Landowner Assistance Program

A hedgerow, planted to attract pollinators and other beneficial insects.

Congratulations to Jerry and Junell Wentz who just received the Wildlife Steward of the Year award!

They were chosen for nomination because they have enthusiastically installed numerous projects on their commercial farm that enhance wildlife habitat. Read on to find out about the projects they have done!


In 2005, Junell and Jerry began working with Cascadia Conservation District through our Landowner Assistance Program.  They received partial funding for the installation of a new, more efficient micro-irrigation system for their cherry orchard. This initial project was a great success as erosion on their property nearly disappeared and managing irrigation became much easier.

 A barn owl nesting box.

In 2008, the Wentzes started working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Cascadia’s partner agency, to begin managing and addressing other natural resource concerns they had on their farm. They received funding for soil testing and nutrient management, an integrated pest management plan, soil moisture monitoring, and an insect-attracting hedgerow.  Nesting boxes and perching poles that were erected have so far hosted kestrels and red-tailed hawks.  Beneficial insects have found new habitat in the two hedgerows planted with native, drought-tolerant plant species. Bats and native mason bees also have structures waiting for them to move in.

Introduced barn owls help control rodent populations.

In 2011 Jerry and Junell agreed to release several baby barn owls on their farm with hopes that they would make use of the nesting structures. The owlets were rescued from hay stacks in George where they were displaced when the stacks were moved after sitting over the winter. The Wentzes placed feeder mice around their farm for the first few weeks to help the owlets learn to hunt and to help them feel comfortable in their new home. Jerry and Junell reported seeing the owls often early on and have continued to see signs of them living in a nearby spruce tree.


The Wentzes went above and beyond the programs’ expectations.  Junell wrote to more than fifty neighbors, sharing what she has learned about alternative rodenticides, and urging them to adopt similar practices that are less harmful to birds and other wildlife.  Junell and Jerry put in many hours of hard work researching, building structures, planting hedgerows, and monitoring wildlife.  In return, they can now enjoy living and working with and as part of a more balanced ecosystem.  Inviting back natural predators of mice and cherry-eating birds and bringing in pollinators and other “good” insects has had a positive impact on the overall health of their orchard.

Because of their dedication, Cascadia nominated Jerry and Junell as Wildlife Stewards of the Year within our district boundary and that nomination entered them into a statewide ranking process. They
were also chosen as Wildlife Stewards of the Year for the entire state!

Mason bee nesting structures (left) and bat boxes (right).

“Lots of farmers aren’t willing to take the risk, but I hope to bring
awareness to fellow farmers through my success with the bird boxes and
hedgerow… Because I got help through these programs it detracted worry from finances and I didn’t feel like I was going at it alone. I learned a lot and got great support.”   

–Junell Wentz

Cascadia’s Landowner Assistance Program provides a way for landowners and leasees to get technical and, in many cases, financial assistance to start or continue managing natural resources on their land. 

Check out our Landowner Assistance Program Handout for additional information.

Please call us at (509) 664-9370 if you are interested or would like to learn more!  

For more information and application forms for this and other awards, visit the Washington Association of Conservation District's website, http://www.wadistricts.org/our-programs/2011-wacd-annual-awards.html

Your friend in conservation,
Julia