Join the Deschutes Land Trust and Aaron Jenkins for a bird walk at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. With ponderosa pine forest, wet and dry meadows, and a portion of Whychus Creek, the Preserve is one of Central Oregon's birding hot spots! Visit the Hindman Springs portion of the Preserve, watching for warblers in the willows and woodpeckers working the pine groves. Then, we'll visit the lower meadow to watch for some of the more than 180 species of birds that have been observed at the Preserve! Beginning and intermediate birders welcome! Registration is required and opens 1 month prior to the event.

• Outing Details + Route

  Hike Rating: This is a moderate ~2 mile hike. Portions will be on gravel trails and through a grassy meadow.

  Route: This hike will start at the Camp Polk Meadow Preserve kiosk, follow the gravel trail, and then venture off-trail into the meadow. Terrain will be uneven and wet at times.

  Elevation gain/loss: There is very little elevation gain/loss on this hike.

• What to Bring

  Binoculars (if you have them), snacks, water, closed toe shoes that are waterproof (or you don't mind getting wet), long pants. Dress for the weather.

• About the Property

  Camp Polk Meadow Preserve is a 152 acre Preserve on Whychus Creek near Sisters, Oregon. The Preserve was first established by the Deschutes Land Trust in 2000. The Preserve contains approximately 1.4 miles of Whychus Creek, wetlands, meadows, aspen groves and ponderosa pine stands. It is home to a variety of plant and wildlife species and is one of Central Oregon's birding hot spots. The Preserve also has a long and illustrious history as a crossroads for Native Americans, explorers, soldiers and settlers.

• Accessibility

  The Land Trust is working to make our Walks + Hikes as accessible as possible. Please let us know at least one week in advance if there is something we can do or provide to support you in participating in this outing to the fullest and we will accommodate as possible.