Blue Mountains

At 23,984 square miles, the Blue Mountains ecoregion is the largest ecoregion in Oregon. Although named for its largest mountain range, the Blue Mountain ecoregion is a diverse complex of mountain ranges, valleys and plateaus that also extends beyond Oregon into the states of Idaho and Washington.

There are deep rocky-walled canyons, glacially cut gorges, sagebrush steppe, juniper woodlands, mountain lakes, forests, and meadows. Broad alluvial-floored river valleys support ranches surrounded by irrigated hay meadows or wheat fields. The climate varies over broad temperature and precipitation ranges because of elevational differences. Overall, the ecoregion has short, dry summers and long, cold winters. Because much of the precipitation falls as snow, snow melt gives life to the rivers and irrigated areas.

Wood products and cattle production dominate the economy of the ecoregion, but dryland wheat and alfalfa are important in the river valleys. The ecoregion supports some of the finest big game hunting in the state and attracts tourists year-round, offering scenic lakes and rivers, geologic features, and alpine areas. It includes the Prineville-Bend-Redmond area, one of the fastest growing places in the state, along with the cities of La Grande, Baker, Enterprise, and John Day.

text taken from the Oregon Conservation Strategy, 2006, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Update

The Oregon Master Naturalist Program is currently developing a statewide curriculum. In time, the Blue Mountains ecoregion will have a specific regional supplement that will give participants a more in depth look at the region. Continue to check this web site for an update as regionally specific supplements are added.