OREGON Annual Report 2017 DEAR FRIENDS NATURE PROVIDES. We envision a world where the diversity of life thrives and people act to conserve nature, both for its own sake WE PROTECT. and its ability to meet our needs and enrich our lives. Using science as our guide, The Nature Conservancy has recently evaluated where we are able SUSTAINABLE FOOD HEALTHY COMMUNITIES CLEAN, RELIABLE WATER to make the most impact on this vision “As a fourth-generation rancher, I’m working with “For the last 10 years, our construction “Our city is surrounded by forests; it’s one reason people in the years to come. The result is a global Shared Conservation my children on the same land my great-grandparents company has solely focused on specialized love living and visiting here. But these forests are also Agenda, which focuses our work on the following five priorities in homesteaded in 1884. We’re proving with our actions restoration projects, and we’re honored to at risk of wildfire that could harm both our city and The Nature Conservancy that our cattle management practices are a critical have led the floodplain restoration work at our drinking water supply. We take that risk seriously, the United States and the 70 countries in which we currently work. in Oregon component to the conservation efforts in our riparian the Conservancy’s Willamette Confluence which has led us to a long-term, nationally recognized and upland habitats. We’re doing this in a way that Preserve. It was an incredible project, and stewardship partnership with The Nature Conservancy, OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE Protecting land and water. COMMITTEE motivates other landowners and agencies to do the everything we needed to get the job done was U.S. Forest Service and Lomakatsi Addressing climate change. Chair: same, in a way that inspires our own innovation right there. The soil was there, the rocks were there, Restoration Project. By proactively 2 Margaret Kirkpatrick Ensuring sustainable food and water. 3 and commitment to combining the trees for habitat were there. We just needed to rearrange them managing our forests, which Vice Chair: Building healthy communities. agriculture and conservation. and put them back together to recreate a viable, sustainable and includes both thinning and Charles Wilhoite OREGON ANNUAL REPORT 2017 REPORT ANNUAL OREGON Connecting people and nature. The Nature Conservancy diverse habitat. Now, six miles along the Willamette River near controlled burns, we are ensuring Chair Emeritus: is a great resource for us Eugene are well on their way to being restored. When finished, this our clean water supply and the John von Schlegell In the pages that follow, you’ll learn about some of the ways we to better understand the project will provide cleaner water, aid in flood control, create more city itself are significantly less Steven H. Corey Steve Pratt are producing real results here in Oregon toward some of the complex dynamics of land recreation opportunities and provide critical habitat for fish species. susceptible to wildfire and more David C. Harrison Curtis Robinhold Rob Hinnen Sandy Rowe most significant challenges of our time. This work is not possible stewardship. Working with And, in doing this work, we also provided jobs and a significant resilient when it comes.” E. Randolph Labbe Christine Vernier without your support, so as you read these stories, know you the Conservancy reinforces economic boost to the local community.” my belief that it is possible to —John Stromberg, Mayor for the City of Ashland are a part of them. Thank you for your continued support. —Dan Porter, Owner of BCI Contracting MEMBERS produce healthy food in a way that improves the Kathy Shaloo Berg William Johnson ecosystem. Conservation and agriculture can happen John Carter Julie Jungers Scott Chambers Lorelei Juntunen together with positive results on the land.” Holly Coit Catherine Kordesch RESILIENT LANDSCAPES Jim Desmond —Liza Jane, Owner of 6 Ranch in Enterprise, OR Betsy Cramer Eileen O’Neill Odum “We’re using science and advanced mapping to identify landscapes with diverse physical features, like soil and topography. Nick Ehlen Merritt Paulson State Director Jonathan Fink Trish Smith By protecting diverse landscapes, we’re creating arenas for evolution, places that are inherently diverse and allow plant and Robert G. Gootee Roy W. Tucker animal species to adapt to our changing climate. Through support from our members, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Roger Hinshaw Carol Wendt other partners, we’ve identified and protected 23 areas spanning more than 100 square miles in Oregon, Idaho and Washington. When we adapt our thinking around how to protect land, we are setting the stage for a more resilient future.” ON THE COVER Oregon Coast © Rick McEwan THIS PAGE LEFT TO RIGHT Oregon State Director Jim Desmond © Tim Jewett OPPOSITE PAGE Burrowing owl © iStock —Ken Popper, Senior Conservation Planner for The Nature Conservancy