A Critical McKenzie River Tributary
Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch lies in the Mohawk River Valley upstream from the confluence of the Mohawk and McKenzie Rivers.
The Mohawk River is the largest tributary of the McKenzie River, running approximately 30 miles, the Mohawk River also serves as the primary spawning area for fluvial cutthroat trout in the Willamette Basin.
Wet Prairie Habitat
The property includes ecologically significant wet prairie habitat. Here, culturally important plants including camas and endangered Bradshaw’s lomatium grow. Both plants are important food crops to native Kalapuya peoples.
Much of the property remains wet into the late spring. Hard, clay soils allows for water to pool and absorb slowly, creating habitat for wetland plants and critters. Runoff from the seeping springs on the upland slopes adds to the water that is left behind from winter and spring rains.
Kalapuya Homeland
Home to the Kalapuya People, the bottomland prairies and wetland environments were historically occupied and cared for to support waterfowl, game species, and small mammals.
Native plant foods such as Wapato, sunflower, tarweed, camas, and lomatium were cultivated for food. Many species continue to grow here, preserving availability of first foods in the Mohawk Basin.
Historically, the upland hills provided resources for building dwellings and canoes for transport. Native American cultural sites have been documented throughout the Mohawk River Valley.
Supporting Native Plants and Wildlife
The Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch provides habitat that is critical to many sensitive plant and animal species. permanent protection and continued restoration and stewardship by a conservation organization, this area could support even more Oregon Conservation Strategy species.
Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch offers a unique opportunity to strengthen local and statewide efforts in species conservation through purchase by the McKenzie River Trust
From birds to butterflies, mammals and reptiles, this area provides critical habitat for many sensitive, threatened, and endangered species to thrive.
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Cutthroat Trout
The Mohawk River is the primary spawning area for fluvial (stream resident) cutthroat trout in the Willamette Basin. Cutthroat trout require streams with large woody debris, in-stream structures, and overhead vegetation to provide protection. With young preferring side channels, backwaters, and pools for rearing, the Mohawk River provides much needed habitat to sustain this robust population.
2
Red-Legged Frogs
A sensitive frog species, Northern red-legged frogs are often found in shallow-water ponds and wetlands with emergent vegetation. In order to reproduce, they need forested sites with sunny still-water habitat with nearby moist riparian and upland forest habitat for adults and juveniles to grow and thrive in. The Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch offers this unique and critical mix of habitat types all within minutes from town.
3
Rough Skinned Newt
Though commonly found throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rough Skinned Newt's require a mix of habitats, from riparian stream beds, to off channel habitat, and upland forests. Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch protects this unique blend, connecting the ridges of the Mohawk Valley to the the river bed.
4
Western Meadowlark
Western Meadowlarks require expansive grasslands for foraging and nesting. They are also known to use pastures or other open areas with low-lying vegetation. Preferring sites with high structural diversity, a mix of grasses, forbs, and vegetative cover create suitable habitat. Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch contains these habitat qualities, offering an opportunity to expand local Western Meadowlark populations in the area.
5
Western Bluebird
This sensitive bird species requires grasslands with nearby low shrubby habitat for perching and hunting in. Threatened by habitat loss and degradation, an increase of invasive, non-native plants and the removal of traditional fire application practices from the landscape, Western Bluebirds have adversely affected habitat in many areas. Bluebirds face significant nesting competition and are susceptible to high levels of predation by domestic cats, raccoons, possums and other predators.
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Camas
A culturally significant first food for the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, Camas populations at Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch have greatly increased due to conservation and restoration efforts enacted by the Spores Family.
7
Fender's Blue Butterfly
An endangered species emblematic of habitat quality in the Willamette Valley, the Fender's Blue Butterfly needs places like the Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch to ensure its survival. The native prairie here could provide an anchor site to combat wide-spread habitat loss and degradation and support populations of Kincaid's lupine, the primary larval host plant for this unique butterfly.
8
Bradshaw's Lomatium
A federally endangered plant species, Bradshaw's Lomatium populations depend on the continued habitat availability of places like Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch to ensure their survival. Since beginning restoration efforts on the property in partnership with the NRCS, the Spores family have contributed to significant population growth of this endangered Willamette Valley native.
9
Roosevelt Elk
The largest of the four surviving Elk subspecies in North America, Roosevelt Elk make their home in the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest. Moving between the densely forested slopes and into the bottomlands to feed, the Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch provides a sanctuary for these larger mammals to thrive in.
10
Pileated Woodpecker
Habitat fragmentation and reductions in snag availability due to fire suppression and forest health management have adversely affected Pileated Woodpeckers. Conserving and managing mixed coniferous forests for late-successional stand quality is the best thing we can do to promote population stabilization and hopefully recovery.
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Bobcat
With a range throughout North America, the Bobcat is a medium sized feline who hunts small mammals and birds at dawn and dusk. Relying on the connection between forested areas where they can den, and more open habitat for hunting, Spores Mohawk Valley Ranch has provided a critical home for this elusive feline to thrive in.
