Resources
Why Prairie?
Before European contact, the Willamette Valley was comprised of approximately two million acres of prairie and oak habitat with 25,500 Kalapuyan people managing the habitat for food and game.
Today, it is estimated that oak habitat is found on under ten percent of its pre-settlement area while prairie is found on less than two percent. Much of what remains is fragmented, isolated, and heavily impacted by fast-growing conifers and invasive species. Loss of this habitat has caused huge losses in the birds, insects, and other wildlife that utilize this habitat for food and cover.
To learn about the drive to protect and restore this imperiled ecosystem, see:
Willamette Valley Oak and Prairie Cooperative Strategic Action Plan
Seeding & Planting
Native grasses and wildflowers are naturally slow to establish from seed, making proper site preparation absolutely critical for restoration success. Without adequate preparation, exotic weeds will outcompete native plants, limiting both establishment and long-term persistence of your restoration efforts.
Native Willamette Valley Oak Habitat and Prairie Restoration Site-Preparation and Seeding Information
Complete guide to preparing sites for oak habitat and prairie restoration in the Willamette Valley
Prairie Restoration in the Willamette Valley
Updated strategies and techniques specific to Willamette Valley prairie ecosystems
Seeding Rates and Methods
Our most current recommendations for seeding rates, timing, and application methods
Planting for Native Bees
Overview of why native bees matter and how to design and plant habitats that support them