A Guide to Conserving Wildlife on Willamette Valley Farms
Oregon Wildlife Institute
PO Box 1061
Corvallis, Oregon 97339
(541)745-5025
info@oregonwildlife.orgwildlife on Willamette valley farms
Approximately 95% of the land area in the Willamette Valley of Oregon is under private ownership and almost half of these private lands are used for agricultural purposes. So clearly, growers and livestock producers have a key role in shaping the future for wildlife in the region.
The Oregon Wildlife Institute is collaborating with family farmers, processors, and faculty members at OSU Horticulture to conserve wildlife habitats and maintain biological diversity across agricultural landscapes in the Willamette Valley.
During 2010, the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission has been supporting our work to facilitate sustainable agriculture certification among growers in the 
Willamette Valley. One element of this program is to help growers find information
about wildlife conservation and management so they can plan and undertake projects that are a good fit with their own goals and operations. Below are links to online resources that were selected to help family farmers find out more about wildlife and conservation issues in the Willamette Valley, practical habitat management options, and sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Also be sure to check out OSU Horticulture's new Oregon Vegetables website for information and resources collected especially for Oregon growers.
Willamette valley wildlife
The Oregon Wildlife Explorer is the first place to look online for information about wildlife and their habitats.
OWI has developed our own unique website to provide information about Willamette Valley wildlife associated with grasslands and oak woodlands.
The NatureServe Explorer is a quick way to find out information about any wildlife species. Just plug in the species common name!
Federally listed wildlife species (threatened, endangered, candidate, and species of concern) in Oregon.
continuing education
ODFW publishes On the Ground, an monthly online newsletter highlighting landowner stories, wildlife research, and emerging wildlife management issues in Oregon.
Oregon Department of Agriculture has developed a library of online natural resource documents prepared by soil and water conservation districts around the state.
The county offices of OSU Extension Service host natural resource management workshops thoughout the year. Many of the county extension offices publish newsletters that announce upcoming events that are relevant to wildlife management.
Oregon NRCS has created a great webpage for landowners planning their own conservation projects.
conservation techniques
A list of farm conservation practices prepared by Oregon NRCS.
Wildlife management leaflets written for specific species or habitats by the NRCS Ecological Sciences Program. The list of leaflets are national in scope and not all are relevant to Willamette Valley wildlife.
Information on constructing nest boxes for birds and roost boxes for bats:
- Bat Conservation International
- Bats Northwest
- National Wildlife Federation Bat House Plans
- North American Bluebird Society
- Cornell Lab or Ornithology Nestwatcher Program
The Native Turtles of Oregon website explains how to identify turtle species, explains their habitat requirements, and has great ideas for turtle conservation on private lands.
Heritage Seedlings Inc. of Salem has an informative webpage on restoring Willamette Valley prairies and white oak habitats.
The Xerces Society, a conservation group protecting insect diversity, has prepared materials designed to help growers maintain populations of native pollinators on agricultural lands.
Although cats do serve a useful purpose by controlling rats and mice around farm buildings, they are among the serious causes of mortality among songbirds. Some of the ground-nesting bird species such as the streaked horned lark and western meadowlark are especially at risk of predation by cats. The American Bird Conservancy's Cats Indoors program attempts to address this important wildlife issue.
invasive species
The 2010 PNW Weed Management Handbook edited by Ed Peachy (OSU Horticulture). Written specifically for growers.
Weedmapper is an excellent resource for information on specfic noxious plants and their geographic range in the state.
The ODA Noxious Weed Program website is a useful place to find out more about emerging weed issues, upcoming events, and technical resources available to landowners.
ODFW invasive animal species website contains information on the most serious aquatic invaders in Oregon.
European starlings are one of the most significant wildlife pests in Oregon. Starlings compete for cavity nest sites need by western bluebirds, wrens, woodpeckers and many other native birds, thus impacting their capability to reproduce.
wildlife damage
Any plan for improving wildlife habitat on a farm must consider how management practices will alter the risk of wildlife damage to crops. Several Universities have colloaborated on the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, a useful website for learning how to deal with wildlife damage on farms.
Expanding populations of Canada geese are an inceasingly serious problem, causing widespread crop damage and competing with other overwintering waterfowl and shorebirds. The Oregon Goose Control Task Force was created by the state legislature to study approaches for controlling geese populations.
OPB's Oregon Field Guide broadcast a facinating episode on gray-tailed voles in 2008. The story examined crop damage by voles, methods of population control, and research being conducted on the species. OWI's own Jennifer Gervais even appears in the episode!
regional conservation efforts
The ODFW Oregon Conservation Strategy provides an overarching framework for preserving wildlife and their habitats. The document gives an excellent overview to wildlife diversity, species at risk, and conservation approaches.
The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds is an initiative that is intended to help restore healthy watersheds that support the economy and quality of life of Oregon.
The Oregon Portal of the Conservation Registry has links to 100's of conservation projects undertaken throughout the state. The site also identifies funding and technical resources available to landowners.
The Oregon Watershed Councils are always looking for ways to develop partnerships with growers and ranchers to improve conditions for fish and wildlife. Find out more by attending a meeting of your local council.
The Willamette Basin Explorer is a collection of stories, reference materials, and online mapping tools to help landowners and local organizations discover the history of the region, as well as learn more about conservation issues.
Actually a nationwide program, the Private Landowner Network provides an online place where landowners can connect with professional specialists dealing with all aspects of conservation planning. The site is particularly useful for finding information about arranging conservation easements, working with land trusts, and tax benefits that are available to private land owners undertaking conservation activities.
Banner photo of Cooper's hawk by John J. Mosesso