Wellington Wildlands Council: Endings and beginnings

We have news to share with Applegater readers about the conclusion of Wellington Wildlands Council (WWC) as a nonprofit organization and the beginning of an exciting, multiyear scientific study we are a part of.

First, we wish to thank all of you who have supported WWC over the years. We are truly grateful for every member of this caring community who has stood with us to safeguard the biodiversity of our beautiful Applegate Valley.

Together, we have been able to achieve many positive outcomes, including:

• raising community awareness of the beauty and economic value of our intact wildlands

• stopping or helping to limit damaging Bureau of Land Management (BLM) timber sales in our region

• bringing Applegate Valley and Wellington Wildlands (WW) to the attention of our legislators, encouraging them to designate a Wild and Scenic stream in WW

• serving as founding members and helping bring the dynamic and powerful Siskiyou Crest Coalition Festival to life

• proposing and coordinating an Applegate Valley economic study with A Greater Applegate

• collaborating with many nonprofits, particularly Siskiyou Upland Trails Association (SUTA) and Applegate Trails Association (ATA), as well as Applegate Siskiyou Alliance (ASA), the environmental advocacy group that has been an amazing mentor and partner.

There are still ongoing threats to the Wellington Wildlands from BLM timber sales, and there are unfinished projects, such as the Wellington Mine Trail. For more information, visit the ASA website at applegatesiskiyoualliance.org.

Thank you to Greeley Wells, Stuart Heaslet, and David and Barbara Callahan

We extend our immense appreciation to Greeley Wells, the filmmaker of the gorgeous and impactful Saving Wellington, which sparked this movement and fostered our community spirit and love for Wellington Wildlands, and to ASA and ATA for their support in producing it. Watch the film on YouTube at youtu.be/jm_U-qP9g8I?si=fir1B9CJZN34HyjD. Or go to YouTube.com and search for “Saving Wellington Wildlands.”

Stuart Heaslet was a driving force in setting up the WWC as a nonprofit and contributing his creative and brilliant ideas. Of course, there would be no WWC without the vision and leadership of the late David Callahan and his wife, Barbara, whose combined devotion to the well-being of the habitats, wildlife, and economy of our valley has been an ongoing blessing to us all. The success of the incredibly popular East Applegate Ridge Trail and the wonderful long-term plans for the Siskiyou Skyline Trail (SST) are due in large part to the contributions of the Callahans, with SUTA and ATA committed to carrying on and expanding this visionary project. See the ATA website at applegatetrails.org for information on this great enterprise.

While the WWC will no longer be an official nonprofit, we will continue to actively support protections for all our wildlands and wildlife and collaborate with the many great nonprofits in our region. One reason for the disbanding of the WWC is that Liza and Jeanette have been deeply involved with and channeling their energy to the Siskiyou Crest Coalition (SCC).  If you are looking to make a meaningful donation, consider that all of the aforementioned organizations have consistently contributed to our quality of life in the Applegate Valley.

Siskiyou Crest Moth Project

Liza and Jeanette are also key members of the newly formed Siskiyou Crest Moth Project (SCMP). The lead lepidopterist, Dana Ross, is from Oregon State University, and Applegate Valley butterfly and moth expert, Linda Kappen, is also fully involved. Moth Nights that Dana, SCC, and other volunteers held last summer kicked off the SCMP. Many of the photos included on our beautiful website are from those events. The project will start with seven study sites in 2026. We hope to see some of you at upcoming free, collaborative Moth Nights, where there will be much to learn and the chance to make amazing discoveries together! To learn more, visit siskiyoucrestcoalition.org/siskiyou-crest-moth-project.

As we close one chapter in our efforts to safeguard the many gifts of our beloved valley and region, we open another in our ongoing work to protect our public lands and the natural beauty they hold—for ourselves and future generations. Thank you for everything you have done and will continue to do to support these vital missions.

Jeanette LeTourneux

jetlet10@gmail.com

Liza Crosse

Audrey Eldridge

Barbara Holiday

Photo 1: Wellington Wildlands

Photo 2: A beautiful, day-flying Mendocino silk moth, pictured with two of its main host plants, madrone and manzanita. Photo: Linda Kappen.