Invasive annual grasses were first reported in Wallowa County over 50 years ago, initially as isolated and inconspicuous plants. Today, they are widespread from the high Zumwalt Prairie to the Snake River canyons. This spread threatens the county’s ecological and economic integrity, especially across its 600,000 acres of bunchgrass-dominated grasslands, diverse wilderness areas, wild and scenic rivers and productive timberlands.
Historically known for its livestock and wildlife grazing resources and outdoor recreation, Wallowa County now faces serious landscape challenges. Invasive annual grasses reduce forage quantity and quality, disrupt wildlife habitats and degrade rangeland health on both private and public lands. Addressing this large-scale, complex issue requires strategic long-term planning informed by science and grounded in practical experience.
To meet this need, the Wallowa County Invasive Annual Grasses Partnership was formed. This collaborative group, which includes Oregon State University Extension Service, developed a Strategic Action Plan (SAP) through input from land managers and resource specialists in 2021 and 2022. The SAP provides a countywide roadmap for conservation, restoration and monitoring activities to improve ecosystem resilience.
Through strategic planning, community collaboration and targeted resource use, the Wallowa County Invasive Annual Grasses Partnership is creating a lasting impact.
The plan emphasizes adaptive management, best practices and community engagement. One of its core strategies, “grow and defend the core,” focuses on preserving intact native vegetation and managing adjacent transition zones. Satellite imaging was used to identify and rank infested areas from low to high priority. Landowners are supported in developing site-specific management plans using a custom template with technical guidance from trained consultants or agency personnel.
To facilitate these efforts, the partnership secured a technical assistance grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) which funds plan development at no cost to landowners. Once plans are in place, landowners become eligible for restoration funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
In 2023, the partnership worked with 18 landowners on management plans covering 38,325 acres. In 2024, an additional 20 landowners signed up, expanding the project to impact another 72,000 acres. To further scale the initiative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service awarded the working group a four-year Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative grant to reach even more landowners.
Pete Schreder, professor and Extension rangeland ecologist and livestock specialist, has played a central role in the project. He co-authored the SAP, developed the mapping tools, created the planning template, trained contractors and worked directly with landowners to guide them through the process.
Through strategic planning, community collaboration and targeted resource use, the Wallowa County Invasive Annual Grasses Partnership is creating a lasting impact. These coordinated efforts are setting the stage for a more resilient grassland ecosystem — one capable of supporting native plant communities and sustainable forage in the face of climate change, wildfire risk and ongoing land use pressures.
