Salem Hills-Ankeny NWR – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Salem Hills Ankenu NWR Area — Photo Credit: Susan Barnes, ODFW

This area is comprised of the Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, located south of Salem and the surrounding foothills.

COA ID: 077

Recommended Conservation Actions

Maintain and enhance remnant native wet prairie, upland prairie and oak savanna
Maintain and enhance wetlands, ponds, and associated uplands to support northwestern pond and western painted turtle habitat
Maintain or enhance in-channel watershed function, connection to riparian habitat, flow and hydrology
Maintain or enhance oak savanna and grassland habitats and their connection to adjacent habitats
Maintain or restore riparian habitat and ecological function; ensure sufficient habitat complexity for wildlife
Maintain or restore riparian habitat and ecological functions; ensure sufficient habitat complexity for wildlife
Promote early detection and and suppression of invasive weeds
Remove invating conifers and non-native vegetation from oak woodlands
Restore seasonal wetlands

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Special Features

General

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge contains extensive restroed shallow-water seasonal wetlands that are heavily used by migrating and wintering waterfowl and shorebirds
Important area for grassland and oak savanna-dependent birds, rare plants and other wildlife
Surrounding foohills contain high-quality oak savanna, including projects by private landowners to newly-restore oak savanna, woodland, and riparian habitats.
Wintering site for waterfowl and shorebirds

Previously Associated With

2006 COA ID WV-16 (Salem Hills - Ankeny NWR)
2006 COA ID WV-16 (Salem Hills - Ankeny NWR)
2006 COA ID WV-17 (Lower and North Santiam Rivers)

Protected Areas

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
Bonesteele Park
Burkland Park
Cascade Gateway
City Park
Wetlands Reserve Program

Ecoregions

Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley ecoregion is bounded on the west by the Coast Range and on the east by the Cascade Range. This long mostly level alluvial plain has some scattered areas of low basalt, and contrasts with productive farmland and large urban areas. It has the fastest-growing human population in the state resulting in challenges due to land-use changes.

Strategy Habitats

Grasslands

Grasslands include a variety of upland grass-dominated habitats, such as upland prairies, coastal bluffs, and montane grasslands.

Oak Woodlands

Oak woodlands are characterized by an open canopy dominated by Oregon white oak.

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats include all naturally occurring flowing freshwater streams and rivers throughout Oregon as well as the adjacent riparian habitat.

Ducks on a wetland in Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area, Oregon

Wetlands

Wetlands are covered with water during all or part of the year. Permanently wet habitats include backwater sloughs, oxbow lakes, and marshes, while seasonally wet habitats include seasonal ponds, vernal pools, and wet prairies.