Brothers-North Wagontire – State Wildlife Action Plan

Sagebrush steppe habitat in the Northern Basin and Range ecoregion. Photo Credit: Keith Kohl, ODFW

Geographic boundaries of the COAs were updated for the 2026 State Wildlife Action Plan and the associated COA profiles are intended to provide additional information. Content of each COA profile is being refined and will be updated to reflect current conditions when feasible. Please help us by submitting information on Local Conservation Actions, Plans, or Potential Partners to: OCS.revision@odfw.oregon.gov.

The northern extent of this COA includes the Bear Creek Buttes and Rodman Rim area in the Ochoco Mountain foothills. South of US Highway 20, the COA encompasses Pine Mountain and a large area of sagebrush steppe dotted by numerous buttes north of Christmas Valley. Heading east it covers Elk Mountain and Rams Butte before moving north again and crossing US Highway 20 near Hampton. Finally, the COA wraps around Misery Flats, the South Fork Crooked River, and into the eastern edge of Hampton Buttes.

Recommended Conservation Actions

Control spread of western juniper to maintain habitat values in sagebrush habitats
Maintain or restore the ecological function of riparian and associated wetlands habitats
Manage livestock grazing to promote recovery and maintenance of vernal pool (playa) wetlands
Restore and maintain complex, continuous sage habitat

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

Sage Grouse Core Habitat Areas
The COA contains a large percentage of the ecoregion's playas, or ephemeral wetlands, which provides important habitat for wildlife including Sage Grouse and migrating waterbirds.
This area includes Big Sage habitat and Pygmy Rabbits

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID BM-06 (South Fork Crooked River area)
2006 COA ID NBR-01 (Squaw Ridge area playas and sagebrush)

Protected Areas

Benjamin - Natural Research Area
South Fork Wilderness Study Area
Squaw Ridge Lava Bed Wilderness Study Area
Hampton Butte Wilderness Study Area
Lavacicle Cave Area
Lost Forest
Lost Forest Instant Study Area
Lost Forest-Sand Dunes-Fossil Lake
Prineville District
Sand Dunes Wilderness Study Area

Specialized Local Habitats

Perennial Bunchgrasses
Rock Outcrops
Western Juniper Woodland and Savanna with mature trees

Ecoregions

Blue Mountains

Located in NE Oregon, the Blue Mountains ecoregion is the largest ecoregion in the state. It provides a diverse complex of mountain ranges, valleys, and plateaus that extend beyond Oregon into the states of Idaho and Washington.

East Cascades

The East Cascade ecoregion extends from the Cascade Mountains' summit east to the warmer, drier high desert and down the length of the state. This ecoregion varies dramatically from its cool, moist border with the West Cascades ecoregion to its dry eastern border, where it meets sagebrush desert landscapes.

Northern Basin and Range

The Northern Basin and Range ecoregion covers the very large southeastern portion of the state, from Burns south to the Nevada border and from the Christmas Valley east to Idaho. It is largely a high elevation desert-like area dominated by sagebrush communities and habitats.

Key Habitats

Natural Lakes

Natural lakes are relatively large bodies of freshwater surrounded by land that were formed through geological processes, such as glacial scouring, tectonic movements, volcanic activity and river meander cutoffs. In Oregon, natural lakes are defined as standing water bodies larger than 20 acres, including some seasonal lakes. Depth is not a reference for characterization of …

Ponderosa Pine Woodlands

Ponderosa pine woodlands are common in Oregon’s eastside ecoregions. While dominated by ponderosa pine, these woodlands may also have lodgepole pine, western juniper, aspen, western larch, grand fir, Douglas-fir, mountain mahogany, incense cedar, sugar pine, or white fir, depending on ecoregion and site conditions. Known for their open forest structure, these woodlands generally have fewer …

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats include all naturally occurring flowing freshwater streams and rivers throughout Oregon as well as the adjacent riparian habitat.