The Institute for Applied Ecology
The Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) is a Corvallis-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to natural resource conservation, research, and education. Their many conservation research projects are aimed at increasing our understanding of the biology of rare species that can then direct restoration and management of such species. Studies include the development of seed germination and plant propagation methods, field studies with direct seeding and transplants, follow-up monitoring to determine effective site preparation strategies and treatment results, using exclosures to determine grazing effects, and long-term demographic studies.

Species currently being studied by the IAE include the following:
Abronia umbellata ssp. breviflora (pink sand verbena)
Astragalus tyghensis (Tygh Valley Milkvetch)
Calochortus greenei (Greene's mariposa lily)
Cypripedium fasciculatum (clustered lady's slipper)
Eucephalis vialis (Wayside aster)
Erigeron decumbens (Willamette daisy)
Fritillaria gentneri (Gentner's fritillary)
Lomatium bradshawii (Bradshaw's Lomatium)
Lomatium cookii (Cook's Desert Parsley)
Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii (Kincaid's lupine)
Senecio ertterae (Ertter's senecio)

Download a PDF with some of the above project descriptions by clicking HERE.

Regional Strategies for Restoring Native Prairies
In collaboration with the Nature Conservancy, the IAE is conducting a five-year, regional study exploring restoration of upland prairies with experimental restoration test sites in British Columbia, Washington, and the Willamette Valley. The objectives for this project are to:
1. Evaluate and improve strategies for controlling the abundance of invasive non-native herbaceous weeds, while maintaining or enhancing the abundance and diversity of native plant species, and
2. Develop an approach to generalize these results so that they can be applied by land managers engaged in prairie stewardship throughout the region.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture's Native Plant Conservation Program works with the people of Oregon to protect and conserve the state's native plants. This ODA program is  involved in a project funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop updated population density estimates for nine rare, threatened and endangered Willamette Valley Prairie species. This project ties in with the ongoing work of a large group of agencies and organizations to finalize a Recovery Plan for rare, threatened and endangered species of the Willamette Valley. Species of interest for this project are: Aster curtus, Delphinium leucophaeum, Delphinium pavonaceum, Erigeron decumbens var. decumbens, Horkelia congesta, Lathyrus holochlorus, Lomatium bradshawii, Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii, and Sidalcea nelsoniana. 
For more information, please contact Rebecca Currin at 541-737-4333.



Benton County Habitat Conservation Plan
In the spring of 2006, Benton County received a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop a Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The IAE is cooperating with this project which will describe how Benton County intends to avoid, minimize and mitigate any harm to the seven threatened or endangered species covered by this plan. This project will serve three major purposes:
  • expand upon current conservation efforts by increasing restoration opportunities on County and other private lands
  • provide long-term protection of sensitive species and habitats
  • develop a more economical and ecological approach to species conservation and mitigation

Five plant species - Lupinus sulphureus ssp. kincaidii, Erigeron decumbens var. decumbens, Sidalcea nelsoniana, Delphinium pavonaceum and Lomatium bradshawii - will be covered in this plan.

Restoration and Reintroduction Education (RARE) Partnership
The IAE's Education and Outreach Program with local schools includes in-class education about native species, habitats, and restoration, and involves students in growing native species in the greenhouse and planting them in native habitats.		  
Native Seed Network
The Native Seed Network (NSN) - a program of the IAE - is a resource for both the restoration community and the native seed industry, providing powerful search tools and information on all aspects of native seed. The NSN works with public agencies, educators and private groups to increase the availability of affordable native plant materials from local genetic sources. In 2006, the NSN became a partner in the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Program, aimed at enhancing species diversity of wetlands restored through the USDA NCRS Wetland Reserve Program.
Other Plant Conservation Links:
The Berry Botanic Garden
Plant Conservation Alliance
Center for Plant Conservation