“Conserving relatively small private wetland properties might not seem like much when looking at the entire Pacific Flyway. But most land in the contiguous 48 states is in private ownership and each conserved parcel adds to the network of places birds can nest, refuel or rest.”
- Katie Ryan, Executive Director, The Wetlands Conservancy
Thanks to an eager landowner and the dedication of The Wetlands Conservancy (TWC), Mud Slough Wetland is protected with a conservation easement to maintain the property with plants and animals native to the Willamette Valley. It is not far from Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, but Mud Slough is private property, as are more than 80% of wetlands in the contiguous 48 states.
In its natural state, this part of Oregon was rich with wetlands but many of them have been converted to other uses or heavily altered by non-native species. Restoring some of these areas adds to the tapestry of beneficial land uses in the Willamette and provides vital habitat for birds. A sampling of the birds that are using the restored wet prairie habitats of Mud Slough include Virginia Rail, Sora, American Bittern, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Dunlin.
The mission of the TWC is to conserve and steward Oregon’s wetlands, in partnership with communities. Working with private landowners to conserve land via conservation acquisitions or easements is one part of that work, but TWC also engages communities via outreach and volunteer opportunities. The Wetlands Conservancy is the recipient of a 2022 Pacific Birds Partnership Grant award to work with landowners and create opportunities to be involved with local wetlands.
