What is the Columbia Critter Corridor?
The Plan to Conserve Columbia County outlines three ambitious strategies for the Columbia Land Conservancy and partners to pursue:
- Caring for land together: One theme surfaced repeatedly in public feedback: legal protection of land with voluntary conservation easements is essential, and it is also one of a suite of strategies. CLC aims to engage people in caring for the land together – facilitating 2,500 acts of caring for land each year. The Critter Corridor is a key part of achieving this goal.
- Conserving priority landscapes: The Plan calls for CLC and partners to conserve 30% of Columbia County’s critical landscapes by 2035. A critical landscape is defined as one that was ranked as Higher or Highest Priority in the GIS analysis. Currently, 26% of these lands have already been permanently protected by CLC or conservation partners. CLC aims to protect an additional 10,000 acres by 2035.
- Supporting conservation partners: CLC is a leader in land conservation, and many voices and perspectives are needed to ensure conservation efforts reflect community needs. CLC will share data from the Plan, convene regular meetings of partners implementing the Plan, and offer technical assistance and support for partners pursuing implementation strategies.
What do I do as part of the Corridor?
Every outdoor space, whether large or small, can play a role in creating healthy habitats and pathways for animals. When you take the pledge to join the Corridor, you commit to an act of caring for land together! As part of the Critter Corridor, you’ll Make Way for Wildlife through three actions:
- Pulling a weed – removing aggressive non-native plants
- Planting a seed – planting native trees, shrubs, and/or flowers
- Giving a feed – improving soil health through practices like composting
If this sounds like a lot – don’t worry! CLC and your fellow pledge takers are here to help. We’ll share updates on best management practices, upcoming events, and gatherings for participants.
Let’s get growing!