Kotek Launches Major Plan to Make Oregon’s Forests, Rivers, and Communities Climate-Resilient

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has signed an executive order to accelerate and broaden the adoption of climate-resilient strategies.

Order 25-26 will be incorporated into existing state programs for the benefit of ecosystems and Oregon communities.

The Initiative Will Protect Lands and Waters from Climate Change

In a statement, Kotek says the initiative will prioritize and protect lands and waters to help landowners withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change.

The executive order will protect more than 10% of the state’s most climate-resilient natural lands and waters over the next decade. Relevant state agencies will identify and prioritize areas while maximizing the benefits of clean water, wildlife habitat, and community health.

Farmers, Foresters, Fishers, Businesses, and Landowners Will Be Helped with Climate-Friendly Practices

State agencies will help farmers, foresters, fishers, businesses, and landowners to adopt climate-friendly practices. This includes streamlining grant applications, expanding access to funding and technical support, and accelerating permits for restoration projects.

State agencies will develop strategies to make Oregon’s publicly-owned lands climate-resilient. This will include parks, forests, wildlife areas, and coastal waters.

Oregon will work with communities and statewide partners to develop the Plan for a Resilient Oregon (PRO) to protect its residents from climate threats, including wildfires and flooding.

State agencies will support efforts to establish fire-adapted communities using strategies to expand forest treatments and prescribed burns, improve air quality during fire seasons, and coordinate efforts to reduce wildfire risks and minimize the impact of smoke.

A coordinated approach will be adopted for tracking climate resilience via an inter-agency team led by the Director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. And the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.

Andrew Maggi of The Pew Charitable Trusts’ U.S. conservation team hails the executive order as a critical, forward-thinking step to safeguard Oregon’s natural resources. Praise for the initiative was also expressed by Derek Johnson, Oregon State Director of The Nature Conservancy, and Jane Bacchieri, Executive Director of the Elakha Alliance.