The Washington Natural Heritage Program and Oregon Biodiversity Information Center maintain lists of rare, threatened and endangered species in their respective states. Species on the lists are ranked, and the lists are used by state and federal agencies to identify sensitive and special status species.
A joint meeting to discuss rare vertebrate species from Oregon and Washington, the ranking process, and the resultant ranks will be held on Wednesday, February 14 in conjunction with the Oregon and Washington Chapters of The Wildlife Society, Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology, and Northwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Joint Meeting. The meeting will start at 8:00 am and last until 10:00 am when the keynote address begins for the Joint Annual Meeting. The ranking meeting is open to all, but we request people register so we can alert you to proposed changes to the lists as the meeting date approaches. The current Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species list for Oregon is available at http://inr.oregonstate.edu/orbic/rare-species/rare-species-oregon-publications . The Washington Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species list is available at http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/animals.html. This is your opportunity to submit information on rarity, threats, trends, local data and knowledge, and professional judgment.
You can bring your recommendations for species additions, deletions, changes to rank, distribution or list, or any other changes to the meeting or send them prior to Eleanor Gaines (eleanor.gaines@pdx.edu) for Oregon species, or John Fleckenstein (john.fleckenstein@dnr.wa.gov) for Washington species. A spreadsheet with recommendations submitted will be summarized and posted to the above websites prior to the meeting; copies will be available at the meeting. Registered participants will be notified when the spreadsheet is updated.
To register for the ranking meeting, please email eleanor.gaines@pdx.edu . There is no registration fee. The meeting room will be announced to registered participants when assigned, and will be posted on the above websites and at the conference site. Please forward to others who may have information to share.