Organization
McKenzie River Trust
McKenzie River Trust, a western Oregon land trust, helped the Siletz Tribe regain 27 acres in 2024 and is assisting a 2026 purchase.
- Kind
- 501(c)(3) land trust (non-Indigenous)
- Native-led
- no
- Works with
- Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
- Region
- Eugene, OR
- Focus
- Brokered and fundraised for Rocky Shores parcel near Yachats (about 7 acres, pending as of Oct 2026)
- Registry
- EIN 93-1029808 (ProPublica)
- Vetting notes
- Role from Underscore (Oct 1, updated Oct 13, 2026). Transaction not confirmed closed at time of the article.
What happened
McKenzie River Trust is a nonprofit land trust formed in 1989 to protect habitats and scenic lands in the McKenzie River basin. Its home page says its service area now covers much of western Oregon, including coastal headlands from Reedsport to Lincoln City, and that it has protected more than 10,000 acres. ProPublica lists it in Eugene under EIN 93-1029808, with tax exemption issued in September 1995. It is not an Indigenous-led organization.
Its own site reports that on November 14, 2024, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians regained ownership of 27 acres of their ancestral homelands at Cape Foulweather on the central Oregon coast. The Trust calls it the capstone of a multi-year collaboration to protect the land's ecological, cultural and scenic values.
In October 2026, Underscore Native News, republished by OPB, reported that the Siletz Tribe is buying a nearly seven-acre parcel south of Yachats. A partner land trust said it was appraised and purchased for $120,000, with support from McKenzie River Trust and the Nature Conservancy. Conservation Director Eli Tome described the Trust's role as real estate transactions and fundraising, and said it used flexible funding so the title carries no restriction. The article said the transaction was still ongoing but could be finalized within the week.
The tribe's Natural Resources Director, Angela Sondenaa, said the land was part of the tribe's ancestral territory and the coast reservation.
Good to know. A non-Native land trust; a gift to it is not a gift to the Siletz Tribe. The 2026 purchase was not yet final when reported.
Summarized with AI assistance from 5 sources and checked against their words; not yet reviewed by historians or by the nations. Report an error
What the sources say, and how this was checked
Supported by the sources below; some details rest on one source.
the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians regained ownership of 27 acres of their ancestral homelands at Cape Foulweather
McKenzie River Trust - Siletz archivewith support from the McKenzie River Trust and the Nature Conservancy, the land was appraised and purchased for $120,000
OPB / Underscore Native News - After more than 170 years, Siletz Tribe to reclaim ceded landso that there’s not any encumbrance or restriction on the title
OPB / Underscore Native NewsThe McKenzie River Trust is a nonprofit land trust formed in 1989
McKenzie River Trust - HomeTax exemption issued: Sept. 1995
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Mckenzie River Trust
Research notes. The 2026 transaction was not finalized at the time of the article. The $120,000 price and partner shares come from one partner's statement in the article; the Trust's own announcement was not read. The Trust is a non-Native land trust; money given to it is not given to the Siletz Tribe. Donation page not checked.
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Connections
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