Funding will support beavers, salamanders, turtles, and other NW wildlife
Beavers, salamanders, turtles, and people got some much-needed help this week as the Oregon Zoo Foundation and the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Ore., awarded $25,000 to support conservation efforts through the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund.
“Our state is home to an amazing diversity of wildlife and habitats, and the ecological, economic, and health benefits they provide are immeasurable,” said Heidi Rahn, Oregon Zoo director. “Our partners are doing important work, and by taking action together for wildlife, we hope to both advance conservation and create opportunities for all Oregonians to tap into the restorative power of nature.”
Grants were awarded to the following projects and organizations:
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The Beaver Coalition to increase beaver-modified floodplain habitat in Oregon through collaborative planning.
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The Northwest Ecological Research Institute to assess the population status and genetic uniqueness of southern torrent salamanders and tailed frogs in the Oregon Coast Range.
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The World Salmon Council to expand its Salmon Watch youth program focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Conservation starts at home, and the majority of the Zoo’s efforts to save species center on the Pacific Northwest,” said Julie Fitzgerald, executive director of the Oregon Zoo Foundation. “Generous gifts from our members and supporters help the Oregon Zoo make our state a better place for wildlife, people, and the habitats we all depend on.”
The Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund supports projects that help implement the Oregon Conservation Strategy, a blueprint for conserving the state’s wildlife and its habitats. The Fund also provides needed financial support to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife partners to connect people with nature and increase equity for underserved communities.
Photo Credit: © Oregon Zoo
Edited by Sarah Gilsoul, a writer and communications program assistant at AZA
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