spending 

the past summer working for the BLM’s 

District in eastern Oregon, this 

veteran was an airborne infantry 

Jonathan was 

deployed to both Operation Just Cause in 

and Operation Desert Storm in 

Then, after completing his military 

Jonathan worked a number of 

agricultural jobs until a construction injury

led him back to school at the University 

of Mont ana. Now preparing to complete a 

degree in Natural Resources and Rangeland

Jonathan looks forward to a 

career steeped in nature and wildlife.

other side of the State, Lily Chen 

is just as focused on her own career change 

After a tenure in 

Lily realized her true calling 

was business and went back to school to business 

complete complete her accounting degree. But unlike 

s future in the fields and forests 

and streams, Lily saw her niche as part of a streams, 

Two different backgrounds. Two vastly d

But both Jonathan and 

“How do I 

find a career in my respective field in the

e 

[more]

Summer 

201011
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

Are you: 

A student enrolled in virtually any degree? 

Inspired by America’s Great Outdoors? 

Looking for a satisfying career? 

If so, the BLM might be a perfect fit! 

A NEW WORKFORCE 

Perhaps you’re a recent college graduate. Or 

maybe a long-term veteran of the workforce. 

Finding a job these days can be difficult. 

Stories on the economy dominate the news. 

Friends and family talk about it at the dinner 

table. We see it with our own eyes. 

In these challenging economic times, the 

American workforce has become an incredibly 

competitive place. With a greater number of 

qualified job seekers on the market, employers 

can be increasingly selective. Which is why 

now, more than ever before, job seekers are 

finding the old adage to be true: “You can’t 

get a job without experience, and you can’t 

get experience without a job.” 

It’s enough to make many folks sending out 

their resumes quake in their boots. So what’s 

an anxious student to do? 

Jonathan and Lily know the answer. 

DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS 

ONE BLM 

It was at the University of Montana that 

someone told Jonathan about the BLM’s 

student internship program. Lily heard about 

it at a University of Portland career fair. And 

thus two seemingly different paths converged 

upon SCEP: the BLM’s Student Career 

Experience Program. 

SCEP connects students looking to use 

their new skills with real world careers serving 

America’s great outdoors and public lands. 

And because there are a wide variety of roles 

supporting the BLM’s multiple use mission, 

internships for students cover a diverse variety 

of career fields – which means SCEP interns 

don’t have to study forestry or ecology. They 

major in computer science, graphic design, 

communications, English, and more. 

So how does SCEP work with a full-time 

class load? During the school year, SCEP 

interns focus on their classes. For example, 

Jonathan doesn’t work with the BLM at all 

during the academic year. But there are other 

options. 

As a SCEP intern, Lily works fulltime – even during the school year. And 

she’s able to receive benefits and medical 

coverage along with a competitive salary. 

Perhaps you’re a recent college graduate. Or 

maybe a long-term veteran of the workforce. 

Finding a job these days can be diffi cult. 

Stories on the economy dominate the news. 

Friends and family talk about it at the dinner 

In these challenging economic times, the 

American workforce has become an incredibly 

competitive place. With a greater number of 

qualifi ed job seekers on the market, employers 

can be increasingly selective. Which is why 

now, more than ever before, job seekers are 

fi nding the old adage to be true: “You can’t 

get a job without experience, and you can’t 

It’s enough to make many folks sending out 

their resumes quake in their boots. So what’s 

It was at the University of Montana that 

someone told Jonathan about the BLM’s 

student internship program. Lily heard about 

it at a University of Portland career fair. And 

thus two seemingly different paths converged 

Student Career 

SCEP connects students looking to use 

their new skills with real world careers serving 

And because there are a wide variety of roles 

supporting the BLM’s multiple use mission, 

internships for students cover a diverse variety 

of career fi elds – which means SCEP interns 

don’t have to study forestry or ecology. They 

major in computer science, graphic design, 

So how does SCEP work with a full-time 

class load? During the school year, SCEP 

interns focus on their classes. For example, 

Jonathan doesn’t work with the BLM at all 

during the academic year. But there are other 

As a SCEP intern, Lily works fulltime – even during the school year. And 

she’s able to receive benefi ts and medical 

coverage along with a competitive salary. 
In 

interns may 

merit tuition 

assistance. 

end of 

Once they 

graduate, 

are eligible 

competitive 

into 

No matter how much a SCEP intern participates during t

year, his or her summer job is fully covered. Once classes w

the year, SCEP interns can be found working full-time for th

In addition, for one week each summer, the SCEP interns

and Washington get together for one week to learn about t

mission and various diverse programs of the BLM. Most

the interns met each other in the BLM’s Lakeview District w

interacted with representatives from almost every field of

When asked about her experience, Lily says, “You can’t

same thing in the private sector. I’m working full-time wit

and benefits, and the BLM is even helping me with my tuition

Jonathan’s measured tones give way to his wisdom. So ho

feel about SCEP now? “Do it. I’d recommend it to anybody,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn 13

2010 

In addition, SCEP

interns may find they 

merit tuition and travel 

assistance. And at the 

end of their degree? 

Once they successfully 

graduate, SCEP interns 

are eligible for noncompetitive conversion 

into permanent Federal 

positions. 

No matter how much a SCEP intern participates during the school 

year, his or her summer job is fully covered. Once classes wrap up for 

the year, SCEP interns can be found working full-time for the BLM in 

positions that most closely match their academic majors. 

In addition, for one week each summer, the SCEP interns of Oregon 

and Washington get together for one week to learn about the overall 

mission and various diverse programs of the BLM. Most recently, 

the interns met each other in the BLM’s Lakeview District where they 

interacted with representatives from almost every field of expertise 

offered by the BLM. 

And this summer job is the first time many of the 

interns get to use the knowledge they’ve gained in 

college. SCEP intern Laura Jones from the BLM’s 

Lakeview District says, “It’s kind of cool to be able to 

use what seemed like abstract theories...and see how 

they’re applied in the real world!” 

Jonathan has finished his summer internship and 

heads back for his senior year at Montana. Lily 

continues to work full-time for the BLM in Portland 

until she finishes her degree this December. Though 

the SCEP process cannot guarantee a full-time 

position, both student interns feel confident that their 

experiences have successfully positioned themselves 

to be hired as full-time BLM employees once they 

receive their diplomas. 

And considering the current state of employment, 

that’s a pretty nice place to be. 

When asked about her experience, Lily says, “You can’t find this 

same thing in the private sector. I’m working full-time with medical 

and benefits, and the BLM is even helping me with my tuition.” 

Jonathan’s measured tones give way to his wisdom. So how does he 

feel about SCEP now? “Do it. I’d recommend it to anybody,” he says, 

laughing, “not that they’d listen to an old man.” 

Given Jonathan’s maturity and experience, perhaps they will. 

Autumn

2010

addition, SCEP 

find they 

and travel 

And at the 

their degree? 

successfully 

SCEP interns 

for nonconversion 

permanent Federal 

he school 

rap up for 

e BLM in 

of Oregon 

he overall 

recently, 

here they 

expertise 

find this 

h medical 

.” 

w does he 

” he says,

Given Jonathan’s maturity and experience, perhaps they will.

No matter how much a SCEP intern participates during the school 

year, his or her summer job is fully covered. Once classes wrap up for 

the year, SCEP interns can be found working full-time for the BLM in 

positions that most closely match their academic majors.

In addition, for one week each summer, the SCEP interns of Oregon 

and Washington get together for one week to learn about the overall 

mission and various diverse programs of the BLM. Most recently, 

the interns met each other in the BLM’s Lakeview District where they 

interacted with representatives from almost every fi eld of expertise 

offered by the BLM. 

And this summer job is the fi rst time many of the 

interns get to use the knowledge they’ve gained in 

college. SCEP intern Laura Jones from the BLM’s 

Lakeview District says, “It’s kind of cool to be able to 

use what seemed like abstract theories...and see how 

they’re applied in the real world!”

Jonathan has fi nished his summer internship and 

heads back for his senior year at Montana. Lily 

continues to work full-time for the BLM in Portland 

until she fi nishes her degree this December. Though 

the SCEP process cannot guarantee a full-time 

position, both student interns feel confi dent that their 

experiences have successfully positioned themselves 

to be hired as full-time BLM employees once they 

receive their diplomas.

And considering the current state of employment, 

that’s a pretty nice place to be.

When asked about her experience, Lily says, “You can’t fi nd this 

same thing in the private sector. I’m working full-time with medical 

and benefi ts, and the BLM is even helping me with my tuition.” 

