We work with landowners to protected Oregon white oaks and oak habitat.
Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District has new resources available on Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) .
Oregon white oak is a magnificent tree with a long history in the Willamette Valley. Oak habitat is culturally significant and supports hundreds of plant, invertebrate, and wildlife species.
Today, less than 10% of Willamette Valley oak woodland, savanna, and prairie habitats remain. These special habitats support a unique and rare community of wildlife that is not found in other habitats. The majority of this remaining oak habitat is in private ownership.
If you have oak on your property, you have something special. Oak woodlands are increasingly rare in the Willamette Valley. We are excited to work with landowners to help them conserve, enhance, and re-establish oak woodland on their property.
Even one oak provides shade and habitat for livestock and over 200 species of wildlife.
Even One Oak Matters
Protecting and preserving oak woodlands, even if it is only one tree, provides many benefits to wildlife and livestock. This handout outlines the many reasons why you should consider conserving oak on your property.
Farming Around Native Oaks
This new publication provides best management practices to agricultural producers who have Oregon white oak on their farm properties. It provides guidelines to keep existing oaks healthy as well as how to encourage the growth of new oaks. It also provides tips on how to manage invasive weeds and restore oak understory plants.
Let Us Help You Restore and Improve Your Oak Habitat
Clackamas SWCD has partnered with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to provide technical assistance to Clackamas County landowners. This partnership will increase our ability to help restore or improve native oak populations.
Landowners willing to develop Oak Habitat Conservation Plans may also qualify for NRCS funding assistance. This assistance is targeted for projects located within the mapped area below. This area includes Canby, Mulino, Molalla and Marquam.
If You Have Oregon White Oak Trees and . . .
- Are concerned about the health of the oak trees because they are:
- Being over-topped by Douglas-fir or other faster growing tree species
- Being overtaken by invasive species, for example: Himalayan blackberry, Scotch broom, English ivy, English hawthorn, bird cherry or English holly
- Are interested in planting more oak trees and/or associated native plant species on your property
- Want to enhance the oak habitat on your property to provide for wildlife and/or pollinators
- Would like to develop a farming or grazing plan compatible with oak habitat goals
. . . our technical staff may be able to help!
For more information, please contact Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District at 503-210-6000 or email us at [email protected].