in Oregon INSET CLOCKWISE Liza Jane © Courtesy of Liza Jane; Dan Porter © Courtesy of Dan Porter; John Stromberg © Padraic O’Meara; Ken Popper © The Nature Conservancy It Takes A Village Seeing Results BUILDING Working Together for a Better Future Forest Restoration Helps Nature plays a vital role in our quality of life—from the air Contain Summer Wildfire Healthy Communities we breathe and the water we drink to the places we play This past summer, the Milli wildfire led to a level-two and the food we eat. And since 1994, the Eugene and evacuation for parts of Sisters, Oregon, and the cancellation Springfield communities have made a concerted effort to of the Sisters Folk Festival, which annually brings more than ensure nature thrives so their people can, too. $1.2 million to the local economy. Though the wildfire burned Through the Rivers to Ridges Partnership, 15 public and for 45 days across 24,000 acres, the situation could have private agencies, including The Nature Conservancy, been worse had it not been for forest restoration actions are working throughout the upper Willamette Valley to implemented over the past six years. improve the quality of life for residents. We are protecting Tree thinning, brush mowing and controlled burns in the and enhancing the region’s land and water resources Deschutes National Forest reduced the intensity of the and providing environmental education and compatible Milli wildfire, making it easier and safer for firefighters to outdoor recreation opportunities. extinguish and protect private lands. Since its founding 23 years ago, the group has collectively “This scenario is exactly why we do forest restoration,” says restored and protected 23,917 acres, built and maintained 4 Oregon Forest Program Director Mark Stern. “Restored 5 40 miles of trails and annually provided outdoor education forests are healthier and more resilient to wildfire, making to 2,000 school kids for the last 10 years. And, the work our communities safer.” OREGON ANNUAL REPORT 2017 REPORT ANNUAL OREGON won’t stop anytime soon. Partnership leaders are actively working with regional planning experts on how best to This past year, our forest restoration team, in concert with expand these efforts through 2050. partners, worked on 10 projects spanning more than 250,000 Through your support and government grants, we have invested nearly acres of forest across Oregon. Our goal is to restore 4 million $7 million in this project during the last decade. That equates to 168 jobs Willamette River Confluence Because of your support, the Conservancy is able to work acres of fire-prone forests by 2026. This work is not possible and a $5.6 million investment in Lane County’s economy. on the ground with community partners like those in the Recreating Habitat, Creating Jobs without your support. Thanks for standing with us as we Rivers to Ridges Partnership. Thank you. These successes This is the largest floodplain restoration project ever to take place on the strive to create a healthier, more resilient future. After seven years and moving enough sand, gravel and dirt to fill 15,000 are certainly yours to share. Willamette River, and the benefits it provides to people and nature are seemingly semi-trucks, six miles of the Willamette River have been reconnected to endless. This type of habitat connection on the river not only provides a boost historic floodplain habitat. And, it’s paying dividends to the local economy. to the local economy, it cleans drinking water, aids in flood control, creates The United States annually spends an average of $3.1 billion on flood “On the national level, it’s reported that $2.2 million to $3.4 million in total more recreation opportunities and provides critical habitat for fish species, WHY THIS WORK insurance premiums each year and $4 billion in crop insurance subsidies. including the threatened Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon. economic output and 13 to 32 jobs are created for every $1 million invested Restoring floodplains helps reduce the public and private costs to in ecosystem restoration,” says BCI Contracting Owner Dan Porter. “In subsidize flood insurance and reduce post-disaster damages. “In the coming year, we’ll enter the final phase of this project and plant MATTERS Oregon, it’s estimated that 24 jobs are created per $1,000,000 invested, more trees, shrubs and plants,” says Willamette Restoration Manager and 80 percent of the money spent on restoration projects stays within Jason Nuckols. “We’re looking forward to sharing lessons learned to scale the county where the project is located.” THIS PAGE TOP TO BOTTOM Controlled burn in Bend © Mitch Maxson/TNC; Hiking the Ridgeline Trail System in Eugene © Rivers to Ridges Partnership this project within and beyond Oregon.” OPPOSITE PAGE LEFT TO RIGHT Willamette Confluence Preserve © Andy Walcott; Budding naturalist holds native mussel that will benefit from restoration efforts at the Willamette Confluence Preserve.