Jonathan’s measured tones give way to his wisdom. So how does he 

feel about SCEP now? “Do it. I’d recommend it to anybody,” he says, 

laughing, “not that they’d listen to an old man.”

Future Forward

Given Jonathan’s maturity and experience, perhaps they will.

HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VOCATION 

THE REAL WORLD: BLM 

[“I got to learn a 

lot of new things, 

meet a wide variety 

of people, and 

get a lot of good 

experience and a 

foot in the door for 

a future career.” 

Amy Thorpe, 

BLM SCEP Intern] 

[Check out a 

video spotlighting 

Jonathan, Lily, & 

all the SCEPs at: 

blm.gov/c64c] 

[To learn more 

about SCEP, visit 

us online at: 

blm.gov/404c] 

Jonathan Foster 

Heidi Rogers & Lily Chen 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 The Annual Chris Miller Memorial Steens Rim Run was 

held on Steens Mountain in southeast Oregon on August 7. 

The Burns District has been a partner and race supporter 

for this event for two decades! 2010 was a recordbreaking year with new paces to beat in both the men’s and 

women’s walk and the women’s run. Plus, with over 250 

registered participants, the event boasted its largest 

turnout yet. For more information, please check it out 

online at www.steensrimrun.com. 

 Wild Horses were gathered from southeast Oregon Herd 

Management Areas (HMA) this past July and August. The 

Cold Springs and Stinkingwater HMAs brought over 200 

mustangs to Oregon’s Wild Horse Corral Facility in Hines. 

And you can adopt them in person at the Corral Facility or 

online at www.blm.gov/adoptahorse. Horses from the 

Warm Springs HMA southwest of Burns will be gathered in 

November. 

Burns, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/burns 

Coos Bay, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/coosbay 

Eugene, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/eugene 

District Round-Up 

 Bastendorff and the North Spit were spruced up as part 

of the National Public Lands Day and the Great Oregon 

Beach Clean-Up on September 25. Approximately 120 

people participated in picking up 25 yards of trash, 

rehabilitating four miles of trail, and clearing one acre of 

noxious weeds. Thanks, volunteers! 

 The Coos Bay District Resource Advisory Committee 

(RAC) approved over $3.3 million in restoration projects 

at their meeting in July. Projects in Coos, Curry, and 

Douglas Counties include road maintenance, fish passage 

improvements, stream habitat improvements, fire fighting 

helipond repair, and noxious weed control. Plus! The Coos 

Bay RAC still has upcoming vacancies to fill, so if you’re 

interested or know someone who is, please contact Glenn 

Harkleroad at (541) 751-4361. 

 September saw the dedication of the Springfield Readiness Center, home of the Eugene District. Sharing this space with the 

BLM are the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Reserves, and the Oregon Army National Guard. 

 Happy Trails to three members of the Eugene family. After over 35 years of public service each, Rich Kelly, Dave DeMoss, and 

Emily Guilland are hanging up their hard hats and getting ready for their next adventures. Best of luck! 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn 15

2010 

Medford

Lakeview

Burns

Roseburg

Prineville

Salem

Spokane

Vale

Coos

Bay

Eugene

continues on next page! 

Burns

Vale

Coos

Eugene

Lakeview

Prineville

Medford

Roseburg

Salem

Spokane

Lakeview, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/lakeview 

 Helping Hands Improve Local Recreation Site! The Lakeview 

Resource Area held its 2010 National Public Lands Day event 

at the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area on September 

18. Over 30 volunteers participated, including BLM and U.S. 

Forest Service employees, Lakeview High School students, Boy 

Scouts, and community members. Workers removed four rock 

jacks, constructed 75 feet of rock wall, collected 10 bags of 

trash, and built a picnic table. The day’s activities concluded 

with volunteers enjoying a lunch provided by the BLM and 

reminiscing about contributions made. Participants’ efforts 

were awarded with a complementary National Public Lands Day 

tee-shirt and “fee-free” coupon good throughout the next year 

for admittance to one recreation site managed by the BLM, the 

National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, or the Army Corps of Engineers. 

