Doris Duke Foundation Gives $7 Million for Wildlife Habitats

What if there was a master plan for conservation in Oregon – one we could rest assured would protect healthy fish and wildlife populations for future generations? Who would create such a plan, and how would Oregonians carry it out?

Well, it already exists. Known as the Oregon Conservation Strategy, it was developed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife with help from a host of experts and stakeholders, including The Nature Conservancy, other organizations, forest owners, hunting and fishing groups, and farmers.

Recognizing its value, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation has stepped forward to make sure it doesn’t set neatly on a shelf, but gets out on the ground where smudges and mud spatters will testify that it’s been put to work.

The Duke foundation has given $7 million to the Conservancy to be spent over three years in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho in support of each state’s wildlife action plan. In 2000, Congress required each state to develop a statewide plan for wildlife conservation. The foundation sees these plans as strategic to achieving a broad conservation vision that transcends state lines. And they’ve funded several similar grants in other regions of the country.

“The action plans were developed with scientists, conservationist, hunters, anglers and others all working together,” said Dr. Mark Shaffer, director of Duke’s Environment Program. “If we can now implement the plans with that same collaborative, proactive and solution oriented approach, the benefits for wildlife and people alike will be enormous.”

The Conservancy has enlisted partners to help identify the priority land conservation projects – including Defenders of Wildlife in Oregon, Lava Lake Land and Livestock in Idaho, and Wilburforce Foundation in Washington. Land trusts and other land managers can apply to the Conservancy for funding. Matching requirements will ensure that the $7 million invested by the Doris Duke Charitable Trust will leverage at least $38 million for conservation across the Northwest.

“I’m proud of the way Oregonians from all walks of life came together to produce a strategic vision for wildlife conservation statewide,” said Marla Rae, chair of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. “This grant will go a long way toward making the Oregon Conservation Strategy an effective blueprint that drives conservation investments and shapes our legacy of healthy wildlife for future generations.”

Reprinted from The Nature Conservancy spring 2009 volunteer newsletter with permission from The Nature Conservancy.