Institute for Applied Ecology
$50,000

Over the last several decades, government agencies (including ODFW), non-profit organizations, and private landowners in the Willamette Valley have been working to reduce the decline of native species, recover listed species, and create an interconnected landscape of prairie and oak habitat by implementing restoration projects throughout the region. However, one major limiting factor to the success of these projects is the limited availability of genetically diverse and ecologically appropriate native plant materials for use in these projects. Up until recently, availability of locally sourced native seed for restoration work in the Willamette Valley suffered from a lack of coordination. This lack of coordination potentially resulted in over-collection from wild native populations, introduction of inappropriate genetic material into existing populations, duplication of plant materials production efforts, scarcity of critical diversity species, instability for commercial native plant growers, and higher costs for restoration projects. In 2012, the Willamette Valley Native Plant Partnership (WVNPP) was formed to increase the availability and affordability of genetically diverse native seed for use in Willamette Valley restoration, revegetation, and recovery projects. We are requesting funds to establish two new perennial beds as well as cover partnership coordinator time to assist with species selection, manage contracts, and disburse seed to partners.

Project Report