 The Klamath Falls Resource Area hosted its own National 

Public Lands Day event on September 25. About 25 volunteers 

donated their time to a number of maintenance projects at the 

Gerber Potholes Campground. Workers helped repair or replace 

10 wood duck boxes, plant over 110 willow cuttings, and load 

and unload firewood for distribution to Klamath Basin senior 

citizens in need. Following a morning of intense manual labor, 

participants were treated to a barbecue lunch along with a free 

tee-shirt and day pass. Don Holmstrom, Field Manager for the 

Klamath Falls Resource Area, expressed his appreciation for the 

day’s accomplishments by stating “These volunteers assisted 

the BLM with some very important hands-on work that will 

directly benefit the natural resources we manage and members 

of the communities we serve.” 

Medford, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/medford 

 The Medford District worked with Americorps, The Job 

Council, and the Northwest Youth Corps to provide over 

5,300 hours of summer employment to young workers. 

These groups provided improvements to the Pacific Crest 

Trail, the Rogue River National Recreation Trail, the Sterling 

Mine Ditch Trail, and trails throughout the Cathedral Hills 

area. Projects included trail maintenance, brushing, snag 

removal, resurfacing, water bar improvements, bridge 

repair, and rock wall reconstruction. 

 The Medford District also held National Public Lands Day 

events at the Ashland Resource Area’s Cascade-Siskiyou 

National Monument as well as at the Rogue Wild and 

Scenic River. Close to 100 volunteers at the two areas 

donated their time and muscles to remove barbed wire 

fencing, rebuild hiking trails, paint parking lots and boat 

ramps, remove noxious weeds, and much more. At the end 

of a fantastic day, all workers were brought together for a 

volunteer appreciation meal. 

Welcome to news from the BLM in Oregon & Washington! 

Your BLM Districts are “All Over the Map!” 
 

 

 

 

Roseburg, Oregon

 

 

 


 

More great news from the BLM in Oregon & Washington! 

Prineville, Oregon Roseburg, Oregon
 blm.gov/or/districts/prineville blm.gov/or/districts/roseburg 

 This summer, the Prineville District celebrated the 

official designation of the 29,000-acre Oregon Badlands 

Wilderness at the Badlands Rock Trailhead. As part of the 

10th Anniversary of the National Landscape Conservation 

System, this event was a perfect time to share the special 

values that a Wilderness holds. A diverse audience of 

friends, partners, organizations, and both local and statelevel BLM employees took part in the happy occasion. David 

Eddleston from Friends of the Oregon Badlands Wilderness 

then led a guided hike into this area to demonstrate its 

many unique characteristics. 

 Prineville’s National Public Lands Day event was held 

on September 17 near Biak Base near Redmond, Oregon 

Participants included over 140 cadets and staff members 

from the Oregon Youth Challenge Program. The cadets 

cleaned, repaired, and painted cattle guards. They also 

cleaned up almost a ton of trash from five square miles 

of BLM land. Finally, they removed about 100 pounds of 

noxious weeds. Great job, cadets! 

 During July, Roseburg District archaeologist Isaac 

Barner hosted a PIT-style dig. PIT refers to the U.S. Forest 

Service’s Passport in Time program to link volunteers with 

archaeological excavations. Volunteers were thrilled to 

break sod and sift it though a fine mesh screen to find 

artifacts from the Late Archaic Period. Volunteers ranged 

from a local teen on a nearby farm to a couple who traveled 

from northern California and made the project their 

vacation. Altogether, volunteers contributed over 500 

hours to the project, with 100 hours coming from folks 

under the age of 25. Artifacts found included projectile 

points, scraping tools, and a fishing net weight. 

Vale, Oregon 

blm.gov/or/districts/vale 

 You can always tell it’s summer in the Vale District by the number of new faces in the resource areas and fire organization. 

Over 100 temporary positions were filled this year, and these summer hires accomplished much needed field work on range 

improvements, range condition monitoring, road inventories, the installation of cattle crossings, fence construction, plant 

inventories, archeological surveys, native seed collections, weed inventories and eradication, wild horse gathers, and fire 

suppression. And speaking of fire, the firefighting organization ensured no blazes on Oregon public lands got out of control – in 

addition to supporting New Mexico, California, Washington, and Idaho. 

16
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 Spokane, Washington

District Round-Up District Round-Up

Salem, Oregon
 blm.gov/or/districts/salem 

 An independent film production spent two days 

shooting scenes for a feature film in the Molalla River 

Corridor this past August. Twenty-five film crew 

members and their equipment squeezed into the Hardy 

Creek Equestrian Trailhead parking lot alongside public 

trucks and horse trailers. Two actors were filmed at 

sites along the river. “The film is about an Iraq War 

veteran,” said Jodi Murphy, Salem District Realty 

Specialist. “The crew was predominantly from North 

Carolina, New Jersey, and the Portland area. Those who 

were new to Oregon thought the area was very beautiful 

and were grateful for the chance to get to work in such a 

great place!” 

