Overview

The Thomas Preserve is comprised of seven acres of pristine riparian and wetland habitat located on the Upper Deschutes River. The land is held in trust by the Deschutes Basin Land Trust and serves as an important habitat for elk, deer, waterfowl and other animals.

Though undeveloped, surveys of the preserve identified an increasing number of noxious weeds, primarily bull thistle and spotted knapweed. Through the Watershed Council’s Community Rivers program, a partnership was formed with the Deschutes Basin Land Trust (DBLT) and local recreation groups to coordinate a one-day weed pull to eradicate the noxious weeds from the preserve.

Goals

The primary objective of the project is to protect and enhance the riparian and wetland habitat of the Thomas Preserve. Specific goals included:

1. Removal of invasive noxious weed species Centaurea maculosa and Cirsium vulgare;
2. Improvement of riparian and wetland habitat conditions for wildlife, waterfowl, and fish;
3. Partner with the Deschutes Basin Land Trust to implement the noxious weed removal project;
4. Raise awareness among community groups and volunteers about the impacts of noxious weeds on native plants and sensitive habitats;
5. Address priority action items identified by the Upper Deschutes Subbasin Assessment and Action Plan;
6. Implement valuable components of the weed control policy in Deschutes County Vegetation Management Plan including: preventing the establishment and spread of noxious weeds, increasing awareness through continuous education with the public, and cooperating with private citizens and other groups in enhancing the Deschutes County Weed/Vegetation Program; 
7. Building community partnerships to collaboratively work toward restoring and enhancing watershed health.

Monitoring