1

oregonAnnuAl RepoRt 2012

Willow CreekPreserve sPotlight

how many Fender’s blue butterfly eggs were found recently at a restoration site at our Willow Creek Preserve? 2,934. in 2008, only 28 eggs were found. that’s a great success, thanks to our scientists, volunteers and the support of members like you.

the Nature Conservancy’s 519-acre Willow Creek Preserve near eugene hosts the reclusive western pond turtle and populations of Fender’s blue butterfly—thought to be extinct until rediscovered in 1989. Kincaid’s lupine, on which the Fender’s blues rely, blooms throughout the upland prairie.

the Conservancy has been working at Willow Creek since the early 1980s, and we were a founding member of the West eugene Wetlands partnership, now known as rivers to ridges. this group has worked to restore and conserve some 3,000 acres of grassland and wetland habitat, including vernal pools, emergent wetlands, upland prairie, oak savanna and woodlands in the valley.

Be sure to visit Willow Creek during wildflower season this spring!

Learn more about our work on grasslands in Oregon at nature.org/digin.

The Nature Conservancy in Oregon

on the cover Brice Creek in the Umpqua National Forest © Andrew Kumler this page Russell Hoeflich © Bruce MacGregor; Illinois River © Kyle Strauss/TNC opposite page Fender’s blue butterfly at Willow

Creek Preserve © Matthew Benotsch/TNC; Father and son courtesy Charles Quinn/TNC

BoarD oF trUstees

E. Randolph Labbe, Chair Judi Johansen, Vice Chair Robert S. Ball, Chair Emeritus

John Carter

Edgar Clark

Steve Corey

Stephanie Fowler

Frank Gill

Robert G. Gootee

David Harrison

Thomas Imeson

Margaret Kirkpatrick

D. Carter MacNichol

Greg Miller

David Osgood, PhD

Merritt Paulson

Christine Pellett

Steve Pratt

William Rutherford

Susan Sokol Blosser

William R. Swindells

Elizabeth Tilbury

Amy Tykeson

Christine Vernier

Lawrence Viehl

John Von Schlegell

Eric Wan

Charles Wilhoite

Steve Wynne

program Directors

Russell Hoeflich Vice President and Oregon Director Catherine Macdonald Director of Conservation Programs Dan Bell Willamette Basin Conservation Director Steve Buttrick Director of Science and Planning Jena Carter Coast and Marine Conservation Director Garth Fuller Eastern Oregon Conservation Director Derek Johnson Director of Protection Mark Stern Klamath Basin Conservation Director Doug Donahue Director of Operations Molly Dougherty Director of Volunteer Programs Julie Fitzgerald Director of Philanthropy Michael Dennis Federal Government Relations Director Amanda Rich State Government Relations Director

Dear Friends, At the end of each year, I spend time reflecting on the united effort of our talented staff, trustees and partners—work generous donors like you help make possible. This has been a year of great forward momentum, and I’m pleased to share some of our accomplishments with you in this annual report.

One big stride was completing our dynamic five-year strategic plan. This vision for future conservation will create a healthier Oregon by focusing on marine, freshwater, grasslands, deserts and forests initiatives (see Pages 4 and 5).

Our freshwater initiative is one example of how we’re already moving forward. This year, our freshwater experts brought groundwater science and management tools—lessons learned on the ground in Oregon—to a new level. Partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and others, they’re working to help establish underground water withdrawal guidelines that could impact management on millions of acres of national forests and grasslands across the country. It’s a huge win for water conservation and I’m proud our Oregon team is leading the charge nationwide.

All our successes are possible because of committed members, and volunteers, like you! On Page 14, I’m proud to announce our 2012 volunteer award winners. I am thankful for their invaluable contributions in advancing our mission.

My sincere thanks to all who rolled up their sleeves to help move us ahead this year in conserving lands and waters. together, we can be a force for positive change for nature and people—here and around the world.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy 2013. And take time to get outside and enjoy the places that enrich and inspire us all.

Russell HoeflichVice President and Oregon State Director

Willow Creek

the mission of the Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.

5

Big challenges, Big actions. SHAPING OREGON’S NExT FIVE yEARS

Major conservation challenges facing oregon echo our global predicament. Fish stocks are decreasing. Forests are at risk of increasingly severe fire. energy siting could disrupt critical wildlife areas. our climate is changing.

But our world’s future can be bright. We can unite for change, build on our strengths, and dig in to support an oregon where nature and people thrive. We can increase our momentum and build upon what we’ve accomplished together. We can demonstrate how a healthy natural world improves our lives and communities.

We have a plan. the Nature Conservancy has detailed strategies to drive the next five years of conservation in oregon. We are setting a course to create a richer, more resilient natural world.

We need you to make it happen.

You can help chart oregon’s future as an innovator and catalyst. You can inspire people to take action for the lands and waters on which we all depend.

To find out how, call Julie Fitzgerald, Oregon director of philanthropy, at (503) 802-8100. And visit nature.org/digin.

