Northwest Habitat Institute, of Corvallis Oregon's CHAP Method is the first of its kind in determining a systematic habitat appraisal for the Willamette River Basin
Portland, OR – Oct 22, 2010
CORVALLIS, Ore. — COMBINED HABITAT ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS was the procuring cause in settling a three decade discussion between Bonneville Power Administration, the federal power marketing agency and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The settlement requires BPA to protect 20,000 acres of wildlife habitat in the Willamette River basin through 2025.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed the $150 million contract Friday October 22, 2010. Stating;
"This agreement marks a landmark partnership between federal, state and local governments and organizations," Kulongoski said. "This agreement allows us to not just maintain the crown jewel of the Willamette Valley — but to restore and enhance habitat for many future generations of Oregonians."
Northwest Habitat Institute’s recently patent habitat appraisal and accounting technique was the only method used in determining a systematic habitat appraisal for this ongoing issue. This habitat assessment tool known as CHAP, employs a spatially based multi-purpose field inventory accounting tool that when applied to a site or area will generate an accurate appraised habitat value. The first method of it’s kind in integrating multi-species, habitat characteristics, including evaluation of invasive plants and other anthropogenic effects.
Contact Info:
Northwest Habitat Institute
Director
Thomas A. O’Neill
541-753-2199
habitat@nwhi.org
The Northwest Habitat Institute has just added our Habitat Appraisal and Registry Page!
To learn more about the exciting work NHI is doing on habitat assessment and mitigation accounting systems please click the HAB Registry tab to the left or click on the link below.
HAB Appraisal and Registry Page
A Guide to Oregon and Washington's Wetland Wildlife and their Habitats
This book is being given away free to schools and school districts through charitable donations. The printing and distribution of the book is supported by The Fred Meyer Foundation, Oregon and Washington Fish and Wildlife Departments and Oregon and Washington Chapters of The Wildlife Society. This book would be excellent for environmental education and appropriate age levels are classes from middle to high school.
A Guide to Oregon and Washington's Wetland Wildlife and Their Habitats book is now being printed! Thanks to all those that have supported this project. School districts that are interested in obtaining copies of this book should download and fill out the following form and email this back to Andy Hackethorn at andy@nwhi.org.
*If you do not have Microsoft word to view this file, or you have any questions, please email or call Andy Hackethorn at andy@nwhi.org or 541-753-2199
The Pacific Northwest Habitat Classification System (PHaCS) Database is now available
The VEMA Vegetation Management Database is now available
Click Here to View the Latest Ecology Picture of the Week [ Link ]
The Northwest Habitat Institute (NHI) is a non-profit scientific and educational organization. Our mission is to promote and facilitate the conservation of Pacific Northwest native species and habitats through:
- Development and dissemination of data-rich and verifiable information, maps, and tools; and
- Restoration and enhancement of native habitats.
Specific objectives of the institute include developing products and tools that assist landowners and land managers conserve native species and habitats, developing and implementing inventorying and monitoring programs, and coordinating and facilitating activities (e.g., habitat restoration,land-use planning and management objectives) that promote the conservation and management of our natural resources.
Examples of work the NHI has conducted include:
- Developing and coordinating projects that increase the state of our knowledge about: The interactions and associations between our wildlife species and habitats, and the effects of land-use and management practices on our native species and habitats;
- Identifying and mapping land-use, land-cover, vegetation, and wildlife habitats of the Pacific Northwest as well as the distributions of Pacific Northwest wildlife species; and
- Developing and maintaining an interactive web site that will provide information to the public and natural resource managers about wildlife habitats and wildlife species' functions, distributions, and life-history characteristics.
The Northwest Habitat Institute is a nonprofit, tax-exempt scientific/educational organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. We are funded through:
- Research grants,
- The sale of our publications,
- Contributions received from foundations, corporations, and individuals.
NHI welcomes supporting contributions of any size.
