Oregon State University
OP-T2-20: Wildlife Habitat

OSU takes multiple steps to protect wildlife habitat on institutionally-owned land. According to Joe Majeski, OSU landscape manager, "We manage our remnant oak groves with the habitat of the local wood pecker population in mind. We utilize bio-swales which minimize storm runoff and incorporate many native plants." These bio-swales promote the functioning of riparian areas on campus and are linked directly to riparian areas in several cases. Additionally, OSU has done work to restore runs of Oak Creek, an urban stream and riparian area that runs through the heart of the main campus and many of OSU's agricultural areas. This work includes annual (or more frequent) stream cleanup events, removal of historical debris including dams and concrete, planting native plants, improved shading of the creek, fencing off the creek from animal areas to prevent direct access and work on stormwater outfalls to prevent erosion and slow and clean water using bioswales and other methods. Periodically, Oak Creek and its surrounding riparian area is used for academic course work, service learning requirements and research.