Oregon

Vibrant Grasslands

Prairies provide habitat, fields for farming and rangeland — and a place to call home.

Grasslands are the least protected habitat in Oregon and around the world.

The Nature Conservancy is committed to changing that. We have the tools to balance livable communities and natural spaces, and we’re putting them to work on Oregon’s most treasured landscapes. With your generous support, we:

  • Test best practices and improve prairie health.
  • Share lessons learned with ranchers and demonstrate compatible grazing.
  • Identify and assess the best remaining — and most restorable — habitat.
  • Build widespread support for conservation while helping sustain a way of life dependent on cattle and ranching, shaped for generations.
  • Work with local communities to ensure wildlife habitat and protected areas exist in harmony with urban centers and working farms.

Explore our work and see how we are helping shape the future of Oregon’s grasslands to benefit people and wildlife.

Oregon: Justin Jones 215x143Justin Jones, the Conservancy's Zumwalt Prairie Preserve project steward. © Elsbeth Otto/TNC
Being a Good Neighbor

We're protecting habitat while supporting Northeast Oregon schools and communities. Read more

Witness tree OR feature thumbnailPreserves in the Willamette Valley feature old witness trees, like this one, and provide critical habitat for species. © Ed Alverson/TNC
Ancient Trees Bear Witness

A Baskett Butte conservation easement preserves Willamette Valley oaks and prairie. Read more

Volunteer work party at Yamhill OaksAdults and kids alike help collect native seeds at Oregon's Yamhill Oaks Preserve volunteer work party. © Morgan Parks
Generations At Work

Volunteer families are helping restore Yamhill Oaks Preserve. Read more

Nose for natives OR feature thumbnailRogue, a detection dog who sniffs out native plants in the Willamette Valley. © Jen Newlin/TNC
A Nose For Natives

Rogue (and his amazing nose) helped locate rare Willamette Valley plants. Read more

Debbie Pickering at Cox Island Work PartyDebbie Pickering, the Conservancy's ecologist in Oregon, directs volunteers at a Cox Island work party. James Thompson
Taking the Field

Conservancy teams are working to save important habitats from problematic plants. Read more

Investing in nature OR feature thumbnailConservancy Ecologist Keith Perchemlides, volunteer Belinda Lo, and AmeriCorps conservation team member Cara Conroy survey Oregon’s first conservation bank, located at an Oregon Department of Transportation site near Medford. © Kyle Strauss/TNC
Investing In Nature

Whetstone Savanna is home to the Oregon's first conservation bank. Read more

Dan BellDan Bell, Willamette Basin Conservation Director and Grasslands-Willamette Valley Team Lead. © Matthew Benotsch/TNC
Willamette Valley Lead

Dan Bell leads our Grasslands-Willamette Valley team. Learn more

Derek JohnsonDerek Johnson, Oregon Director of Protection and Grasslands-Zumwalt Prairie Team Lead. © Bruce MacGregor
Zumwalt Prairie Lead

Derek Johnson leads our Grasslands-Zumwalt Prairie team. Learn more

Oregon Make a DifferenceNow is the time to invest in a healthy and sustainable Oregon. © Bruce MacGregor
Make A Difference

Be part of the solution for Oregon's grasslands and the people and wildlife they support. Donate

Read More

Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

Explore Related Content

Grasslands and Prairies
We're working around the world to conserve crucial (and endangered) grasslands. Learn more
Volunteer
Enjoy the great outdoors while restoring some of Oregon's most beautiful grasslands. Join our team