Jacksonville Woodlands Association

Newsletter

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fall 2007

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fall 2005

fall 2003

Land Purchases We Are Working On

The map on page 2 of the fall 2002 newsletter shows two outlined properties, totaling 21 acres, that have been targeted by the JWA for purchase. We are also negotiating for another 10-acre parcel in the Rich Gulch Historic Mining District. These properties have been selected because:
   1. The owners are willing sellers.
   2. Will provide critical habitat protection for the endangered Fritillaria Gentneri Lily.
   3. Will allow for expanded trail access.
   4. Will increase protection for Jacksonville's historic backdrop, residential neighborhoods, and viewshed.

During the next 4 years the JWA and the Trust for Public Land will be working on raising over $600,000 to purchase these ecologically important properties. They will be the final addition to the necklace of properties, encircling Jacksonville, that we started protecting 13 years ago.

The project is now almost complete! Your generous contribution will help bring it to completion.

A summary of Jacksonville Woodlands Association's accomplishments .

November 12, 1989 JWA founded

December 3, 1989, the JWA makes an offer to the University of Oregon (State of Oregon) to purchase the Beekman Woods

November 30, 1995, Beekman Woods formally turned over to the City of Jacksonville. The JWA spent 5 years raising $135,000.

December, 1990. A formal agreement is signed between the City and the BLM agreeing to a cooperative management plan for the BLM?s 10 acre Chinese Diggings, and the adjacent 20 and 40 acres. These properties were old gold claims that were filed on several times, but not held long enough to be "proven up". These surplus lands ended up with the OC Railroad donation lands, and eventually reverted back to the government when the O&CR went bankrupt and eventually to the BLM when it was formed in the 1950s.

The JWA, Jackson County, and SOLC become signatories to the BLM Management Plan on September 2, 1998.

The JWA begins negotiations in November, 1992 on the 10 acre City of Medford parcel next to the Cemetery, completing City ownership in February, 1993.

In 1993 the JWA negotiates with Jackson County for the transfer of three small parcels, owned by the County, one at the base of the 10 acre Medford Parcel and two at the West end of the Zigler Trail, the present trail parking lot. Totaling about 1.5 acres.

The City approved the purchase of the Britt Woods, 77 acres, from SOU (State of Oregon) on February 16, 1993. Took five years to complete the payments.

December, 1993, the donation of 7.5 acres by the descendants of Sarah Zigler; Vern Brown and Zelia Von Tress. This was done by a quit claim deed after the City Council voted to reject the offer. It came without a clear title. The title has since been cleaned up.

October, 1997, completed negotiations for the 10 acre Rich Gulch property with Mike and Patty Begley of Los Gatos, CA. Took us nearly four years to complete the fundraising. Purchase was completed, June, 2002 with a $24,000 grant from the Cheney Foundation.

Verne Beebe donated her 7.5 acre parcel on Hill Street in the Spring of 1998 in memory of her late husband, Tony Beebe. The JWA and several other local residents helped with the process. The Beebe Woods was recorded with the City on September 24, 1998.

May 11, 1998, the National Park Service begins their association with the JWA and the City of Jacksonville.

Negotiations for the 27 acre Frontino parcel by the BLM were wrapped up in November, 1998. On February 12, 1999 the deed was recorded at the Court House. The BLM used a $97,000 Land and Water Conservation grant to purchase the property.

The JWA started negotiations for the 15 acre Burkhalter property in September, 1997. The Trust for Public Land became involved during the summer of 1998. The two parcels were divided up with the BLM purchasing the upper 7.5 acres June 21, 2001 using a LWC grant of about $240,000.

The lower 7.5 acres were purchased by the City of Jacksonville on November 22, 2001 using State Lottery grant money and City SDC funds.

December, 1999 the Gentner?s Fritillary is listed as Threatened and Endangered.

24.5 acres of Rich Gulch placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service on March 22, 2000.

The National Park Service declares the Sarah Zigler Trail a National Recreation Tail, April 14, 2000.

June, 2002 the Trust for Public Land takes a two year purchase option on the Woods. 5.5 acres. Purchase price will be around $300,000.