The Wilkins Ranch, stewarded by Lynn and Bruce Wilkins, has faced years of drought and shrinking water supplies. Partnering with Gilliam County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Oregon's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the family began by removing water-thirsty junipers across 50 acres and then expanded into a suite of restoration projects that now span the ranch. Together, they installed beaver dam analogs to reconnect the floodplain, slow water, recharge groundwater and restore flow to Thirtymile Creek.

Thousands of native plants were added through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), bringing back riparian vegetation and improving water retention. These efforts have already yielded visible results: streams that once ran dry in August now hold water and habitat health continues to improve. With upcoming projects like cross-fencing and upland enhancements, the Wilkins family is shaping a more resilient landscape for their cattle, their resources and the generations that will follow.