Baskett Butte – State Wildlife Action Plan

Geographic boundaries of the COAs were updated for the 2026 State Wildlife Action Plan and the associated COA profiles are intended to provide additional information. Content of each COA profile is being refined and will be updated to reflect current conditions when feasible. Please help us by submitting information on Local Conservation Actions, Plans, or Potential Partners to: OCS.revision@odfw.oregon.gov.

The Basket Butte COA (27 mi²) is located north of Dallas. It is bordered to the south by the Salem-Willamina Highway and the east by Hwy 99W. This area contains upland oak-dominated hills, Basket Slough, Ash Swale, and headwaters of Salt Creek, tributary of South Yamhill River.

Recommended Conservation Actions

Maintain and restore existing habitat and ecological function, ensuring sufficient habitat complexity for wildlife.
Maintain and enhance in-channel watershed functions, connection to riparian habitat, water flow and hydrology.

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

This are provides critical habitat for many sensitive species, including Streaked-horned lark and Fender’s blue butterfly.
The Basket Slough National Wildlife Refuge (2,492-acre) protects critical habitat for many sensitive species in the Willamette Valley. It is also a popular wildlife viewing area for the public.
There are several ESA-listed plant species present in this area.
This area has been designated a grassland bird conservation area by Partners in Flight. It provides critical habitat for many important avian species.

Protected Areas

Baskett Butte (WWMP Property)

Basket Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Cornerstone Project (WWMP Property)

Mud Slough Conservation Easement
Mud Slough Wetland Mitigation Bank

Smithfield Oaks (WWMP Property)

Wetlands Reserve Program

Previous COA Associations

Previously Associated with (2006 COA IDs)
- WV-11 (Baskett Butte)
Size Change from 2016 boundaries: -6.0 mi² (18% decrease)

Specialized Local Habitats

Forest openings
Unique grassland habitats

Ecoregions

Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley ecoregion is bounded on the west by the Coast Range and on the east by the Cascade Range. This long mostly level alluvial plain has some scattered areas of low basalt, and contrasts with productive farmland and large urban areas. It has the fastest-growing human population in the state resulting in challenges due to land-use changes.

Key Habitats

Grasslands

Grasslands include a variety of upland grass-dominated habitats, such as upland prairies, coastal bluffs, and montane grasslands.

Natural Lakes

Natural lakes are relatively large bodies of freshwater surrounded by land that were formed through geological processes, such as glacial scouring, tectonic movements, volcanic activity and river meander cutoffs. In Oregon, natural lakes are defined as standing water bodies larger than 20 acres, including some seasonal lakes. Depth is not a reference for characterization of …

Example of Oak Woodlands, which is a Strategy Habitat within the State Wildlife Action Plan

Oak Habitats

There are several oak habitat types in Oregon, where oaks comprise most of the canopy. These can include oak woodlands, oak forest, oak chaparral, and riparian oak. Oak savanna is covered in the Grasslands Key Habitat. Oaks may also co-dominate a canopy in oak/fir, oak pine, and oak hardwood habitats.

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats include all naturally occurring flowing freshwater streams and rivers throughout Oregon as well as the adjacent riparian habitat.