Habitat-based Focus Areas

Species addressed in focus areas, as described in our strategic plan:

• Lower Columbia River (salmonids)
• Estuaries (salmonids and others)
• Coastal Strand (Western snowy plover)
• Coastal Meadows (Oregon silverspot butterfly)
• Coastal Bogs (Western lily)
• Key Watersheds (salmonids and others)
• Coastal Rocks and Islands (migratory seabirds, marine mammals)

Oregon silverspot butterfly at Cascade Head Threatened	Western snowy plover chick Threatened	Western lily at edge of coastal bog Threatened

Methods

Methods used to establish focus areas:

• GIS-based approach;
• Analyzed data layers from existing plans and assessments to address focus species (e.g., Oregon & Washington Wildlife Conservation Plans, Recovery Plans, The Nature Conservancy’s Ecoregional Assessment);
• Identified areas of overlap and assigned to 7th field watersheds.

Stakeholder/Partner Involvement

• Review copies of the strategic plan provided to:

− Other Ecological Services’ programs
− Refuges
− 20 Watershed Councils

• Extensive public review of the landscape-level plans used to develop the focus areas

Anticipated Accomplishments

• Contribute to recovery of native salmonids in Lower Columbia River estuaries and key watersheds through barrier removal and stream restoration;
• Contribute to recovery of western snowy plovers in Coastal Strand through habitat restoration;
• Contribute to recovery of Oregon silverspot butterflies in coastal meadows through habitat restoration and protection;
• Contribute to recovery of western lily in coastal bogs through habitat restoration;
• Contribute to maintenance of marine mammal and seabird nesting habitat through habitat restoration and protection on or around coastal rocks and islands.