ABOUT THE WILLAMETTE BASIN EXPLORER

The Willamette Basin Explorer is a digital library that provides users with integrated information, tools and expertise about natural resources in the Willamette Basin. The Willamette Basin Explorer was the first Oregon Explorer prototype. The portal was created to help people in the Willamette Basin work together toward a more sustainable, healthy environment by using new tools of research, communication and decision-making.

Through the collection, maintenance, and presentation of basin stories, data, maps, documents, photos, and expertise, the Willamette Basin Explorer can reveal:

  • How the Willamette Valley might look in 2050
  • What the Willamette Valley looked like in 1851
  • Critical conservation issues and actions today
  • Focus areas for conservation and restoration
  • Watershed restoration activities throughout the basin

Featured tools:

The Willamette Basin Explorer was developed for use by local citizens and policymakers to inform decision-making about land and water use in the Willamette River Basin.

Primary Site Contact

Renee Davis-Born , Oregon Explorer Program Manager, Institute for Natural Resources.

Acknowledgements

Development of the Willamette Basin Explorer has been a collaboration among:

OSU Libraries: (Janine Salwasser, Tim Fiez, Karyle Butcher) -- OSU Libraries engages with the OSU community and the people of Oregon in their pursuit of knowledge. The OSUL partnership with the OUS Institute for Natural Resources supports delivery of information and services related to the protection and management of Oregon's vitally important natural resources through the Oregon Explorer natural resources digital library.

Oregon University System's Institute for Natural Resources: (Kuuipo Walsh, Renee Davis-Born, Hal Salwasser, Lisa Gaines) -- The Institute for Natural Resources provides Oregonians with ready access to current, relevant science-based information, methods, and tools for better understanding natural resource management challenges and developing solutions. INR co-manages the Oregon Explorer with OSUL.

Northwest Alliance for Computational Science and Engineering: The Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering (NACSE) is an interdisciplinary research center that focuses on the usability of web-based information and mapping systems. NACSE is the technology partner for the Oregon Explorer system.

Defenders of Wildlife: (Sara Vickerman, Andrew Bowman, Cheryl Hummon) -- Working with many partners, the Defenders of Wildlife Northwest office develops new conservation tools and promotes cooperation among diverse interests in both the Pacific Northwest and nationally.

Willamette Restoration Initiative: (Rick Bastasch, Marcia Sinclair) -- A basin-wide organization established to promote habitat restoration and water quality strategies along the entire length of the Willamette River. The initiative later evolved into the Willamette Partnership.

University of Oregon Institute for a Sustainable Environment: (David Hulse, Jerry Cafferata) -- The Institute is a center for collaborative research, technical assistance and policy education. It produces information to help resolve complex problems and enable people to sustain the economies and environmental systems that support their communities.

OSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife: (Stan Gregory) -- A goal of the OSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife is to provide people with the knowledge needed to make wise decisions on issues of conservation, sustainable use, and ecosystem restoration.

Funding for the Willamette Basin Explorer development was provided by the Meyer Memorial Trust, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, and OSU Libraries.

Your suggestions and comments will help improve this site: Take our online user survey