Pacific Northwest oak and prairie habitats are among our most imperiled lowland ecosystems, and host more than 300 endemic species – many of them threatened. Oak and prairie habitats are among the most threatened habitats in the United States, and are increasingly fragmented in the region.
Working through the OPWG, Urban Greenspaces Institute strives to protect and restore our remaining native oak and prairie habitats using science, education, public outreach and engagement. UGI also serves as fiscal sponsor for the Oak Prairie Work Group and is leading an update to the existing OPWG strategy using an ‘open standards’ approach.
The Urban Greenspaces Institute helped create and activate this 30+ member group and continues to rally and recruit new partners to elevate the conservation profile of native oak ecosystems. Through this conservation collaborative, Urban Greenspaces Institute developed the first-ever regional oak map, co-authored an oak stewardship and nature-scaping guide for urban and suburban residents, and led the development of a regional strategy to address conservation gaps in the protection and stewardship of oak ecosystems.
As the engine behind the OakQuest mapping effort, UGI sponsored and co-mentored two emerging Native American women leaders, working closely with the Native American Youth and Family Center and PSU Indigenous Nations Studies Program (Judy BlueHorse Skelton). Savahna Jackson (Klamath Tribes) and Sequoia Breck (Confederated Tribes of Siletz) went onto spearhead KelipiCamas to reclaim, learn and share Traditional Ecological Knowledge in support of land restoration and social healing.
Learn more about Oak Prairie Work Group website at Intertwine Alliance's website.