Habitat
Since 1990 the Blue Mountain Pheasants Forever chapter (BMPF) has embarked on over 65 habitat projects in Columbia, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Counties, Washington. Projects include planting trees and shrubs, installing 500-gallon wildlife watering guzzlers, and seeding native grasses and forbs for upland bird nesting and brooding cover. The Habitat Committee’s annual budget typically ranges between $6,000-$10,000, much of which goes to two staple projects.
Habitat Committee: Carl Bisgard, Dan Eveland, Chet Hadley, Randy Snyder, Corrie Thorne-Hadley, Eric Hockersmith, and Brad Trumbo.
Sudbury
BMPF has a long-term enhancement site on Sudbury Road outside of Walla Walla, WA. The 14-acre tract is situated north of the Sudbury Road Elevator and was seeded to native bunchgrasses in 2014. Over the past right years, BMPF has planted a robust shelterbelt extending nearly a mile in length, in cooperation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). BMPF installed and maintains two guzzlers with more to come, as well as additional grassland management and shrug enhancements.
Thill Property
East of Dayton Washington is the Thill Property that BMPF entered into a habitat agreement in 2021. Nearly 600 elderberry, serviceberry, mock orange, woods rose, and golden currant were planted in December 2021 and January 2022 with another approximately 600 planned for 2022-2023.
The site is comprised of native bunchgrass uplands and large reed canary grass swale with trees and shrubs on the upstream end. The site provides quality habitat for a wide range of wildlife species to include short-eared owls, upland birds, elk and deer, and snipe.
Mill Creek Adopt-A-Trail
In June 2022, the Women on the Wing Committee (thanks Jo Dee!) solidified the Chapter’s commitment to maintain a section of upland trail on the US Army Corps of Engineers, Mill Creek Project habitat lands. The trail is provide hunter, horseback, and vehicle access to manage habitat and food plots. The WotW Committee and Chapter will be responsible for litter cleanup and other minor trail maintenance actions.
Left to Right – Jamie Wallace, Lisa Malin, and Nicolette de Reuck stand beside the freshly-placed sign. The trail extends into the uplands behind the gate.
Other Projects
An “eyebrow” off of Scenic Loop Road was planted to native Woods’ rose, blue elderberry, and golden currant on 2017. This site represents one of more than 60 others planted since 1990.
BMPF is participating in Washington’s Adopt-a-Highway program. Our mile goes from the Frenchtown Road-US 12 intersection, west along US 12 to the Old US 12 intersection. Pickup occurs spring and fall.
