Herald and News: Locals honored for outreach work

Locals honored for outreach work

By TY BEAVER

H&N Staff Writer

November 16, 2006

Danette Watson and Gerda Hyde don’t see what the fuss is about.

Both women are active in the Klamath Watershed Council with conservation and restoration efforts. They also were awarded the 2006 Spirit of the Oregon Plan award by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board for their work and outreach. And both would rather not take any credit for what they see as being common sense and a group effort.

“If you don’t take care of the land, it won’t take care of you,” Hyde said.

Watson was a key player in coordinating efforts between ranchers and landowners in the Sprague River valley and the government agencies that conduct conservation and restoration projects on their lands. About 24 agencies were active in the area two years ago but no local landowners really knew what they were doing and why, she said.

Variety of projects

Monthly meetings providing outreach and education now take place at the Sprague River Community Center with local landowners. More funding is flowing into the valley to help with projects, from juniper management to willow restoration in riparian areas.

The response from landowners is equally substantial, Watson said. She was working with one landowner in converting his irrigation method from flood irrigation to gated pipe. He said it was something he could never have done or afforded on his own.

“He said it was like a dream come true,” Watson said.

Yamsi Ranch

At the Yamsi Ranch along the Williamson River, Hyde has practiced conservation for decades. More than 400 head of her family’s cattle graze on native grassland in the uplands of the Klamath watershed, and it’s important to maintain the land.

Besides ensuring that native grasses are kept healthy for grazing, protecting the waters of the Williamson is also important. The ranch recently finished a project installing new culverts and head gates that will prevent water from being wasted.

Hyde also shares her knowledge with others in the watershed and around the world. People from all over visit the ranch to see how Hyde and her family manage their land.

Both women said they were surprised at receiving the award and don’t see why they need it. Hyde said conservation at the ranch is a family effort and not just hers, and the watershed council as a whole is hardworking when it comes to conservation.

Watson said it’s the landowners who deserve the award because they are the ones who own the land and thus conduct the projects.

“I thought about breaking it into pieces and handing them to owners,” she said of the award.