“If you share this vision for an Oregon that thrives, if you dream of a healthy and sustainable planet, then the time to invest is now.” - E. Randolph Labbe, Chair of the Oregon Board of Trustees

Mark SternForests

Dan BellGrasslands:

Willamette Valley

Garth FullerDeserts

Jena CarterMarine

Leslie BachFreshwater

Derek JohnsonGrasslands:

Zumwalt Prairie

MEE

T O

UR

TE

AM

LEA

DS

Dig In. Dig Deep. iNtroduCiNg oregoN’s Five PrioritY laNdsCaPes

marineabundant

Forestshealthy

Freshwatersustainable

Desertsintact

grasslanDsvibrant

> learn more: nature.org/digin

4 oregon annUal report 2012

this page Forests © Garth Fuller/TNC; Marine © Carrie Walkiewicz/TNC; Freshwater © Stephen Anderson/TNC; Grasslands © Kyle Strauss/TNC;

Deserts © Dave Renwald; Dan Bell © Matthew Benotsch/TNC; Derek Johnson © Bruce MacGregor;

Jena Carter courtesy Jena Carter; Garth Fuller © Stephen Anderson/TNC; Leslie Bach © Rick

McEwan; Mark Stern © Bruce MacGregor opposite page Photo Illustration: Conservancy

staff Steve Buttrick and Tasha Haraguchi, with Lily Donahue © Bruce MacGregor

6 oregoN aNNual rePort 2012this page Belding’s ground squirrel on Zumwalt Prairie © Rick McEwan; Birds at Coquille wetlands © Dave Renwald opposite page Oregon trees © Melissa Roy-Hart;

Stephanie Fowler and Irving Levin in Kenya courtesy Stephanie Fowler and Irving Levin; The Great Bear Rainforest’s Koeye River © Mark Godfrey

$10,000+ Anonymous – Climate Change, Protected AreasRobert S. & Julia Ball – MongoliaBamboo Sushi – Berry Island Marine Reserve, Marine Regeneration FundJames Bernard – IdahoEd Clark & Janet Roberts – Oceans & Coasts, Global PrioritiesCrabby Beach Foundation – Washington Marine ConservationJames J. & Diane T. Drake – Canadian ForestsStephanie J. Fowler & Irving J. Levin/Renaissance Foundation –

Mongolia, Northern Rangelands of KenyaAnn T. Gross – Global PrioritiesDavid Harrison & Joyce Millen – Costa RicaBill Healy Foundation – HawaiiFrank & Julie Jungers/Frank & Julie Jungers Fund of The Oregon

Community Foundation – Northern Rangelands of KenyaKerr Pacific Corporation – Flathead River Project

Randy & Leslie Labbe – Flathead River ProjectMarcia Litte – Global PrioritiesMary Jane McGary – Niobrara Valley PreserveDr. & Mrs. David Osgood – Costa Rica Judy Voelker – Global PrioritiesEstate of Edward yatsko Jr. – California, Hawaii, Michigan

$5,000-9,999Marianne Steflik Irish Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation –

Hawaii Marine Conservation

$2,500-4,999Carol Chesarek – Rocky Mountain FrontJonathan Fink & Nina DeLange – ArizonaDoug & Susan MacKinnon – North CarolinaRocky Mountain Power Foundation – Utah

giFts to ProjeCts aNd PrograMs outs ide oregoNThe following Oregon donors have made gifts of $1,000 or more to programs and projects outside the state between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

Looking beyond our borders

stephanie Fowler and irving levin have a vision as far-reaching as the Conservancy programs they support. stephanie is a psychotherapist and former oregon

Public Broadcasting host; irving is a successful entrepreneur. together, they travel to see firsthand the connection between people and place.

take their recent trip to Kenya. “our Maasai guide at the lewa Wildlife Conservancy told me he used to hate leopards because they prey on his goats. Now he recognizes leopard survival is important to his livelihood as a guide,” said stephanie. the Nature Conservancy provides expertise for lewa, a wildlife sanctuary, and the Northern rangelands trust, which helps local tribes conserve communal lands crucial for animal migration.

in Canada’s great Bear rainforest, where a Conservancy program has prompted the couple’s strongest support to date, their investment is helping to prepare First Nation youth for stewardship of earth’s largest remaining coastal temperate rainforest. “if you want to save vast landscapes, you have to help people coexist with nature,” said stephanie. “that’s what the Conservancy is doing.”

everywhere they travel, stephanie and irving experience for themselves that powerful connection with place. “Whether it’s Kenya or great Bear or a trout stream 40 miles from your house,” said irving, “go there and think, ‘i could play a part in keeping it this way forever and ever.’ that’s pretty powerful. Your heart will tell you what to do.”

aNNual suPPort aNd sPeCial g iFtsThe following donors have made gifts to the Oregon program between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012. These donors include members of our Last Great Places Society.

