Salem, Oregon – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have announced on Friday a new injection of federal money committed to the preservation of Eastern Oregon’s sagebrush ecosystems in a significant step to protect the region’s distinctive landscapes. This program intends to direct $679,690 into five strategic projects aiming at improving community resilience against climate change and supporting habitat restoration.
The funding, sourced from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), targets a variety of ecological preservation efforts across Eastern Oregon. These initiatives are meant to control invading grass species, reduce wildfire hazards, and revitalize the crucial sagebrush ecosystems that support the local biodiversity as well as the more general ecological stability of the region.
Emphasizing the need of these initiatives, Senator Merkley—who was Chairman of the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee—was instrumental in winning the funds.
“Restoring and conserving Oregon’s sagebrush ecosystems is critical to protecting biodiversity, mitigating the dangers of invasive species, and making our landscapes more resilient to climate chaos and wildfires,” Merkley said in an announcement. He highlighted that this funding, procured under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, would bolster collaborative conservation efforts vital for sustaining the region’s rural economies and rangelands.
Senator Wyden also considered the vital character of these ecosystems in countering the negative consequences of the climate problem, like drought and wildfires.
“Oregon’s sagebrush ecosystems are critical to ensuring resilience against the disastrous effects of the climate crisis like wildfires and drought,” Wyden remarked.
Celebrating the federal funding obtained under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, he promised to keep pushing for more resources to assist in further restoration initiatives all over Oregon.
In this regard, the bipartisan Infrastructure Law is revolutionary since it allocates around $10 million for the fiscal year 2025 to fund 53 important initiatives spread across Western states. These initiatives primarily aim at restoring habitat and using scientific knowledge on the ground practically.
The specific projects in Oregon benefiting from this new round of funding include:
- A $197,424 allocation for the Southeastern Oregon Collaboration to tackle primary threats to the sagebrush landscapes in Baker and Malheur counties.
- A $166,000 grant aimed at post-fire restoration efforts on Oregon rangelands in Malheur County.
- $164,195 earmarked for the county line juniper removal project across Deschutes and Harney counties, which aims to clear invasive juniper trees that disrupt local ecosystems.
- A $105,447 investment to enhance landscape resiliency on public and private lands in Baker County through comprehensive invasive weed management.
- A $46,624 project at Trout Creek Ranch in Harney County focused on implementing adaptive management strategies and virtual fencing to protect and expand core habitat areas.
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These projects are a strategic attempt to protect Eastern Oregon’s natural legacy while getting its communities and landscapes ready for the growing uncertainty of climate-related issues. By means of such cooperative and well-funded projects, Oregon keeps leading the way in ecological conservation and climate resilience, therefore providing a strong model for sustainable management and environmental care.
