I am a huge fan of the conservation and restoration property Vesper Meadow. About 1,000 acres in the Southern Oregon Cascades, this property consists of two large meadows and some forest land, including 80 acres of a recent clear cut forest where native shrubs and seeds were recently planted to aid the restoration process.

The main meadow has been significantly impacted by out-of-date ranching practices from the past century. Willows and shrubs were removed from the creek to allow cattle easy access to the water. The unfortunate consequence of this practice caused water to move through creeks too quickly, eroding the soil and preventing the water from feeding the habitat for the entire meadow, exacerbating drought and problems for wildlife. The meadow is home to imperiled species - the Vesper Sparrow, for which it’s named, as well as the super cute butterfly, the Mardon Skipper. The meadows and forests are home to more wildlife and plant diversity than I could possibly name, but includes an elk herd, sandhill crane, extremely rare tumbleweed lichen and like I said — SO much more. Currently cattle ranchers do not generally engage in this practice like they used to. Today, with water being a crucial resource, restoration work is a priority.

The meadow was purchased by a private person who established a conservation easement and created a non-profit education program in 2018. While looking for an accessible and interesting place to bring landscape painting students, I stumbled upon the newly established property in early 2019. Program director Jeanine Moy gave me a hiking tour of the meadow and opened my eyes to the fascinating work being done there by scientists - biologists and botanists of all sorts, geologists, naturalists, restoration technicians and also professionals specializing in restoring the human connection to the land. The non-profit prioritizes the vital, basic human need to be part of nature and be stewards of the land and even be healed by a connection to the land. They were already committed to engaging artists, inviting artists to find a refuge for creativity and inspiration and in turn artists play a vital role in telling the story of this remarkable work and place. I, of course, was blown away with inspiration by what I was learning and seeing! In the past 10 years or so, it has dawned on me that science is a major source of inspiration for my work and this added knowledge of a place deepens my connection with it and makes my art more meaningful.

Sarah Burns, oil painting, Vesper meadow, calendar, art — *Artist Sarah Burns with her July series of oil paintings tracking the restoration and climate at “Bovine Beach”, a specific location of Latgawa Creek in July 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.*

It was during this initial visit to Vesper Meadow and hike with Jeanine that I decided to create a series of paintings called Bovine Beach, where I paint the same location once a year in the same month (July) to chart the changes in one place on Latgawa creek from year to year. I have been making these paintings for 5 years now and I am surprised that they tell an interesting story already! I thought it would take 10 years or more to show variety, and I was surprised to see how different amounts of rain fall and temperature from year to year are evident in how green the meadow is, and the biggest change came this year, 2023 with the installation of a number of post assisted log structures (PALS), sometimes called beaver dam analogs. These PALS mimic the work of beavers by slowing down the water, causing sediment to gather which nourishes plants and causes the creek to flow more shallow and more wide. This feeds the camas and other meadow plants and flowers.

During the past five years my relationship with Vesper Meadow has grown. I have made A LOT of paintings, hosted painting workshops, artist meet-ups, attended concerts and this year I joined their board of directors.

My main project as a Vesper Member board member this year was to put together a calendar to highlight the amazing art work created here. The place is a source of inspiration for so many artists that we included 36 pieces of artwork from 18 artists.

If you would like to be inspired by seasons of art created at Vesper Meadow and support the work being done there, click here. This 2024 calendar is a gift to donors who contribute $50 or more.