Helpful Links
Access plant databases, environmental orgs., land regulations, soils info & more!
Quick Links
Select the links below to jump to a section.
Plant Databases
Nation-wide
- US Department of Agriculture Plants Database - includes photographs and technical details on both native and non-native plants.
- US Forest Service Fire Effects Information System - literature reviews by species.
Washington
- University of Washington's Burke Herbarium - large collection of photographs and species information.
- Washington State Natural Heritage Program - houses rare plant field guide and ecological community summaries.
Oregon
- OregonFlora - rich database of plants native to Oregon supported by the Oregon State University herbarium.
- Protected by Oregon Department of Agriculture - list of endangered, threatened, and candidate species.
Environmental Organizations
- Native Plant Salvage Project - provides free training for southern Salish residents on native plant topics, organizes plant salvages, promotes wise resource use, and hosts accessible plant sales.
- Society for Ecological Restoration - for both professionals and the public interested in the science of restoration ecology and its implications in management, education, and culture.
- Institute for Applied Ecology - supports PNW restoration projects, provides training for the public, offers K-12 environmental education resources, and houses the Native Seed Network.
- Society of Wetland Scientists - for professionals involved with wetland delineation, mitigation, and restoration.
- Washington Native Plant Society - committed to the appreciation and conservation of Washington's native plants.
- Oregon Native Plant Society - dedicated to the enjoyment, conservation and study of Oregon's native plants and habitats.
- Non-profit organizations that offer restoration services to private landowners through conservation easements include the Nature Conservancy and many other land trusts and non-profit environmental organizations.
- Consider donating to a land trust. In the south sound area, Capitol Land Trust, Nisqually Land Trust, and Bainbridge Island Land Trust are busy conserving and restoring local habitats.
Native Plant Propagation
- Native Plant Propagation Protocol Database - organized by species, state and propagation technique. Coordinated by the Native Plant Network.
- Native Seed Network - includes availability information on native seed by state for both propagation and restoration. Compiled by the Institute for Applied Ecology.
- Reforestation, Nursery, and Genetic Resources Team - includes propagation publications and a plant materials directory. Coordinated by the US Forest Service.
Pest Control
Noxious & Invasive Weed Control
- Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board - resource for weed identification and best management practices by species.
- Oregon Noxious Weed Profiles - database with images and descriptions of noxious weeds around Oregon state.
- King County Noxious Weed Control - identification, control guidance, and resources for noxious weeds and invasive plants in King County.
- Invasive Species Impact Cultural Resources - invasive plant and pest resources designed for tribal audiences.
- WNPS Invasive Species Highlights - noxious species lists and plant highlights.
- Oregon’s Invasive Species Information Hub - information and reporting pathways for invasive flora and fauna.
Wildlife Management
- Beavers in King County - resources for living in beaver habitat.
- Beavers, Wetlands & Wildlife - suggestions for protecting plantings, managing flooding, and co-existing with beavers.
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Living with Wildlife Series - organized by animal, includes both how to attract and how to deter.
- Deterring Deer & Elk - step by step manual by Oregon State University.
Soils
- Natural Resource Conservation Service Soils Website - includes the web soil survey, a soil taxonomy text and a glossary of soils terms.
- WSU Soil Health - tons of great resources on soils and soil testing from Washington State University.
- Soils for Salmon - includes best management practices for soils on construction sites, information on improving soil as part of existing landscapes and a compost amendment rate calculator.
Environmental Regulations
Washington
- WA Department of Ecology Laws and Rules - includes indices of laws and rules and a searchable publications database.
- WA State Governor's Office of Regulatory Assistance- Environmental Permitting - environmental permit handbook and an environmental service center that can direct individual business and property owners to regional assistance leads.
- King County Land Use Permitting - information on the land use permits and processes within King County.
- Pierce County Planning and Public Works - includes links to various ordinances, applications and forms.
- Thurston County Resource Stewardship Department - includes links to various ordinances, applications and forms.
- Clark County Community Development - includes information on general land use and wetland permitting.
Oregon
- Oregon Planning, Department of Land Conservation and Development - overview of State goals, required reporting, and resources for planners.
- City of Portland Overview of the Zoning Code - includes zoning regulations, hierarchy, and maps.
- Multnomah County Land Use Planning Division - includes zoning information, application forms, commission information, and more.
- Washington County Land Use Permits - includes permitting information for agricultural buildings, grading and engineering, land use ordinances, and more.
- Clackamas County Community Development - information on land development, forestry, planning and zoning, and more.
Low Impact Development
- Washington Stormwater Center - statewide resource center for low impact development (LID)/green stormwater infrastructure (GSI).
- Low Impact Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound' - the technical manual from Puget Sound Partnership including explanations of various LID techniques and case studies.
- Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington - step-by-step instructions for designing, building and maintaining a rain garden.
- Puget Sound Rain Gardens - a source of information on rain gardens from WSU Extension Snohomish County.
- Habitat Friendly Development Practices - a City of Beaverton, OR site that includes site assessment tips, LID techniques, and case studies.
Gardening with Native Plants
- Naturescaping Resources - materials compiled by our friends at the Native Plant Salvage Foundation covering planting techniques, landscape design, pest control, and more.
- Hedgerows - a handbook, design templates, species lists, and workshop access by the Native Plant Salvage Foundation.
- 12,000 Rain Gardens - resources to help Puget Sound area homeowners plan and build rain gardens.
- Rain Garden Self-paced Course - including factsheets, a handbook, and guided coursework.
- Oregon State University Gardening with Native Plants - plant profiles, publications, and regional recommendations.
Restoration Resources for Private Landowners
- US Fish and Wildlife Coastal Program - provides incentives for the stewardship of fish and wildlife habitat through voluntary conservation and restoration of coastal public and private lands.
- US Fish and Wildlife Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program - provides financial and technical assistance to foster voluntary restoration projects on private land that benefits listed species.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Programs - programs offered include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program among others.
- Shore Friendly Program - Resources for shoreline property owners, including technical assistance and financial grants and incentives.
- WA DNR Small Forest Landowner Office - various programs offered for small forest landowners.
- Thurston Conservation District - Conservation Districts offer technical assistance and provide restoration resources to residents of their county. Services offered vary by county but may include consulting services, soil testing, equipment rental and native plant sales. Browse the web to find your county's conservation district.
- Hood Canal Coordinating Council - works within the Hood canal watershed and manages a Community Nearshore Restoration Program that provides landowners with stewardship training, technical assistance and plant material in exchange for extending what they have learned to the greater community through workshops, meetings and other events.
Restoration Ecology Web Tools
- Plant Quantity Calculator - an interactive webpage on our website.
- King County Native Plant Guide - very useful tool for selecting native plants based on their growth form, physical traits, and environmental requirements.
- Plant Identification Key - search the University of Washington's WTU Herbarium online photographic collection through this web form.
- Winter Tree and Shrub Key - search the University of Washington's Burke Herbarium online photographic collection through this web form targeting plant characteristics visible during the winter.
- Irrigation Calculator - developed by Washington State University and includes calculators for multiple irrigation system types.
- Starflower Education Resources - Archived education resources from the defunct Starflower Foundation, curated by the Washington Native Plant Society, include K-8 habitat lesson plans and activities, native plant ID cards, and an extensive image library.