Oregon sees new Willamette Valley wildlife refuge after ‘extreme’ habitat loss

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – In an effort to protect vital species, the Department of the Interior established a new wildlife refuge in the Willamette Valley.

Officials introduced the Willamette Valley Conservation Area on Tuesday, explaining the 600-acre space in Brownsville will help protect numerous threatened and endangered species.

“Today’s announcement is the result of robust relationships that are coming together for the benefit of people and wildlife,” said United States Fish and Wildlife Services Director Martha Williams. “It’s because of these partnerships that today we celebrate the new Willamette Valley Conservation Area, which will help support Oregon’s outdoor economy while protecting and restoring threatened and endangered species.”

As part of the project, the Willamette Valley Conservation Area acquired the Diamond Hill wetlands, in an effort to permanently protect oak and prairie habitats, which have suffered “extreme” loss, officials said.

“Oak and prairie habitats were the most prevalent habitats found in the Willamette Valley. Today, there’s only about 10% of the historic oak habitat and less than 2% of prairie habitat left in the Willamette Valley,” USFWS Biologist Jared Jebousek said.

Now, the land will offer habitat for shorebirds, neotropical songbirds, and “iconic” Oregon species such as the Western monarch butterfly, Western meadowlark and Oregon white oak, officials said.

The Willamette Valley Conservation Area — which USFWS called “a sanctuary for both wildlife and nature lovers alike” — will be part of the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex – which includes the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, and Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge.

The new refuge comes after a 2017 study found the distribution of land managed for sensitive, native wildlife in the valley was inadequate and recommended additional grasslands, oak woodlands, and riparian habitat.

“The National Wildlife Refuge System plays an invaluable role in providing vital landscapes for wildlife species, offering outdoor recreation and bolstering climate resilience across the country,” said U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “In communities across the nation, the Biden-Harris administration is investing resources and bringing together local, state, Tribal and conservation partners to protect treasured outdoor spaces for current and future generations to enjoy.”

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