 Eugene District K9 Ranger Jason Cox hosted the annual 

refresher training for BLM K9 officers at the Salem District 

Office. A number of areas within the district were used 

to train five BLM K9 Rangers who traveled from Southern 

California, Arizona, Nevada, and Montana to attend this 

refresher. Two K9 training officers from the United States 

Border Patrol Academy located in El Paso, Texas assisted 

with the instruction. The three-day course focused on the 

proper utilization of police work dogs. 

Spokane, Washington 

blm.gov/or/districts/spokane 

 After a 36-year absence, the nation’s flag flies over BLM’s 

Turn Point Light Station on Stuart Island! The U.S. flag was 

lowered in 1974 when the Fog Signal at the Light Station 

located in Washington’s San Juan Islands was automated and 

there was no longer a need to post Coast Guard personnel 

at the installation. But this summer a new flag pole was 

erected on the historic footing by the Turn Point Lighthouse 

Preservation Society. This flag was first raised by Dan 

Alexander, a Coast Guardsman who was stationed at Turn 

Point Light Station from 1949 to 1951. Approximately 40 

people (and an enthusiastic pod of Orcas) were in attendance. 

 Spokane has gone green! In June, the Spokane District 

planted a large raised garden bed in an empty corner of the 

District’s wareyard. The new community garden is equipped 

with a solar-powered pump and a drip irrigation system. 

District staff have been enjoying the fruits of their labor with 

fresh-picked tomatoes, cucumbers, and jalapeno peppers! 

Autumn 17

2010 

continues on next page! 
 

18

Public lands Live 
Autumn 19

2010 

Autumn

2010

[CONTINUES]

When 

a barn dies, 

what happens to it? 

Does it go to some big barn 

heaven in the sky? Or can we recycle 

and reuse it down here? Recently, the BLM put 

this question to the test when it decided one of its old 

barns was an excellent candidate to be an “organ donor...” 

OREGON IS FOR LOVERS 

OF PU LB

AL CI

NDS! 
20

t the BLM’s Roseburg District in southern 

Oregon, we use a number of barns to store 

everything from fi eld equipment and 

fencing supplies to irrigation materials 

and a fantastic woodshop which we created almost entirely 

from reclaimed and recycled materials. But when rot and 

decay caused the Middle Barn at our North Bank Habitat 

Management Area to lean further than Italy’s Tower of Pisa, 

we knew it was time to send it to that great barn heaven in 

the sky.

 Now at this point, other organizations might have 

simply pulled down the building only to fi ll big dumpsters 

with debris destined for a landfi ll. But the BLM is 

dedicated to conserving and protecting our natural 

resources. And we knew we could fi nd a way to resurrect 

new life into this ol’ barn.

A

Everything’s Gone Green

Recycling Local Jobs

An additional positive outcome of this project was 

that it provided jobs to Oregonians. We were very happy 

the bid went to an Oregon contractor thus boosting 

employment in our communities.

Per contract, the BLM stipulated our all-important 

clause that all materials were to be recycled and reused. 

And by working directly with a local employer, we were 

happy to see they had a great understanding of the BLM’s 

goal. After some 20 hours of labor to take apart the barn, 

they accomplished virtually 100 percent of our mission!

We undertook what I’ve taken to calling the “Green 

Barn Project.” And it serves as a role model for the kind 

of forward-thinking the Federal government is becoming 

known. By ensuring that virtually all our materials 

were recycled or reused to the fullest possible extent, 

we guaranteed that not only the wood and large metal 

would fi nd new purpose in future construction, but that 

we’d also be recycling every piece of metal hardware to 

include small nails, brackets, screws, and roofi ng material. 

Nothing would be wasted!

And so with the help of two long-term BLM 

employees, Kate Read and Randy Lopez, we created a 

plan to make our Green Barn Project possible. Their 

fl exibility, ingenuity, and assistance made this effort 

possible.

CARRYING AWAY THE BARN, ONE HANDFUL AT A TIME
Autumn 21

2010

Public lands Live

Breathing New Life

All lumber that was still useful was salvaged for 

reuse in other construction projects. This means 

that boards and beams which previously leaned at 

a 45-degree angle can now stand straight and tall 

holding up sound new structures. And what of the 

unsalvageable lumber? Our timing couldn’t have 

been more perfect. With autumn arriving, folks 

need fi rewood. And recycling this type of wood 

means cutting fewer trees!

Further, concrete items like old post anchors 

were crushed for use in construction fi ll on other 

projects. And after recycling the smaller pieces, 

the only items to end up in a landfi ll were a few 

fi berglass panels that had served as primitive 

skylights in the roof. Not bad!

Coming Full Circle

Story AND PHotoS by ArIEL HILLEr

So what’s next? We’re currently looking to 

get quotes on lumber and to work with Kate 

and Randy in creating a plan for a new barn. 

Hopefully by next summer! And for that 

project, we’d love for the BLM to engage local 

youth from the Wolf Creek Job Corps.

In addition, the BLM’s Roseburg District’s 

very own Green Team is planning new ways 

to continually improve our local recycling 

program as well as to incorporate green cleaning 

products into our facility. 

Our dedication to conservation isn’t limited 

to the Green Barn Project. It’s an everyday 

commitment.

COMING SOON TO A FIREPLACE THIS FALL NOT CHAINED TO THE LANDFILL ANYMORE
22

Pioneers
Autumn 23

2010

An 

Officer

and a

Forester

a decorated soldier

returns to his post

with the blm

to present

an award of his own

rmy Reserve Major James Mahaffy was 

thrilled to return to the United States. 

Following his successful and safe deployment 

to Iraq, he had many reasons to celebrate. The 

warm embrace of his family. A grateful nation’s 

homecoming. And, for more than a year and a half, 

a new job with the BLM awaiting his arrival.

Eighteen months prior, the BLM hired James 

as a forester in the Roseburg District in southwest 

Oregon. At the time, both the BLM and James knew 

he’d soon be sent to the Middle East. But while such 

circumstances may have troubled other new hires, 

the BLM quickly allayed any of James’ concerns 

by supporting both his new position as well as his 

commitment to military service.

And so it was that, after he returned to an 

American chorus of gratitude for his dedicated 

service, James found he was far more interested in 

sharing his own appreciation and accolades for the 

BLM’s commitment to soldiers like him. 

Enter the Patriot Award.

The Patriot Award is a program from The 

National Committee for Employer Support of 

the Guard and Reserve. This award develops and 

promotes a culture in which American employers 

champion the military service of their employees. 

Regarding his own experience Major Mahaffy 

says, “The BLM and my supervisor are incredibly 

accommodating regarding my monthly Reservist 

Drills and the agency has also indicated support for 

upcoming training missions and future deployments. 

The sacrifice this organization has made and will 

continue to make needs to be recognized.”

Thus James was scarcely back at work when he 

A

submitted the BLM and his manager, Al James, for the Patriot 

Award. And, much to his delight, the BLM and Al were soon 

recognized.

As the BLM and his supervisor received the award, James 

explained how he initially became interested in forestry. He 

mentioned his Uncle Bob who lived near the dairy farm in Coos 

Bay where James grew up. “Dairy farmers are interested in what 

grows down low and feeds cows. We kind of ignored the trees.” 

But Uncle Bob took James out to the woods to instill in him a 

deep respect for trees and nature. James describes his uncle as a 

unique character and progressive forester who would stage horse 

logging demonstrations and create snags for wildlife habitat with 

high powered rifles – all the while quoting Plato and Aristotle. A 

true renaissance forester.

Given James’ own diverse interests which include his passionate 

commitment to military service, it seems Uncle Bob isn’t the only 

renaissance forester in the family. And with the support of the 

BLM and its managers like Al James, it looks like Major Mahaffy 

will be able to follow his passions well into the future.

Story by ARIEL HILLER
24

into the 

how the blm is harnessing 

the renewable energy 

of our sun 

to supply water 

for Oregon’s high desert

Story by tArA MArtINAK 
Autumn 25

2010

 light

PHOTOS by Rob sha rp
26

into t

into the 

into t

Afew years ago, I read a statistic about places 

in the United States (outside of Alaska) with 

temperatures below freezing for 180 or more

days per year. And I bet you’re thinking what I’m 

thinking: who comes up with this stuff? You know 

what? I don’t know. But a quick read showed that my 

little Harney County town of Burns, Oregon, came 

in at #5 on the list with an average of 205 belowfreezing days per year. 

