Working together to save the salmon

Bethel Creek restoration © Jim Yuskavitch

Bethel Creek , an important coho salmon stream south of Bandon,
is one of 33 restoration projects supported thus far by the
Salmon Habitat Fund. © Jim Yuskavitch

Healthy rivers, streams and wetlands are critical to Oregon’s fish and other wildlife. Changes in stream and river systems, often from human activities such as agriculture, ranching, urbanization and navigation, can result in habitat loss and serious decline in freshwater species.

To protect and preserve freshwater habitats, The Nature Conservancy has partnered with Portland General Electric and Pacific Power to create the Salmon Habitat Fund, a program unique to Oregon.

The Salmon Habitat Fund is provided by Pacific Power and PGE customers who voluntarily choose to get their power from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Included within the renewables program is an option to contribute $2.50 monthly to salmon habitat protection and restoration. These customer donations comprise the Salmon Habitat Fund. Currently, over 13,000 customers make monthly donations to the fund, which is administered by The Nature Conservancy.

The fund supports projects around the state such as 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.

Since 2004, the fund has contributed to 51 projects around the state and has improved habitat conditions along more than 140 miles of streams and rivers.

For more information, please contact:
Leslie Bach, director of freshwater programs
The Nature Conservancy, 821 S.E. 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214
Phone: 503-802-8100 E-mail: lbach@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.

To support the Salmon habitat fund:

Sign up for Pacific Power Blue Sky Habitat:
Pacific Power customers who wish to sign up for Blue Sky Habitat and contribute to the Salmon Habitat Fund can call customer service at 1-800-769-3717 or visit the Pacific Power Web site at www.pacificpower.net/bluesky
Sign up for PGE’s Habitat Support Option:
For more information on the Habitat Support Option program and for immediate sign up to support the Salmon Habitat Fund, PGE customers can go to www.greenpoweroregon.com. Or, call or 1-800-542-8818 or 503-228-6322 (Portland only).