A New Chapter

The Northwest Land Conservation Trust has a new name, a new plan, and a renewed commitment to protecting habitat across the Willamette Valley!

Read Our Strategic Plan

Conserving Land

Forging Connections

The Willamette Habitat Trust’s mission is to conserve and restore high-quality wildlife habitat, primarily in the Willamette Valley, through lasting partnerships with landholders.

25

conservation easements

1,250+

acres protected

Read more about our work →

Values & Goals

The Willamette Habitat Trust envisions a Willamette Valley where native habitat on natural areas, working farms, and forest lands is permanently protected to support healthy communities of plants, wildlife, and people.

CONSERVATION

Protect high-quality habitat land in and around the Willamette Valley

COMMUNITY

Collaborate with landholders, neighbors, and volunteers to protect land

CAPACITY

Grow organizational ability to serve as permanent steward of protected land

Conservation Priorities

To achieve our mission, the Willamette Habitat Trust has identified several priority areas for future easements:

  • Geographic Focus on Willamette Valley

    At this time, the Trust is only considering new conservation easements in the following Oregon counties: Lane, Douglas, Marion, Linn, Polk

    Species and Habitat Quality

    We assess the quality of the habitat on the property and prioritize properties which contain sensitive, rare, or endangered plants or animals. Properties with less coverage by invasive species and those where habitat restoration has been done or is being planned will get priority.

    Connectivity with Protected Lands

    We prioritize properties which are close to existing protected areas (our easements, other easements, protected public lands) so that a larger, connected protected area will be created.

    Risk of Destructive Land Uses

    We prioritize properties with the most imminent threats from development, mining, or other potentially destructive land uses.

    Alignment with Partners’ Work

    We use the ODFW Priority Wildlife Connectivity Area map to prioritize properties which provide habitat corridors for wildlife movement and the Willamette Valley Oak and Prairie Cooperative Strategic Action Plan map to prioritize properties in Core Conservation Areas. We aim to collaborate with other land trusts in the region to align on priorities and selection criteria for mutual benefit.

    Learn about conservation easements →