205? Somebody hand me my coat, please.

Fortunately, cold does not necessarily equal cloudy, 

and Harney County also has a surprising statistic about 

sunshine: the towns of Burns and Hines proudly boast 

over 300 days of rays – just as many as Miami, Florida. 

Give us a disco and a few more celebrities, and I’ll bet 

you can’t tell the difference.

So let’s pretend I never mentioned the cold weather 

and, in your best Temptations impression, join me as I 

sing: “I’ve got sunshine...” 

In addition to our plethora of sunny days, the BLM’s 

Burns District is also no stranger to renewable energy 

projects. Several wind testing sites currently record data 

for potential wind power development. There’s also a 

proposal for a wind farm on private land. And biomass 

projects are already generating power annually through 

stewardship contracting.

But I did mention all our sunny days, didn’t I? What 

renewable energy haven’t I mentioned yet? That’s right. 

Solar. There are a number of solar-powered weather 

stations, portable generators, and wells scattered across 

the District.

Who benefi ts from this sun-kissed energy? Would you 

believe horses? Wild horses in the Warm Springs Herd 

Management Area (HMA) are actually one of Harney 

County’s most recent benefi ciaries of green power.

For the last several years, water sources have been 

scarce across the Warm Springs HMA. Several seasons 

of drought and below-average snowpack left all but 

three waterholes in the 303,000 acre West Warm Springs 

portion of the HMA dry in 2009. 

“Drought,” you say? Don’t be surprised. Harney 

County is deep in the high desert where “sunny and dry” 

are the weather reporter’s favorite words. But I digress. 

Get Energized – Solar Style

The challenge with the dry weather is that livestock 

permittees in the West Warm Springs area operate three 

wells on BLM-administered land with fuel-type generators 

for one to two months while livestock are on the allotment. 

However, these water sources go dry once the cows are 

removed. And cattle aren’t the only land users out there. 

So it made sense to fi nd a way to keep water available in the 

HMA year-round. 

With these available wells and water sources, BLM 

employees who are experienced solar pump and storage 

system designers met with Bill and Lori Peila along with 

Geren Moon, willing allotment permittees who paid for 

well-drilling, metal troughs, and a storage tank. And 

between everyone’s hard work and a boatload of sunshine 

nearly year-round, they discovered that solar energy proved 

to be a very bright idea indeed. 

Over the last year, the three existing wells were each 

equipped with a solar-powered energy system that provides 

a constant supply of water to a trough, a storage tank, and an 

overfl ow pond during sunlight hours. Remember when we 

talked about it being cold and sunny here? Well, 

here are the brains about this operation: each solar 

unit is designed to deliver at least eight gallons per 

minute during a typical sunny day. But then they’ll 

self-drain when not pumping to avoid damage 

during freezing temperatures. 

Bottom line? These systems take advantage of the 

Miami-like sun we enjoy here in Harney County, but 

they can also handle those 205 below-freezing days 

per year! Voila – horses gone thirsty won’t be an issue 

‘round these parts. Nor will used-up natural resources or 

non-renewable energy because we’ve got the sun, baby.

Now every story has its pros and cons, so let’s put it 

all out there. Here’s the good: 1) solar power helps us 

maintain the wild horse range during periods of drought 

thus reducing the need for emergency gathers; 2) solar 

power provides for additional sources of year-round 

water which also supplements grazing habitat; and, 3) more 

available water means improved animal distribution and 

reduced utilization levels and forage competition. Healthy 

water. Healthy lands. Healthy animals. Now here’s the 

bad. Ready? Are you sure? Okay. Darn. I can’t think of 

anything.

‘Scuze Me While I Kiss the Sky
Autumn 27 

e light 2010

the ligh

into the light

Over the last year, three wells 

were equipped with a solarpowered energy system to 

provide a constant supply 

of water. Water from the wells provides 

both horses and cattle yearround sustenance.
28

TOP OF THE ROCK

From high atop a majestic peak...
Autumn 29

2010

[TURN THE PAGE FOR DETAILS!]

Autumn 29

2010

RALLY! Don’t put up your camping 

gear and hiking boots just yet! 

