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Salmon Habitat Fund Oregon Map © The Nature Conservancy

The Salmon Habitat Support Fund has supported 51 freshwater habitat restoration projects in Oregon thus far.

Oregon’s rivers, streams and wetlands provide important habitat for fish and other wildlife. Changes in stream and river systems, often from human activities such as agriculture, ranching, urbanization, timber harvest and navigation, can result in habitat losses and declines in water quality. Research indicates that, in North America, future extinction rates could be five times higher for freshwater species than for land species.

To solve this problem, The Nature Conservancy works with businesses, communities, agencies and many other partners to restore healthy habitats and ecological processes in rivers, streams and wetlands. The Salmon Habitat Support Fund is a program that provides vital resources to achieve important habitat restoration in local communities throughout Oregon.

The fund supports projects including restoration and repair of spawning and rearing habitats, improving fish passage, planting of native vegetation and removing invasive species, watershed assessments, analysis and ecological monitoring, and public outreach and education efforts.

Partnerships for habitats

The Salmon Habitat Support Fund is provided by Portland General Electric customers who voluntarily donate to the fund through their electric bill. Customers who purchase power from renewable sources such as wind can contribute an additional $2.50 monthly donation dedicated to salmon habitat protection and restoration. The fund is administered by The Nature Conservancy.

Salmon Habitat Support Fund Fast Facts:

• In the United States, 40% of fish and amphibian species, 50% of crayfish and 70% of mussels are imperiled, largely by alterations to their habitats.
• Studies show that habitat alteration and the introduction of exotic species are the two main causes of fish species extinction.
• Since 2004, the Salmon Habitat Fund has supported over 51 statewide freshwater habitat restoration projects that benefit over 140 miles of rivers and streams.
• Over 9,000 customers currently make monthly donations to the fund.

For more information, please contact:
Dan Bell, Willamette Valley conservation director
The Nature Conservancy, 821 S.E. 14th Avenue, Portland, OR  97214
Phone: 503-802-8100  E-mail: dbell@tnc.org

To apply for project funding:
Download the Project Application Process and follow the instructions (724 KB). There are no deadlines; projects are selected on an ongoing basis.