Restoring Hope & Habitat

Oregon Hunters Association
$20,000

Oregon Hunters Association, Institute for Applied Ecology, and partners are working to restore sagebrush steppe habitat and bitterbrush communities recently impacted by wildfires in the Interstate Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). Over a half-million acres burned in the Interstate WMU in 2021, including the colossal 400,000+ acre Bootleg Fire. As a result, Oregon Conservation Strategy species and habitats are in need of habitat restoration. An extensive amount of two key plant species, antelope bitterbrush and mountain big sagebrush burned in these fires. Though they are a vital component of these ecosystems, these plants are tremendously slow to regenerate naturally. However, planting, and caging seedlings will considerably expedite their reestablishment. This project is set to provide Adults in Custody (AICs) at Warner Creek Correctional Facility (WCCF) sagebrush and bitterbrush seed in Fall 2021 and those seeds will be cleaned and sowed in Spring 2022. In Fall 2022, WCCF AICs along with a strong force of volunteers and OHA staff, will plant seedlings into previously burned areas for the benefit of wildlife. Together, we will plant a minimum combined total of 14,000 sagebrush and bitterbush plugs in critical areas identified by local wildlife biologists. This project will benefit the WCCF Sagebrush in Prison’s Project to ensure its longevity and increase its capacity to assist in habitat restoration projects in Oregon. This unique program improves habitat for wildlife and offers horticulture training, ecological education, and nature connection to highly disadvantaged incarcerated AICs at WCCF. Training programs are some of the best ways to reduce recidivism and increase chances of employment upon release. This project offers AICs ongoing scientific curriculum, education lectures, workshops, and vocational training, while propagating thousands of native plants used to restore habitat.

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