[ODFW-News] Eastern Oregon landowner wins award

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Jon Germond, (503) 947-6088	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 947-6070
	

For Immediate Release	March 17, 2003
Area Landowner Awarded for Efforts to Improve Fish and Wildlife
Habitat


SALEM - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission recently honored
Wallowa County landowners Doug and Jo Winn of Jaussaud Ranches with a
Fish and Wildife Steward Award for their work to improve habitat for
fish and wildlife on their land.

The Fish and Wildlife Steward Award is a cooperative program between
the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Oregon Department
of Forestry (ODF) to recognize landowners who are implementing the
Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds through their stewardship
activities. Awards are given out yearly at Commission or Board of
Forestry meetings and recipients also are acknowledged at a ceremony
with the Governor.

In 1999, the Winns established a Forest Stewardship Plan in cooperation
with the Oregon Department of Forestry. Since then, their timber
management has incorporated a holistic approach, resulting in greater
benefits to wildlife, soils, water, range, forest, and scenic values.
They developed springs and ponds that improved water quality and
availability for wildlife, and retained snags in excess of Forest
Practices Act requirements. 

The couple also manages their harvest units to retain ground cover and
a diversity of tree sizes and stand densities. They re-seed understory
shrubs, grasses and forbs to improve forage for big game and habitat for
other wildlife species, protect raptor nesting trees, and 

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Forest Steward Awards, continued

control noxious weeds along roads, meadows, and harvest units to allow
regeneration of more desirable species.

The Winns' commitment to managing their timber resources using the most
updated science and techniques and employ best management practices has
resulted in higher operating expenses, more long-term planning, and
regular consultation with resource professionals. In the process, they
have greatly benefited many wildlife species including deer, elk, bear,
Pileated woodpeckers, goshawsks, tree squirrels, and a variety of owl
species.

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Information and Education Division
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6002