July 30, 2024                                               View as Webpage

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Wyden & Merkley staff visit Jackson-Frazier Wetland Boardwalk project

Benton County Commissioners Xan Augerot, Nancy Wyse, and Pat Malone, along with County Administrator Rachel McEneny and Interim Natural Area Parks and Events Director Jesse Ott, visited the Jackson Frazier Wetland Boardwalk in Corvallis. They were joined on July 24 by Molly McCarthy and Sophia Roberts, staff for Oregon State Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to learn about the Jackson-Frazier project and explore funding options.

Benton County is actively seeking state and federal funding for local projects.

“We need to preserve this local gem,” said Benton County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “Making the boardwalk more accessible and ADA compliant is a priority. This place also serves as an outdoor classroom where our kids can learn and be close to nature.”

The Jackson-Frazier Wetland is a 144-acre natural area in NE Corvallis, owned by Benton County and managed by the Natural Areas, Parks & Events Department for public recreation and environmental preservation. Benton County and the Alliance for Recreation & Natural Areas (AFRANA) are working together to raise funds to replace the Bob Frenkel Boardwalk, built in 1997. The deteriorated floating wood timber foundations and treated wood planks are now at the end of their design life.

View the Jackson-Frazier Boardwalk replacement project video:

Benton County Fair & Rodeo Queen shares a special bond with her Mustang

The 2024 Benton County Fair & Rodeo starts July 31 through Aug. 3, and this year's Fair and Rodeo Queen, Naomi Bailey, will be sharing the spotlight with her remarkable Mustang, Ochoco. Naomi, an Oregon State University student, trained Ochoco through the Teens and Oregon Mustangs, Mustang Adoption Challenge, a competition that challenges young trainers to tame wild horses. Their journey, filled with dedication and mutual respect, will be on full display during the rodeo's halftime show.

The Teens and Oregon Mustangs program is a 100-day training competition that challenges young trainers to tame wild horses and burros. Participants, like Naomi, invest time, dedication, and heart into transforming these animals from the wild into loyal and dependable companions. The program concludes with a live auction where the trained Mustangs and burros are adopted, ensuring their continued care and management. This initiative not only promotes humane treatment of wild horses but also showcases the incredible trainability and versatility of the Mustang breed.

Naomi’s journey with Ochoco began in May 2021, when she was selected among many applicants to participate in the program. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rounds up the herds, and teens like Naomi are given the chance to train these impressive animals. Naomi says her scientific background and lifelong passion for horses made her an ideal candidate for the program.

“Mustangs are incredibly important to me,” Naomi said. “They were introduced by the Spanish, and with no natural predators left, they’ve overpopulated. Training and domesticating them is a way to save the species and allow them to be loved by the public.

Ochoco is the coolest horse. He’s been broke for less than a year, and the bond we’ve created is like no other. He tries so hard for me, and that bond is something truly special.”

Naomi and Ochoco’s bond will be on full display during the Benton County Fair and Rodeo. They will perform during the rodeo's halftime show on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, showcasing the remarkable qualities of her Mustang. Ochoco, with his versatility and emotional connection to Naomi, will demonstrate why Mustangs make exceptional companions.

Naomi’s journey with Ochoco doesn’t end at the Benton County Fair. Her ultimate goal is to become Miss Rodeo Oregon, continuing to promote the welfare of Mustangs and the Teens and Oregon Mustangs program.

Watch a video of Noami and Ochoco: