Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
$35,420  West Cascades Ecoregion  Addresses drought

The 55-acre Fisher Preserve at Pompadour Bluff, gifted to SOLC in July 2021, is an iconic geologic formation near Ashland featuring intact oak woodland, native grasslands, shrubland, and habitat for multiple native plants and animals. Donated to allow public access, Pompadour Bluff is in designated very sensitive deer and elk winter range, adjacent two ODFW Conservation Opportunity Areas and the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. With its prominent place in the upper Bear Creek valley and history of inaccessibility, Pompadour Bluff has stirred community interest to soak in 360- degree summit views. SOLC completed Phase I of our Access plan in 2022, replacing an irrigation ditch bridge to safely allow service and fire safety vehicles. Initial interpretive and outreach activities revealed extraordinary demand for access – a waiting list >200 for our first series of guided hikes – and interest from regional partners to collaborate in conservation, research, and outreach. Phase II of our Access Infrastructure plan will support safe recreation while maintaining the property’s unique conservation values. Actions include improving the access road and constructing a fire-safe parking area, bilingual welcome kiosk with trail, safety, and interpretive information, and a universal access trail to the viewpoint at the top of Pompadour Bluff.