Interior Secretary Norton to Announce Innovative Agreement to Conserve At Risk Species on Private Farm in Idaho

Also To Release Status Report on National Parks in Oregon

(PORTLAND, Ore.) -- Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton will announce an innovative voluntary agreement to conserve four at-risk species on a northeast Oregon farm, during an event Saturday, April 24, at the Oregon Zoo. It is only the second such voluntary agreement that addresses the needs of multiple species on private lands.

The agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Threemile Canyon Farms provides for continued operation and development of the farm while protecting and managing sensitive habitat of four key species: the Washington ground squirrel, the loggerhead shrike, the ferruginous hawk and the sage sparrow.

Portland General Electric, The Nature Conservancy and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are also partners in the agreement.

"This agreement is an excellent example of the approach we need to take to conserving species that are in decline not only in Oregon but across the country," Norton said. "By providing incentives for landowners to take action on their property, we foster a spirit of innovation and partnership that can do far more to protect and conserve species than the government can do alone."

At the event, Norton will also make available to the press a status report on projects to improve national parks in Oregon by addressing longstanding maintenance needs and upgrading visitor facilities.

What: Announcement of Agreement to Conserve Four Imperiled Species on Threemile Canyon Farms.

Who: Interior Secretary Gale Norton
Marty Meyers , CEO, Threemile Canyon Farms
Russell Hoeflich, Oregon State Director, The Nature Conservancy
Stephen Quennoz , VP, Generation, Portland General Electric

When: Saturday, April 24, 10:00 a.m. (Media Availability with Secretary Norton at 10:30 a.m.)

Where: Oregon Zoo, Kalahari Room, 4001 SW Canyon Rd.