Located at the crossroads of the Cascade, Klamath and Siskiyou mountain ranges, this is the first national monument created solely for its biological diversity—and there’s a lot of it. Often called the “Galapagos of North America,” this rugged region is home to more than 3,500 plant and animal species, many found only here. Visitors are welcome to explore the monument’s rugged backcountry, and the best way to do so is on the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, a 2,650 mile trail extending from Mexico to Canada.

The Conservation Fund’s Role

Beginning in 2012, The Conservation Fund and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages the monument, endeavored to protect the largest remaining privately held property within the monument’s boundary, approximately 6,600 acres owned originally by Forest Capital Partners and later the Hancock Timber Resource Group. . The Fund began purchasing land from Hancock Timber and transferring it in phases to BLM for permanent protection, as funding became available.

In March 2015, we completed the final transfer to the BLM, preserving the entire inholding and a popular stretch of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. This project received overwhelming support from Congress, which provided funding through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), Hancock Timber Resource Group, the Pacific Crest Trail Association and Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. 

Why This Project Matters

This collaborative conservation effort will enhance habitat connectivity for wildlife and expand public recreational access in the monument. Recreation opportunities include hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, cycling and various winter sports. It will also allow the BLM to eliminate much of the fragmentation within the monument, enabling better stewardship and landscape-level protection of at-risk lands.

Oregon Cascade Siskiyou National Monument

Encompassing a diverse array of habitat types, Oregon’s Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument stretches across about 113,000 acres in southwest Oregon. In 2012, we conserved part of the largest remaining privately held property within the monument’s boundaries. Watch this video to learn more about this beautiful American landscape.

Learn More

• Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
• Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
• Press Release
• Article: Medford Mail Tribune
• Places We Work: Oregon