Minam River Wildlife Area Expands with 1,073 New Acres – A Big Win for Wildlife

Minam River Wildlife Area Expands with 1,073 New Acres – A Big Win for WildlifePhoto byOregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

By Kristy Tallman, October 15, 2024

Salem, OR – The Minam River Wildlife Area in northeast Oregon now spans 16,646 acres after Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation added 1,073 acres to the protected lands. This expansion builds upon previous land acquisitions made in 2021 and 2023.

A high view with wildflowers from the Minam River property near the Eagle Cap Wilderness, photo by David Jensen, Rocky Mtn Elk Foundation.Photo byOregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

According to ODFW Director Debbie Colbert, "The Minam is one of the most ecologically important rivers in the state, and ODFW has wanted to protect this special area since the 1960s." Key contributors include RMEF, the USDA Forest Legacy Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Manulife, and others.

Flowers bloom along the Minam River just before sunrise, photo by David Jensen, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.Photo byOregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

The wildlife area provides critical habitat and migration corridors for elk, mule deer, and at-risk species, including Snake River Chinook salmon, bull trout, and steelhead. The Minam River was recently recognized as Oregon’s second-most ecologically important river.

Sunrise over the mountains on the Minam River, photo by David Jensen, Rocky Mountain Elk FoundationPhoto byOregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

In 2021, coho salmon returned to spawn in the Minam River after a 40-year absence, marking a significant ecological achievement.

For more information, visit Minam River Wildlife Area Visitor Guide.

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By Kristy Tallman, October 15, 2024
The Republic News

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