Thriving Habitat
On this page:
You might also like:
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:
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].
- Growing human populations crowd out wildlife:
As our 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.
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
Source:
1. Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org/pacific-flyway
2. Oregon Conservation Strategy: https://www.oregonconservationstrategy.org/ecoregion/willamette-valley/