Habitat Conservation Plan/Prairie Conservation Strategy

Protecting, Creating, and Enhancing Natural Habitat for Future Generations of People and Wildlife

Benton County encompasses some of the highest quality remaining prairie and oak savanna, wetlands, and forest in Oregon.  In spring of 2011, Benton County was approved by US Fish and Wildlife Service to implement a Benton County Prairie Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

The ongoing management program for upland and wetland prairie habitat provides the following benefits:

• Expand upon current conservation efforts by increasing restoration opportunities on County and other private lands;
• Provide long-term protection of rare species and habitats;
• Develop a more economical and ecological approach to species conservation and mitigation

The following threatened and endangered species are specifically protected and their habitat enhanced through the Benton County Habitat Conservation Plan program:

• Fender’s Blue Butterfly
• Taylor’s Checkerspot
• Kincaid’s Lupine
• Willamette Daisy
• Bradshaw’s Lomatium
• Nelson’s Checkermallow
• Peacock Larkspur