Our commitment to sound science helps us determine which of our region’s lands and waters are most vital to wildlife. Strong relationships guide us in understanding the ecological, cultural, historical, and economic contexts in which these places exist.
Conservation Opportunity Areas
The conservation agenda presents geographic priorities and establishes both 25-year and four-year objectives for the lower Columbia’s five ecoregions: Coast Range and Estuaries, Willamette Valley and Puget Trough, West Cascades, East Cascades, and Columbia Plateau.
Conservation Opportunity Areas represent our best chances to collaboratively protect vast swaths of land, which provide vital wildlife habitat and benefits like clean and plentiful water, economic opportunities, local food, and unparalleled natural beauty. View the maps on the ecoregion pages above to learn more about specific conservation opportunity areas.
Conservation Opportunity Areas were developed through the following considerations:
- PRESENCE OF WILDLIFE SPECIES AND HABITAT
- LANDSCAPE CONNECTIVITY
How well lands allow wildlife to move between habitats and allow natural processes, such as river flow, to take place - CLIMATE RESILIENCY
The presence of landscape characteristics that buffer against the impacts climate change will have on wildlife - EXPERT OPINION AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE