E. A. Greenwell’s serious interest in conservation began during his graduate work at the University of Idaho. Through a unique program that blended writing with natural sciences, he traveled to remote places to write and study. His graduate work ended in 2014, but ultimately culminated in 2015 when he accepted an appointment as the 2016-2017 PEN/Margery Davis Boyden Wilderness Writing Resident. The residency, administered by John Daniel and the Boyden family, provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live and write as a caretaker of 93-acres for 14 months in one of the most biologically diverse locations in North America: the Wild and Scenic Corridor of the Rogue River.
After leaving the homestead, E. A. Greenwell joined Wallowa Land Trust as a program manager, where he worked cooperatively with private landowners, tribes, local communities and government entities to conserve land and played a pivotal role in the $6.75-million acquisition and management planning of the East Moraine Community Forest.
Wallowa Mountains
E. A. Greenwell left Wallowa Land Trust in July of 2021 to join Five Valleys Land Trust in Missoula, Montana as a project manager. Five Valleys works across 10 counties in northwest Montana to protect for future generations western Montana’s natural legacy – our river corridors, wildlife habitat, agricultural lands, and community open spaces. Currently, E. A. Greenwell focuses his efforts leading an update of the organization’s conservation plan and working with landowners in Missoula County and the Mission-Jocko and Flint Creek Valleys to conserve land and utilize creative funding sources, such as The Climate Trust’s Grassland Carbon Offset Program and Missoula County’s Open Space Bond.
Fall on the Clark Fork, Noxon, MT
Conservation Projects
Campaign for the East Moraine (East Moraine Community Forest)
A Community Vision
Since forming in 2004, Wallowa Land Trust has focused on conserving Wallowa Lake and its Moraines
Even before the 1970s, when Wallowa County banded together to draft and pass a Land Use Plan that protects the Moraines, the public has fought to keep the Moraines preserved
In 2011, the owner of the largest parcel of private land—nearly 2,000 acres—indicated an intent to sell or develop
In 2011, a group of local leaders and partners, including Wallowa County Board of Commissioners, Wallowa Resources, Wallowa Land Trust, and Oregon State Parks, formed the Wallowa Lake Moraines Partnership to purchase and preserve the property
In 2018, landowners agreed to sell to the Wallowa Lake Moraines Partnership
A Community Legacy
Scheduled to close in January of 2020, the purchase of nearly 2,000 acres on the East Moraine will protect an unmarred community treasure forever, providing non-motorized recreation and unparalleled educational and cultural opportunities, as well as economic returns to the community through sustainable timber management and grazing, all guided by a comprehensive multi-use management plan.
The Multi-Use Plan is authored by subcommittees of professionals in the areas of wildlife and habitat, cultural resources, forestry, rangeland management, and recreation and will also include a public input period to ensure comprehensive planning and consideration in its overall drafting an approval. The Plan will address uses which will continue on the land as well as how those uses may continue in concert.
A 482-acre working farm
A 482-acre farm, the Perry Farm was assembled, purchase after purchase, by the Perry family over many decades. Two-thirds of the land is cropland, while the other third is intact bunchgrass prairie. The farm also includes a portion of Wallowa Lake’s undeveloped East Moraine.
Protected in Perpetuity
A conservation easement, struck between Wallowa Land Trust and the Perry family in September of 2019, protects the farm from future development and subdivision in perpetuity and monuments current farming practices in a plan which promotes soil health, prevents erosion, and prioritizes sustainability.
Leaving a Legacy
In 2017, Anna Mae Quint and her family began looking for ways to conserve their 175-acre, undeveloped property on the East Moraine of Wallowa Lake. Anna Mae wanted the East Moraine of Wallowa Lake to be protected forever, and in 2019, she donated all the development and subdivision rights to Wallowa Land Trust.
For Generations To come
The Quint Property will remain undeveloped land forever for the community to enjoy, preserving the rural culture of Wallowa County. 50 acres will be available to farm, and an additional 125 acres will remain intact native bunchgrass prairie, grazed by livestock and guided by a management plan which prioritizes sustainability of native vegetation.