The Nature Conservancy preserves plants, animals and natural communities representing the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
How we work
Working with partners, the Conservancy takes a cooperative, non-confrontational, market-based approach to conservation. We use a scientific analysis to identify biologically important places large enough in scale to ensure meaningful, lasting conservation results. We buy land from willing sellers, accept gifts of land, restore habitats, and work with partners to improve habitats on public lands. The Nature Conservancy is a private, nonprofit membership organization working in all 50 states and 32 other countries.
Oregon’s great places
Working in Oregon since 1961, the Conservancy protects 48 preserves and managed areas in Oregon, including some of our state’s best-loved places: Tom McCall Preserve in the Columbia Gorge, Cascade Head Preserve on the Oregon Coast, and Lower Table Rock Preserve in the Rogue Valley. Recently added preserves include Zumwalt Prairie Preserve on the edge of Hells Canyon, Boardman Grasslands in Morrow County, and the Williamson River Delta Preserve on Upper Klamath Lake. For more information, visit The Nature Conservancy Web site.
The Conservancy has assisted state and federal agencies in protecting key public lands such as Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Steens Mountain, Tillamook Head, Neskowin Marsh, Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge and Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area.
Sources of support
Gifts from individuals support more than two-thirds of the Conservancy’s daily operations. Corporations and foundations also provide significant support. The Conservancy receives grants and contracts from public agencies to provide habitat planning, management and restoration services. Since 2004, the Conservancy has managed the Salmon Habitat Fund, which receives contributions from PGE’s Habitat Support renewable power option, the first program in the nation offering utility customers the opportunity to support salmon restoration projects.
Efficiency and effectiveness
The Nature Conservancy earns high marks for effectiveness from charity watchdog organizations. In 2006, the Conservancy received a perfect four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the country’s top independent charity evaluator working to determine the financial health of the nation’s largest organizations.
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Fast Facts |
Oregon |
U.S. |
Outside U.S. |
|
|
Preserves and managed areas |
48 |
1,400 |
|
|
|
Acres managed |
133,000 + |
7 million + |
|
|
|
Acres protected |
484,000 + |
15 million + |
102 million + (with partners) |
|
|
Member households |
22,000 + |
900,000 + |
|
|
|
Founded |
1961 |
1951 |
|
|
Partnerships in conservation
The Conservancy works extensively with private and public landowners to develop pragmatic solutions that will protect Oregon’s rich natural heritage. For example, we work with farmers and ranchers, counties and other partners to control invasive species, which take an enormous toll on Oregon’s environment and economy. We also work with federal and state partners to restore natural fire regimes to forests and grasslands.
Other examples of partnerships:
- The model West Eugene Wetlands partnership brings together the City of Eugene, Bureau of Land Management and The Nature Conservancy, using the best available science, strategic acquisitions, targeted restoration and local volunteers to protect a vital 2,500-acre network of wetlands and scarce native prairie remnants in a rapidly developing urban environment.
- On the Sandy River east of Portland, intensive efforts to control knotweed — an aggressive introduced species threatening riverbanks and salmon habitats across the Northwest — are paying off with cooperation from more than 300 private landowners. With many partners, we are sharing knotweed control strategies with watershed councils, agencies and communities from Oregon to Alaska.
- At the Williamson River Delta Preserve on Upper Klamath Lake, a partnership with industry, local leaders, agencies and the Klamath Tribes is restoring 11 square miles of river delta marshlands for two species of endangered fish and flocks of migrating waterfowl, one of the most complex wetland restoration projects in the West.
Volunteers on the land
The Nature Conservancy was founded in 1951 by volunteers. Today, more than 800 Oregon volunteers help restore natural areas, research native wildlife and plants, maintain trails, teach visitors about Oregon’s natural heritage, record data and assist in our offices. A volunteer board of trustees including business and community leaders across Oregon oversees and helps implement our conservation work.
For more information