$10,000+ Anonymous (7) Estate of Patricia AltDr. Stephen BennettJohn & Patty BentleyKatherine Bisbee II Fund*Mr. & Mrs. John CarterJeff ClarkMrs. Maribeth W. CollinsMr. Truman W. Collins Jr.Crane Creek Family Fund*Paul & Jane CrowderDoris Duke Charitable FoundationSandra Brown Eakins, in memory of

Rebecca Smith BrownWillard L. Eccles Charitable

FoundationEstate of Aurelia P. EdwardsEstate of Jean F. EssexStephanie J. Fowler & Irving J. Levin/

Renaissance FoundationFrank C. & Mary K. GillJ.W. & H.M. Goodman Family

Charitable FoundationGlen E. GuttormsenEstate of Mary Anne HamiltonDavid Harrison & Joyce MillenEstate of Ruth P. & C. Allan HartClifford H. HeseltonEstate of E. Rae HudspethEstate of Anna F. JamisonJudith & Kirk JohansenFrank & Julie Jungers Fund*Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. Keiser Fund*Lora L. & Martin N. Kelley Family

Foundation TrustEstate of S. Diane KettleDrs. Catherine Kordesch &

David FryefieldEstate of Margaret W. KrimmelEstate of Shirley LarrickLazar FoundationEstate of Irene M. LemonMr. & Mrs. Norbert Leupold Jr.Marcia LitteJane & John MalarkeyChristopher & Catherine MathewsMcGrath Family Foundation

Meyer Memorial TrustMintkeski Family Fund*Estate of Patricia H. NoyesEstate of Elaine J. & David K. OylerLoren ParksMerritt & Heather PaulsonEstate of Virginia PenceRosemary Quast, in memory of

Jay QuastRandom Acts Fund*Estate of Eleanor C. & Carl K. RogersEstate of Martha & J.W. RosackerCarol & Velma Saling FoundationEstate of Patricia K. ShepardEstate of Daryl SherwoodMr. & Mrs. Guy SnyderEstate of Charles StarihaEstate of Susan SternMr. & Mrs. William Swindells Jr. Estate of Stanley W. ThompsonThe Tomodachi FoundationRose E. Tucker Charitable TrustEstate of Phyllis Van WagnerChristine & David L. VernierLawrence & Jane ViehlJohn & Fran von SchlegellMr. Eric Wan &

Ms. Michele A. GoodmanRichard & Doris WaringEstate of Wilbur WattersWessinger Foundation, in memory of

Patricia L. WessingerWeyerhaeuser Family Foundation, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. William WhitsellWiancko Family Donor Advised Fund

of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole

The Wild Rivers Coast Alliance Project of the New Venture Fund

John & Pem WinquistWintemute Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. Herbert ZachowZephyr Charitable Foundation

$5,000-9,999Anonymous Valerie & Will AitchisonMr. & Mrs. David Anderson

Sabine Baer & Manfred WieselLandrum E. Baker Fund*Eugene R. BarrChambers Family FoundationDr. & Mrs. William CoitJim & Dory DelpMr. & Mrs. Richard DemarestEstate of Dr. Arch W. Diack &

Mrs. Frances N. DiackMr. & Mrs. Matthew ErlandsonEstate of Betty FrewingMadeline GrimmEstate of Mary Jo HannaMr. & Mrs. Kregg HansonRosaria P. HauglandPeter E. HeuserAndrew HoveyThe Jackson FoundationEstate of Juanita R. LambertErika Leaf Family Fund*Michael T. LewisWilliam E. LewisWilliam K. LoftonThe Lookout Foundation, Inc.Mr. & Mrs. D. Carter MacNicholE & G McDowell Charitable

Endowment Virginia E. MillerMitzvah Fund*Dr. & Mrs. David OsgoodDr. Larry E. OusterhoutRobert L. & Marilyn H. RidgleyJames M. RootScudder Family FoundationChristopher T. SeaverSusan Sokol Blosser & Russ RosnerLowell W. SpringEstate of Rosalind StunkardAnne & Henry SturtevantEstate of Gerald A. ThompsonThomas VerhoevenRobert R. Vickers Charitable Trust/

Tykeson Family Charitable TrustWard Family Fund*

$2,500-4,999Anonymous (3) Mr. & Mrs. Carl Batten

Ardy E. BraidwoodRichard & Sally BriggsBertha S. BucknerCasey Family Fund*Mr. & Mrs. Walter CoppockJohn CourtneyDrs. John C. Crabbe & Jeri JanowskyGloria A. CwierzStephen & Susan FordMr. & Mrs. Don FurmanRobert D. Geddes and Cameron G.R.

Geddes Family Fund*Kenneth H. GlasgowVerna I. HallKari Henderson & Joyce SjobergSam & Tess HoffmanArthur Honeyman Fund*Karen E. Howe & James J. FitzGeraldRobert W. JensenStan E. KamblyEstate of Florence S. KennedyMahesh KetkarEllen V. Kodis & David C. SalmonDr. & Mrs. David LaGasseDr. Louise E. LeDucJoanne M. LilleyNancie S. McGrawDr. Tamara Medley &

Mr. Grant MedleyCarol & Victor MedranoMr. & Mrs. John MesserBonnie A. New, M.D.Phyllis C. ReynoldsMarge Riley Fund*Paul S. RostykusMr. & Mrs. Nicholas SammonsDennis & Mary Lee SaulsburyScott & Courtney SeeleyMr. & Mrs. Stephen ShieldsEstate of Virginia M. SmithSteve Sullivan & yan y. SoucieDr. & Mrs. Karl WennerWilliam WessingerMr. & Mrs. Stephen Zimmerman

$1,000 -2,499Anonymous (11) Jim Adams

Mr. & Mrs. Bob Schifferdecker – KansasJeffrey M. yonover – Illinois, Raja AmpatWilla Warren – Great Western Woodland of Australia, Costa Rica, Atlantic

