Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary

Portland Audubon's Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary is a 216 acre reserve of extraordinary ecological importance:

The largest intact stand of coastal temperate rainforest of Sitka Spruce and Western Hemlock in the lower 48 states.

Home to the federally listed Marbled Murrelet and Northern Spotted Owl, plus other species like the Roosevelt Elk, Black-tailed Deer, Cougar, Black Bear, Bald Eagle and other birds of prey.

Ten Mile Creek itself has runs of threatened Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, and Steelhead Trout.

Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary provides a critical link between the 9,300 acre Cummins Creek Wilderness to the north, and the 7,400 acre Rock Creek Wilderness to its south.  Together they provide a continuous intact forest canopy across five watershed basins.

Paul Engelmeyer Ten Mile Creek- Jason Waicunas

Audubon in Action

- We help to plant native tree species and to eradicate non-native plant species.

-We participate with Federal and State Agencies to conduct spawning surveys, and monitor the health of Ten Mile Creek's salmon populations.

-We work with the Pacific Fisheries Management Council and Ocean Policy Advisory Council to protect Oregon's Natural Heritage - marine wildlife and near-shore habitats.

- We offer hands-on environmental education programs for students ranging from elementary school children to graduate students from universities throughout the region.

- Class visits include hikes through the woods and presentations by biologists, plus interactive projects, like counting salmon to assess the health of the river

- Ten Mile Creek's Paul Engelmeyer also leads education tours for scientists, Forest Service officials, and policy makers.  Last year alone, Paul gave presentations on salmon conservation issues and strategies to over 650 students and professional conservations.

Paul Engelmeyer has managed Audubon's Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary since 1991.  Paul is a respected voice on Pacific Northwest conservation issues and he provides valuable information to state and regional fish and wildlife commissions.

He is Audubon's Pacific Coast salmon specialist and is a recognized leader in exposing the plight of the now-threatened Coho Salmon in Oregon.

He received the US Forest Service's Caring for the Land Award (1997) and the Native Fish Society Stalwart Conservation Advocate Award (1998) for his dedication and community service in working to restore native salmon habitat.

Protecting our Great Natural Heritage

We work in partnership with local businesses, citizens, state and federal agencies and other non-profit organizations, to acquire ecologically important land parcels throughout the Oregon Coastal Bioregion:

- Forty acres adjacent to Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary facilitated by an individual supporter of the program upon learning that this land was scheduled for development (1999)

 

- In partnership with the Trust for Public Land, Ten Mile Creek Sanctuary completed a 98 acre acquisition for the Pine Tree Conservation Society (2001)

 

- Audubon helped the River Conservancy gather local support for the acquisition of the 1400 acre Drift Creek / Lower Alsea River parcel (2002).

 

Please contact Paul Engelmeyer at 541.547.4227 with any questions, or to arrange a visit.