Landowners honored at conservation districts’ dinner

Landowners and producers from throughout Baker County convened last Tuesday at the Sunridge Inn for the Baker County Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ annual awards dinner.

The event pays tribute to landowners and partners who have helped improve natural resources throughout the county.

The event brought together people from throughout the state to socialize and discuss conservation practices that have been employed over the years.

The event started with a video presentation showcasing what the districts and their partners accomplished in 2009, including  juniper management, stream restoration, cross fencing and outreach.

Five awards were given by the four Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Each of the SWCDs presented an award to the landowners they selected for the Conservationists of the Year.

The business is located at the former Ellingson Lumber Co. mill site in west Baker City. Kyle Dunning and Lane Parry have developed this business to find alternatives in the down log market. Elkhorn Biomass sells “eco-friendly” firewood, and the owners plan to expand the company to new locations and turn woody biomass into wood chips.

They also hope to build a wood-fired gasification plant and a wood pellet mill.   

• Burnt River SWCD chairman Kent Nelson presented the district’s award to Rich and Nora Adamo.

The couple were nominated for their efforts in conservation. They have improved their livestock management through cross fencing and off-stream watering. Their efforts to fight noxious weeds and western juniper have been tremendous and can be seen in the improvement of the wildlife, plants and biodiversity on their land.

• Eagle Valley chairman Tim Heater presented the district’s award to Walt Forsea for his years of forward thinking and continued effort to improve the land.

Forsea has put many years of hard work into proper rotational grazing, cross fencing and spring developments to improve forage for livestock and wildlife. There have been many natural resource specialist mentored by Walt for rangeland management and natural resource improvement. Walt earned this award a long time ago and is still working on it everyday by playing an active role on the ranch and in the community.

• Keating SWDC chairman Holly McKim presented the district’s award to Bucky and Mary Lou Wirth for their long time dedication to improving their property.

The Wirths have worked in the Keating area since 1958. They have spent the years asking for no recognition and no cost share, and they have been outstanding stewards of the land. The couple’s sons and daughter were present at the dinner to see them accept this prestigious award.

• All four area conservation districts presented John Stephenson, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service biologist, with the Outstanding Conservation Partner of the Year award.

Stephenson has been instrumental in the development and implementation of several projects including the Eagle Creek Restoration project, Howell’s Spectacular thelypody grazing study, Powder River water quality enhancement project, the installation of several fish screens throughout the county, and he helped with the wolf issue in Keating Valley last spring. 

• The Powder Basin Watershed Council presented awards to Truscott Irby, Laurie Owens and Tim Kerns for their efforts as partners helping the Watershed Council throughout the years.

Arnie Grammon of the Baker County Weed Control District presented the Weed Warrior award to Tim and Janice Heater from Richland for their hard work and dedication in the fight against weeds on their property. 

The night was capped off with a raffle and silent auction. Organizations and individuals such as Britt Sand and Gravel, Elkhorn Biomass, the Inland Café, Sandy’s Upholstery, Dave Clemens, Wes and Cindy Morgan, Guyer and Associates CPAs, and the Baker Valley, Burnt River, Eagle Valley and Keating SWCDs donated to the cause.

Last year the Baker County SWCDs and their conservation partners injected $1.5 million into the local economy by providing landowners with cost share programs for the benefit of conservation. Landowners who have a project that would benefit the watershed of Baker County are asked to call the SWCD office at 541-523-7121 for application information.