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Thriving Habitat

Thriving Habitat

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On this page:

The Willamette Valley
Habitat connectivity
How we can help

You might also like:

Native Plants
Creating Wildlife Habitat
Pollinators & Beneficial Insects
Important Habitats

Photo credit: USFWS.

Photo credit: USFWS.

Photo credit: Andy Bauer.

Photo credit: Andy Bauer.

Thriving Habitats Priority Icon

The Willamette Valley has long been a place of beauty and diverse landscapes.

Bounded by the Coast Range Mountains to the west and the Cascade Range to the east, this basin contains a variety of habitats that provide vital homes for the valley’s unique fish and wildlife:

  • Rivers and wetlands
  • Lowland valleys
  • Rolling hills
  • Forested mountains
Tanwave

Habitat connectivity The degree to which separate patches of habitats are connected. is important for many species:

Similar to the way people travel around their communities, wildlife must also move throughout a landscape to fulfill their needs.

  • Example:

    Fish species need connections between aquatic habitats to avoid becoming isolated, which contributes to low genetic diversity and poor health.

  • Habitat connectivity fun fact:

    The Willamette Valley is an important part of the Pacific Flyway – a chain of natural areas used by at least 1 billion migrating birds each year [1].

  • As human communities continue to expand, natural landscapes are converted into buildings, roads, and farms, reducing the quality and connectivity of unique habitats.

  • Not-so-fun fact:

    By 2050, the population of the Willamette Valley is projected to nearly double, approaching 4 million people [2]. With this increased population comes significant threats to the region’s natural habitats.

Washington County is a part of the larger Willamette Valley ecoregion.

Learn about some of the important habitats in our county, including oak woodlands and prairies, wetlands, riparian areasAreas that are directly adjacent to flowing streams, creeks, or rivers., and mixed conifer forests.

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How we can help:

How can we nurture thriving habitats?

UrbanizationThe process of an area shifting from rural to urban., habitat fragmentationThe process of dividing up a natural landscape into smaller, disconnected pieces., invasive plants, and pollution have played major roles in degrading Oregon’s habitats. By creating new habitat and expanding existing habitat, we can protect these essential resources and boost our region’s biodiversity.

We can all support thriving habitats through practical conservation actions:

  • Plant Pacific Northwest native plants

    Native plantsPlant species that are characteristic of a specific area and are well adapted to the conditions of that area. are crucial to thriving habitats. Planting well-chosen native plants helps create wildlife habitat, conserve water, and reduce the need for chemicals that can pollute our watershed. Not only do native plants benefit local wildlife and ecosystems, they also bring the beauty of our region’s natural areas closer to home.

    Native Plants
  • Create wildlife habitat

    We can create wildlife habitat by expanding access to food and clean water in urban, rural, and forested landscapes. Wildlife also need places to nest or take shelter from bad weather or predators.

    Creating Wildlife Habitat
  • Support pollinators and beneficial insects

    Pollinators and beneficial insects are not just fun to see but also help fight garden pests, pollinate food crops, and improve soil structure. Like larger wildlife, insects need access to food, water, and shelter to flourish.

    Pollinators and Beneficial Insects

More About Habitats:

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Pollinator Hotel

Where Do Pollinators Go in the Winter?

January 11, 2021
Leaf Cutter bee

Understanding Native Bees, Our Local Pollination Experts

April 12, 2020

Thriving Habitat Projects:

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ForestAerial01_OFRI

Belt and Lundy Forest Improvement: Virtual Project Tours

Click here to view this story in a separate tab.

Source:
1. Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org/pacific-flyway
2. Oregon Conservation Strategy: https://www.oregonconservationstrategy.org/ecoregion/willamette-valley/

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Tualatin Soil and Water
Conservation District
7175 NE Evergreen Pkwy #400
Hillsboro, OR. 97124

Phone: 503-334-2288
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