Working Group Coordination

Through the Cascadia Prairie-Oak Partnership (CPOP), Ecostudies coordinates several species-specific and regional working groups with partners throughout region. Most of these groups meet annually to discuss and prioritize recovery actions, as convening with key conservation partners on both a species-specific and regional basis is critical to utilizing scarce resources to enact priority actions. Working together in a coordinated effort has proven to accelerate recovery planning and implementation of key actions.

For several of these groups, an Action Plan is maintained to list the “next best tasks” that can be taken to improve the status of a focal species and rank the highest priority actions. Each year at annual working group meetings, the lists are updated to reflect completed work, new opportunities, and changes in urgency. Action Plans are intended to encourage dialogue and consensus among their respective groups as well as inform entities that work with conservation policies and funding, such as the US Fish & Wildlife Service, regarding priority recovery actions.

 

Helen Dolejsi 2026

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The Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama) is a medium-sized burrowing rodent that is endemic to western Washington, western Oregon, and northern California. Gophers tunnel underground, aerating soil and creating mounds that are well-suited to the growth of native wildflowers. Of the nine Mazama pocket gopher subspecies, four (Olympia, Tenino, Yelm, and Roy) are found in the prairies of the South Puget Sound, the region of emphasis for this working group.

Due to declining and fragmented prairie habitat in the region, the populations of these four subspecies are considered at risk. In 2014, the US Fish & Wildlife Service designated the four South Puget Sound subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Mazama Pocket Gopher Working Group first convened in 2010 and meets annually to discuss and prioritize recovery actions.

Learn more about Mazama Pocket Gopher Recovery

Access Working Group meeting minutes and explore species documents in the CPOP Technical Library

The streaked horned lark (Eromophila alpestris strigata) is a small ground-dwelling bird that is endemic to the Pacific Northwest. Small populations occur along Washington’s coast, through the Puget lowlands, and on lower Columbia River islands, while a majority of the approximately 1,500 remaining individuals are found in the Willamette Valley.

Relying on wide open spaces that have sparse vegetation, streaked horned larks have declined greatly with the loss of ideal habitat due to range contraction, land use conversion, and the encroachment of woody vegetation. In 2013, the US Fish & Wildlife Service listed the streaked horned lark as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Streaked Horned Lark Working Group first convened in 2007 and meets annually to discuss and prioritize recovery actions.

Access Working Group meeting minutes and explore species documents in the CPOP Technical Library

The Oregon vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus affinis) is subspecies of vesper sparrow with a restricted breeding range that includes southwestern British Columbia, western Washington, western Oregon, and northwestern California. Due to loss and degradation of habitat, risk of stochastic events, and disturbances during the nesting season, this subspecies is now in danger of extirpation in Washington.

Oregon vesper sparrows are listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) under Washington’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). SGCN-classified species include both those with and without legal protection status under the Federal and State Endangered Species programs. The species’ federal listing status is currently under review. The Oregon Vesper Sparrow Working Group has been meeting informally for several years but officially first convened in 2024, continuing to meet annually to discuss and prioritize recovery actions.

Access working group meeting minutes and explore species documents in the CPOP Technical Library

Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori) is historically known to occur in western Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (BC). It is currently restricted to one site in BC, two in Oregon, and less than ten in Washington. Occurring in grassland and prairie-oak sites where host plants and nectar sources are available, Taylor’s checkerspots have declined greatly with the loss of prairie habitat and spread of invasive plants in the region.

In 2013, the US Fish & Wildlife Service listed Taylor’s checkerspot as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Working Group first convened in 2010 and meets annually to discuss and prioritize recovery actions.

Access Working Groups meeting minutes and explore species documents in the CPOP Technical Library

Over the past 30 years, the conservation community has made significant investments in restoring prairie-oak habitat, establishing new populations of rare species, and expanding partnerships to include a diversity of people, places, and priorities. The prairies and oak woodlands of southwest Washington (particularly Clark, Cowlitz, and Lewis counties) have received significantly less conservation attention than other regions, despite the many important landscapes, species, and communities of people that call this area home. The Southwest Washington Prairie-Oak Working Group was creating in 2023 to address this regional disparity and has been meeting annually to:

  • Continue documenting community needs and opportunities associated with regional prairie-oak conservation,
  • Highlight the work of conservation and agricultural partners in the region,
  • Share resources available for conservation outcomes, and
  • Identify clear and actionable next steps for the group.

The South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape Working Group is an informal group striving to promote and improve the management and planning of conservation actions on the prairies and associated habitats of South Puget Sound. This group includes members from both public and private entities, with knowledge and expertise in natural area management and planning, who work together to share expertise, develop resources, and effectively plan and implement future conservation activities. Although individual members may have on-the-ground focus on individual prairies, the working group focuses on the entire South Puget Sound prairie system. The ultimate goal of the working group is to improve the natural resources of the South Puget Sound prairies.

Learn more about the South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape Working Group