Brothers-North Wagontire – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Sagebrush steppe habitat in the Northern Basin and Range ecoregion. Photo Credit: Keith Kohl, ODFW

The northern extent of this COA includes the Bear Creek Buttes and Rodman Rim area in the Ochoco Mountain foothills. South of US Highway 20, the COA encompasses Pine Mountain and a large area of sagebrush steppe dotted by numerous buttes north of Christmas Valley. Heading east it covers Elk Mountain and Rams Butte before moving north again and crossing US Highway 20 near Hampton. Finally, the COA wraps around Misery Flats, the South Fork Crooked River, and into the eastern edge of Hampton Buttes.

COA ID: 184

Recommended Conservation Actions

Control spread of western juniper to maintain habitat values in sagebrush habitats
Maintain or restore the ecological function of riparian and associated wetlands habitats
Manage livestock grazing to promote recovery and maintenance of vernal pool (playa) wetlands
Restore and maintain complex, continuous sage habitat

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Private Landowners
USDA US Forest Service
USDI Bureau of Land Management - Lakeview District
USDI Bureau of Land Management - Prineville District

Special Features

General

Sage Grouse Core Habitat Areas
The COA contains a large percentage of the ecoregion's playas, or ephemeral wetlands, which provides important habitat for wildlife including Sage Grouse and migrating waterbirds.
This area includes Big Sage habitat and Pygmy Rabbits

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID BM-06 (South Fork Crooked River area)
2006 COA ID NBR-01 (Squaw Ridge area playas and sagebrush)

Protected Areas

Benjamin - Natural Research Area
South Fork Wilderness Study Area
Squaw Ridge Lava Bed Wilderness Study Area
Hampton Butte Wilderness Study Area
Lavacicle Cave Area
Lost Forest
Lost Forest Instant Study Area
Lost Forest-Sand Dunes-Fossil Lake
Prineville District
Sand Dunes Wilderness Study Area

Ecoregions

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.

Strategy Habitats

Aspen Woodlands

Aspen woodlands are woodland or forest communities, dominated by aspen trees with a forb, grass, or shrub understory. Aspen woodlands can also occur within conifer forests.

Grasslands

Grasslands include a variety of upland grass-dominated habitats, such as upland prairies, coastal bluffs, and montane grasslands.

Natural Lakes

Natural lakes are relatively large bodies of freshwater surrounded by land. For the purposes of the Conservation Strategy, natural lakes are defined as standing water bodies larger than 20 acres, including some seasonal lakes.

Ponderosa Pine Woodlands

Ponderosa pine woodlands are dominated by ponderosa pine, but may also have lodgepole pine, western juniper, aspen, western larch, grand fir, Douglas-fir, mountain mahogany, incense cedar, sugar pine, or white fir, depending on ecoregion and site conditions. Their understories are variable combinations of shrubs, herbaceous plants, and grasses.