At the spectacular collision of the Cascade and Siskiyou Mountains lies a region of transition, contrast and renowned biodiversity. The region provides vital connectivity between the Cascade Mountains, the Siskiyou Mountains, the Coast Ranges of Oregon and California, the high deserts of eastern Oregon, and the interior valleys of southern Oregon and northern California. In essence, the Cascade-Siskiyou region ties together the major plant communities and ecoregions of the west. The mountains are an intriguing mosaic of grasslands, oak woodlands, juniper scrub, chaparral, dry pine forests, moist fir forests, meadows, glades, wetlands, springs and volcanic rock outcrops. The area, although sometimes subtle, is stunningly diverse.
A portion of this region was protected in 2000 as the 53,000-acre Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. 13,000 acres of private land purchased by conservation interests have been added to the monument in the preceding 16 years, bringing the total to 66,000 acres. The current Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument includes the Soda Mountain Wilderness, 19 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, 120 butterfly species, 300 species of animals, 200 species of birds and an incredible array of plant species. The existing monument supports populations of the rare Gentner's fritillary (Fritillaria gentneri), the threatened Oregon spotted frog, northern spotted owls, Roosevelt elk, mule deer, grey wolves, and many others. The Jenny Creek redband trout and the Jenny Creek sucker are found nowhere in the world outside the waters of Jenny Creek at the eastern portion of the monument. The landscape is wild, unique and beautiful.
Currently, the Obama Administration is considering the designation of a sizable expansion to the the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The proposed expansion would extend to the north and south of the existing National Monument boundary, including 66,000 acres in the vicinity of Grizzly Peak, the Dead Indian Plateau, Old Baldy and the headwaters of Jenny Creek, as well as lower Scotch Creek, the Horseshoe Ranch Wildlife Area, and the Jenny Creek Canyon in California. The expansion area includes five Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, 17 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, numerous rare and endemic plant and animal species, significant areas of oak woodland, old growth forests, beautiful meadows and high levels of biodiversity.
The expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument would protect the natural resources and intact habitats of the region, provide economic benefits, recreational opportunities and enhance our quality of life in southern Oregon and northern California. Please support a science-based expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The future of our region depends on it.
|Privately owned land managed for conservation by the Selberg Institute, combined with National Monument expansion in the Sampson Creek area, will protect some of the Rogue River Valley's most beautiful and intact oak woodland.|
Consider attending public meetings and speaking out on behalf of monument expansion, writing letters to the editor, and contacting your public officials. Opportunities to support the science-based expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument are listed below. Please help us demonstrate grassroots support for expansion and encourage the Obama administration to designate a bigger, wilder, more ecologically functional monument for the future of southern Oregon.
Write Letters to Your Elected Officials
Contact Senator Merkely
Contact Senator Wyden
Provide written comment to the Jackson County Commissioners at the following email address:
Attend Public Meetings
Klamath County Commissioners are holding a public hearing to solicit comments on the proposed expansion of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Please attend and speak out in support of science-based expansion.
When: Tuesday, November 1, at 6:00 PM
Where: Government Center Hearing Room 219 at
305 Main Street, Klamath Falls
A carpool will be leaving from Ashland at the KS Wild office at 3:00 PM (3185 East Main, Ashland).
Submit a Letter to the Editor
|Proposed expansion areas are bordered in green. The expanded monument would extend from the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest boundary to beyond the California border. |