Strategic Conservation Management in Oregon’s Willamette Valley

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is using a Strategic Habitat Conservation (SHC) approach to conserve fish and wildlife resources and ecological processes at landscape scales (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2008). Elements of SHC include biological planning, conservation design, delivery, monitoring, and research. We are selecting surrogate species for habitats needing conservation, setting measurable biological objectives for these species and habitats, and planning how to achieve these objectives most efficiently using our own resources and by working with partners. This approach provides a framework that facilitates conservation planning, promotes accountability, and supports transparent decisions. It includes monitoring, assessment, and accountability as adaptive management components. The pilot for Region 1 of the Service is the Willamette Valley in Oregon.