state CONSERVATION2014 report

CONSERVATION UPDATE Oregon is one of the most eye-catching states in the Union thanks its rugged coastline, majestic mountains and rolling valleys, which appeals to not only humans but wildlife. Some of the best waterfowl habitat in the nation can be found in Oregon, and from border to border, conservation opportunities abound here for Ducks Unlimited. The renowned coastline and the Columbia River estuary offer ideal habitat for migrating mallards, diving ducks and geese, while the eastern and southern parts of the state provide some of the best nesting and brood-rearing territory for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway. There are a suite of projects slated for the Willamette Valley, including the Upshaw Floodplain Protection and Restoration project and a 300-acre enhancement of the Fern Ridge Wildlife Area in the southern portion of the valley. Additionally, DU has an opportunity to restore a diverse mosaic of habitats on 227 acres on the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. In southern Oregon, DU is working with private ranching operations to maintain flood irrigation practices and restore wet meadow habitat. In Harney County, DU is work- ing closely with Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and its partners to control invasive carp and develop a state and transition model for wetland management. DU is also working closely with the Intermountain West Joint Venture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners Dan and Lin Dzurisin and Dan to conserve flood-irrigated pasture on working ranches, a critical habitat resource for spring migrant waterfowl and many other species of waterbirds. These are just a sampling of the many projects DU is undertaking in Oregon. As always, Ducks Unlimited will continue to seek out resto- ration and conservation projects that will benefit

AMERICAN WIGEON the waterfowl of the Pacific Flyway. spotlight project The Multnomah Channel Floodplain Con- Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), Or- shrubland, riparian forest) using ditch nectivity Project is located on a 300-acre egon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and closure and water control structures in an floodplain wetland referred to as the Mult- the Bonneville Power Administration. effort to mimic the historic seasonal flood- nomah Channel Natural Area (MCNA) Historically, much of this land was farmed ing regime to as many acres as possible. The across from Sauvie Island in northwest or grazed, including the 300-acre MCNA, environment priorities for the project in- Multnomah County. Most of this land has which was a dairy farm until the mid-1990s clude providing off-channel rearing habitat been protected and restored over the past when the local government agency Metro for salmonids, winter and migration habitat two decades through partnerships with the acquired the land. The greater 1000-acre for numerous waterfowl species, breeding Natural Resources Conservation Service, floodplain is currently being managed for and wintering habitat for state-sensitive Ducks Unlimited, the North American native wetland habitat (emergent wetland, northern red-legged frogs and other pond-

part of the wings and wetlands initiative CONSERVATION FOR GENERATIONS breeding amphibians, habitat for state-sensitive turtle populations (primarily western painted turtle), sensitive bird species (little willow flycatcher, pileated woodpecker) and numerous other species of wildlife. Prior phases of this project included installation of two large water control structures at the north and south ends of the site and the res- toration of Crabapple to its historic meander through the floodplain. The current project will enhance three aspects of ecological connec- tivity at the site, which consists of two large wetland basins that were artificially isolated and drained by previous land uses. The wetlands have been largely restored to native emergent wetland, shrubland and riparian forest by Metro and its partners during the last decade, and should provide high quality off-channel rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids using the Multnomah Channel.

The North end of the Multnomah Channel Connectivity The South end of the Multnomah Project the prior September. Floodplain Project returned to wetlands thanks to DU.

TAKE THE INITIATIVE – HELP DU CONSERVE HABITAT THROUGH THE WINGS & WETLANDS INITIATIVE Oregon provides a diversity of habitat charitable contributions of $8.1 million Birds move freely across the border that’s vital to sustaining healthy water- to achieve our conservation goals in this during spring and fall migration and fowl populations in the Pacific Flyway. region. Your charitable support will en- during winter months, in search of an The estuaries of Coastal Oregon and able Ducks Unlimited to conduct impor- ever-shrinking food supply. Habitat loss the Columbia River provide habitat for tant science, public policy, and outreach and water use on both sides of the border large numbers of wintering diving ducks, efforts, as well as conserve the breeding, mean there will be no safe havens until mallards and geese. Southern Oregon migration and wintering habitats im- we conserve what remains. A gift to DU’s wetlands, notably the Klamath Basin, portant to waterfowl. DU’s research and Wings & Wetlands Initiative will sup- stage vast numbers of snow geese and evaluation efforts are the foundation upon port projects close to home, but also will most of the Pacific Flyway’s pintails. Mal- which our direct conservation programs ensure that the remaining undisturbed huer Lake and other Great Basin wetlands and our policy and outreach work are breeding grounds on both sides of the provide important production habitats for based. The Wings & Wetlands Initiative border will be protected before restora- redheads, gadwalls, cinnamon teal and encompasses Oregon, Washington and tion is required. more in eastern Oregon. Idaho and all three states enjoy a close Through our Wings & Wetlands Ini- connection with Canada that has been tiative, Ducks Unlimited is seeking strengthened on the wings of waterfowl.

For more information on DU’s Wings and Wetlands Initiative, contact: Steve Schmitt, Managing Director of Development - (360) 991-7461 or Mike Drake, Director of Development - (971) 271-4001

3074 Gold Canal Drive Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 916.852.2000 www.ducks.org/oregon

leader in wetlands conservation