Dennis "DJ" Newman has taken the position of the new Habitat Biologist for Columbia Plateau Pheasants Forever Chapter in Morrow County and surrounding area. Dennis will be working for the Morrow SWCD through a grant from ODFW as a technician to coordinate federal, state and local cost share benefits and technical assistance for landowners wanting to do upland bird habitat projects on their land.

"There are literally thousands of acres in this area that can use some level of habitat improvement," said Skip Matthews, President of the Columbia Plateau Chapter, "We have a coordinated effort here of several public and private players that is going to make that happen."  Among the partners that have contributed to effort are the Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (Access and Habitat Board and Bird Stamp Grants), Columbia Plateau Pheasants Forever, Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation and Columbia Sportswear.  The majority of work is targeted to the ODFW Upland Cooperative Access Program acres and Regulated Hunt Areas, particularly CRP.

"Originally CRP provided good habitat for birds as far a nesting and brood rearing," said Newman, "but some of the stands have become unusable as far as habitat for upland birds.  We need to go in and diversify some of these areas with forbs, food plots, woody vegetation and some water to make it possible to support bird populations."

Landowners can contact Dennis for assistance on upland bird projects that they may be interested in at 541-676-5452 ext. 115