Regional Conservation Strategy FOR THE GREATER PORTLAND-VANCOUVER REGION REGIONAL CONSERVATION STRATEGY Contents CHAPTER 1 Introduction: A Unique Place, a Unique Approach .............................................................................. 1 Why a Regional Conservation Strategy? ..................................................................................................... 1 Understanding Biodiversity .......................................................................................................................... 3 What Is Biodiversity? ................................................................................................................................. 3 Why Is Conserving Biodiversity Important? .......................................................................................... 3 Where Do You Find Biodiversity and How Do You Conserve It? ........................................................... 4 What the Strategy Is and How It Can Be Used ........................................................................................... 5 A Collaborative Approach ............................................................................................................................. 5 Relationship of the Strategy to The Intertwine Alliance ............................................................................ 6 CHAPTER 2 Background: Fulfilling a Vision ........................................................................................................... 7 The Intertwine Vision .................................................................................................................................... 7 The Greenspaces Policy Advisory Committee ............................................................................................ 8 The Intertwine Vision: A Century in the Making ...................................................................................... 8 Suggested Reading ........................................................................................................................................ 11 CHAPTER 3 Integration with Other Efforts .......................................................................................................... 13 Relationship to State Plans .......................................................................................................................... 13 About the Oregon Conservation Strategy............................................................................................. 14 About the Washington Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy ......................................... 14 Relationship to Federal Programs .............................................................................................................. 15 Relationship to Local Conservation Efforts .............................................................................................. 17 Regional Planning: Metro’s Nature in Neighborhoods ....................................................................... 18 Metropolitan Greenspaces Master Plan and 1995 and 2006 Metro Bond Measures ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Clark County Conservation Areas Acquisition Plan and Legacy Lands Program .......................... 19 Local Government Conservation Efforts .............................................................................................. 20 Watershed Council Planning Process .................................................................................................... 20 Local Conservation Districts .................................................................................................................. 21 Land Trusts and Other Nonprofit Organizations ................................................................................ 21 Other Key Conservation Efforts ................................................................................................................. 22 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) .................... 22 The Intertwine Alliance. 2012. Regional Conservation Strategy for the Greater Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Plans ................................................................................................... 22 Portland-Vancouver Region. A. Sihler, editor. The Intertwine Alliance, Portland, OR. www.theintertwine.org Columbia River Gorge Vital Signs and Indicators Project ................................................................. 23 Oregon Biodiversity Information Center .............................................................................................. 23 Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds ............................................................................................. 23 Copyright © 2012 The Intertwine Alliance Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board .............................................................................................. 24 i REGIONAL CONSERVATION STRATEGY Contents Willamette Valley Synthesis Project....................................................................................................... 24 Desired Future Conditions ..................................................................................................................... 69 Washington Recreation and Conservation Office ............................................................................... 25 Threats and Challenges ............................................................................................................................ 69 Washington DNR and Natural Areas Program .................................................................................... 25 Strategic Actions ....................................................................................................................................... 69 Cascadia Prairie-Oak Partnership ......................................................................................................... 25 Suggested Reading ........................................................................................................................................ 78 Suggested Reading ........................................................................................................................................ 26 CHAPTER 7 Biodiversity Corridors ........................................................................................................................ 79 CHAPTER 4 Current Conditions and Challenges .................................................................................................. 27 Why Do Biodiversity Corridors Matter? ................................................................................................... 79 Summary of the Region ............................................................................................................................... 29 Characteristics of Effective Corridors ........................................................................................................ 80 Threats to the Region’s Biodiversity ........................................................................................................... 30 Desired Future Condition for Biodiversity Corridors ............................................................................. 84 Opportunities to Conserve the Region’s Biodiversity .............................................................................. 30 Threats and Challenges ................................................................................................................................ 84 Desired Future Conditions .......................................................................................................................... 31 Strategic Actions ........................................................................................................................................... 85 Landscapes of Cultural and Scenic Value .................................................................................................. 32 Suggested Reading ........................................................................................................................................ 88 Suggested Reading ........................................................................................................................................ 34 CHAPTER 8 Ecosystem Services and Green Infrastructure.................................................................................. 89 CHAPTER 5 Climate Change .................................................................................................................................. 35 What Are Ecosystem Services? ........................................................................................................................ 89 The Precautionary Principle ........................................................................................................................ 36 What Is Green Infrastructure? ......................................................................................................................... 90 A Step Ahead ................................................................................................................................................. 36 Why Invest in Ecosystem Services and Green Infrastructure? ................................................................... 90 In This