January 14, 2015

Oregon Receives $22 Million for Important Conservation Efforts

Senator Wyden praises program that combines public and private partnerships across Oregon

Washington, DC – Oregon Senator Ron Wyden today applauded the announcement of funding for six major conservation projects in the state.  The six projects – all designed by local partners in Oregon - will receive help from a new program designed to support public-private partnerships and address complex conservation and natural resources projects. These funds will help projects in Oregon aimed at protecting sage grouse, restoring critical wildlife habitats, increasing water quality, improving native fish habitats, and enhancing landscapes and watersheds. 

“Oregon’s natural resources are unmatched and are a big part of why Oregonians are so proud to call our state home,”  Senator Wyden said as the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) recipients in Oregon. “The best way to conserve and restore Oregon’s treasures is for federal, local and private partners to all work together, which is why I am so pleased with today’s news.”

The program, which Senator Wyden supported as part of the 2014 Farm Bill, will provide the following amounts to projects across Oregon:

  • The Oregon Model to Protect Sage Grouse, $9,000,000
  • North Slope Ochoco Holistic Restoration Project, $5,000,000
  • Klamath-Rogue Oak Woodland Health and Habitat Conservation Project, $3,000,000
  • White River Irrigation Efficiency and Stream Flow Restoration Project, $2,000,000
  • North Willamette Valley Upland Oak Restoration Partnership, $2,200,000
  • Unlocking Carbon Markets for NIPF Landowners in the Pacific Northwest, $1,000,000

 For details about each project, please visit the Natural Resources Conservation Service website.

The RCPP, administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, fosters collaboration between the public sector and private entities to increase the restoration and sustainable use of soil, water, wildlife and related natural resources on regional or watershed scales.  Through RCPP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and its partners help producers implement and sustain conservation activities in the selected project areas. 

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Press Contact

Hank Stern, 503-326-7539