Rainforest of South America

$1,000-2,499Anonymous (2) – Arizona, HawaiiLaurrien Gilman – WashingtonKestrel Growth Brands – Orangutan Habitat in IndonesiaMichele Mantzouranis – Rescue the Reef PalauWilliam Neuhauser & Laura Byerly – Costa RicaGary Rains – Atlantic Rainforest of South AmericaNaida Schoenthal – WashingtonPriscilla Spears – Atlantic Rainforest of South AmericaJean E. Sted – Land Preservation FundPaul F. Torrence & Bonnie Johnson – Adirondacks

7

thanks

Continued on Page 8

8 oregoN aNNual rePort 2012this page Volunteer at Sycan Marsh Preserve © Teresa Fernandez/TNC; opposite page Flower © Tasha Haraguchi/TNC;

Lily © William Neuhauser; Madrone © Kyle Strauss/TNC; Zumwalt Prairie Preserve © Rick McEwan; Patti Wessinger © Stephen Anderson/TNC

Ruth A. AlbrightMr. & Mrs. Frank AndersonScott A. AnkenbrandWilliam A. AyresDaniel Ball & Lori GolzeRobert BansenMr. & Mrs. Dale BargstenAntony & Amy BartonJon R. BarwiseAnn M. BattenDr. Edward BealsJohn BelknapBenge Family FoundationDr. Paulette BierzychudekC.M. Bishop Jr. Family Fund*Jennifer BishopSid BosMr. David BostockDean W. Boyd & Susan C. WickizerArlene D. & Mark E. BradleyVicki & Jon BrammeierElizabeth M. BrookeMr. & Mrs. Nicholas BroussardMr. & Mrs. Darol BrownJanice & David BrownPatricia L. BruggereMr. & Mrs. David BuchananDeborah Buchanan & Scott

TeitsworthDr. & Mrs. Neil BuistMr. & Mrs. William BuskirkTodd F. ButlerDale Call

Carmen M. Calzacorta & John C. Mills

Mr. & Mrs. Gerry CameronKatherine R. CameronJack CarterLiz & Neil CawoodDr. & Mrs. Ken ChambersAndris K. ChapinKen R. & Jan ChapmanStuart W. ChestlerDick & Karen ChildsMr. & Mrs. Greg ChristiansonLarry B. & Nancy ChurchEdgar Clark & Janet RobertsMr. & Mrs. Steven CoreyLinda S. CraigLynn C. CrossMalcolm CrossMs. Joey CurtinMr. & Mrs. Jeff CurtisCecilia M. DanielsSidney & Karen DeboerHarriet DenisonDr. & Mrs. Duane DenneyEvan deSieyes & Jamie OstrovRon & Linne DodgePeter & Elisabeth DorsettSteve DotterrerPhyllis DouglasAnn Edahl & David DrexlerMary Jane ElkinsMr. & Mrs. John Emrick

Equity FoundationMr. & Mrs. Matthew ErlandsonOrcilia Z. ForbesTom ForsytheDr. Matthew FrankDr. Stanton FreidbergDrs. John A. French & Lauren

McNaughtonRuth & Harvey Gelfenbein

FoundationMr. & Mrs. Jerry GerichRichard F. Gibson &

Carol F. Peterkort GibsonLaurrien GilmanVictoria B. Gordon & Robert BradleyDavid Goulder & Marlene SalonThe Gracie Charitable FoundationRandy GrebMark J. Greenfield & Jane HartlineDondeena GriffithsThe Hackborn FoundationDavid & Lois HagenDon Alan HallMr. & Mrs. Don HamakerMr. & Mrs. Howard HarrisonDr. & Mrs. Jon HarrisonDavid E. HartNikki C. HattonRichard L. HayBonnie & Eric HelpenstellJill Hendrickson &

Nathan R. Markowitz

Kae HenseyMr. & Mrs. Arthur HetheringtonAlyssa HolmgrenMartha A. Howard-BullenRichard Hyde & Rachel Tsu HydeMollie J. IlerDr. Richard E. JamesThe Jarvey-McCord FoundationMr. & Mrs. Ajay JindalMr. & Mrs. Albert JohnsonAmy JohnsonLeslie JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Philip JohnsonMr. & Mrs. Geoffrey KaiserDrs. Diane Karl & Matthew RiddleMr. & Mrs. Gordon KeaneJane R. KendallMr. & Mrs. Dan KnierimKrista KnoernschildMr. Mark W. Knudsen &

Dr. Wendy KnudsenCarolyn E. & Franklin G. KochLaura KonecnyKoons Family Fund*KrisEllie Charitable FundMr. & Mrs. James LandkamerJeffrey M. Lang &

Ramona G. SvendgardDeborah LawlessWilliam & Emmy Lawrence

Family Fund*Danny LeeBrian M. LeitnerMr. & Mrs. Kent LeslieDrs. Paul Lewis & Ann ScottCindy A. Lippencott & Bob S. BermanMarian LittlePhillip V. & Sandra G. LockwoodDr. Nancy LoebMr. & Mrs. James LoewenEric LuttrellDr. Jack LyfordMarcia LynchNancy Lynchild & Linda CampbellCatherine A. MacdonaldPenelope J. MachinskiSarah J. MadsenRobert MainMr. & Mrs. Christopher MarcellaJerry L. MartinRhonda L. MastMr. & Mrs. Peter McDonaldDavid E. McKennaJune C. McLean

C.J. & Jill McLeodMDU Resources Foundation, NDDr. Ruth MedakLaura MehrenDr. Lee Michaels &

Mrs. Mary MichaelsBonnie L. MorelandDonald B. Morrison &

Barbara FontaineHana & Ken MoyleMRG FoundationMr. & Mrs. Alan NealMr. & Mrs. Klaus NeuendorfNewcomb Family FoundationMr. & Mrs. Carl NielsenCheryl Norman & Sean HarrisHill Family Foundation Fund*Ronald E. & Ivy L. Timpe Fund*Marian & Elihu Schott Family Fund*Mr. & Mrs. Milo OrmsethSusie O’SheaEstate of Charlie OttMarianne OttBoyd & Dorothy OsgoodMr. & Mrs. Louis PankratzMrs. Randall C. PapéRebecca PapkeJudson Parsons & Diana GardenerDr. Cornelius PeeplesMr. & Mrs. Gary PellettDr. & Mrs. Lee PetersonMr. & Mrs. Ron PetersonLindsay C. Pierce & Harold L. BusbyJanis PiperMr. & Mrs. Jon Michael PolichSteven & Lynn PrattGregory & Kelly PrusynskiCharles P. Quinn & Dana AbelMarjorie S. RatliffJonathan Rettman & Allison EdelmanSheila Ford RichmondAnet Ris-KelmanWilliam RoachScott H. Robinson & Elizabeth SherBarbara Grutze Roessner Fund*William & Nancy Rosenfeld Fund*Mr. & Mrs. Elden RosenthalW. RussellMr. William D. RutherfordPeter SammonsThomas & Frances ScheidelDr. Roger A. SchneiderMr. & Mrs. Paul SchwerCarol Sessler

Mr. & Mrs. John ShelkLarry D. SimmonsEugene C. Skourtes FoundationAnne K. SmithBarbara N. & James Z. SnowSo Hum FoundationStewart Family Fund*Mr. & Mrs. Jon StineJohn F. StoltingMr. & Mrs. Peter StottJoan StrandRobert S. Strebin Jr.Mr. & Mrs. Jon StroudMr. & Mrs. Mark SuwynMr. & Mrs. William R. SwindellsMr. & Mrs. Russell TaberDavid B. TaylorAndrew D. ThalerBarbara & Darrah ThomasJohn D. & Jean L. ThorpeJanet M. ThroopMs. Elizabeth A. TilburyMary A. ToozeEstate of Eleanor TownsendAllan & Sarilyn S. Van HoeterDr. Hubert J. Van Peenen III &

Ms. Linda K. Van PeenenStan & Kathy VejtasaLindy VivasRoger VrilakasMr. Spike Wadsworth &

Ms. Sherry ShengHope G. WallaceWilla WarrenMr. & Mrs. David WaterburyMr. & Mrs. Jon WatkinsMr. & Mrs. Richard WatsonAnn C. WernerJane E. WernerJohn Westall & Patricia WheelerBenjamin R. & Elaine M. Whiteley FundMr. & Mrs. Charles WilhoiteFred Williams & Mary Beth yossesPam Whyte & Ron SaylorDr. & Mrs. Arthur WilsonGerald L. Witt & Susan D. BlissPatricia WolfeJohn M. WoodAnne WordenRichard C. WykoffMr. & Mrs. Steven Wynne

*of The Oregon Community Foundation

legaCY CluBWe are pleased to recognize the following individuals who notified us between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 of their intent to remember the Conservancy in their will or estate plans or have funded a life income gift. Their legacy of protected natural areas will be a lasting gift to future generations.

Anonymous4C Professional CommunicationAlaska Airlines and Horizon AirBackyard Bird Shop, Inc.Breitenbush Hot Springs RetreatCrimebusters SecurityDagoba Organic ChocolateDave’s Killer BreadDigicraftGabriela Goldfarb ConsultingGreat Harvest Bread Company

Ross HollowayHome DepotHome Depot FoundationLinda & Colin HormanHot Lips PizzaImagine GraphicsDanielle HughsonAndrew KumlerLagunitas Brewing Company Lan Su Chinese GardenLaughing Planet Café

giFts iN-KiNdWe thank the following individuals and businesses for making an in-kind gift.

Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.Leupold & Stevens, Inc.Bruce MacGregorMahonia Vineyards & NurseryMarket of ChoiceJerry L. MartinMr. & Mrs. Peter McDonaldMedford Food Co-opMetro’s Native Plant CenterMr. & Mrs. Blazo MitasevNarrativeLab

leaving a legacythe Wessinger Foundation has honored the legacy of Patti Wessinger, a former Conservancy board member, through a generous grant to

enhance the visitor experience at Zumwalt Prairie and to establish the Patricia l. Wessinger Memorial endowment Fund for conservation of this important landscape.

“Many of oregon’s wildest places, from Sycan Marsh to Zumwalt prairie, owe their protection to patti’s persistent efforts as an extraordinary friend of conservation.”

- Russell Hoeflich, The Conservancy’s Oregon director

Ninkasi Brewing CompanyODSStephen ParsonsGeorgia PollardPortland Center StagePremier PressDave RenwaldRogue RoastersMr. & Mrs. Larry SeeleySendit Direct Mail & FulfillmentSouth Stage Cellars

anonymous (14) 7 hounds trust janice l. Becker & Penny j. PalmerKaren Berky & timothy galvinrichard W. BillsWarren & sarah BlandClarence Bobbejerry & Barbara BoucockMarlene CarrClaire Carterdale Clarkgale W. Connelljoseph Crockett & janet ohmann

allen Crutcherhelen dePaoliMargot Fetzgarry s. & rita M. FinlayMorelle Forstergregory a. Freeddiana gardener & judson Parsonsjanice o. gerdemannrob gouldMatt & Marcie gregoryWinthrop a. grossMichael & heather guestKaren hallidaygary W. hahn

linda M. hardiePeter e. heuserrob & teddie hightKevin s. & janice P. holmesPeter B. hughestom & laura imesonharlow & Nancy jacobsongeorge & Kristine KarnezisKathryn Karrrichard a. & Mary K. Kinglloyd & Christine Klemkejackie Klingdavid & Mindy lagassejohn e. lamersonBurton lazar & Claire stock

edward r. longrichard a. lovettMarty McCall david Mowatrebecca PapkeChris & Kelley PlattWoody richardsPeggy robinsonlynette & jeffrey sahnow-jonesdennis & Mary lee saulsburyrochelle savit, in honor of joseph & esther savitMarty a. scottMary e. scott

9

Colleen d. searleMaryln j. shayvincent P. sikorskiPamela & Bruce stendalFrances W. stevensonroger vrilakasrobert Waldmanluise e. WalkerMarilee j. Wellersdickd. e. WhiteWilliam e. & Marie C. Wright john a. Young

Sustainable AdaptationsTriMetU4EUnderhill Training & DevelopmentDaniel & Robbie Wisdomyoga PearlZell’s Cafe

$25,000+ Bamboo SushiKerr Pacific CorporationODS PacifiCorp

$10,000-24,999Wildish Land Company

$5,000-9,999AAA Oregon/IdahoFirst Republic Investment ManagementKaiser Permanente Community GivingMyOwnLabels.comNACCO Materials Handling Group, Inc.NW Natural

Port of PortlandSchnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.Vernier Software & Technology

$2,500-4,999AllMed Healthcare Management, Inc.Pacific PowerPortland General Electric Corporation

Schwabe, Williamson & WyattSELCO Community Credit UnionTektronix, Inc.Tilbury Ferguson Investment Real Estate

$1,000-2,499Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Boora ArchitectsGeorgia-Pacific CorporationHampton Affiliates

Hancock Forest ManagementLensjoy.comKestrel Growth Brands, Inc. Minerals Technologies, Inc.Ochoco Lumber CompanyThe Papé GroupTumac Lumber Company Fund of The Oregon Community FoundationU4E

CorPorate MeMBersWe salute and thank our corporate members for their investments in conservation.

Continued from Page 7

10 oregoN aNNual rePort 2012 11

our year inpHotoS

caught onCAMeRA

This summer, volunteers collected native seed at yamhill Oaks Preserve. The seed will be distributed in new areas of the preserve to help enhance butterfly habitat. © Bruce MacGregor

AmeriCorps Member Kaitlin Cross plants Olympia oysters in Oregon’s Netarts Bay. © Melissa Reich/TNC

Darren Borgias, the Conservancy’s southwest Oregon program director, assists the USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station in releasing a sedated Pacific fisher. This one, F-07, also known as Chloe, is one of 17 fishers caught and released with GPS tracking collars to record how their haunts overlap or change around forest treatments in the Ashland Forest Resiliency project area. © Dave Clayton/USFS

A stormwater planter was recently constructed at our Portland office. Staff and volunteers helped plant over 200 native starts which were donated by local nurseries. © Bruce MacGregor

At Tom McCall Preserve, overlooking the Columbia River, deer are a common sight for staff and visitors. © George Purvis

In 2008, the Conservancy purchased 27 parcels, primarily in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, with the goal of bringing the lands into public ownership. This year—with the help of staff, trustees, partners and donors—the transfer is complete and the U.S. Forest Service added roughly 6,700 acres to the national forest system. © Rick McEwan

caUght on camera

Staff at our Zumwalt Prairie Preserve set up cameras

to catch trespassers and potential poachers.

But they caught some wildlife on camera, too.

FROM TOP Bobcat with

hare, elk, cougar and curious

chukar © TNC

1312 oregoN aNNual rePort 2012

Innovation: The Science of SeedshoW NeW seed CoatiNgs MaY reduCe WildFire aNd save sageBrush

With a pasta maker and a shoe horn or two, scientists in eastern Oregon are pioneering groundbreaking science. Literally. They’re working out how to help native seeds break through soils and thrive—when, historically, 90 percent of the seedlings fail.

JaY Kerby, as a teenager working on the ranch his father managed, camped in aspen groves that speckle Oregon’s Trout Creek Mountains. He’d bring his dog. Ride the horse in. And move cattle or fix fences.

This summer, parts of that very ranch were burned in the Holloway wildfire—a blaze started by lightning that swallowed 750 square miles of sagebrush country in Oregon and Nevada.

“That ranch? That was the heart of the heart of it,” said Kerby, now the Conservancy’s southeast Oregon project manager. “It’ll bounce back, as it was in great condition before it burned. What I worry about are the places that aren’t.”

Which is quite a bit. Recent science suggests that, in the West, an area the size of Colorado is already invaded by exotic annual grasses and an area the size of Alaska is at risk. Non-native grasses can make the landscape burn more easily and more frequently.

“If our native bunch grasses are absent from the system, the whole thing will spiral downhill, with fires getting bigger and more frequent,” Kerby said. “We have to get those natives back.”

And Kerby’s at ground zero for the solution.

Native seed restoration in sagebrush systems—a common practice across the West—is wildly unsuccessful. For decades, land managers have re-engineered machines that plant seeds. But, until now, no one looked at why seeds weren’t emerging and how to engineer the seeds themselves.

engineering success Jumpstarted by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), scientists have identified a number of issues—things like soil crusting, which makes it hard for young sprouts to poke through the soil. And, with the Conservancy and other partners, the team is testing methods of addressing these barriers. The “treatments,” so far, have been successful.

One treatment’s a seed coating. Seeds are bundled together in a small pack, for instance. So once these coated bundles germinate, the force of several sprouts—instead of just one—will be enough to punch through crusted soil. Once they break through? Seedling survival is statistically greater.

The team is testing the success of half a dozen different treatments—and using GIS and remote sensing information to target them—to help seedlings emerge in different circumstances. Preparing coatings has been a pretty homespun operation so far (that’s what the pasta maker is for). But the project’s gaining attention and ramping up.

seeding Big dreamsThey’re hiring more staff. Treatment production is increasing. And, this fall, tests are moving from the greenhouse to the field. Scientists just established 30 plots to test and monitor what is becoming known as “precision restoration.” Plans are under way for phase two, where lessons learned will be applied on larger landscapes.

“Just as the seed enhancement technology helps seedlings work together to break through a soil crust layer, generous funders allow the USDA-ARS, the Conservancy and public and private landowners to combine efforts to help restore the sagebrush ecosystem,” said Matthew Madsen, ARS research ecologist on the project.

If this pioneering strategy works, which Kerby thinks it might, millions of acres of sagebrush habitat across eight states could be more successfully restored—protecting wildlife habitat, supporting local ranchlands and decreasing likelihood of severe wildfires.

“Was it hard, seeing part of that ranch—and much of eastern Oregon—burn this summer? You bet it was,” Kerby said. “I wish we had this technology figured out years ago so we could help folks successfully re-seed after these fires. But we’re on the right path now, and we’ll be a lot better at sagebrush restoration soon.”

this page Sagebrush in eastern Oregon © Kenneth Popper/TNC; Scientists at the USDA Agricultural Research Service study

seed emergence to help improve native seeding success in sagebrush country © Matthew Madsen/USDA-ARS; The Conservancy’s Jay Kerby © Kenneth Popper/TNC;

Sample seed coatings © Matthew Madsen/USDA-ARS.

“i wish we had this technology figured out years ago so we could help folks successfully re-seed after these fires. But we’re on the right path now, and we’ll be a lot better at sagebrush restoration soon.”

- jay Kerby, southeast oregon project manager

this page Scientists review a vegetation map for eastern Oregon © Kenneth Popper/TNC 13

1514 oregoN aNNual rePort 2012

Conservation Heroes Each year, we honor exceptional volunteers who advance The Nature Conservancy’s mission in Oregon. We are delighted to announce the 2012 Ray C. Davis Volunteer of the Year Award winners, Susan Healy and Morgan Parks.

sUsan healY knows her way around a computer. From checking data entries for accuracy, to editing electronic newsletters and thanking work party volunteers, her technical skills and attention to detail are famous among our staff.

But Susan’s sharing of time and talent doesn’t stop at the office. Serving over 1,200 hours, she’s also a volunteer naturalist at Cascade Head Preserve near Lincoln City, where she’s greeted and educated visitors about habitats and wildlife since 2006.

“Susan steps up in a big way, putting in extra time and taking on numerous projects whenever needed,” said Molly Dougherty, Oregon’s director of volunteer programs. “I honestly can’t imagine how I would keep up without her weekly assistance, and I am so grateful.”

For Susan, volunteering is about reciprocating nature’s gifts. “Working alongside fantastic Conservancy staff and volunteers has been a wonderful opportunity for me to give a little something back,” she said.

Financial Information The Nature Conservancy in Oregon fiscal year ending June 30, 2012

2012 2011suPPort and reveNue Dues and contributions $6,994,657 $8,082,222 Grants and contracts $4,359,754 $30,004,245 Investment income (loss) (Note 1) ($231,797) $4,016,905 Other income $441,135 $513,405Land sales and gifts $11,213,980 $2,379,643 Internal transfers $513,788 $1,349,884 total $23,291,517 $46,346,304 eXPeNses and PurChases oF CoNservatioN laNd and easeMeNts Conservation activities and actions $9,149,777 $12,253,959 Purchases of conservation land and easements $805,000 $25,579,184 Communications and outreach $792,042 $757,503 General and administrative $648,305 $593,937 Fundraising (Note 2) $760,856 $405,058 Support for Conservancy activities outside Oregon $2,203,719 $2,085,454 total $14,359,699 $41,675,095 Net result $8,931,818 $4,671,209 asset, liaBilitY & Net asset suMMarY Conservation land and easements $54,203,770 $57,951,899 Investments held for conservation projects $11,289,284 $9,020,250 Endowment investments $24,081,210 $25,400,149 Property and equipment (net of depreciation) $2,966,402 $3,046,042 Other assets $2,659,624 $2,135,882 total assets $95,200,290 $97,554,222 Internal land protection loans $5,086,228 $13,351,312 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $11,098 $0 Notes payable $805,000 $0 Other liabilities $422,195 $510,830 total net assets $88,875,769 $83,692,080 total liaBilities & net assets $95,200,290 $97,554,222

(1) Reflects market performance, which was negatively impacted by global equity markets. Overall portfolio performance exceeded benchmarks.

(2) Reflects change in process for allocating fundraising and administrative expenses.

Susan Healy © J.N. Smith

The dedicated commitment and support that we receive from our members, supporters and partners is what makes it possible to achieve outstanding conservation outcomes. Contributions and dues from individuals, families, foundations and businesses in fiscal year 2012 included $5.2 million in outright gifts and pledge payments and $1.7 million in matured bequests. In addition, Oregon donors gave over $480,000 to help achieve important conservation outcomes around the globe where we work, including Berry Island Marine Reserve, Atlantic Rainforest of South America, Orangutan Habitat in Indonesia, Northern Rangelands of Kenya and Mongolia. Thank you for helping to conserve the land and waters on which all life depends.

Conservation Programs: 64%

Purchases of Conservation Land and Easements: 6%

Support for Conservancy Activities Outside Oregon: 15%

Communications and Outreach: 5.5%

General and Administrative: 4.5%

Fundraising:5%

| Be sure to support Morgan’s work and like us on Facebook today! facebook.com/nature.org.oregon |

morgan parks joined the Conservancy’s Oregon team three years ago as an AmeriCorps volunteer, when she enjoyed overhauling manuals for our volunteer naturalists so much, she decided to try it out for herself. She’s been volunteering at Tom McCall and Cascade Head preserves ever since.

But that’s not all. Morgan’s also a volunteer crew leader and has supervised our Wednesday night crew. Plus, she launched and managed our social media outreach for over a year.

“It’s been such an honor to work with Morgan,” said Jen Newlin, senior creative manager at the Conservancy.

“Her creativity and tireless dedication—she posted to our Facebook and Twitter accounts daily for months—is remarkable. She’s directly responsible for making Oregon a role model for other states across the organization.”

Volunteering with the Conservancy means a lot to Morgan. “Good work, great friends and favorite places are just a few of the reasons,” she said.

Congratulations and genuine thanks to Susan and Morgan. Without dedicated supporters like you, our successes would not be possible.Morgan Parks © Wanda Ruddell-Parks

contact: Wes Milligan(503) 802-8100wmilligan@tnc.org

nature.org/bequestPlease consult a qualified financial advisor before making a gift. PORPM121107001

Photo courtesy Jean Fagnan

Fulfill Your Wishthe Nature Conservancy can be named as a beneficiary of your will, trust, retirement plan, life insurance policy or financial accounts. the real beneficiary, of course, is life on earth.

Your gift can support our work right here in oregon, at an international Conservancy project, or wherever it is most needed. join the legacy Club today.

“Dad and Mom were enamored with gardening in the Willamette Valley, and they loved the mountains of Oregon. We hiked, camped and fished throughout the Cascades and Wallowas. My parents loved Oregon and wanted to help keep its lands and waters intact—for my sister and me, and for future generations. They knew a bequest to The Nature Conservancy was the smart choice to fulfill their wish.”

- Jean Fagnan, daughter of Leno and Idamae Christensen and Nature Conservancy member

The Nature Conservancyin Oregon821 SE 14th Ave.Portland, OR 97214nature.org/oregon

(503) 802-8100oregon@tnc.org

Thank You to Our Supporters of All Ages! Meet Jasmine Starr. At 5 years old, she’s deeply in love with butterflies. So, with help from her mom, she set up a lemonade stand one afternoon in front of their home—raising money to give to The Nature Conservancy to protect Oregon silverspot butterflies.

The Conservancy’s Cascade Head Preserve on the coast is one of only five sites where the threatened butterfly can be found. And Jasmine decided she wanted to help.

Her first customers came by on bikes and soon neighborhood kids came by, too. “Now a whole neighborhood of kids have learned a little bit about the Oregon silverspot butterfly,” said Jillian Starr, Jasmine’s mom.

Jasmine presented the Conservancy with her hard-earned $52.75. And now the family’s planning their first trip out to Cascade Head next year.

“Like” the Oregon Nature Conservancy on Facebook and receive updates on our work! facebook.com/nature.org.oregon

We’ve redesigned our annual report. tell us what you think of the new format! oregon@tnc.org

| learn more about Cascade head Preserve and other places we protect: nature.org/oregonpreserves |

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Jasmine Starr © Jillian Starr; Oregon silverspot butterfly © Cynthia Beckwith/TNC; Cascade Head Preserve © Molly Dougherty/TNC