Natural Infrastructure in Oregon

Common Challenges, Opportunities for Action, and Case Studies

The Natural Infrastructure in Oregon report was created to help various stakeholders — from management staff in utilities, governmental agencies, and engaged non-profits, to people who inform and guide decision-makers — advocate for more natural infrastructure solutions.

This report was prepared by Willamette Partnership and Oregon Environmental Council.

Background

Oregonians today face complex water challenges. In many communities, aging water infrastructure is failing and simply inadequate for meeting a growing population’s needs. Water is increasingly scarce, more polluted, less seasonally reliable, and the future seems to hold more of the same. By incorporating nature into water management, we can address these challenges head-on while supporting prosperous communities and healthy ecosystems. With direct and associated co-benefits, natural infrastructure approaches will be a crucial component of Oregon’s water future.

Read more from the two-page summary of the “Natural Infrastructure in Oregon”

Check out the Blog Series – A Natural Vision for Water

Co-authored by Oregon Environmental Council and Willamette Partnership

• Natural Infrastructure in Oregon – Report Announcement

• A Natural Vision for Water: Co-Benefits of Natural Infrastructure

• A Natural Vision for Water: Advancing Health and Environmental Justice
• A Natural Vision for Water: Investing in Our Future 

These blogs are part of a series on the benefits and opportunities of natural infrastructure investments to make our communities more resilient to the challenges of the future. OEC, Willamette Partnership, and our partners are working to shift policy so that natural infrastructure solutions get priority placement in community projects around the state. Read our full Natural Infrastructure in Oregon report to learn more about common challenges and opportunities for action.