Meet the Team
Our Mission...
Blue Mountains Conservancy is a local land trust dedicated to promoting stewardship of private and public lands for the preservation of the rural character and natural legacy of NE Oregon.
Organizational History: Blue Mountains Conservancy was founded by a dedicated group of volunteers who came together initially in support of two projects, to build a foundation to insure perpetual stewardship of the End Creek wetland, and to help facilitate Union County’s acquisition of 3,700 acres of privately owned industrial timberland to public ownership and guarantee public access in perpetuity (MERA).
End Creek: In the first three years, the Conservancy sought grants and volunteer contributions and developed a large-scale educational and research program around the End Creek wetland. In partnership with Eastern Oregon University, many students and faculty have been involved in furthering the wetland restoration, studying the ecological recovery of the area, and understanding the important role that private lands can play in conservation of natural resources and biological diversity.
MERA: When Boise Cascade divested itself of its industrial timber lands in Union County, an area close to La Grande that had been used extensively for recreation (hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, ATV riding, mushroom picking, etc…) was placed on the market. The area was destined to be sold in 240 acre parcels and public access would have been lost. The newly-formed BMC board hoped to help negotiate a purchase of the property that would have retained the timber and high quality esthetic values of the property. Ultimately, Union County acquired an Oregon State Parks ATV grant to purchase the property, but not the timber value. Consequently, commercial logging continued for two years on portions of the area. The Mt. Emily Recreation Area (MERA) provides both motorized and recreation. Lannce Colburn, founding BMC board secretary, serves as the chair of the citizen’s advisory board for MERA.
Blue Mountains Conservancy is a local land trust dedicated to promoting stewardship of private and public lands for the preservation of the rural character and natural legacy of NE Oregon.
Organizational History: Blue Mountains Conservancy was founded by a dedicated group of volunteers who came together initially in support of two projects, to build a foundation to insure perpetual stewardship of the End Creek wetland, and to help facilitate Union County’s acquisition of 3,700 acres of privately owned industrial timberland to public ownership and guarantee public access in perpetuity (MERA).
End Creek: In the first three years, the Conservancy sought grants and volunteer contributions and developed a large-scale educational and research program around the End Creek wetland. In partnership with Eastern Oregon University, many students and faculty have been involved in furthering the wetland restoration, studying the ecological recovery of the area, and understanding the important role that private lands can play in conservation of natural resources and biological diversity.
MERA: When Boise Cascade divested itself of its industrial timber lands in Union County, an area close to La Grande that had been used extensively for recreation (hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, ATV riding, mushroom picking, etc…) was placed on the market. The area was destined to be sold in 240 acre parcels and public access would have been lost. The newly-formed BMC board hoped to help negotiate a purchase of the property that would have retained the timber and high quality esthetic values of the property. Ultimately, Union County acquired an Oregon State Parks ATV grant to purchase the property, but not the timber value. Consequently, commercial logging continued for two years on portions of the area. The Mt. Emily Recreation Area (MERA) provides both motorized and recreation. Lannce Colburn, founding BMC board secretary, serves as the chair of the citizen’s advisory board for MERA.