If Salem and Portland are where 

you hibernate during our cold 

weather months, the BLM has a few sites 

very near to you that will make enjoying 

the great outdoors this fall and winter easier 

than you might think. 

Story AND PHotoS by JEFF CLArK
30

26

“The Molalla River Corridor o ers really easy access to everyone in Portland, Salem, and the surrounding 

communities to enjoy a ton of recreation options and dramatic vistas and still be back home by  ve o’ clock.” 

– Zach Jarrett

...to the wild rushing streams below.

Molalla Recreation Area

TOP 
Autumn 31

2010

he BLM’s Salem District manages both the 

Molalla River Corridor Recreation Site as well as

its neighbor, the Table Rock Wilderness Area. Both

locations are perfect spots for anyone who’d like to take 

a quick easy drive for an excursion in our nearby woods, 

mountains, and streams.

For visitors to Molalla, there are ample opportunities 

for picnicking, camping, and fi shing with easy river 

access. Visitors can also hike, ride horses, or mountain 

bike within the Molalla River Shared-Use Trail System. 

This extensive network of non-motorized trails provide 

varying degrees of diffi culty alongside scenic shots 

of the Molalla River and Cascade Mountain Range. 

Perfect for mountain bikers looking for a day trip this 

winter! And you won’t soon run out of dirt to explore 

more than fi ve thousand acres along 12 miles of the 

scenic upper Molalla River extending a mile and a half 

south to the Table Rock Wilderness.

Once you get to Table Rock, you’ll park your bike 

or motorized vehicle and fi nd a massive point made 

from basalt rock surrounded by lush green trees and 

plants. And at almost fi ve thousand feet elevation, 

there’s plenty to see while keeping your mind off the 

steep switchbacks that lead you to spectacular views 

on the summit. On a clear day, hikers can see peaks in 

three states – from Washington’s Mount Rainier all the

T way down to California’s Mount Shasta. This beauty, 

in such close proximity to Oregon’s urban centers, is a 

major draw for both Molalla and Table Rock.

One special note on the trails in this area: they were 

developed by a fantastic cooperative effort between 

the BLM, the Molalla RiverWatch, and a large group 

of interested parties that make up the Molalla River 

Alliance.

Zach Jarrett, Lead Outdoor Recreation Planner for the 

BLM’s Salem District says, “The Molalla RiverWatch 

has been a key partner with the BLM for the past 14 

years. They’ve really helped with public outreach and 

special events like river cleanups with groups like SOLV 

(Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism.)”

Thanks to their generous labor, everyone can enjoy 

this area year-round! Plus with accessibility only 

minutes from Portland and Salem, these areas provide a 

wonderful outlet to stay active and outdoors, even in the 

winter.

Giving us the last word, Zach states that “...the 

Molalla River Corridor offers really easy access to 

everyone in Portland, Salem, and the surrounding 

communities to enjoy a ton of recreation options and 

dramatic vistas and still be back home by fi ve o’ clock.”

Beauty and recreation only minutes away? See you 

there!

Trail maps are available at the BLM’s Salem District offi ce and online at: http://blm.gov/h44c

More information about the groups mentioned in the article can be found at: molallariveralliance.org, 

molallariverwatch.org, and solv.org.

fyi

 OF THE ROCK
Summer 32

2009 Backcountry

re you ready 

for your 

close-up?

The BLM 

in Oregon and 

Washington is 

producing movies to 

document our myriad 

diverse programs 

and projects – from 

wild mustangs and 

mountain biking to 

fi sh, fl ora, fauna, and 

everything else in 

between. And now 

you can check out any 

one of our 25 videos 

at YouTubeTM – with 

fresh new content 

updated weekly! 

What else, you say? 

Well, we’re also 

tweeting up a storm 

and providing daily 

programming to our 

FacebookTMpage. 

And don’t forget our 

growing collection of 

free photo albums at 

FlickrTM.

The BLM 

in Oregon and 

Washington has fully 

embraced social 

media to reach out to 

all the fans of public 

lands. And now you 

can actively take 

part in discussions 

and news about 

your community. 

Comment, chat 

directly with us, and 

let your voice be 

heard. And don’t 

hesitate to send your 

requests for future 

videos, photos, and 

topics of interest.

See you online! A

Cinematic

Social

Media

youtube.com/BLMOregon

facebook.com/BLMOregon

fl ickr.com/photos/BLMOregon

twitter.com/BLMOregon