Meghan Collins or Marnie Allbritten (541) 673-0372       
Fax: (541) 673-0372

ROSEBURG – If you have a green thumb and want to entice chirping birds and other small animals to your land, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife can help.

Next week, ODFW will hold their annual plant give-away for Douglas County gardeners. Free plants are only available on Mar. 8 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Roseburg ODFW office, 4192 N. Umpqua Highway. Interested landowners are encouraged to arrive early as most of the plants are taken by noon. 

Bird boxes, bat boxes, woodduck boxes, and plans for several wildlife-friendly construction projects also will be available.

This year’s free plants include serviceberry, common snowberry, red columbine, Oregon ash, blue camas and Sago pondweed. Most of these plants are adapted to moist soils and require partial sun or full sun and some are specifically adapted to wet or boggy areas.

The free plants benefit wildlife by offering food and shelter to birds, amphibians, and small mammals. This annual Douglas County tradition is funded through the ODFW habitat program.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The agency consists of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, a commission-appointed director and a statewide staff of approximately 950 permanent employees. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.