Size: 21 acres
Location: Wasco County, OR
Acquired: 2021

Rowena Oaks is a 21-acre property in the Eastern Gorge, bordered by the Tom McCall Preserve, U.S. Forest Service land, and Highway 30, creating a vital habitat corridor in the region. The property is primarily characterized by closed oak woodlands, featuring an understory rich with poison oak, Oregon grape, lupine, and balsamroot. In spring, Rowena Oaks is particularly stunning, showcasing vibrant wildflower meadows and majestic Oregon white oaks, though its beauty is apparent year-round.

The diverse habitats within Rowena Oaks include closed-system oak woodlands, open meadows, and stream and riparian corridors along two creeks that traverse the property. While a comprehensive wildlife survey has not yet been conducted, the area is known to support western gray squirrels, western rattlesnakes, deer, woodpeckers, and osprey.

Currently, the property contains two residential buildings, a shop, and several sheds. Friends’ Land Trust plans to transfer ownership of Rowena Oaks to the Forest Service by 2026, at which point the Forest Service will take over all management responsibilities. In the interim, Friends’ Land Trust will continue to monitor and maintain the property, ensuring its preservation for future generations.