UNION COUNTY, OREGON – A landmark conservation initiative in Union County, Oregon, has secured a transformative $22 million federal grant, paving the way for a historic co-management partnership between the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The Qapqapa Wildlife Area project, encompassing over 11,400 acres, represents a first-of-its-kind collaboration in the state, aiming to restore ancestral access, enhance ecological health, and expand public enjoyment of vital natural resources.
A Pioneering Partnership for Land Stewardship
The substantial funding, awarded through the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program, will enable the acquisition of the Qapqapa Wildlife Area. Pronounced “cop-COP-a,” the name itself signifies “place of the big cottonwoods” in the CTUIR’s Sahaptian language, reflecting its deep cultural importance. For generations, this land has been part of the CTUIR’s ancestral homeland, yet tribal members were historically unable to exercise their traditional rights to hunt, fish, and gather due to its private ownership. This project directly addresses that historical disconnect by restoring traditional tribal access along the Grande Ronde River and Beaver Creek, while simultaneously opening up previously inaccessible public lands.
This initiative marks a significant milestone as the first state wildlife area to be co-managed by a tribal nation and ODFW. The collaborative management plan includes sharing staff resources, conducting joint fisheries restoration projects, and prioritizing the cultivation of CTUIR’s “First Foods” – culturally essential resources such as salmon, elk, and huckleberries. Anton Chiono, Habitat Conservation Project Leader for the CTUIR Department of Natural Resources, expressed enthusiasm for this groundbreaking approach, noting, “This will be the first state wildlife area that’s co-managed by a tribe. I think it’s really exciting for a state to think about first foods in their management and really make that a priority. It’s really pathbreaking in that respect, and we’re really pleased with that partnership.”
Restoring Access and Enhancing Ecosystems
The Qapqapa Wildlife Area holds profound cultural significance for the CTUIR, situated within their vast aboriginal title lands, estimated at 6.4 million acres. Beyond restoring access to the 11,438-acre property, the project promises to improve connectivity to over a million acres of surrounding public lands, including crucial tracts of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Additionally, 94 acres of landlocked U.S. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service parcels will become accessible. The project also prioritizes the protection and enhancement of vital waterways, securing access to more than five miles of the Grande Ronde River and six miles of Beaver Creek, both critical habitats for native fish species.
A Foundation for Future Conservation and Community Benefit
The $22 million federal award is part of a larger $106 million national investment through the Forest Legacy Program, which supports working forestland conservation and rural economies. The funding will be instrumental in enhancing overall forest health, implementing wildfire reduction strategies, undertaking habitat and aquatic restoration, and supporting local timber industries and employment. The project has garnered widespread support, evidenced by 24 letters of endorsement from a diverse coalition of elected officials, conservation groups, and sports organizations, underscoring its broad community value. The project is anticipated to be finalized by 2026, with the CTUIR and ODFW working collaboratively on the co-management framework. This significant investment not only represents a commitment to ecological preservation but also fosters reconciliation, respects Indigenous heritage, and builds a sustainable future for the region.
